Advice to the Reagan Lorn

by Craig Shirley - May 3rd, 2007 - Townhall.com

[That title is horrible!]

. . . who really was the man that commands so much reverence from the GOP faithful and their leaders?

Reagan was an utterly charming, articulate and kind man. The witty and graceful man Americans saw in public was the same man in private, unlike so many phony politicians of today. His staff adored him. But this is not the only thing that made Ronald Reagan unique and beloved by millions. He said what he meant and meant what he said and was always clear in what he said. Reagan was a man with an absolute belief in his ideas but he was principled not rigid in his ideas. He learned from experience and applied those new ideas to policy through his principled framework of anti-communism, less government and more freedom.

[snip]

Reagan also had a strong libertarian streak and as late as 1975 was still describing himself as a "libertarian conservative." A close study of Reagan's writing and speeches reveals that Reagan would have been very dubious about Republican passed legislation that has trampled on the First Amendment including McCain-Feingold and the Patriot Act. Acting on principle and courage, Reagan opposed California's 1978 Proposition 6 to ban homosexuals from teaching in public schools.

The efforts Reagan put into that last effort resulted in the creation of the "Log Cabin Republicans", an organization that is still not understood by those who condemn all Republicans as racist homophobes.

I think it is interesting that many who are Reagan and Goldwater admirers are themselves sometimes remiss in appreciating the very strong libertarian streak that colored both their views of politics. It is the reason that people like Patrick Buchanan can call themselves Reagan supporters all they want, much of their agenda would be rejected by Reagan. They are misleading and dishonest when they invoke Reagan as their guide.

One thing I am sure of though. The socialist agenda of George Bush's "compassionate conservatism" would never have been embraced by the freedom (and free enterprise) loving Ronald Reagan.