I said it at the time and I believe it to be true. He told the air traffic controllers they would be fired if they did not return to work within 48 hours. They thought he was bluffing. That set the tone for his presidency and his negotiations with our adversaries. This man meant what he said. He proved it.
Compare that with Carter and Clinton, who thought that if you just ignored the problem or asked nicely, it would go away.
I was only 10 yrs old when Reagan was elected to office. From what I remember the threat of nuclear war with USSR was a real possibility. There were quite a few movies that were produced in that time. I remember that the movie "Threads" had a very chilling affect on me. It was Reagan's will and determination that Americans not have to worry about a nuclear war, EVER. He restarted the B-1 program and took the fight to the enemy in smaller countries, stopping the spread of communism and terrorism. Just ask good ole Momar.
Now in the current decade, movies are no longer made about all out nuclear war. They are about a handful of terrorists wreaking havoc on U.S. soil. Of course Hollywierd won't portray them as Muslim fanatics. Although G.W. has some big shoes to fill, he is taking the fight to the enemy. The enemy has attacked on U.S. soil for almost ten years, something that didn't happen until then. Clinton did nothing to stop it. The terrorists knew the resolve wasn't there.
G.W. has the resolve needed to protect America from these fanatics. He has taken the fight to the enemy and hasn't relented one bit, no matter what the polls say. A vote for Kerry is a vote for living in fear. I think that Reagan and G.W. have the same goal, for Americans to not live their lives in fear of an attack of any kind.