Posted on 06/15/2004 7:22:09 PM PDT by txradioguy
Republicans were dismayed to hear Ron Reagan, Jr., deliver what sounded like a rebuke to President Bush during a final tribute before his father was buried on Friday.
Referring to his dad as "a deeply, unabashedly religious man," the Reagan son added, "But he never made the mistake the fatal mistake of so many politicians - wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. . . "
"He accepted [his faith] as a responsibility, not a mandate," noted the presidential son. "And there is a profound difference."
Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley said there was no doubt the comments were a slap at Bush, but noted that Reagan Jr., "is somebody who's on the left more than on the right."
"He's never been in lockstep with his father or his father's legacy," Brinkley told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg.
In fact, Bush supporters should probably consider themselves lucky that Ron Jr. was able to keep his Bush-bashing under wraps for as long as he did.
Commenting on the president's nomination four years ago, a less restrained Ron Jr. asked sarcastically, "What's his accomplishment? That he's no longer an obnoxious drunk?"
A for President Reagan's religion, he was indeed unabashed when it came to his Christian faith. He was the first president in over a century who openly professed his faith in "Jesus Christ." He used almost every major public opportunity to invoke God, God's name or prayer.
One of his most famous speeches, where he called the Soviet Union an 'Evil Empire', was at a conference of Evangelical ministers.
Why does she go by the name "Davis"? And WHY doesn't she do something about that hair??? egads.
"What's his accomplishment?"
What's yours, Ron?
Davis was Nancy's maiden name. For a time back when it was the feminist thing to do to take your mother's name in defiance of the patriarchy (I crack myself up typing that rhetoric).
I cut Patti slack. She comported herself very well last week and one can't expect her to be changing her name back and forth and back and forth.
Melissa Rivers took her mother's name, too (Joan's daughter). I'm sure for professional reasons. I think that was another reason Patti said she changed her name and there's nothing wrong with that and I don't see why it's any of our concern.
I wonder, does Ron have a website? I'd love to leave a comment for him about his speech the other night...
How can the apple fall so far from the tree?
"jerk a know in my ass"
What does that mean?
Reagan's public religion was Lincolnesque. It was a generic almighty, but the Almighty it was. It informed both leaders while they were in office.
The worst thing a president should do is where his specific religion on his sleeve and wield it publicly.
This is a diverse nation and the Almighty watches over all of us. For a president to slap a name on the "Lord" is unnecessary....
where=wear...
"...to take a political swipe at ANYBODY at somebody's funeral is the epitome of TACKY. If he would have criticized Carter or Clinton it would be equally as tacky. Funerals are NOT the time for that."
Ron Jr.'s anger at W seems so uncontrollable, that I sense something stronger than politics...could it be jealousy? Is he envious that the younger Bush was able to become President when everyone knows Ron Jr. couldn't get elected crossing guard?
Speaking of criticizing Clinton, I wonder if Ron made the same nasty remarks after those dozens of photo ops with Clinton walking up the steps of a church on Sundays with a bible in his hand? All those prayer breakfasts? Somehow I doubt it.
He was, as you know, a famously optimistic man. Sometimes such optimism leads you to see the world as you wish it were as opposed to how it really is.
Ron has survived 23 bouts of rectal tearing.
Watching him at the funeral in the cathedral, he was awful showing off how disinterested he was in any of the religious portions of the service. No surprise to find out he's an avowed atheist.
I thought she probably had taken her mothers name. I still find it odd. But hey, it's California!
I love the way he literally looks down his nose all the time - it's so french.
see #83
The thing to remember with Ron and Patti is that they were never one to speak for their father. They were in fact estranged from him. Patti actively worked against her father in protests and books and such. I believe I've heard of Ron's liberal politics too. They are nothing like their father and DO NOT SPEAK FOR THEIR FATHER. And that was a disgrace to use his funeral for a political attack. Patti and Ron will never change. Michael is his father's son. Maureen was his daughter too. As for Nancy, let's hope she doesn't betray her husband's memory in using it to attack this President and push for a stem cell research using his name in which he was strongly pro-life.
We need religion as a guide. We need it because we are imperfect, and our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they're sinners can bring to democracy the tolerance it requires in order to survive.
- Ronald Reagan, August 1984
I also recall a Reagan quote from 1984 (it may be part of this same speech) which said: "If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we'll be one nation Gone Under.."
I strongly believe it is personal with Ron P. as George W. is a much loved son of a great family. George W. has done more with his life than that joker will ever amount too. And Ron isn't exactly close with God.
I doubt that Nancy is going to be put in that position, though Ron and Patti are probably twisting her arm. She knows that all Bush need do in response is say:
"Nancy, your husband led this country through the courage of his convictions, all based on deeply-felt moral decisions. Would you ask me to do less?"
Yes!
He's on Animal Planet, hosts the Eukanubab Dog Show.
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