The milquetoasts Nixon/Ford/Reckefeller GOP was the reason they were in shambles. Reagan did indeed appeal to many, but he fought that faction to get the nomination. The "USSR is here to stay" crowd was entrenched in both parties. Reagan new different.
The gun control crowd was predominant in the GOP at the time. Reagan new different and attracted huge numbers of hunter and shooters, many who were blue collar workers.
The tiptoeing around religion crowd was in power, Reagan, more than any president possibly since Lincoln, invoked God often and proudly. He had perhaps the best speech on the pro-life position ever given. Social conservatives flocked to him, GOP, Dem and independent.
The GOP had become as fat and lazy as the dems when it came to programs like housing, welfare, etc. Reagan ran against it all.
Reagan was not a "political" conservative. He was the redefinition of conservatism, period. Appealing to all factions of the GOP and sweeping many non-political religious people up by addressing the rot that socialism had visited upon our country.
Rudy is as far from that person to fill Reagan's shoes as is possible.
new = knew
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Reagan was certainly a 'political' conservative. He was both a social and a political conservative.
Interestingly enough, the modern Social C movement is rather politically Lib in some ways, wanting bigger, more intrusive govt in many cases of vice (like gambling and porn).
Reagan was one of a kind, no doubt. Rudy is probably no Reagan.
But Rudy is a guy who, if elected eventually, likely will do a good job managing the country's govt.
Just beware -- the real risk you run is that all your 'gloom and doom' turns out to be dead wrong, and Rudy does get elected and then does a great job, going on to be one of our best Prez's ever.
And the social Cs then will be remembered as the folks who were so wrong about him that their judgement can't be trusted.