He also espoused a “big tent”.
He, who? I’m not into mind reading.
Did he really? Well here are three quotes for you. You tell me where you find the RINO big tent in Reagan's words:
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” ~ Ronald Reagan, 1975
"I don't know about you, but I'm impatient with those Republicans who, after the last election, rushed into print saying we must broaden the base of our party, when what they meant was to fuzz up and blur even more the differences between ourselves and our opponents." ~ Ronald Reagan, 1975
"Don't give up your ideals, don't compromise, don't turn to expediency – and don't, for heaven's sake, having seen the inner workings of the watch – don't get cynical." ~ Ronald Reagan, 1976
Every single time Romney's people start spouting something about Reagan, you would think they were talking about someone else. They forget that we lived during Reagan's time so they can't fool us with their deceitful words. Reagan had principles Romney will never have.
Reagan wanted the party to include everyone who agreed with the conservative principles of the party, not change our values to accept any old idea just to get more people on board. He did not advocate becoming democrats in order to get more democrats to vote for the GOP nor did he believe in becoming socialists to get socialists to vote for the party.
Remember, Reagan left the democrats because that party left him. He warned us of socialized medicine and allowing their ideas to take over the party. There was no hypocrisy, no becoming all things to all people, no 'all ideas inclusive' big tent on Reagan's part as you suggest. But, the dems, Romney and his RINO friends love to twist history to deceive people.
Read this article by Thomas Sowell if you want a reasoned look at what you have been deceived about.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/republicans-229738-democrats-reagan.html
Your idea of a "big tent" and Reagan's idea of a "big tent" may be two different things.