Posted on 08/06/2010 6:52:18 AM PDT by Bigtigermike
You had to live through it to recognize the metamorphosis. During those early days of June 2004, as the nation mourned the passing of Ronald Reagan, you would have never known he had been ridiculed and treated with disdain for most of his political career—not only by Democrats but by establishment Republicans. Frankly, I was stunned by the display of love and gratitude in 2004.
As the Reagan motorcade drove toward the Reagan Library for the final tribute, ordinary citizens along the route were paying their final tributes as well. It was an amazing moment.
But it was not always so.
When Reagan first ran for California governor in 1966, a lot of people, both Democrat and Republican, treated his candidacy as a joke. First, he had to get the nomination. Establishment Republican George Christopher, a former mayor of San Francisco, painted Reagan as a right-wing extremist and racial bigot. Having overcome that hurdle, he had to face governor Edmund “Pat” Brown, who was running for reelection and expected an easy triumph over the “B” actor.
One of Brown’s ploys was an infamous commercial he ran during the campaign in which he told a group of small children, “I’m running against an actor, and you know who killed Abe Lincoln, don’t you?” It didn’t work.
After two terms as California governor, Reagan took on Gerald Ford for the presidency in 1976. The entire Republican establishment opposed him. Again, the big guns came out to declare the challenger an extremist. It was an uphill battle, one that Reagan lost that year, only to claim the nomination four years later, this time defeating the establishment candidate George Bush.
Democrats in the 1980 campaign depicted Reagan as an idiot, a grade “B” movie actor who had starred with a chimpanzee, of all things.
They also used the extremist label on him, predicting he would lead America into World War III. Instead, his policies led the world out of the Cold War.
The identical tactics used against Reagan are now being used against Sarah Palin. Even though she was McCain’s vice-presidential pick, and you could say that makes her “establishment” in one sense, she never was at home in that role. Neither did Republican insiders consider her to be one of them. The political professionals in the McCain campaign had little more than disdain for her; that became publicly obvious after the election.
In Alaska, she truly had been a disturber of the status quo within the Republican Party. She was guided more by principle than party loyalty. Even today, as her Facebook numbers rise and her influence is felt via endorsements for candidates running for both state offices and Congress, she is shunned by the establishment. The same type of people who considered Reagan a simpleton and a neanderthal have dubbed her “Caribou Barbie.”
Her faults? Well, she didn’t graduate from one of the approved universities. How can you be president if you didn’t graduate from either Harvard or Yale?
Her speech is too common and ordinary. She makes up words like “refudiate.” At least she knows how to pronounce “corps.”
She gives her children weird names. She actually decided to give a Down Syndrome child the opportunity to live rather than take the sophisticated and more seemly route of abortion. She’s adamantly pro-life, which immediately brands her as one of those extremists.
Personally, I don’t know for sure that Palin is the best choice for president on the Republican ticket in 2012. Yet I respect her for standing firm on her principles and for allowing her Christian faith to be seen in practice.
What I do know for sure is that she is undergoing the same ridicule and disdain that Ronald Reagan once endured. If she handles it with as much grace and good humor as Reagan did, there may be no limit to what she can accomplish. I wish her well.
She’s getting the same venom as Reagan, for sure. I think what I’m not sure about is whether she is as capable as Reagan. Reagan after all had a long and interesting career, including SAG president, two-term governor of a large state, etc., etc., etc. He had been tested, it’s just that the liberals didn’t see it or acknowledge it.
I’m not certain that Palin has been tested to the extent that Reagan was by ‘76. She certainly is not as tested as he was by 80. But it sure seems like we are going to find out....
I pretty much hold the same opinion of her that this columnist does.
My only beef with her is her support of some RINOs.
She *does* have the potential to go far.
>I’m not certain that Palin has been tested to the extent that Reagan was by ‘76. She certainly is not as tested as he was by 80. But it sure seems like we are going to find out....
I’m quite certain she is nowhere near as tested as Reagan by 1976. I don’t mind Palin, but she lacks enough experience, and to be quite honest she does have baggage.
I would not object to her being president, but I don’t see it happening, and to nominate her would be quixotic.
Reagan was criticized. Palin is criticized.
Damn, she IS presidential. I had never thought of that.
He walked on two feet. She walks on two feet.
He rode in cars. She rides in cars.
He ate food. She eats food.
The real kicker for me was when I realized he woke up on sunny days and cloudy days. She does that very thing.
Folks, McCain compares himself favorably to Reagan. Enough already...
I once though like you did...but then I looked at what she faced in Alaska....the Republican party had disdain for her and tried to throw her out....they didn’t support her financially, yet she beat two governors of Alaska in one year, with no true campaign manager, little money and virtual no party support, on top of that she was called “dumb” and a lightweight and being 43 (young and a woman) she help to take down the oil companies and many “good ole boy” types....
