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Ronald Reagan on the importance of political compromise(in his own words)
An American Life (his autobiography) | 8/7/03 | Ronald Reagan

Posted on 08/07/2003 2:05:04 PM PDT by Diddle E. Squat

"When I began entering into the give and take of legislative bargaining in Sacramento, a lot of the most radical conservatives who had supported me during the election didn't like it.

"Compromise" was a dirty word to them and they wouldn't face the fact that we couldn't get all of what we wanted today. They wanted all or nothing and they wanted it all at once. If you don't get it all, some said, don't take anything.

"I'd learned while negotiating union contracts that you seldom got everything you asked for. And I agreed with FDR, who said in 1933: 'I have no expectations of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average.'

"If you got seventy-five or eighty percent of what you were asking for, I say, you take it and fight for the rest later, and that's what I told these radical conservatives who never got used to it.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: compromiseorsellout; conservatism; howfaristoofar; howtogainpower; howtowin; idealism; incrementalism; liberalism; politicalreality; pragmatism; reagan; reagancompromise; reaganconservatives; ronaldreagan; winheartsandminds
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To: Wait4Truth; PhiKapMom
Arnold is our best chance and I actually think he'd be a great governor.

I'll preface my remarks by saying I'm not a Californian, so I don't really have a dog in the fight, but it seems to me that "winning" in California means becoming responsible for a huge mess - I hope it's not a Pyrrhic victory for our side.

121 posted on 08/07/2003 6:02:27 PM PDT by Amelia
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To: PhiKapMom
If somehow CA can be brought back into the GOP camp, the dems will indeed be taking cyanide. All that is keeping them afloat right now are the House/Senate seats of NY and CA, MASS, and MD. Any break in ANY of those and they are sunk.
122 posted on 08/07/2003 6:02:38 PM PDT by LS
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To: habs4ever
"Damn, boy, you are jes off the turnip truck...I have never voted Liberal in my life, but do live in an igloo from December to April when I'm not working as a lumberjack. I bet all them Canucks down Florida way just burn your redneck ass, eh? I know...some stripper gave you the dose and you found out she's from Quebec..buyer beware :)">

I'm from NY, born in Brooklyn. You're on a mission to prove how st00pit you are. Same dummy that ass-u-me'd I was old the other day.

Get yourself a t-shirt that reads "I'm an effen idiot that runs my face before having the facts". I don't screw you're nasty women either, I have a nice enough specimen of my own.

123 posted on 08/07/2003 6:18:39 PM PDT by AAABEST
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To: AAABEST
"You were supposed to say something hysterical letting me know that I was able to get to you."


Is it really just a game to you? You baited..you hooked. Have you ever heard of "catch and release"? You don't have to club the fish to death, do you?
124 posted on 08/07/2003 6:29:08 PM PDT by justshe ("Do you trust a Democrat to protect America?")
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To: Amelia
I'm not sure that any of us should feel we're unable to disagree with another FReeper ...

I don't mind disagreement, as I'm can be very disagreeable myself so I allow such in others.

I just don't like nasty little pricks with no respect who question the credibility of very credible people. Especially if they're a foreigner who nobody knows that hasn't established one iota of credibility.

125 posted on 08/07/2003 6:32:33 PM PDT by AAABEST
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To: AAABEST
I'm can be very disagreeable myself

You don't say! ;-)

126 posted on 08/07/2003 6:40:19 PM PDT by Amelia
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To: All

TONIGHT ON
UNSPUN with ANNAZ
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the topic: PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN- What exactly does it mean?

Guest for the evening is Bill Murray of the Family Research Council

PLUS – A call from McClintock Campaign Headquarters!

Click HERE to listen LIVE while you FReep!
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127 posted on 08/07/2003 6:40:32 PM PDT by Bob J (Freerepublic.net...where it's always a happening....)
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To: Poohbah
I'm right.
128 posted on 08/07/2003 7:18:32 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: habs4ever
Ah yes. I remember you. The political cross-dresser. You stalk me wherever I go -- on FreeRepublic, on the radio ... You're quite the loser.
129 posted on 08/07/2003 7:22:15 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: Poohbah
We're not Bush-bashers. We support our president. But unlike you, we also have brain cells. We think, we analyze, we question, unlike brain-numb zombies like you. You don't have an original thought.
130 posted on 08/07/2003 7:25:26 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: Dane
Wow Dane, that's deep. Keep attacking. I didn' bring up Reagan, your loser friend did. You're a very sick puppy. If you think attacking Reagan will help your case, you're a fool.
131 posted on 08/07/2003 7:27:56 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: holdonnow
Huh? On the radio? I've never called into one of your shows, putz.I see you're taking the Klayman approach to building your practice...chasing them ambulances in the environmental field.Nah, you're not a shyster....much

To reply to your babble is to stalk you? Get over yourself.Your audience probably has.
132 posted on 08/07/2003 7:28:09 PM PDT by habs4ever
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To: Diddle E. Squat
Every time I vote, I just assume that "my choice" is actually the number two preference. That means that the number one selection is not in the race and I must pick between the second best and the last friggin person I want to see in the office.

Works every time I try it and I am [almost] never disappointed.

133 posted on 08/07/2003 7:28:50 PM PDT by lawdude (Liberalism: A failure every time it is tried!)
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To: Diddle E. Squat
Here is also a direct quote of Lady Thatcher relating to President Reagan on compromise...

When others spoke of the fear of war, you spoke of the need for warriors and peace through strength. When others bewailed the failure of big government to provide for the collective good, you spoke of self-reliance, of personal responsibility, of individual pride and integrity. When others demanded compromise -- when other demanded compromise, you, Ronald Reagan, preached conviction.

134 posted on 08/07/2003 7:29:26 PM PDT by Brian S
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To: Miss Marple
Ah, Miss Marple jumps in. Cult of personality issues.
135 posted on 08/07/2003 7:31:14 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: justshe
Yes, cut and run ... because some of us have a life, and you don't.
136 posted on 08/07/2003 7:32:20 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: Amelia
Specifics, madame?
137 posted on 08/07/2003 7:33:32 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: Miss Marple
We've been through this before. You jump into these threads anytime anyone dares to question Bush's spending, etc. It really doesn't contribute anything to the discussion. But you like to throw the furniture around here. So, be my guest.
138 posted on 08/07/2003 7:35:49 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: justshe
Let me try to help you here. When the president says that he will sign any Medicare/prescription drug bill that hits his desk, exactly how is this compromise, as opposed to surrender? You see, I'm giving the president the benefit of he doubt, that he is, in fact, conservative. If I thought he was a squish on domestic matters, I would agree with you that this isn't surrender at all, but compromise. It is you, by your illogic, who slanders the president with faint praise, not me.
139 posted on 08/07/2003 7:41:05 PM PDT by holdonnow
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To: WhiteGuy
If the president is getting 100% of his domestic agenda, then he's not remotely a conservative, is he?
140 posted on 08/07/2003 7:41:56 PM PDT by holdonnow
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