Another contrast, along with the point on anger. I’ve never seen Trump laugh, ever. Reagan embraced humor genuinely and professionally. One would want to laugh with him; it was contagious.
I always point out that the differences between Reagan and Trump are deep and profound. Put simply Reagan appealed to that which was good in us. Those better angels that Lincoln spoke of. Trump appeals to the worst in us. Just watch the 1980 debate between Bush and Reagan sponsored by the Texas Republican Women. It’s on YouTube. Watch Reagan talk about immigrants. Then watch Trump.
Reagan would have said about today's Republican Party what he used to say about the Democratic Party: I didn't leave them. They left me.
Reagan was tough on foreign adversaries, and would have ensured strong support for Ukraine, just as he did anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua (he understood what it took the NY Times Editorial Board 40 years to learn about the Ortega brothers). He supported (legal) immigration and free trade. Just watch his final public address as President if you have any doubt.
Trumpies already talk disparagingly of "Zombie Reaganism" as something that haunts the GOP. They know those of us who remember Reagan know what a real President looks and sounds like, and it haunts them.
Have to counter the other thoughtful comments. The reason for Reagan's success was he was the right man for the job. When the Cold War ended, top Cold Warriors like Kirkpatrick advocated for a foreign policy almost identical to DJT.
Also, Dr. Brands ignores the breakdown of Fusionism: the grand bargain was the mutual advocation of strong defense, fiscal libertarianism, and social conservatism was what was agreed upon. What we were promised was someone like Javier Miliei, fiercely defending liberty, God, and against Communism. What we got was the Bushes, and frankly some of Reagan. Even now, "conservatives" are not true unless they cheerfully empty their pockets for some war and cheer on corporate monopolies. Sorry, Russ and Whitt. Better luck next time, fellas...
Trump is certainly angry as are his advocates. What exactly is there to cheer about? If you're middle class, you struggle to live in the town you grew up in. Even affluent people make 30% less than someone in his same job 30 years ago. Can't move up a ladder because someone won't retire. Can't buy a home because where you live people buy second or third homes. Can't rise to a company because the last CEO merged it and golden parachuted out. Most pensioners make more than many senior directors at companies. This is 2023 America.
Did you want to try in higher education? Hope you have the right plumbing, or skin complexion. If you do make it through, be silent before they find you out to be even center, never mind right wing. This is real advice professors give to students. This is 2023 America.
Ever visit Section 60 at Arlington? I bet David Frum or John Bolton don't. Lots of families without sincecures at fancy institutes or white collar jobs to go are there often, however. Not sure if they can bask in all that "freedom and democracy" we have been selling to parents to send our sons (and now, unbelievably daughters) to die away from home since Wilson began that slogan. Rings pretty hollow when the world is no better, and families have nothing but a headstone to visit. The good news is if you're missing a leg, Applebees can give you a free appetizer November 11th. This is America 2023.
So, no gentlemen. Trump is not smiling or affable putting a kind spin on things. If you need to contemplate why the vast majority of a party are interested in a loud blowhard with an orange tint to him, try looking at what GOP or "conservatism" or whatever you call post 1990 Reaganism got us. Then you can understand who left whom.
Yes, six times over.
Another contrast, along with the point on anger. I’ve never seen Trump laugh, ever. Reagan embraced humor genuinely and professionally. One would want to laugh with him; it was contagious.
I always point out that the differences between Reagan and Trump are deep and profound. Put simply Reagan appealed to that which was good in us. Those better angels that Lincoln spoke of. Trump appeals to the worst in us. Just watch the 1980 debate between Bush and Reagan sponsored by the Texas Republican Women. It’s on YouTube. Watch Reagan talk about immigrants. Then watch Trump.
Reagan would have said about today's Republican Party what he used to say about the Democratic Party: I didn't leave them. They left me.
Reagan was tough on foreign adversaries, and would have ensured strong support for Ukraine, just as he did anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua (he understood what it took the NY Times Editorial Board 40 years to learn about the Ortega brothers). He supported (legal) immigration and free trade. Just watch his final public address as President if you have any doubt.
Trumpies already talk disparagingly of "Zombie Reaganism" as something that haunts the GOP. They know those of us who remember Reagan know what a real President looks and sounds like, and it haunts them.
Have to counter the other thoughtful comments. The reason for Reagan's success was he was the right man for the job. When the Cold War ended, top Cold Warriors like Kirkpatrick advocated for a foreign policy almost identical to DJT.
Also, Dr. Brands ignores the breakdown of Fusionism: the grand bargain was the mutual advocation of strong defense, fiscal libertarianism, and social conservatism was what was agreed upon. What we were promised was someone like Javier Miliei, fiercely defending liberty, God, and against Communism. What we got was the Bushes, and frankly some of Reagan. Even now, "conservatives" are not true unless they cheerfully empty their pockets for some war and cheer on corporate monopolies. Sorry, Russ and Whitt. Better luck next time, fellas...
Trump is certainly angry as are his advocates. What exactly is there to cheer about? If you're middle class, you struggle to live in the town you grew up in. Even affluent people make 30% less than someone in his same job 30 years ago. Can't move up a ladder because someone won't retire. Can't buy a home because where you live people buy second or third homes. Can't rise to a company because the last CEO merged it and golden parachuted out. Most pensioners make more than many senior directors at companies. This is 2023 America.
Did you want to try in higher education? Hope you have the right plumbing, or skin complexion. If you do make it through, be silent before they find you out to be even center, never mind right wing. This is real advice professors give to students. This is 2023 America.
Ever visit Section 60 at Arlington? I bet David Frum or John Bolton don't. Lots of families without sincecures at fancy institutes or white collar jobs to go are there often, however. Not sure if they can bask in all that "freedom and democracy" we have been selling to parents to send our sons (and now, unbelievably daughters) to die away from home since Wilson began that slogan. Rings pretty hollow when the world is no better, and families have nothing but a headstone to visit. The good news is if you're missing a leg, Applebees can give you a free appetizer November 11th. This is America 2023.
So, no gentlemen. Trump is not smiling or affable putting a kind spin on things. If you need to contemplate why the vast majority of a party are interested in a loud blowhard with an orange tint to him, try looking at what GOP or "conservatism" or whatever you call post 1990 Reaganism got us. Then you can understand who left whom.