As we all know, Reagan was a democrat most of his life. His conservative side was still a work in progress as he became governor and later president. He even spoke of his liberal side while president. I beleive that Reagan thought a great deal about this process of switching parties before he publicly declared himself a conservative, and he understood that being a conservative had many elements, not all of which were necessary to declare oneself a conservative. Sarah Palin never went through that process, and while I know her to be conservative, it is difficult and unfair to make comparisons of her to a more politically complex man like Reagan.
To me, Sarah Palin is a like a conservative rock who sees herself being carved and polished to take off her rough edges, while Reagan was like clay being molded through experience from a liberal into a conservative.
Reagan was a Republican from 1962 until his death in 2004, a 42year span. That is longer then he was a Democrat --- 1932 to the 1962: 30yrs. Reagan was about to switch to the GOP in 1960 to support VP Nixon for President over JFK, but Nixon thought a high profile Democrat endorsement was better then a newly minted Pubbie. Truth is, Reagan was a DINO starting with his early support for Eisenhower in 1952 and later in 1956. Reagan's conservatism took root when he went across America making speeches for GE and traditional service clubs in the 50`s and 60's, promoting freedom through lower taxes, limited govt and American exceptionalism.
Btw, I like Palin but she is NO Ronald Reagan.