Happy Birthday, Ronald Reagan!
Today marks the 96th anniversary of the birth of the greatest president of the second half of the twentieth century, Ronald Wilson Reagan. As we remember this champion of freedom, we can always be stirred by his optimistic rhetoric and his positive vision for this great nation. Even during the most difficult moments of his presidency, he never gave up hope that we could solve our problems.
This good man helped end the Cold War and help lifted our nation out of the worst economic slowdown since the Great Depression. And he continues to inspire his party. All three leading Republican candidates for president in 2008, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain have invoked the name of this great man in their bids for the White House. Our man Rudy served Reagan in the Justice Department, first as Associate Attorney General, then as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
As usual, columnist Peggy Noonan, whom I have dubbed the Athena of punditry, offers a wonderful tribute to this great man, her former boss. In her piece, she includes a question a friend asked, “What do you think made him so likable to many who disagreed with him and who look back with nostalgia on his White House?” Peggy notes that “
It’s funny that people like to talk about this even though they know the answers:”
There was the courage to swim against the tide, to show not a burst of bravery but guts in the long haul. The good cheer and good nature that amounted to a kind of faith. The air of pleasure Reagan emanated on meeting others, and his egalitarianism. He thought everyone, from Nobel Prize winners to doormen, equal. Not that he wasn’t aware of status. When he stood behind Errol Flynn for a still photo to promote “Santa Fe Trail,” he knew of Flynn’s towering reputation. Between shots, Reagan kept quietly pushing little piles of dirt together. When he had a mound, he stood on it so that he was, literally, of equal stature. He told the story on himself for years because it was funny, and he believed in laughter. He was a little like Art Buchwald in this; he thought laughter was a value of its own. I think he thought that people who shared a laugh had in fact just voted for something together: something funny and human just got said or done.
Yeah, Peggy gets the Gipper. He was a man of strong convictions who had great respect for all people, even those who disagreed him. His was friendly with an ideological adversary, the Democratic Speaker of the House (for six of his eight years in office), Tip O’Neill. And he never spoke ill of his political opponents.
We could use a man of Reagan’s optimism — and vision — today. And while that great man is no longer with us, on this, his birthday, we can remember. Peggy’s column is a good place to start. And her two books on the Gipper, What I Saw at the Revolution: A Political Life in the Reagan Era and When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan, provide a more complete picture of the man whose vision continues to inspire the GOP rank and file. And should our party’s leaders return to his ideals and principles, we’ll regain our majority in Congress — and hold onto the White House in 2008.
UPDATE: To show how GOP presidential candidates are invoking Reagan, check out John McCain’s video tribute to the Gipper, where he attributes the GOP defeat in 2006 to losing sight of the Gipper’s principles.
UP-UPDATE: In honor of the Gipper’s birthday, Jawa Report offers Lady Thatcher’s eulogy to him (Via Pajamas).
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I remember how cruel Reagan’s critics were to him and to his policies. Young though I was, I knew at the time that history would be far kinder. Thanks, Mr. President and Happy Birthday!
Comment by HardHobbit — February 6, 2007 @ 1:16 pm - February 6, 2007
Where is our Ronald Reagan for 2008?
Comment by Tom — February 6, 2007 @ 1:22 pm - February 6, 2007
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Pingback by Politics: 2008 HQ » Blog Archive » Happy Birthday, Ronald Reagan! — February 6, 2007 @ 1:24 pm - February 6, 2007
Where is our Ronald Reagan for 2008?
There isn’t one. There’s no one even close. (An odd way to pay tribute to the greatest president of the 20th century, but it is true.)
Comment by V the K — February 6, 2007 @ 2:17 pm - February 6, 2007
Yes, he was great indeed! Didn’t mention the word AIDS in public until thousands had died from it.
My hero. *Gush*
–Chet
Comment by Chet — February 6, 2007 @ 2:25 pm - February 6, 2007
He also traded arms for hostages.
He also cut-n-run from Lebanon when the Marines got blown up.
Comment by Tim — February 6, 2007 @ 2:41 pm - February 6, 2007
In light of the vomit being spewed in #5-6, I propose that we celebrate RWR’s birthday by proclaiming it “Spit on a Liberal Day.”
Not only would it also be a mark of solidarity with the troops (one of whom got spit upon by libtards in DC two weeks ago), but it would effectively convey our disgust with those who would side with terrorists than they would with Americans.
All together now – “PHTOOOEY!”
Now doesn’t that make you feel better?
Regards,
Peter H.
PS – The above is considered SATIRE. Look it up if you think I was being serious.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 3:31 pm - February 6, 2007
Actually, watching leftists (especially those who indignantly deny being leftists) sputter and fume is the funnest part of Reagan’s Day; like fireworks on the 4th of July or drunken relatives duking it out on Thanksgiving.
Comment by V the K — February 6, 2007 @ 3:54 pm - February 6, 2007
I’m sure Reagan is laughing right now even, as he plays scrabble with a jackolantern.
