Reagan was elected almost 30 years ago. You're acting as if the country has been in some kind of vacuum since then and that the electorate is identical to what is was in 1980. It isn't. It's a completely different country, with different demographics - both age and racial - and a different set of challenges.
People who believe that you can parrot Reagan's talking points and expect them to be as relevant today as they were 30 years ago, have a "head in the sand" mentality. Until conservative politicians can talk to the majority of Americans in a vernacular with ideas that are relevant to issues in 2009 - without being labeled as RINOs or whatever else, it's going to be a long time in the desert.
List 3 "Reagan talking points" that you think would not resonate today.
This is where you derail. I am not referring to people who "parrot Reagan's talking points", (btw, he did not have "talking pts") I am referring to people who sincerely and strongly believe in those same ideals that RR did. You see the difference? I want not 'ideologically pure' but rather genuineness in a politician. Though there are several core principles that must be adhered to.
It’s worse. If someone ran today with Reagan’s record in California and saying what Reagan said, and promising to do what Reagan actually did as President, the conservatives would run him out of town as too moderate.
“It’s a completely different country, with different demographics”
Yes, different demographics. No, not ‘completely’ different. Also basic principles of freedom and free markets endure and cross ethnicities and income groups.