Posted on 11/02/2009 7:33:25 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
He was called a dumb actor -- a mere mouthpiece for wealthy controllers on the right, who fed him lines and pointed him toward a lectern to deliver them. He communicated well and knew how to act the part, having trained in those arts. But he was really an empty suit.
Today, many rank that man -- Ronald Reagan -- among our greatest presidents.
That he was not the derogatory things he had been called was a matter of record. Well before running for the presidency he had wedded himself to the core ideas he espoused in that office -- anticommunism, smaller government and lower taxes. For years, he had spoken and written about them. Yet, even some who served in Reagan's administration were surprised when, in his twilight years, the treasure trove of documents in his own hand emerged, demonstrating his long involvement with these issues.
Now, Sarah Palin faces a similar challenge.
Palin was thrust from the governorship of Alaska onto the national stage as the first female Republican vice presidential candidate. She energized the McCain campaign, creating a surge in the polls for her ticket.
The ever-astute Obama campaign, sensing that Palin's charisma rivaled that of its candidate, quickly attacked her qualifications. Her "hockey mom" credentials were also challenged when it became public that the GOP purchased a campaign wardrobe for her costing about $150,000. She was portrayed as vapid by commentators and comedians, who pounced upon her lackluster performances in interviews. But the unkindest cut came from the Republicans who abandoned her. Many cited her as the reason they crossed over to Obama. Even McCain's campaign staff leaked its displeasure with her.
Before the campaign ended, Palin had been buried.
Supposedly, there are no second acts in American life.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at views.washingtonpost.com ...
Let Reagan be Reagan and let everyone else be themselves.
I like Palin, but she’s no Reagan. Reagan didn’t quit his term as governor.
So if Sarah runs against Obama in 2012 who are you gonna vote for????
A bit early to call it either way, isn't it? She may in future define Conservative presidency... in 20 years we could be talking about the "next Palin". Who knows.
Blah blah, blah blah, blah blah. Yadda, yadda, yadda. yea sure, git it. Right on!
NOT. Geez, can you rombots ever give it a break? meanwhile his Romneycare sure is a campaign plus for him!
Well did Reagan get hit with repeat frivolous lawsuits with state party not backing him up?
>> Reagan didnt quit his term as governor.
Reagan wasn’t being sued to death in a coordinated left wing campaign to drive him to the poorhouse and render him financially unable to participate in politics, either.
Times have changed. Asymmetrical warfare calls for different tactics.
Another RINO exposed using the false “quitter” charge. Sheeesh, will these maroons ever learn the truth?
er, not lawsuits, i mean ethics complaints
What’s up with the slavish parroting of the “quitter” MSM meme? A bit unoriginal, isn’t it? Is this the only thing that matters?
BTW about Reagan and quitting:
Reagan shortly after taking office as Governor in California tried to run for President in 1968. If succesful he would have quit from his post he was just duly elected to. He obviously wouldn’t have minded being a “quitter” for becoming President.
Would you have voted against Reagan in 1968 just because he would have quitted his just won office in California?
Reagan also quit from Lebanon.
Reagan didn’t finish business with getting rid of Gaddafy.
Also the situation of Reagan and Palin isn’t comparable as Reagan wasn’t harrassed and driven into massive debt by frivolous lawsuits as Governor.
Finally what’s the point of your comment? Resigining as Governor didn’t do Palin any harm politically or financially. To the contrary. She is more than ever engaged in national politics, free from leftist lawsuit terrorism and makes big money.
I think the Conservatives that are going to win because of Palin’s support are quite happy about her new role in politics.
Neat, huh?
Are you going to start that I'll force you to vote as I say this early. Didn't work for Mccain did it.
Are you crying already?
Regan wasn’t being sued 100 times a day either.
Sarah Palin ran a marathon in under 4 hours. Have you ever ran a marathon? Trust me, she's no quitter.
Resigning as governor allows her to speak out. We need strong conservatives to speak out as never before.
Your short comings are not my problem.
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