Mr. Trump, I knew Ronald Reagan. And you’re no Ronald Reagan! Of course, I am stealing that line — with a twist. Donald Trump shouldn’t mind. He’s been stealing my dad for his own purposes. Trump frequently invokes Ronald Reagan’s name to defend his sudden 180-degree switch from being a lifelong, pro-Clinton Democrat to a Reagan Republican.
Both
men did make a switch, but almost all the similarities between the two end
there. Ronald Reagan’s odyssey from Hollywood liberal to conservative backer
took place over almost two decades. Starting with his 1964 “Time for
Choosing” speech that galvanized Americans for Barry Goldwater, dad began a
16-year effort of crisscrossing America to support conservative candidates for
office. My dad also served eight years as California’s governor. When he ran
for President, he had a proven conservative track record.
Donald Trump doesn’t have one. In fact, Trump still can’t explain his sudden change from being a liberal Democrat. When dad ran in 1980, Trump donated the maximum amount to Jimmy Carter. As the Wall Street Journal reported, Trump also donated to a PAC for Walter Mondale, who ran against dad in 1984. Trump has criticized some candidates for their indiscretions made during their childhood. But what can you say for a grown adult who supported both Carter and Mondale over Ronald Reagan? [more...]
Michael Reagan is the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan. A bestselling author, syndicated columnist and NewsmaxTV commentator, he chairs the Reagan Legacy Foundation.
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