I will be one of those who says that Jeb - who was a very good governor here for years - didn’t mean that we should reject Reagan, but simply meant that invoking Reagan was resonating with people. Reagan has been out of office for a long time and there is a whole generation or more of voters who weren’t even alive during his time in office.
And, of course, he gets little positive press to keep his policies alive. FDR is the hero of the press and people who weren’t alive during his time still recognize his principles (socialism, basically), but Reagan and Reagan policies do not receive favorable treatment.
So to some extent I think Jeb Bush is right. We can’t just say the magic word Reagan and expect people to want to vote for us. We have to pick another magic word that people will know immediately. I, btw, think the word should be “freedom,” which covers everything, resonates with everybody and was certainly a major part of Reagan’s policy.
Yes, he is. The young people aren't going to respond to the word "Reagan" as much as has been done.
They are looking for new words going forward i.e. conservative principles wrapped in new rhetoric.
Of course, Reagan should still be continued to be taught about, as should any American hero, but the youth is looking for a new standard bearer, as well they should.
LLS