Posted on 07/28/2004 5:41:03 AM PDT by Area Freeper
BOSTON - Much to the dismay of the Bush campaign, Nancy Reagan has just said no to appearing at the Republican National Convention next month. GOP strategists had hoped the former First Lady and Hollywood actress would make a cameo appearance onstage after a video tribute to her late husband, particularly after her Bush-bashing son, Ron, agreed to speak at the Democratic convention last night.
In an impassioned defense of stem-cell research, Ron Reagan toned down his rhetoric but still delivered one unmistakable shot that all but invited Americans to vote against President Bush.
"In a few months, we will face a choice," Reagan told delegates in an otherwise apolitical speech with mannerisms and rhetorical flourishes that brought to mind his famous father. "We can choose between the future and the past, between reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology."
GOP sources, meanwhile, confirmed his mother will not be at their Aug. 30-Sept. 2 convention - and some speculated her son might be behind the snub.
"I do not expect her at our convention but she knows she is welcome," Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie told reporters here yesterday.
"If all of you might just keep in mind for a moment the year that Mrs. Reagan has had and be a little understanding of that, I think that would be appreciated by the public and, I suspect, by Mrs. Reagan," Gillespie added.
Republican officials refrained from publicly criticizing Nancy Reagan for the no-show. Privately, however, some were upset as well as disappointed by the decision, which has been known to the White House for some time.
"I don't think she could have missed the symbolic significance of her son going to their convention and her not going to ours," a senior GOP official told the Daily News.
Friends of the 83-year-old former First Lady said she is understandably still grieving for her husband, who died June 5 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
"My guess is that she reached the point of emotional exhaustion in dealing with the old man's final goodbye," a prominent California Republican source told the Daily News. "But I was a little surprised she's not going to be there."
A downcast senior GOP official confirmed Nancy Reagan had never committed to appearing at the convention, but was nevertheless dubious of the official explanation.
"The 'not feeling up to it' line is bull----," the official said. "Something happened in the last month, and whatever it was was real."
Aides to the former President did not return calls seeking comment. In recent years, Nancy Reagan has curtailed her public schedule, but last week greeted the new aircraft carrier named for her husband when it arrived at its San Diego homeport.
Long before her husband's death, Bush-Cheney and GOP campaign strategists were eager to have her appear at the convention, even though her support for expanding stem-cell medical research using fetal tissue implicitly criticizes Bush's more restrictive approach.
Nancy - is she votes - will probably vote for Ketchup . Patty and Ron Jr. are oddballs , to put in mildly , while Michael , adopted , is a credit to his Dad and conservative . Ever wonder why ?
Bless her and let her go!
The greatest successes using stem cells have been achieved using those 'other two sources'.
"Do you think there is a conspiracy here?"
No, I think there is ignorance. That's why it is important for the word to get out that there are three sources of stem cells, not just one.
I think he was being sarastic.
Stem cell research is a major issue in people's minds.
When I voted for Reagan Nancy was Not the reason why. No big deal that she won't be speaking at the GOP convention. I sure hope the GOP asks Michael Reagan to give a speech at the convention.
This election is (or should be) about one thing, and one thing only: The fact that there remains a strong contingent of terrorists at large who have dedicated their lives and deaths to overthrowing our government and annihilating me, you, President Bush, and Ron Reagan Jr. alike. They do not discriminate. And if they have their way, you can forget about "stem cell research," or "global warming" or "assault weapons bans," or whatever you favorite liberal distraction be, for all time to come.
Nancy is a grieving widow who just ended 10 years of pure hell. Her coming out now would be abnormal in my opinion. She probably just wants to sit at home, rest and look at pictures of the happier days with her husband. The last think she wants is any more negativity.
As for Ron. He is an a$$.
Tempest in a teapot!
I've never heard Nancy Reagan express an opinion regarding politics. Yes, she was devoted to her husband. In an interview several years ago someone mentioned her devotion and she said something to the effect that it was the least she could do because he gave her a life better than she ever imagined. So, if true, it was really all about her. People assume that she has the same political leanings that her husband did, but I can't understand why. She was along for the ride, the glamor, the parties, etc. Not much substance there that I ever saw. My opinion...
Bush can reverse all that by simply allowing Stem Cell research. Let us leave theology and religion to its rightful place the heart of man. Politically opportunism dictated by few knuckle dragging born again nutcases is not good for science and medicine. The fanatical Moslems do similar stupidity; they will not allow a male doctor to examine a female patient! Nutcases should stay in caves and not be allowed to dictate policies in the 21st century.
Instead, by her silence, and given her son's treachery, she de fact enables those who most hated and hate her husband and everything he stood for.
Given Nancy's failure, Michael Reagan should speak.
I agree with you. President Reagan died long ago to Nancy. She could and should at least say a few words and address this convention this year. I think I will write a note to her via the Library site and tell her so.......
And exactly who was this mysterious "Senior GOP Official" who called the morning and sympathetic widow's excuse "bull----?"
And I agree with you about the Ron Jr - retard bit.
Going for an early beer this afternoon.
She was so obsessed with him that the she probably would have gone further. Uh oh, I can feel the heat of the flames already.
I guess they literally threw away the mold when RR was born.
No, he's not permitted to actually have an opinion of his own. He's more like an unattractive Laurie Dhue for dogs.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.