A significant number of Republicans support the idea of former President Trump serving another four years and regard him as one of their favorite presidents in the last 40 years. A notable 37% of Republicans consider Trump to be the most effective president in the past four decades, second only to Ronald Reagan, who secured 41% of the Republican and Republican-leaning independent tally, according to a Pew Research survey.
Straight Arrow News contributor Ruben Navarrette argues that Ronald Reagan would probably disapprove of the path the party has followed under Trump’s leadership. Navarrette highlights specific differences between the Trump and Reagan GOP Parties and points out 10 ideals that the Republicans used to uphold.
What would President Ronald Reagan make of all this? Given his hardline approach to Russia, I doubt he would look favorably on those House Republicans who are holding up urgent funding to help Ukraine fight off Vladimir Putin’s invasion. Nor would Reagan agree with another Ron — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — that the invasion by Russia was really much more of a territorial dispute.
Reagan’s vision of America was as a shining city on a hill, but that’s just a distant memory to today’s Republicans. You see, Reagan was the optimistic happy warrior. He loved being around people. Today, the vibe of the modern Republican Party is best embodied by DeSantis. In any other era, this fellow would be a bad fit for politics, because he doesn’t seem to like people. That’s okay. People don’t like him either. Lacking in social skills, DeSantis has to resort to scaring up votes by scaring people. Be afraid of Mickey Mouse and mothers seeking asylum, he warns. Be very afraid.
The GOP has been on the donor list for a heart transplant ever since it gave itself over to Trump due to a combination of ambition and fear. But Republicans don’t just need compassion, kindness, and empathy. They also need to find their way back to Reagan’s shining city. Yes, the “Gipper” again. What was so special about him? All Reagan did in 1984 was win 49 states. Let’s see Trump do that. He can’t. He’s not capable. He’s no Ronald Reagan. He’s more like Ronald McDonald.
With Reagan, you always knew where he stood in relation to the country. He saw himself as small, and America as grand. With Trump, those things are reversed. Can you believe it?
