Question on Reagan's 11th Commandment

[ConservativeDude]

I have a serious question on what the 11th commandment looks like in practice.

[ConservativeDude]

We all know Reagan's 11th Commandment is something like "don't speak badly of another Republican." I think we all understand the point. Personally I believe there is a lot of wisdom in it.

But I do have a question. Was the 11thC something developed by President Reagan rather than Governor and Candidate Reagan?

I recall that he ran for Pres at the Convention in 1968 (even though Nixon had the votes already). In his communications, did he criticize the presumptive nominee at all? Or did he simply articulate a conservative vision and ask for the delegates to switch their vote to him?

Similarly, ex-Governor Reagan ran against the sitting President, Gerald Ford, in 1976 and won several primaries, sending shock waves through the White House and Party establishment. My question is the same as above, did he ever criticize the administration, or simply articulate a truly conservative vision and ask for votes?

I also note that he campaigned vigorously for both Nixon in 68 and Ford in 76. Certainly that showed his commitment to the positive side of the 11th commandment.

Finally, a large group ran in 1980. Did Reagan simply ignore the rest of the pack? Did he ever criticize Dole, Bush, Connolly, etc.?

To those of you with excellent memories I would be very grateful if you would share it with me and the rest of the freepers.

[steplock]

Those with a true vision do not need to lower themselves down to the level of the dnc.

Only the left-wing extremists (NOT Liberals) can only do one thing - "We Hate Bush!"

[ConservativeDude]

Of course, not all criticisms of opponents is dnc-inspired. Reagan could have rightly raised issues with Nixon, Ford, etc. But I sense that he didn't even bother to do that.

In summary, are you saying then, that when Reagan ran, he ran 100% on HIS vision without bothering to even talk about the other guys?

If so, I would suggest that this is a most astonishing and almost unprecedented approach to politics.

[admiralsn]

Well, it is one thing to run against someone, yet another to "speak ill" of them. I wasn't old enough to see either the '68 or '76 campaigns, however I can only imagine that President Reagan respectfully disagreed with his opponents, and therefore tried to have a civil debate on the issues. He happen to lose those 2, but thankfully later won. It is a far cry from today's knock-down-drag-out mud-slinging fights- anything to win.

Look at the Dems, for example. Clark's campaingn floating the Kerry-affair rumor among Dem circles that later became public.

[ConservativeDude]

Agreed.

"however I can only imagine that President Reagan respectfully disagreed with his opponents, and therefore tried to have a civil debate on the issues."

This is precisely what I am trying to find out from those with better memories. Did he respectfully engage his Republican opponents? Or did he just run on his vision?

[hosepipe]

[ We all know Reagan's 11th Commandment is something like "don't speak badly of another Republican." I think we all understand the point. Personally I believe there is a lot of wisdom in it. ]

Actually it goes like this;
"don't speak badly of another Republican, IF, you're not in control of the House, Senate and Executive branch".. then it goes on to say.. " then, speak the words communist, socialist, and democrat in the same sentence as often as possible AND quote Marx and Lenin in the process as verification". If I remember correctly..

Democracy is the road to socialism. Karl Marx

Democracy is indispensable to socialism. The goal of socialism is communism. V.I. Lenin

[susiek]

I wasn't even born yet during those campaigns, but I've heard my father talk about them. According to his memory, Reagan did directly address what he saw as shortcomings in Ford's ideas and policies, but he never attacked him as unfit or a bad person. He never engaged in the kind of infighting that we saw from some of the demoncrat contenders this year. He addressed issues, not the person or his personal history, and according to my dad, it was done respectfully. Reagan just presented a different and more conservative vision, especially on taxes.

[WoodstockCat]

We also have to remember that much, not all of the political debate resembled "Firing Line" and not the "I can outscream you" dribble that is a poor excuse for political debate permeating our TV's and radios right now.
It used to be that political debate was really about promoting large important ideas, that has dissolved into political hit pieces.

[ConservativeDude]

THANK YOU. This is EXACTLY what I wanted to know.

"I wasn't even born yet during those campaigns, but I've heard my father talk about them. According to his memory, Reagan did directly address what he saw as shortcomings in Ford's ideas and policies, but he never attacked him as unfit or a bad person. He never engaged in the kind of infighting that we saw from some of the demoncrat contenders this year. He addressed issues, not the person or his personal history, and according to my dad, it was done respectfully. Reagan just presented a different and more conservative vision, especially on taxes."

[jnarcus]

Mr Reagan's campaigns were always above board and positive. His ads and his rhetoric were always focussed on his message. He didn't need to do anything OTHER than tell the truth. The 11th commandment occured when he was asked about a fellow republican during one of the early campaigns and he said he wouldn't speak ill of another republican. He didn't have to the facts spoke for themselves....You are way over analysing this.