Friday, October 14, 2011

Why I've never been comfortable with the conservative canonization of Ronald Reagan

Bernard Goldberg:

Also, please keep in mind that these days Ronald Reagan not only wouldn’t pass muster as a true Conservative, he would be disdained as a flip-flopper. For one thing, he was a Democrat for a great many years. Then, as governor, he raised taxes twice here in California and signed the most liberal abortion bill in America, although he later said he regretted it. Finally, as president, he signed the amnesty bill that opened the floodgates to millions and millions of illegals. I don’t recall if he ever said he regretted it, but, speaking as a resident of a border state, I certainly do. In other words, any complaint that a Republican feels like leveling at Romney or Perry could, with equal justification, be lodged against The Gipper.

He also racked up ridiculous deficits.

It's not that Reagan didn't do good things.

But I find sometimes conservatives treat him as some kind of gold standard for conservatism (along with Barry Goldwater).

I don't agree that Republicans should be thankful for their RINOs. RINOs are part of the problem, not the solution.

And also:

I may not see eye-to-eye with Romney on all the issues, but opposing a good family man who is clearly decent and honest because of his religion strikes me as vile and decidedly un-American. I would urge you all to keep in mind that he’s not running to be your pastor, priest or rabbi.

I agree. What matters more than his faith is his policy positions.