–Chet
Comment by Chet — February 6, 2007 @ 4:11 pm - February 6, 2007
It must be so sad to be a liberal. No sense of humor, no joy of living – just doom, gloom and vitriol.
I guess they figure if they can’t be happy, nobody else can either.
They really are a humorless bunch, aren’t they?
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 4:20 pm - February 6, 2007
Throughout his life, Reagan confounded his critics with his successes as an actor and politician because he was able to connect with people. I like to think of him as an embodiment of the kind of man Kipling described in his poem If.
Watching his funeral on the television, I remember being incredibly moved and uplifted, but I also enjoyed watching how obviously irritated most liberals were at the national and international outpouring of love and admiration. They never understood Reagan and in death, he confounded them once again.
Comment by HardHobbit — February 6, 2007 @ 4:29 pm - February 6, 2007
Tell me about, Pete. I’ve been reading with wry amusement the deranged, spittle-flecked rantings of the lunatic The Breck Girl hired as his blogmaster. And she was one of the left’s most popular bloggers. How creepy is that?
Reagan had a great sense of humor, by the way.
Comment by V the K — February 6, 2007 @ 4:32 pm - February 6, 2007
I made a hilarious joke about Reagan and a jackolantern, and you guys accuse me of having no sense of humor???????????????
COME ON, lighten up. He was only an actor. He did exactly as he was told by his more intelligent handlers. You all needn’t be so sappy.
–Chet
Comment by Chet — February 6, 2007 @ 4:36 pm - February 6, 2007
Funny, Chet’s words could easily be attributed to the Clintons – both Lord BJ and Lady MacBeth.
Let’s see: “He was only an actor. He did exactly as he was told by his more intelligent handlers.”
Mhm.
Dick Morris, James Carville, Paul Begala…check.
Marian Wright Edelman, Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Mack McLarty…check.
“Sister Souljah moment”…check.
“I feel your pain”…check.
Fake tears at Ron Brown’s funeral…check.
“I did not have sex with that woman”…check, check, and check.
In short, checkmate.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 4:55 pm - February 6, 2007
#11 – Hobbit, right on. I felt more for Reagan’s funeral than I did Ford’s, mainly because of how well he led our nation.
And I can just imagine Rosalynn nudging Jimmy and saying, “You have to live up to that, dear. Get to work.”
As if.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 4:57 pm - February 6, 2007
Aside – McCain invoking Reagan? Get real. As if. No way.
He is no more worthy of Reagan’s mantle than Bush ’41 was. Maybe Rudy, but we have to wait and see on that one.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 4:58 pm - February 6, 2007
“He also traded arms for hostages.
He also cut-n-run from Lebanon when the Marines got blown up”
He also was the architect of “the painless war”
He racked up huge deficits on military spending while demanding tax cuts. He pushed the costs of this “painless war” on to the next generation, while asking little from the voting population.
But he did it with a smile so he is called “great”
Comment by keogh — February 6, 2007 @ 5:06 pm - February 6, 2007
Looks like 401k cut-and-pasted his arguments again, without bothering to examine them in the context of the discussion.
I’m going to go easy on this little libtroll. He’s probably upset that his Easy-Bake Oven got recalled.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 5:11 pm - February 6, 2007
Peter, my thoughts are a spitting image of yours.
PHTOOEY!
By the way, Biden = Bidet? LOL.
Comment by HardHobbit — February 6, 2007 @ 5:38 pm - February 6, 2007
RR was a good Prez in a great time and he knew how to act Presidential; but that wasn’t too hard given what came before, right?
His presence on the American political stage, like Margaret Thatcher’s on the British stage, will forever exclude the opportunity for wanna be imposters to gain even a momentary leg-up on his legacy.
The Left has Kennedy with all his seedy warts. We have RR in much better shape. I’ll take the latter any day.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — February 6, 2007 @ 5:50 pm - February 6, 2007
Well, Hobbit, I guess that’s pun for the road.
As far as Bidet goes – well, you could say that after that “fresh and clean” remark, his campaign sure has hit the toilet.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 6, 2007 @ 5:53 pm - February 6, 2007
Peter,
Heh, heh — he always was out of the main stream.
Comment by HardHobbit — February 6, 2007 @ 6:17 pm - February 6, 2007
My son and I were just talking over dinner, what kind of things would be appropriate to observing Reagan Day? Should we exchange jelly beans, maybe? Maybe bake some “shining city on the hill” cakes?
Seriously, it would be cool if there were some traditions we his conservative children could observe on this day?
Comment by V the K — February 6, 2007 @ 7:31 pm - February 6, 2007
Peter — you won’t fine me defending the Clintons. I dislike neo-liberals far more than I dislike so-called “conservatives.”
