Bush Needs To Deliver Like Reagan

www.newsday.com ^ | 05/02/03 | James P. Pinkerton

[bedolido]

Ronald Reagan had three sons: Michael, Ron, and George W. Bush. That became clear yesterday when the 43rd president landed on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Why did he do it? Because it looked cool on TV. But while W. might be Reaganesque in style, he has yet to prove that he is Reaganesque in substance.

It's a cliché that Bush 43 models himself more on Reagan than he does on his own father. And why not? The Gipper was a two-termer, while the elder Bush, having mostly inherited the presidency from his popular predecessor, managed to lose the White House after just four years.

One of Reagan's political strengths was that he was always surrounded by imagery that appealed to most Americans. Not everyone in this country likes straight-shootin' and plain-talkin' cowboys, but most do. And so Reagan, born in Illinois, remade himself into a Westerner. By contrast, the elder Bush, who flew combat missions in the Pacific while Reagan was making training movies in Hollywood, was betwixt and between image-wise, a little bit country and too much preppy.

And now the younger Bush, who might have landed on carriers 35 years ago had he not sought refuge in the National Guard, is the one decked out like a combat ace. Poor John McCain. He walked the walk in Vietnam, and now he sits on the sidelines as Bush talks the talk off the coast of California.

There were some differences from Reagan. Whereas Reagan was sunny, Bush was grim last night, even grim reaperish, as he declared, "The war on terror is not over." But either way, Bush has just presided over a military victory and has a rendezvous with re-election in 18 months. Understandably, he wishes to bask in the glory of the armed services. All that was needed was what politicos call a "defining event." That is, something to stamp the image in the public mind: George W. Bush = America Standing Tall.

[q_an_a]

Pres. Bush is many times more effective than R. Reagan... because of his history. He has made a payroll in two industries.

Anyone in Dallas know he sat in the stands night after night learning what the PEOPLE wanted and looking for what was wrong with the stadium, then he build a ballpark and a team.

He looked for oil in some small tough areas of W. Texas, just showing up out there let alone working a drilling operation is hard work.

Given the change due to 911, President Bush will use his history to make a difference in the life of working people. He will get more done for small business and working families than any president in the last 100 years. MY two cents.

[knighthawk]

I once said on the FR Bush was a great president, but not as good as Reagan, that Bush needed to step up.

He did, and even surpassed him.

[zlala]

his one 15-minute opportunity to impress La Pelosi

He's been tryin for the past 15 yrs to impress someone. Actually the dem party in WA state keep hoping his "pretty boy" face will get him somewhere. I use to know the Inslee family when they lived in our small town in Central WA state. He's always the bridesmaid, but never the bride. He'd love to be a senator and I know at one point he wanted to be Gov. I was actually surprised to see him on H & C last nite.

[ameribbean expat]

The last three elections have been decided by which party has not had a defection of independent, issue-minded voters. The only thing W needs to do is figure out who he can get to go off the Demo's reservation (Sharpton is looking good) that will drag a key Rat constituency with him.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

Bush and reagan are difficult to compare Reagan did not have a repub congress and was forced to allow alot worthless spending to get what he needed for the military. I dont know what different domestic programs would have passed if he had. Reagan didnt go full bore on terrorism like bush did but on the homefront he would have probably more conservative than bush. I would have a hard time believing Ronnie would ever sign a assault weapons ban. or allow a ted kennedy education bill to pass.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

but dont get me wrong I love GW I just wish he was a more conservative on the homefront!!

[bedolido]

"but dont get me wrong I love GW I just wish he was a more conservative on the homefront!!"

I agree.

[varon]

Bush will deliver because he says he will.........//..............This is a commodity whose value Clinton never understood.

Clinton understood alright except most of his deliveries were in the sink ;-)

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

could you imagine what reagan would do to the likes of so called repub's snowe and voinovich if they cut his tax cut in half!!!! they would still be finding pieces of their hides after reagan skewered them

[MissAmericanPie]

It just drives these rats crazy that Bush took a kodak moment.