Many of us knew of Reagan's political and constitutional awareness back in 79 and 80, but the vast majority in the press and in many of the power positions in the DNC and GOP discounted it. His appeal was to the people...just as Sarah's is...and that put him in the White House where over and eight year period, his record and actions spoke for themselves.
If given the opportunity...and I believe it is the people who will give it to her...I believe Sarah Palin will do the same.
((((((((Ping)))))))
Another ping X2 - LOL.
Great Post! It’s not Palin’s fault she doesn’t have the 30 years of political experience Reagan had. She gets it! She understands liberty. Yes She will make mistakes and Gaffes. Doesn’t everybody? Yes, the Katy Courics, Keith Obermann’s and Chris Matthews of the world will deride and make fun of her. Ever heard of the Contras in Nicaragua and how the left did everything possible to make Reagan look like a fool. We must support a candidate like Sarah if we are to make a difference. If you can prove to me that Duncan Hunter can be elected, I’ll listen. For now there is only Sarah!
Her time is a bit to the young side of her peak and Reagan’s was to the older end of his. Such is history.
Given the double-standard on judging professional women more by their looks, maybe it’s for the best that she is a bit younger rather than older.
He rode in cars. She rides in cars.
He ate food. She eats food.
Such intellectual brilliance and such daring commentary.
We're glad you could add to the discussion......
LOVE IT!
Oh my!
Yes, thank you! I had misplaced that one!
Nobody organized this kind show of respect where thousands spontaneously just "showed up". Once again, with Palin, the media shows they NEVER WILL get it, either.
You are being disingenuous!!.... The writer even said that he isn’t quite sure if she is right for the job, but what he is saying is that just like Reagan that Palin is going through the same type of things he faced and that despite all she is pressing through....and that means that the liberals must be very careful to think that ridiculing and mocking someone like Palin (who has very good political skills) will somehow knock her down from being President....Palin’s own political enemies said in Alaska that people highly underestimate her and they did to their own demise....SHEESH!!
She also supported carbon trading and the LOST Treaty. Now why would I consider that common sense?
Yes, the left was awful to her. They are also awful to Michelle Bachmann. They hate people who speak out about them.
She is a republican, a foe of democrats.
She has personally been vetted. The business with her daughter isn’t a reason to not support her. What about the other things like what policies was she for or against?
Maybe she has seen the light. We will find out should she enter the race. Her opponents will not let it slide.(as if the washed up retread candidates from 2008 have any reason to talk)
By the way, what did the oil companies do that they needed taking down? just asking
That is the one thing that got me REALLY crying watching his funeral procession . . .all the people who spontaneously pulled over to the side of the road and got out of thier cars to pay thier respects.
I agree with you that many politicians who work to undermine everything Reagan stood for also like to compare themselves to Reagan. But people like McCain never stood up to the Washington elites like Reagan did. Sarah Palin is one of the few politicians who doesn't parrot the conventional wisdom of the elites and she has been viciously attacked for it. Reagan was subjected to constant attacks and ridicule and still stood his ground. Even members of his administration like David Stockman and Donald Regan publicly attacked him. He was not perfect but he accomplished what other politicians never could.
We need politicians who like Reagan will stand up to the MSM and the Washington elites. Sarah Palin is one of the few people who will do that. In that way she is just like Ronald Reagan.
LOL, discussion of what? Reagan was ridiculed, and now Palin is ridiculed. Is there some deep meaning to discuss? No.
This was a pathetic premise from the get go. It’s like some ten year old had a brain fart, and couldn’t resist putting it to paper.
LakeSnark, I don’t care if you’re honest with me. At least be honest with yourself.
See my post number 8. Palin’s appeal is to the people, just like Reagan’s was. The estblishment GOP and the entire DNC simply do not “get it” and that is why she, and a whole bunch of other new members in congress and in state houses all over the country are going to come in and begin turning this thing around again...just like Reagan did...but this time we dare not allow them to EVER forget why they are being elected.
President Reagan talked over, around and only to the press when he wanted to. Sarah is doing the very same, thanks in part to Roger Ailes. She connects directly through FB and her personal appearances. Just like you said, the media will never “get it” and despite their mega effort to tear her down, she keeps coming back stronger than ever.
Beautiful photo of a bittersweet time.
See my post number 8. Palin’s appeal is to the people, just like Reagan’s was. The estblishment GOP and the entire DNC simply do not “get it” and that is why she, and a whole bunch of other new members in congress and in state houses all over the country are going to come in and begin turning this thing around again...just like Reagan did...but this time we dare not allow them to EVER forget why they are being elected.
She never did so other than as McCan's running mate. It was her job to defend his policies at the time, yet she never bought in as has been suggested. She always gave a better perspective than he did as she came from a better one.
