Newt has always been a Reagon supporter; and has championed his ideas.
Moreso than any other of our Candidates!)
Conservatism is NOT over; but yes; Reagan is gone; and we have no one replacing him. The other fact; often ignored; that if Reagan were running today; he certainly would meet with an abundance of criticism; from the very people who want the Reagan MO to endure. He was not an absolute Conservative; but did hold 'dear' where it mattered; and he; by and large, was certainly Conservative and a true Patriot.
Michael Reagn said this week; that his Father absolutely shared Newt's understanding of immigration; and that he would have shared same MO; and that he, Michael supported Newt.
Good enough for me; not that I needed it. . .
The Reagan agenda remains at the core of conservative policies for the GOP. Strong defense, lower taxes, less spending/limited govt and promoting the pro-life agenda. In the last 20 years opposition to amnesty has been added.
If Reagan were around today he would not be supporting amnesty for illegals like Newt wants. Back in 2005 when Bush was pushing passage of the McCain/Kennedy comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, Ed Meese wrote an opinion piece. In that article Meese stated that he was convinced Pres Reagan wouldn't make the same mistake he made with the IRCA of 1986. I agree.
Btw, over the years Michael Reagan has supported many conservatives. He's also supported many moderates and liberals like Schwarzennegger, Giuliani, Romney and Gingrich. I've always thought of Michael Reagan as more a libertarian, then a mainstream Reagan conservative.