[Jim Noble]

I remember President Reagan very well, voted for him twice, in fact.

He was smart enough to keep the socons pacified while running a remarkably socially tolerant administration. He was very clever with that - never once appeared at the March for Life, but always sent a tape. Nominated Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy, to balance Scalia and Rhenquist's elevation, and make sure Roe would be protected.

Socons always had a sympathetic ear at Justice, and at HHS, but Education could continue to run wild.

What do YOU remember, other than speeches, that he did to move the socon agenda forward?

[wideawake]

So your argument, now, is that Reagan ran as a social conservative but governed as a social moderate?

That he disappointed social conservatives because he talked the talk but didn't do enough for them when elected?

Assuming that this is true, it kind of undermines your original argument - namely that social conservatives can't get elected. If Reagan governed as a social moderate but gave socially conservative speeches and ran as a social conservative in order to get elected, your original thesis is invalid.