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Today's Republicans might not elect Reagan
McClatchy Washington Bureau ^ | November 30, 2007 | Steven Thomma

Posted on 12/02/2007 9:28:01 AM PST by Graybeard58

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To: GregoTX

“Im not going to get drawn into an argument about “would Reagn be elected today”.”

I was quite young when he was elected, and thus even my memories are of little value on the topic. I certainly do remember Carter interrupting Dukes of Hazzard to yak about another important problem from time to time, must have been friday night or something.

I do wonder how those with adult memories of the 1980 and 1984 election think Reagan in 1980 and Mondale in 1984 would be viewed today by their respective parties.


81 posted on 12/02/2007 11:50:34 AM PST by WoofDog123
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To: VictoryGal
Your beef appears to be with your fellow Americans.

We are not proverbial victims of the evil Republican rinos, we have elections every 2,4 and 6 years, plenty of chances to change our reps. And plenty of good Conservatives in our Primary.

In our States as well, where illegals have been protected for 3 decades, by the constant election of pro-illegal pols. The feds will respond when the States finally begin to throw huge fits, a good thing imo.

For it is our States that Conservatives must work the grassroots, it will be our eventual power. Citizens must be weaned off of 40 years of Democrat majorities in Congress, that gave them SS, Medicare, Medicaid.

Once that citizenry is addicted to government, once the Dims have their hacks in all bureaucracies, once they have all the chairmanships, once they have all the judges, unions, educators, they will never let go, as we did. They know incriminalistm works, and they know how to win.

Do you think that the Democrat Party had perfect liberals running and serving for the past 50 years?

They kept on winning until they had even the entire MSM, academia and Hollywood working for them, an amazing coalition.

We can to, if we prioritize, keep out heads, don’t throw out and destroy men and women who disagree on issues, or are not perfect, or pure, create our own media establishment, work in the States to elect Conservatives, teach the populace about Conservatism, create grass roots advocacy groups and activists. (which we are very weak right now).

Since 9/11 happened only 9 mon into the Presidency, for me, it is impossible to tell how many in the R Congress and the Pres would have governed, a war in two theaters, and an UnAmerican Democrat Party sabotaging every move and aiding and abetting our enemies in wartime.

I was a skeptic of GWB in 2000 because of #1 his age, (I prefer older men for Pres, lol), #2 Compassionate Conservatism. Who knows how spending would have turned out if not for 9/11 and two wars. Many in the R Congress went along with the Pres for many reasons, mainly to keep him undamaged as CIC, and to keep the public from revolt, placating them with money, imo.

Anyway, it appears that Conservatives despise the GOP, political parties, Republican radio, mags, and have not funded the RNC for years, so obviously the majority of Conservatives don’t want a coalition, and want to stay pure.

I understand completely, to each his own, but as a Conservative myself, I will stay with the GOP, to try and get the majority back for chairmanships and judges. Not perfect but good.

And there is good in all of our Candidates, imo, I prefer a ruthless SOB, who can knock heads, a wartime President, and one who WANTS to destroy the UnAmerican Democrat Party and their media. We shall see which one fits that criterion throughout the primary season, some I'm happy with some not.

82 posted on 12/02/2007 11:54:33 AM PST by roses of sharon
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To: CyberAnt
As a “conservative” I’m unfortunately required to vote Republican .. because voting for any democrat is suicide.

I considered a democrat once, since I was unhappy with my representative, Ray LaHood. The dem was pro life and vocal about it but he had too many negatives, one being that he was a Workers comp. lawyer and was backed by the U.A.W. local.

Another reason I didn't vote for him, I didn't want to spoil my perfect record of never voting for any dim.

83 posted on 12/02/2007 11:55:25 AM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: Graybeard58; Cacique
Reagan, like Juan Peron, has become, in death, all things to all people.

However, the most laughable embrace of Reagan comes from the Buchananites. Reagan was a HUGE free trader (and pushed for NAFTA before it even had a name) and even used his influence on occassion to legalize illegals even before the amnesty.

