[Tell It Right]

To be fair to both DeSantis and Trump, these are different days from the Reagan days. The media hated Reagan, no doubt about it. But they weren't as vile as they are today. Nor was the deep state constantly trying to put Reagan in prison like they've done Trump. Nor was the media constantly saying that Reagan's voters were automatically white supremacist bigots who should be dealt with violently.

I think it's unrealistic for us to expect a modern Republican candidate to have the kind of genteel demeanor Regan had. In fact, if one does have a Reagan demeanor, for me it's a turn off (i.e. Ben Carlson). We need someone who makes it clear that he ain't puttin' up with their crap.

[cableguymn]

The left did try to kill him though. Went as far as having him shot.

So there is that.

[Tench_Coxe]

Agree. I might add GHW Bush was put in as an insurance policy of sorts.

[the OlLine Rebel]

They weren’t as vile because everyone knew Reagan was a nice guy of endless joy who completely disarmed people. Only the sickest of people hated him truly.

NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE NICER.

I’ll grant that things are worse overall…that is because society is getting more immoral and coarse, so it would happen regardless. Civil war is more and more likely the way things are splitting in 50/50 fashion.

It’s just that Trump feeds their hatred, because he is likewise coarse. Reagan disarmed people with his sunny jolly personality and great optimism. He actually changed people and made them feel good about the country.

[leaning conservative]

I think you are correct; it’s a different world today. I always found Ben Carson to be really strange and quite often veering into creepy territory.

[ansel12]

The genteel surface of Reagan hid a tough fighter, which is how he so frustrated the media and left, Reagan could reach the public in spite of them and their smears and attacks.

Reagan was a tackle and guard in college football and was a heroic lifeguard on a river, (not a swimming pool), five years an officer in the 1930s horse cavalry which was a rugged life, and 6 times as Union president fighting the communist takeover of Hollywood while having to carry a pistol and testify to congress, governor of California during the 60s and black panthers and the rest, a tough politician that barely missed knocking off the sitting president for the 1976 nomination, a tough president that chewed up Russian leaders one after the other until he broke their empire.

Reagan could be that tough masculine man and do it without losing his Christian positivity and character.

[poconopundit]

Good analysis, Tell It Right. We are in a different era altogether today.

[Nifster]

Regan had a way of handling the left. Did so in California and at the federal level