I think Reagan’s appeal was that he was a Republican that espoused Libertarian and Nationalistic feelings in people.
He espoused Freedom and Individual as well as Economic Liberty. At the same time, God, Country and National Defense were important.
But you can win with a message of Freedom.
No Conservatives talk like that. They get muddled up talking about the minutiae of acceptable Tax Rates, Capital Gains, etc...
The American People need to be presented The Big Picture. That’s not something we’ve seen much of.
You may be right, unfortunately since Dubya uses that word so often, and then was so ineffective when the media started to attack him, even the word freedom has lost its powerful meaning.
and he never once called those out to destroy him "my friends."