Reagan was never a pro-abortion. The issue was much less polarizing in 1967 then it is today. He signed that bill thinking he could soften it since he was going to be vetoed.
After admitting to signing that bill being a mistake, he took up the mantle of life. Unlike Trump, Reagan never promoted abortion nor did he seek to support it. Trump did both, vigorously, especially partial birth.
The notion that Conservatives are looking for the perfect candidate is folly used by Trump supporters to deflect the fact that he's not conservative at all. You look for the candidate that promotes and believes in the principles of the cause. The perfect human does not exist.
You have identified one issue with Reagan upon which he changed his mind. Ok, this can be forgiven and if Trump had the same wake up then I would agree that it's human to evolve.
But with Trump it's not just abortion that he defended and promoted.......
Progressive taxes (still does) - one time wealth tax - Universal health care (still does) - Affirmative Action (still does) - eminent domain (still does) - assault weapons ban - no touching SS or Medicare (still does). To name some.
Trump can never be compared to Reagan on any level in any way, most importanly never on core principles.
No modern day Conservative has ever been a registered Democrat in favor of so many left wing causes as Trump.
Before June 2015 he was just another NY liberal. Now he's a “pragmatist."
But Conservative principles are not living and breathing. Either you believe in them with your core, or you find reasons why they don't quite fit for the sake of victory.
“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” - Benjamin Franklin
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Well stated!
Dittos.
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Is there a quote from Trump where he promotes abortion?
The best that the Washington Post could come up with to demonstrate Trump's change of position was this:
Abortion
Then: On "Meet The Press" in 1999, Trump said he was "very pro-choice." "I hate the concept of abortion," he said. "I hate it. I hate everything it stands for. ... but I just believe in choice."
Now: In an interview with Bloomberg Politics in January, Trump said, "I'm pro-life and I have been pro-life." He said he believed there should be exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother.