Reagan’s style over Reagan’s substance? Well, sadly, it seems to have gone that way for elections since the dawn of the boob tube...
What was Reagan best known for? What did they call him? "The Great Comminicator." This is what he was best known for. It doesn't matter what issues you represent if you are incapable of representing them well and convincing the American voter in the process.
If Thompson were truly the most like Reagan, he would not only be on the same side of the issues, but effective at communicating them. The sad thing is, Thompson IS an excellent communicator, but he has not brought it consistently during this campaign season, and what he has brought has come too late. Otherwise, HE would be leading the polls and winning primaries. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.