She's been very effective in pointing out the sham of "climate science" and has ridiculed it often and effectively.
the "Lost" treaty is another canard.
You really shouldn't repeat the ididocy of the 1%er talking points. They've quite clearly gone over the edge of sane thinking.
Amen!
Would you rather she not take up Reagan's principles?
Would you rather she be against what he stood for?
The overall premise is flimsy at best, and embarrassing as can be at worst.
You’re banking on the former and I’m comfortable banking on the latter.
Sorry, there’s just no “there” there.
Reagan was governor of one of the top five to seven global economies for eight years, a state with one of the largest and most diverse populations, and Palin was governor of a state with less population(1) than eighteen major U. S. cities(2) for two and a half years before she resigned. And she spent six months of that time running with McCain.
Lets be frank. This commentary was amazingly shallow.
If there is a case to be made for Palin, this sure didn’t add to it.
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population
If anyone knows of a site with a compilation of the photos from the Reagan motorcade could you forward it to me? I was moved to tears by the thread here on FR.
I know plenty of people who stand for what Reagan did. That doesn’t make them presidential.
It makes them good voters. It makes them good potential candidates for lower office.
If anyone knows of a site with a compilation of the photos from the Reagan motorcade could you forward it to me? I was moved to tears by the thread here on FR.
It's uncanny!
;^)
D-1 posts. You suck up!
It’s predictable!
Irony on steroids.
Actually what you say isn’t true.
You need to go google this info. I checked it out for myself.
Much of this was before McCain. May be more reasons he chose her.
It will all be revealed in the primaries should she enter.
Sane thinking is checking it out for yourself.
None of us, including you, know how this is going to play out, right?
At this point, she is her own person, and she's doing quite well in what she is doing. She does the best job of any conservative coming against the Obamacrat agenda, and she's building a pretty solid base to work from. I like what she's doing, and it's a pity you don't support that. She stands for 95 plus per cent of what you do, furthers it more effectively than anyone out there, yet you just piss and moan about it.
That's not a good selling point for you imho.
Neither did the Bush Republicans.
Palin is facing the same sort of doubts, as you have doubted yourself, as to office and policy comptency. They used Bonzo, FGS, to make Reagan look stupid.
You are looking back with the knowledge now that Reagan was completely competent, but he was not thought to be so during the time by his enemies....just like Palin.
That is what this article is saying, IMO
I remember temporarily suspending my general MSM boycott during the time of America paying its respects to Ronald Reagan and flipping around the channels. There was one commentator that actually did "get it", although I'm sure he didn't like it -- Tom Brokaw. He actually even tried to explain it on NBC the day of Reagan's funeral. I give him credit for that.
Go ahead and post a link, but you won't find one.
There are things that I like about Palin too. It’s just that I’m not going to be content to think she is presidential when that isn’t true at all.
Here is a woman who couldn’t handle the heat in a state with a populace smaller than 18 large U. S. cities, that seems to think she can handle the heat a president has to handle.
Do I like some of the things she says? Of course. Do I think she is of clear enough mind to lead a nation this size? No. She isn’t even clear enough to discern that John McCain isn’t what is best for this nation from Arizona.
That says volumes to me.
Show me someone with a proven successful track record that won’t embarrass me within two months of having taken office.
If she can’t figure out a cut and dried issue like McCain vs Hayworth, she’s just not the right person.
Well, she was just lying for votes so that makes it okay.
Reagan was more polished and had a presence that she does not.
I like Sarah a lot, but comparing her to Reagan is ridiculous unless she really ups her game and stops with the hokey nonsense.
When Reagan spoke, he exuded the fatherly strength and protection that she still does not.
If she runs i will support her, but she is not Reagan, yet.
Get lost, troll.
When I heard that word I knew exactly what the meaning was. As texting and tweeting involves much syntax/vocabulary mashing, to combine refute and repudiate I think is very acceptable. It sure seems to be a word now!
At any rate it may someday be in the dictionary as the English language continually evolves. Reminds me of 'plutoed' as in pluto is not a planet anymore. As far as a reason not to vote for her, well, it's pathetic.
Many of the well wishers who paid tribute to Reagan on the final trip home in 2004 were converts over many years of observation. Reagan went out and earned that admiration through campaigning and governing.
Right now Palin has to campaign and if she is successful at winning, then she'll have to then govern. Then and only then, if she is as successful as Reagan, will many of her skeptics show her Reagan-like adulation---and that could still take years.
So I hope she runs, I hope she wins, I think she'll surround her self with good advisers, stick to her core principles and balance analysis with gut feeling. I think by 2012 people will be ready for her. I think she can win the presidency---but it will take years for skeptics to put her on par with Renaldos Magnus.
Huh. An ankle biter doesn’t like getting kicked in the teeth. Who woulda guessed?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
