[Newman]

Originally Posted by BigRapidsJackass

I think that's right.

Yesterday I saw that clip of Obama admitting that the Republican Party from Reagan-to-W was, indeed, "the party of ideas." And he's right. We can't ignore that either. It's to his credit that he can see the value -- the necessity -- for the Reagan revolution that was co-opted by Bill Clinton. Remember, "the era of big government is over?"

I actually read an Ed Quillen column in the Post yesterday, "Why be like Reagan?" It was a good one. Why DOES Reagan get such good press in Republican circles? I've often scratched my head on that one. Here's the synopsis of the issues from Quillen:

1. Illegal immigration: Reagan supported amnesty

2. Standing up to terrorists: Beirut, Oct. 23, 1983, truck bomb attack, 241 American servicemen killed. Reagan's response was to withdraw, cut and run.

3. Fiscal responsibility: RR first budget was $746B. His last budget was $1.14Trillion. The national debt more than doubled during Reagan's tenure. Republicans can't blame that on Clinton.

4. Foreign policy: Iran contra scandal, savings and loan collapse, etc.

I think of Reagan as a union buster, specifically the air traffic controllers were destroyed by him.

And yet all the Republic candidates trip over themselves to mention their love and admiration for Ronald Reagan. I don't get it. It doesn't hold up upon examination.