Thompson is hardly a Reagan conservative either, neither in reality or practice. There were a number of conservative leaders both in and out of government spawned by the Reagan revolution. Thompson wasn't one of them.
Arguments such as yours above are tiresome. This race is one of the most open and unusual races in my life time, and Reagan conservatives are split among the varied candidates, most having solid reasons for choosing their candidate. It is impossible, shallow and even silly to believe, using those choices alone, that one can sufficiently determine whether or not such conservatives are/were REAL Reagan conservatives.
As a college student, having learned much about conservatism at the feet of Reagan during his presidential tenure, don't EVER level that accusation at me.
I too was in college during most of Reagan’s tenure, and indeed was at my most active politically, except for my early 30s.
You support Mitt, who even at one point in time specifically said he was not wishing to follow Regan/Bush ideas. He was more “independent’ if I recall the quote correctly.
He may well have matured since then, but to date it is only in words, and the proof is in deeds. I wish to not take the risk.
You obviously did not listen to Reagan’s lessons well. I will stick with those who “graduated” from the era such a Rush, McClintock and others.