84 posted on 12/02/2007 11:57:47 AM PST by Clemenza (Rudy Giuliani, like Pesto and Seattle, belongs in the scrap heap of '90s Culture)
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To: Clemenza

However, the most laughable embrace of Reagan comes from the Buchananites. Reagan was a HUGE free trader (and pushed for NAFTA before it even had a name) and even used his influence on occassion to legalize illegals even before the amnesty.

*********************

Reagan pushed for Canada/US Free trade, not NAFTA.


85 posted on 12/02/2007 12:00:13 PM PST by Hunterite
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To: Lazarus Longer

This country was alot more liberal on economic issues 30 years ago, but is was also alot less liberal on social issues. “Social issues conservatism” can slow down the tide, but rarely stops it from coming to shore. Our culture has changed, but it is our ignorance of constitutionalism that pisses me off more than the damage done to “our” culture by hippies/gays/illegals/feminists/the ghetto thugocracy, etc.


86 posted on 12/02/2007 12:00:30 PM PST by Clemenza (Rudy Giuliani, like Pesto and Seattle, belongs in the scrap heap of '90s Culture)
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To: Graybeard58

I’m a big Reagan fan. He’s gone.

We don’t need a “new” Reagan. We need somebody who will close the Department of Education, stop the abusive lawsuits, cite the differences between the founding fathers and today’s neo-socialists (the democrats), veto more bills, make 200 recess appointments, reign in the IRS and simplify the tax system.


87 posted on 12/02/2007 12:00:44 PM PST by Loud Mime (The Democrats made people believe that govt. lawyers are victims, whatta country!)
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To: Hunterite
Wrong. Reagan pushed for free trade with Mexico, and even had meetings with President De La Madrid. The PRIstas, however, were not as receptive to the idea as they were under Salinas.

Reagan was very much in support of closer economic ties with Mexico. Read any speech he made on his visits there or take a look at the trade initiatives that were pushed under his administration at the time. The administration even mentioned this explicitly when it was originally negotiating the '88 US-Canada agreement.

88 posted on 12/02/2007 12:04:03 PM PST by Clemenza (Rudy Giuliani, like Pesto and Seattle, belongs in the scrap heap of '90s Culture)
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To: pissant; Graybeard58
This guy has zero for understanding of Reagan’s record or his history. Who the hell is this idiot?

Another RINO who thinks we should nominate either Rooty or Romney because they are "electable" (nevermind the fact that "electable" RINOs who know how to be "bipartisan" and work with the 'Rats like Ford and Dole always lose).

89 posted on 12/02/2007 12:10:45 PM PST by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: AirForceGeorge

With Reagan’s record as Gov. of Cal. he would have never been elected President by the people on their high horse here at FR.


90 posted on 12/02/2007 12:11:45 PM PST by kempo (I)
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To: Graybeard58

interesting article


91 posted on 12/02/2007 12:12:52 PM PST by traviskicks (http://www.neoperspectives.com/Ron_Paul_2008.htm)
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To: roses of sharon

This has nothing to do with wanting a “pure” candidate.

If Rudy wasn’t a Globalist, I would have jumped into his camp long ago. Dittos McCain. Dittos Romney.

Its not “Pure” its the disgusting foreign cheap labor influence on the Republican leadership. The higher you go, the more globalist they are. Republican congressmen, who are elected every 2 years, are 180 degrees opposite of Bush and a small number of Senators.

THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP! That means high ranking senators, and maybe governors. Ironically it is the high ranking Republicans who are running for president, which is why you see allot of Republicans running to Congressmen. We are just running down the chain of command.

Do you see Republicans complaining about their Congressmen? Were happy with our Congressmen.


92 posted on 12/02/2007 12:13:09 PM PST by Hunterite
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To: Hunterite; Clemenza

http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/EM371.cfm

Long-Standing Support for Free Trade with Mexico. Ronald Reagan first proposed a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico in his 1980 presidential campaign. Since that time, The Heritage Foundation is proud of the role it has played in articulating President Reagan’s vision of free trade in Latin America and around the world. Since the mid-1980s, Heritage analysts have been stressing that a free trade agreement with Mexico not only will stimulate economic growth in the U.S., but will make Mexico a more stable and prosperous country. Heritage has published over three dozen studies stressing the benefits of free trade in North America.


