2008 Woodie Awards
Sweeney's side: Republicans won't find another Reagan
John Sweeney
Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Voices & Times
If you have been observing the Republican primaries, you have heard the name Ronald Reagan mentioned quite often.
In fact, these candidates seem to bring up Reagan any chance they get, be it during the debates or on stops along the campaign trail.
And why shouldn't they mention the 40th president of the United States?
He was, after all, the most historically significant president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Reagan left his mark on the presidency and the world by defeating the Soviet Union and winning the Cold War.
He propelled America to a respectable global power again, preaching optimism and hope seldom heard at the time. Reagan was able to command the attention and respect of leaders around the world through his speaking abilities and policy decisions.
With all that and more behind his name, it might seem odd that one who is a true Reagan admirer would make the following plea to the Republican presidential hopefuls: stop the Reagan talk!
It has been said that Republicans are searching for the next Reagan. They shouldn't. They're not going to find him.
There was and will be only one Reagan. Never again will the world be lucky enough to have this man of great vision and grace. Ol' Dutch has come and has left, and he isn't coming back.
But before you take this as a piece of doom and gloom, consider that there is no reason the current candidates can't be great, or at least effective, on their own merit.
One cannot focus exclusively on how each Republican candidate compares to Reagan. Mike Huckabee is a good public speaker, but that doesn't make him the next Reagan. Fred Thompson was an actor, but he isn't the same as Ronnie. John McCain is old and Mitt Romney uses a lot of hair gel, but that doesn't make either of them Reagan.
By and by, each candidate has stated their own case as to how they could be the next Reagan, but the candidate the Republican Party should be looking for is the one who can stand up and say, "Ronald Reagan was a great president. His vision was second to none, and this country was lucky to have him, but sorry, I am not Ronald Reagan."
America needs a president who is able to stand against those who would see us destroyed and firmly say, "We are America, the land of freedom and opportunity, and we're here to stay."
Of course, seeing that is what Reagan did would inspire many to look to his example during our own turbulent times. And, granted, the concepts Reagan backed always will be relevant: stop the government from interfering in the lives of the people, promote American ingenuity and genius and keep our nation safe through a strong national defense.
But don't you think the man who promoted the power of the individual would encourage those running for the office he once held to show off their own ideas and strategies?
Stop trying to pawn yourselves off as Reagan, candidates! That's not going to get anybody anywhere.
In fact, these candidates seem to bring up Reagan any chance they get, be it during the debates or on stops along the campaign trail.
And why shouldn't they mention the 40th president of the United States?
He was, after all, the most historically significant president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Reagan left his mark on the presidency and the world by defeating the Soviet Union and winning the Cold War.
He propelled America to a respectable global power again, preaching optimism and hope seldom heard at the time. Reagan was able to command the attention and respect of leaders around the world through his speaking abilities and policy decisions.
With all that and more behind his name, it might seem odd that one who is a true Reagan admirer would make the following plea to the Republican presidential hopefuls: stop the Reagan talk!
It has been said that Republicans are searching for the next Reagan. They shouldn't. They're not going to find him.
There was and will be only one Reagan. Never again will the world be lucky enough to have this man of great vision and grace. Ol' Dutch has come and has left, and he isn't coming back.
But before you take this as a piece of doom and gloom, consider that there is no reason the current candidates can't be great, or at least effective, on their own merit.
One cannot focus exclusively on how each Republican candidate compares to Reagan. Mike Huckabee is a good public speaker, but that doesn't make him the next Reagan. Fred Thompson was an actor, but he isn't the same as Ronnie. John McCain is old and Mitt Romney uses a lot of hair gel, but that doesn't make either of them Reagan.
By and by, each candidate has stated their own case as to how they could be the next Reagan, but the candidate the Republican Party should be looking for is the one who can stand up and say, "Ronald Reagan was a great president. His vision was second to none, and this country was lucky to have him, but sorry, I am not Ronald Reagan."
America needs a president who is able to stand against those who would see us destroyed and firmly say, "We are America, the land of freedom and opportunity, and we're here to stay."
Of course, seeing that is what Reagan did would inspire many to look to his example during our own turbulent times. And, granted, the concepts Reagan backed always will be relevant: stop the government from interfering in the lives of the people, promote American ingenuity and genius and keep our nation safe through a strong national defense.
But don't you think the man who promoted the power of the individual would encourage those running for the office he once held to show off their own ideas and strategies?
Stop trying to pawn yourselves off as Reagan, candidates! That's not going to get anybody anywhere.
Be the first to comment on this story