Inside Ronald Reagan

Reason Magazine ^ | July 1, 1975 | Manuel Klausner

[magellan]

"I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."

Those of us concerned about liberty have had good reason of late to be interested in Ronald Reagan. Increasingly, California's former governor has been turning up in first place among Republican figures in political opinion polls, among Independents as well as Republicans. In addition, in recent months Reagan has taken to using the term "libertarian" (or "libertarian-conservative") to describe his political philosophy. All of which naturally made us interested in taking a closer look at the man and his ideas. Thanks to the efforts of the late Ned Hutchinson (a former Reagan aide), REASON was able to obtain time out of Reagan's busy schedule for him to be interviewed by Editor Manuel S. Klausner.

[magellan]

This is a long, but fascinating interview with Ronald Reagan from prior to his entering the 1976 Republican primary campaign.

Realize this is the mid-1970s libertarian movement as defined by the print version of Reason Magazine at the time, interviewing Ronald Reagan. They challenge him pretty hard, but he holds to a steadfast conservatism.

This should be mandatory reading for all current Republican candidates. Reagan's 1976 campaign still defines conservatism to this day.

[nightlight7]

"I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."

He ramped up the "war on drugs" quite a bit with his "just say no" initiative and associated laws. They all sell one thing and deliver another, mostly the opposite one.