93 posted on 12/02/2007 12:14:21 PM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: Graybeard58

“Ronald Reagan first proposed ...”

******************

Allot of people propose allot of things.


94 posted on 12/02/2007 12:17:20 PM PST by Hunterite
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To: Cold Heat
I remember well the outright disdain that many conservatives had for Reagan. Had he not appealed to Democrats, (Reagan Democrats), he would not have been elected.

I don't remember it that way. There was some disillusionment with Reagan in his second term. Some prominent neoconservatives thought he was too soft with Gorbachev. And there was always Howard Phillips and his third party of the day.

But I remember pretty solid support for Reagan among conservatives both in 1980 and 1984. He was the conservative candidate in those years.

In those years when there were still many more Democrats than Republicans, Reagan did have to win over disaffected Democrats, but that wasn't because conservatives wouldn't vote for him.

It was crossover voting that elected Reagan, and also helped propel him to two terms.

I think you're on solider ground there. Reagan had more of a "big tent" conception of the Republican party than many do today.

He stood firm for what he believed, but he wasn't going to disdain support from anybody -- including moderate to liberal RINOs or conservative to moderate Democrats.

Still, I don't think you can say that he ran as a moderate or didn't have solid conservative support.

You've only got to look at what Carter or Mondale (or Ford) said about Reagan to realize that he was running on the right. His appeal wasn't to conservatives alone, but he wasn't primarily seen as a moderate by any means.

The author may be writing a hit piece on the Republicans, but he does have a point.

It's the old "FDR or Truman or JFK wouldn't have a chance at the Democrat nomination this year" argument but used against today's Republican Party, and it's no more or less valid on its face than that argument has been.

95 posted on 12/02/2007 12:17:59 PM PST by x
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To: Clemenza

“Reagan pushed for free trade with Mexico...”

___________________________

Allot of people push for allot of things.


96 posted on 12/02/2007 12:19:04 PM PST by Hunterite
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To: All
Different time and place. RR was the pathfinder that opened the door for many on the road to conservative values. His change in views came slowly and with a great deal of thought and discussions. Many in SoCal were parties to very long idealogolgical discussions with him as far back as 1960. He listened, tried new ideas and adapted his thinking with faced with new input - NOT the poll of the day. I met him once when he was Governor. He was a genuinely likable man with a great deal of sincerity.

The Reps party has closed THEIR gate on path to conservativitism. The article is right - Reps would not elect RR today. I would vote for him again as many times as I could - since I was excommunicated from the party by Mel Martinez and Junior I have no obligation to them any more. Their actions indicate they have no loyalty to me and others who think like I do. Screw-em.

97 posted on 12/02/2007 12:22:50 PM PST by mad_as_he$$ (Illegal Immigration, a Clear and Present Danger.)
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To: Hunterite; Clemenza
Reagan pushed for Canada/US Free trade, not NAFTA.

My reply #93 refutes that statement. There's plenty more but you can use Google as easily as I can.

98 posted on 12/02/2007 12:24:05 PM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: x

I’m waiting for the (foreign cheap labor) neoDemocrats to dig up a Reagan bone and craft a religious relic out of it. Its just a matter of time.

Its one way for a heretic to get a following. Probably the most cost effective.


99 posted on 12/02/2007 12:24:33 PM PST by Hunterite
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To: AirForceGeorge
"We’re attcking Huckabee and McCain, heck the whole field. Honorable conservatives for the most part. We may as well as hand the election to the dems.

You are joking right? They are both open borders. Where does that fit in the Conservative agenda?

Oh and when you find yourself on the same side as fata$$ Ted Kennedy on ANY issue you need to gather your clothes and run like hell.

100 posted on 12/02/2007 12:28:44 PM PST by mad_as_he$$ (Illegal Immigration, a Clear and Present Danger.)
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