Ronald Reagan on the importance of political compromise(in his own words)

An American Life (his autobiography) | 8/7/03 | Ronald Reagan

[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.

[habs4ever]

Gosh, it must suck for Rush to be no longer the "Main Man" on The Right, isn't it? He has to take a back seat to a real leader, and it burns him up, and you, as well.Your analysis has been atrocious the past two years, and no matter how often you and Rush get it wrong, you still act like you have some sort of credibility.You'd think you'd get tired of all that hubris.

[Poohbah]

This isn't and either or situation. Bush has 55 votes to confirm his judges -- even the most "controversial" nominees. Frist needs to stop the filibuster by scheduling a vote to end filibusters for judicial nominees, which requires a simple majority vote to change the Senate rules.

??????

I was under the impression that rules changes could be filibustered as well. If you're right, I learned something new.

[livius]

And Bush went into Iraq, after winning the commitments of the members of both houses (pity the Dems seem to have forgotten that fact now!), and opposing the world, the UN and, worst of all, the press. The result will be a changed Middle East, and the ultimate decline of terrorism - not overnight, but then, the USSR didn't fall overnight, either.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I have noticed that almost nobody is noting that Arnold on the Tonight Show specifically named the unions as being a huge part of the problem in Sacramento. What Dem would dare do that?

For full disclosure, I am not a Californian, and if I was I would still have not made up my mind between McClintock and Arnold. Too early, would wait to see who emerges as having the best chance to win. But would be open to supporting either, for now.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Good points, thanks for taking the time to post.

[AAABEST]

There's a difference between compromise and surrender on important domestic issues.

ZING!

I'm getting so sick of seeing this quote by Reagan used as Bush propaganda. These people think everyone is stupid.

[AAABEST]

"Gosh, it must suck for Rush to be no longer the "Main Man" on The Right, isn't it? He has to take a back seat to a real leader, and it burns him up, and you, as well.Your analysis has been atrocious the past two years, and no matter how often you and Rush get it wrong, you still act like you have some sort of credibility.You'd think you'd get tired of all that hubris."

[Poohbah]

I'm getting so sick of seeing this quote by Reagan used as Bush propaganda. These people think everyone is stupid.

For dealing with the Bush-bashers, it's a fairly safe assumption.

[AAABEST]

Yeah I know, we're all stupid and evil. We must be if we don't worship the master.

I guess you guys will be adding Mark to your "enemies" list now too? Along with Novak, Rush, Will, Cato, tons of FReepers and a whole host of others. Your "friends" list includes such stellar conservatives as Bill Krytol, Tony Blair and Karl Rove.

You can have your "smart" friends, I'll stick with my "stupid" ones.

[Poohbah]

Yeah I know, we're all stupid and evil

No, that's Gray Doofus. Y'all just subtract the evil part.

[Dolphy]

And that's the problem with signing the campaign finance bill, a complete surrender; signing Daschle's ag bill, a complete surrender; signing Kennedy's ed bill; a near complete surrender; and offering to sign ANY prescription drug bill that expands Medicare.

You can't get his batting average by only looking at a few games. In my opinion, Rush is dead wrong in his constant references to Reagan. Reagan had a national mandate, he came to the White House with almost a 10 point victory and a country so battered by Carter that it was starving for leadership. Reagan was a great president but with a very different hand to play. I'm not sure that I believe he would have played Bush's much differently than Bush has, especially if his priorties were forced by the events of September 11.

[george wythe]

"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

The uncompromizing conservatives would rather have President Hillary than President Bush.

After all, they keep repeating that there is no difference between the Pubbies and Rats.

The one-party cartel blah, blah, blah

[Huck]

Great book.

[justshe]

***It seemed so relevant today, that I took the liberty of starting its own thread.***

It IS relevant. I took a moment to read the posts on this thread. Pretty typical of what I expected.

Thanks!

[Howlin]

I certainly hope you're not implying that habs4ever's opinion is any less worthy because habs is in Canada.

Or are you insinuating that maybe habs just shouldn't be entitled to an opinion at all???

[Dane]

I'm getting so sick of seeing this quote by Reagan used as Bush propaganda. These people think everyone is stupid.

And I get sick of malcontents using Ronald Reagan as reason to trash GW.

Ronald Reagan's Justice dept.(which you worked for holdonnow, BTW) never stated publicly that the 2nd amendment is a private right.

If Ronald Regan could say his peace about the current administration, I have no doubt that it would be praise, but that doesn't stop Reagan employees to smear his legacy due to his current disability(hint, hint, Mark)

BTW, AAA, I will wait for your obigatory and cowardly reply(not pinging me and putting up a derogatory picture towards me as your reply).

[justshe]

"When you compromise to promote the conservative agenda, fine. But when you compromise and promote the left's agenda, that's the problem."

com·pro·mise: A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.

Let's be honest here. Rush's definition of compromise is just a BIT skewed. MY side ONLY gets the benefits! Posh!

[DPB101]

offering to sign ANY prescription drug bill that expands Medicare (is a problem)

Don't see much opposition to it anywhere. It may be politically impossible to resist this and more. Lots more. The demographics are demanding it. Bush certainly can not turn public opinion around on the issue. I doubt congressmen or conservatives in the media can either.

[Sir Gawain]

On a thread where Stew Padasso posted old video of Ari regarding the Assault Weapons Ban, you (Howlin) stated

To: Stew Padasso

The transcript has been posted at least 10 times.

And nothing is the matter; your agenda is on view for all to see.

9 posted on 08/06/2003 10:27 PM CDT by Howlin
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Will you now apply that same standard to this thread with the Reagan quote which has been posted more than 10 times on this site?

[deport]

more than 10 times on this site?

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Curious, as a thread?