Reagan was the last GOP President to understand this:
. . . don’t debate on the Democrat/Media Complex’s terms, set your own damn terms and force them to their knees.
The Bush father and son team never understood this but still managed to get over the finish line, basically, on Reagan's coattails.
Dole, McCain and Romney never understood this and didn't have enough a connection to Reagan to use his coattails to any effect. Neither will Jeb Bush, the Pillsbury Doughboy or anyone else supported by the GOPe.
You don’t “be civil” to someone that seeks your extermination.
Most GOPers don’t understand the truth of that.