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A lot of the talking heads are quick to dismiss the similarities between George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, but here is a few to think about....

They both came to power when the country was deeply divided, (although Reagan won by a wide margin)

They both cut taxes in order to improve the economy

They both faced a murderous idioligy that threatened the very freedoms we hold dear

They both shared a deep belief in God

They both had a space shuttle crash while in office and had to console a grieving nation.

They both saw their tax policies turn an economy around

Reagan was no doubt a better speaker, but Ronald Reagan never had to face the challenges that George W. Bush has faced and is facing during his 8 years.

I will guarantee everyone that of Ronald Reagan was alive and able to witness the job George W. Bush has been doing since he became the POTUS, Ronald Reagan would place his hand on his shoulder and say "Soldier on my Son"

The one big difference, in my view. Reagan came from out of seemingly nowhere - by the strength of his mind and spirit.

He did not have extensive inside experience of the White House or Washington prior to becoming President. Some 16 years earlier, he had already set forth his vision, fully formed in A Time for Choosing Speech, at Goldwater's convention in 1964:

On the other hand, W.'s father had been a Washington insider all of W's life, and W got to see up close both the 8 years of Reagan's Presidency, and the 4 years of his father's.

Both of them, Reagan and W., are cut from similar cloth. Reagan gets my first vote, for the stunning boldness of his vision.

I'm sure W. owes much to Reagan, as we all owe much to both of these fine men.