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.
i was wondering myself if patti and ron would vote for kerry this fall.
Who cares. Any notoriety Ron Jr, or Patti for that matter, had was buried with their august father.
I believe that Ron is known member of the Watermelon Party.
This issue is best forgotten. It can't possibly do anyone any good.
There was an article yesterday in NewsMax talking about Patti's close relationship with Kerry and from what I understand Jr. is a Nader supporter.
That said, 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.
"Funerals are NOT the time for that."
He must have mistakenly thought he was at the Wellstone Pep Rally.
Junior wears his politics on his sleeve -- at a funeral for his Dad.
I fear we'll be reading/posting/hearing arguments and discussions about this matter for at least the next six or seven years.
It was also a swipe at Michael Reagan.
That said, I thought Junior's comments were valid political points that don't get raised often enough. Joe Lieberman's did-I-mention-I'M-JEWISH campaign rhetoric came immediately to mind, as did Algore's blackface preacher Steppin Fetchit routine.
Don't forget that no pol ever carried a bigger Bible in public than Bill Clinton.
Or given more rides than Greyhound. She certainly looked it.
Valid points they might be. But a political rally...NOT a funeral for your father is the proper place to make your views known.
He seems a little slack in the drawers. My wife commented on how Michael had to not only comfort his wife and family, but had to take care of Ron's wife during the final visit to the casket.
"it's heartbreaking to have witnessed the bastardization of President Reagan's burial buy his own son who bears his name. Absolutely hideous."
AMEN!
What a shame that this poor excuse for a man shares a name with such an incredible leader. He certainly will never attain greatness like his father. He doesn't have the basic character inside of him--if he did he would have known that such a comment at such a time was completely selfish and inappropriate.
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