Not a bad slap at the GOP but I wish folks would stop using Reagan as an example like this. He was the exception as in exceptional. Nothing wrong with finding inspiration "What Would Reagan Do?" in his example but folks need to understand there will *NEVER* be another Ronald Reagan. Even in death, he had unimaginable charisma.
Reagan was a great President, but in the early days, the American public felt much the same about him as they do about Bush if the polls are to be believed. Reagan's poll numbers were terrible at times. The American public liked him personally, but were not happy with his policies. Things were really tough in the early 80's (interest rates, jobs, taxes etc.) Thankfully, things had improved by the 1984 election, and Mondale was a weak candidate because he was associated with the failed Carter presidency. Therefore Reagan was re-elected and went on to defeat communism.
Remember, Reagan only had the House for two years-lost the House in the mid-term elections. Bush did better- if you think about it. I think the American public bonded with Reagan when he was shot. How could you not adore a President who is humorous while lying on a gurney shot in the chest? I remember his quip about hoping the doctors were Republicans. I was a liberal Democrat then, but still...Bush bonded with most Americans during his handling of the 9-11 crisis in a similar manner(not liberal haters of course, but then they never like any Republican president).
The lamestream media hated Reagan (still do if you ask me). People only began to understand Reagan's genius after he had left office. I remember how shocked I was when the Berlin wall came down. I never believed it was possible.
The point is this; hindsight is twenty-twenty. Reagan was appreciated after he left office far more than during his term. We came to realize what a truly great president Reagan was when his policies came to fruition. The economic boom of the 90's was a direct result of the Reagan tax cuts, and the demise of the Soviet Union was a direct result of Reagan's tough stance on national defense.
I believe George Bush is a great President; he will win a second term. Years, from now (just like Reagan), we will realize President Bush's genius. The war on terror will be won. The tax cuts (including tax cuts during the second term) will give us a booming economy for some time. The damage Clinton inflicted on the American military and national security (caused 9-11) will have been repaired. The GOP will be the majority party. Bush has worked tirelessly for this. It is happening right now! Can you name another President who added seats during a mid-term election? Some might say (and have), President Bush is too worried about politics. Somehow, it is unseemly during a war. I believe President Bush realizes the greatest danger America faces at this moment..is that the Democrats get back into office and practice the deadly politics of appeasement. I only hope the average conservative does; this is not the year to practice one issue type politics...we need to be broken glass Republicans!
I love President Reagan. He was one of the greatest Presidents ever...However, give President Bush a chance. He might surprise you. I believe years from now some freeper will be say something like, "not a bad slap, but I wish folks would stop using Bush as an example; he was exceptional.." LOL fellow freepers.