Reagan and Gingrich (Reagan's Ghost Writer?)

bessette/pitney ^ | Newt/Reagan

[jessduntno]

Reagan and Gingrich (from 1980)

In his 1980 debate with President Carter, Ronald Reagan famously said:

"...I think when you make that decision, it might be well if you would ask yourself, are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is there more or less unemployment in the country than there was four years ago? Is America as respected throughout the world as it was? Do you feel that our security is as safe, that we're as strong as we were four years ago? And if you answer all of those questions yes, why then, I think your choice is very obvious as to whom you will vote for. If you don't agree, if you don't think that this course that we've been on for the last four years is what you would like to see us follow for the next four, then I could suggest another choice that you have.

In an August 26, 1980 memo to Reagan advisers Evans, Laxalt and Kemp, Newt wrote:

When Carter in the debate has a nicely sounding statement on the economy or anything else, Reagan should not answer Carter or discuss the details of Carter's statement. Instead, he should look straight into the TV camera and say:

"You measure in your pocketbook whether or not what he's just said has been true these past four years. If your life is better, you should vote for him; he is the President and he's responsible. If your life is worse you should vote against him; he is the President and therefore he's responsible"

[jessduntno]

A freshman has an idea...the whole memo is reproduced and goes into startling detail. Worth a look.

Note: I am NOT comparing Newt to George Washington.

[jpsb]

Bump.

[Lazlo in PA]

If this is true, it is very interesting. Especially when you consider how important that line in the debate was. It framed the argument very concisely for that election and has been used in others to great effect. I wonder why someone like Newt, who loves to brag, didn’t let this info out earlier?

[onyx]

Bookmarking. Thank you very much!

[DJ MacWoW]

Did You Know?

The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarters Expenses?

Now That You Do, Donate And Keep FR Running

[Aria]

WOW...interesting! Thanks for posting.

[jessduntno]

“If this is true, it is very interesting.”

If it wasn’t, it would be a pretty elaborate hoax. The memos are reproduced in full...and they don’t look like they came from Dan Rather’s Selectric!

[RockinRight]

I wonder that, too. Newt likes to talk about himself.

[TitansAFC]

The "Newt Gingrich for President" ping list!

If you want ON or OFF of the ping list, just let me know!

To whom it may concern: If you wish to give me BREAKING news, links, information, or tidbits for the purpose of (perhaps) having me post it at FR, your confidentiality WILL be kept by yours truly. I will tell NOBODY the source of my information.



Conservatism, experience, results, eloquence, statesmanship, knowledge.
SERIOUS solutions to SERIOUS problems!
The Conservative who practices Capitalism and gets hated for it!

---Newt Gingrich 2012

[Paperdoll]

Liberals from Obama to Gingrich borrow constantly from President Reagan. But that just does not make them Ronald Reagan!

At least Herman Cain uses his own words, and they seem to resonate very well with the people. He is doing amazingly well considering the garbage being thrown at him by liberals and conservatives alike.

Too bad some people don’t stay on the train until we arrive at the station, because then we all lose.

Herman Cain is still the man with the plan who can: he can bring manufacturing back to America, bringing jobs, jobs, jobs with them. He can demand a balanced budget (with a few less crusty career politicians in Congress.) He can cut spending if the house and the senate are cleaned out, and replaced with people from the real world.

I would like to see term limits imposed. Small business can thrive when President Cain eliminates the EPA. More jobs, jobs, jobs! Everyone will have more money to live on because prices will be lower, and taxes will be fair. And on and on.

Don’t let the media put you off with it’s out and out lies. Stay on the train. with Herman Cain!

You can stoke the engine by sending your generous checks to”:

Herman Cain, Inc.
Friends of Herman Cain, Inc.
P.O. Box 2158
Stockbridge, Georgia 30281

All aboard!

[tsowellfan]

I wonder that, too. Newt likes to talk about himself.

You should read your tagline

[Sudetenland]

You clearly did not comprehend what the article says. In your haste to promote your candidate, you missed the fact that Gingrich did not "borrow" from President Reagan, he wrote the words that Reagan paraphrased to win that debate.

It was Gingrich's strategy and concept that Reagan used, not the other way around.

[jessduntno]

“Liberals from Obama to Gingrich borrow constantly from President Reagan. But that just does not make them Ronald Reagan!”

Oh, cripes. I never said they were equals. If you read the entire piece the link went to, it shows you a word for word blueprint of one of the seminal thoughts expressed. Take it or leave it, but it is remarkable that Newt wrote one of the most famous lines - and lines of thought - in recent political history.

I’ll stick with that.

Thanks for your opinion, but try seeing the point made, not justifying the one you want to make.

[Paperdoll]

And I get fed up with people who like to link their names with a truly fine man like Ronald Reagan just to make themselves look good. Can’t they stand on their own records?

[jessduntno]

“And I get fed up with people who like to link their names with a truly fine man like Ronald Reagan just to make themselves look good. Can’t they stand on their own records?”

Newt WAS linked to RR. He suggested his signature line and possible campaign winning slogan to him, for one. And his record?

He’s been working with the military since 1979, the only one who has created two Republican congressional majorities, who authored the Contract with America, balanced a budget for four years and passed tax cuts that led to job creation and lower unemployment.

Not too shabby.

[RockinRight]

I consider that a personality trait, but neither a positive or negative. I may well vote for Newt.

[Sudetenland]

I get fed up with sycophants who like to create straw arguments to make their candidate look good.

Do try to follow along here. Newt did not attempt to link himself to Reagan, he did not write this article and he has never--to my knowledge--ever mentioned this revelation.

What Newt did was create the argument that was critical in catapulting Reagan into the Presidency. If anything, one could say that Reagan linked his name to Gingrich's by taking his advice and using his argument.

As to "standing on his own record," Newt is doing precisely that--even to the extent of inviting MSM scrutiny of that record--and his record so eclipses that of Herman Cain that one could say that it reduces Cain to irrelevance.

[jessduntno]

“You clearly did not comprehend what the article says.”

Love is blind.

[ronnie raygun]

You have to admit there is no one in the field who can mop the floor with the community organizer and chief but Newt while also correcting the media chumps who are asking the questions. This is a big popcorn event!

[TexasFreeper2009]

I don’t care if Reagan was a huge mechanical puppet controlled by Gingrich, I am voting for Cain. I will not let the media pick my candidate, by smearing my candidate with unfounded accusations and creative editing of interviews.

Go Cain!