You creeps at News Daily listen up, Bush has not neglected the economy, as you well know. Why don't you write about how the criminal enterprise, known as the Democratic Party, has kidnapped the federal government and are holding it hostage in order to punish American citizens for electing George Bush, but then, that would be the truth and that is beyond your kind.

And before you bottom feeders carp that Bush was appointed, only the most simple minded in the nation, and those with an agenda, fails to realize or acknowledge that Democrats, under the aid of the heir to the title of King of Vote Fraud, Chicago Daly, stuffed the nations ballot boxes with at least a million votes, while ripping off votes for Bush and floating them out in San Fran. Bay.

The Democratic party has been, and is being exposed for the organized crime ring that it is. They are standing naked for the American public to behold, and there will be a price to pay for that. So howl on, wail, tear your hair, scream at the dying of the light, it's over for you enemies in the gate.

[green team 1999]

democrats can`t fly bump

[7thson]

You are exactly right!!! Whether they agree with a person or not, people respect other people who have principles and are true to them!

[sydbas]

He also has one of the most irritating voices known to man.

Did you notice how he, literally, talked out of the side of his mouth. I don't know if it is some sort of physical defect or not but it was strange to look at. He, Enslee, also said his fear is that WMD's were given to Al Qaeda. Hannity didn't seem to pick up on this but I am wondering does this now mean that democrats are acknowledging a connection between Saddam and Al Qaeda?

[SupplySider]

but dont get me wrong I love GW I just wish he was a more conservative on the homefront!!

I agree. I think he decided early on to make his mark in foriegn policy. Or, perhaps, it was decided for him after 9/11. Reagan actually managed to reduce the multi-trillion dollar income transfer machine. Bush needs to be bold and strong in fighting for freedom at home, as he was in fighting for freedom abroad.

[tet68]

Why did he do it? Because it looked cool on TV.

They just don't get it, they think because Bill Clinton would have done it for that reason GW would.

New game in town folks!

[SupplySider]

In my opinion, riding the success of the war, Pres. Bush should launch a big new war on the enemies of economic growth. He should propose the repeal of the Clinton & Bush Sr. tax hikes, the elimination of the death tax, and the elimination of all taxes on personal savings and investments. The media would go hyperbolic, the American people would love it, and if he got 20% of that we would be much better off.

As it is, he proposes economic reforms a few inches to the right of the Democrats. It's not enough to really affect the economy, and he will be blamed for the resulting slow growth.

Just my two cents :)

[alloysteel]

Let us parse this position, that the WMD could have been passed to al-Qaeda. But of course, there was no working relationship between Saddam and Osama. Therefore, there was no vehicle by which such a transfer could be made.

But alternatively, if there WERE some connection and a working relationship, the failure to pursue Osama more vigorously was a grave dereliction of duty, and effort diverted to catch Saddam only accelerated the transfer of WMDs. Bush is supposed to be in the wrong, regardless of which course of action he chose.

Tortured reasoning, to be sure, but following a similar roadmap also should expose these defects of logic, and a vulnerability becomes apparent that may be exploited. Of course, that would not be "fair", but who ever said life is fair? Given the reverse situation, the Democrats would certainly charge the conservatives with "simplistic" and "dumb" responses (as contrasted with their convoluted and clever responses).

[SupplySider]

As long as I'm dreaming, maybe he could call for limiting overall government spending increases to the rate of inflation, and eliminating corporate welfare!

[Truthsearcher]

You maybe right, but Ronald Reagan had a bigger fish to fry, namely the Evil Empire.

Criticizing Reagan for not being tougher on islamic terrorists is like criticizing our founders for not being tougher on slavery. They were all working within the constraints of their time and circumstances.

[SamAdams76]

I understand your point and Reagan deserves a lot of credit for helping to bring down the Soviet Union. It would have happened anyway but Reagan made it happen probably 10-30 years sooner by escalating the arms race (thus bankrupting them), standing firm on Star Wars, walking out on Gorbachev in Iceland and in general, telling the world what they were about and taking a very tough and uncompromising tone with them.

However, the Soviets never drove a truck bomb into a Marine Corps barracks. There should have been some payback for that. I daresay that an appropriate response at that time would have deterred many of the acts of terrorism against the U.S. that followed.