–Chet
Comment by Chet — February 6, 2007 @ 7:35 pm - February 6, 2007
I lived outside DC a few years ago when President Reagan passed, and I made the mistake of trying to view the casket while he lie (Lay? laid?) in state. I say “mistake” because I waited until the last evening at nearly midnight, and there was still no way I was getting in. As anyone who was there can attest, the sheer number of people trying to get in the line even at that late hour was incredible. Rarely have I seen the National Mall so crowded, and this was still 3 blocks from the Capitol Building. Clearly I should have tried earlier. It was a moving testament to man who inspired a majority of Americans. He wasn’t called the “Great Communicator” for no reason, after all.
We should be so lucky to find another Leader (capital “L” intended) on either side of the aisle.
V the K, how about passing out Jelly Bellys?
Comment by Mike — February 6, 2007 @ 10:35 pm - February 6, 2007
Ronald Reagan was a hero to many and an Icon to a nation. With his passing the MSM and mean liberals were stunned at the millions upon millions who paid their respects as he traveled to his final resting place. After a lifetime of abuse from the MSM and liberals they decided to re write history and pretend they liked the man and respected him. I lived thru the 80′s, and they hated him. Luckily he made America great again and 80% of the country will always love him for it. God Bless Reagan’s shinning city on a hill. God Bless America.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — February 6, 2007 @ 10:39 pm - February 6, 2007
I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it sooner. Celebrating in a maningful way, Reagan’s Birthday. With invitations and celebrations on this day every year. I’m gonna do it. In his honor and to needle the hell outta socialists. Imagine them doing that for Jimmy Carter or W J Clinton?
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — February 6, 2007 @ 10:42 pm - February 6, 2007
#27
Imagine them doing that for Jimmy Carter or W J Clinton?
Can miserable people celebrate anything? Hell they won congress and they’re still miserable.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — February 7, 2007 @ 12:47 am - February 7, 2007
You might honor his legacy, but his spirit is dead. Especially among the “serious” right wing.
Comment by vaara — February 7, 2007 @ 2:29 am - February 7, 2007
Mike — I am personally going to make it a custom to pass out Jelly Bellies on Reagan Day from now on. What else can we do? Greeting cards with Reagan quotes on them? Send money to private charities (since charitable giving bloomed in the Reagan years.)
We should start a grass roots movement. The Gipper would appreciate that much more than a Federally mandated holiday!
Comment by V the K — February 7, 2007 @ 5:35 am - February 7, 2007
#29 – It was because Reagan was a gentleman and always lived by the credo: “If you can’t say anything nice about anyone, don’t say anything at all.”
Of course, if we all followed this maxim, there’d be no MSM, no “View,” no Oscars, no DailyKos…wait a minute, I’m having an epiphany.
And vaaaaaara, it’s also too bad that your compatriots on your side of the aisle can’t hold their tongues in a likewise manner. All we do is respond, not initiate. Think about it.
Viva Ronaldus Magnus!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 7, 2007 @ 12:34 pm - February 7, 2007
Actually, the notion that RR never spoke ill of his opponents isn’t true. He had a fairly short temper –I saw it in full force but wasn’t the target… and was inclined to be scathing to opponents. For instance, remember his campaign’s focus on the House by portraying Tip as an overweight, fatcat in the limo wasting everyone’s taxes? Later, RR made up with Tip on a budget bill that led to the big dig’s biggest cost overruns and cemented their “friendship”.
Reagan spoke ill of fellow Republicans too. Just look at his primary contest with the incumbent GOP Prez Jerry Ford in 1976. Or look to his general election contests and speeches during the first CA Gov race. Ouch.
Nawh, that RR antedote is pure fiction.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — February 7, 2007 @ 2:17 pm - February 7, 2007
Still, the fact that you can only recall a few instances pales in comparison to, say, Shrillary Rodham Rodham, who manages to snark at someone (usually functionaries) at least once a day.
There are certainly fewer instances of Reagan doing the same that come to mind.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — February 7, 2007 @ 7:25 pm - February 7, 2007
Didn’t mention the word AIDS in public until thousands had died from it.
C’mon! What would you have him say? It’s a government conspiracy cooked up at the Pentagon (most likely by W. Bush Karl Rove, no doubt).
I suppose liberals would prefer doom & gloom statements that “we’re all gonna die” regarding a disease we knew hardly anything about. We’re better off with presidents like lord Bj who’s staff wore latex gloves to greet gay “leaders”.
Better to have a liberal homophobe in the WH who mentions AIDS though. Nevermind that he signed off on two major pieces of anti-gay legislation and bragged about it to get reelected. He’s a liberal and that matters more than anything else. The gay left gleefully latched onto his c*ck and got insanely jealous when they were jilted for that Lewinsky cow.
Brilliant.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — February 8, 2007 @ 5:34 am - February 8, 2007
Peter, that’s a fair observation on your part… compared to some, RR seems like the perfect model of restraint.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — February 8, 2007 @ 8:40 am - February 8, 2007
was ronald regan for gays in the military or not? please reply asap
thank you
Comment by bruce — May 2, 2007 @ 2:23 pm - May 2, 2007