One of the core arguments of my book "Tear Down This Myth" was that the iconic, bronze-statue figure of Ronald Reagan that Grover Norquist and other extreme-conservative GOP activists to sell their no-tax, militaristic policies was one that the flesh-and-blood Gipper could never have lived up to himself. The real Reagan was a pragmatist who was willing to sign off on tax increases when he needed to and would "cut-and-run" to save American lives, as he did in Lebanon in 1983.
That's why it's fascinating to see the right wing of the Republican National Committee quantify the Reagan myth this week, so you can see how even Reagan doesn't "measure up." Check out this so-called "purity test" that they've worked up:
WASHINGTON — A group of conservative Republican leaders is proposing a solution to the internecine warfare over what the party should stand for: a 10-point checklist gauging proper adherence to core principles like opposing government financing for abortion and, more generally, President Obama’s “socialist agenda.”
In what was being dubbed a purity test when it leaked out to reporters on Monday, the proposal would require the party to withhold campaign money and endorsements from candidates who do not adhere to at least seven principles on the checklist.
For example:
The principles in the resolution include fairly basic proclamations, like “We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges,” along with trickier propositions that have bedeviled the party, like one opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants — a form of which President George W. Bush was accused of supporting.
And as Keith Olbermann noted on MSNBC last night, "the plan they've chosen would have kicked out Ronald Reagan." By Olbermann's estimation, Reagan would have only scored six out of 10, since he grew the size of the federal government during his two terms, signed into law an amnesty program for illegal immigrants in 1986, failed to take a hardline approach to Iran by trading arms for hostages there, and opposed an anti-gay rights proposition in California in the late 1970s, along with several other potential "violations." Olbermann jokingly welcome Reagan -- who'd been a strong supporter of FDR and Harry Truman -- back into the Democratic Party.
There's another huge irony in the proposed GOP purity test. The whole concept is actually based loosely on a quote from Reagan: "My 80 percent friend is not my 20 percent enemy." Of course, the whole purpose of the quote from Reagan -- who famously asked a very liberal Republican, Sen. Richard Schweiker from here in Pennsylvania, to be his running mate if he'd won the 1976 nomination (as pictured at top) -- is that he was looking for ways to broaden the GOP, accepting allies even if they disagreed on one or two big issues, even something as contentious as abortion. The 2009 GOP has turned the quote on its head, aiming to shrink the already shrinking party that doesn't reach this magical 80 percent mark. Amazing.
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Reagan was a moderate who compared to others of his time looked like a conservative. Over time though Reagan came to stand for right wing conservatives just like ACLU stands for left wing liberals. The GOP has to understand that the vast majority of this country does not want an arch conservative leader. The decomcrats also have to understand that the country does it want a liberal socialist. We want sensible and moderate leadership. I am a republican but I could never support a candidate that meets the ten points. I want lower taxes, smaller government spending, safer streets and a strong defense. Those rank much hgigher on my list of priorities than abortion, gun rights and gay marriage.— towman
Meanwhile Will continues to ignore the real world and the issues caused by the current ruling administration and the issues the current administration either cannot or will not address. When all else fails attack the opposition , you know the one with no power .— PAEnglish- Again- "Look over there!!!!! look Ronald Reagan."................. Do not gander at this TRAIN WRECK they call Obama- please Bunchie- you would be obssessively writing about a republican Pres- if he was a complete joke like Obama.— Manny Trillo
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- I thought Republicans loved mavericks. How can you be a maverick if you have to pass a loyalty test? Ironically, all the mavericks are now Democrats. Can't you see how thrilled the Dems are over that?— SteveMG
Keith Olbermann is a Trey Wingo wannabe.— Mr. Smith- "Ironically, all the mavericks are now Democrats." nothings more mavericky than bribing people with tax dollars to vote to simply debate your health care bill. Didn't Obama campaign against earmarks? But hey, whats another $300 mil?— RG
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Anything to distract from Obama's failures, right?— jmc- Both parties have lost there way. Ronald Reagan tried his best to do what was best for the welfare of the people of this country. Now the two parties just want to win regardless how it effects the people of the country. Pres. Obama and the dems are passing a health care plan that people dont want just so they can say they did it. Why is it okay for the new organizations to not review what they are doing, but spinning the agenda of the new organization. We are all losing, with growing government and endless amounts of debt. What happens when they start raising the interest rates how many people will be worst off then they are now?— skills
- bill at>>>> you got it right. It's all about Will reaching his goal of selling 100 copies of his novelette before Christmas. With 75 copies left, the chances are slim to none. Of course he could do what he did with the first 25 copies- give them away. Question is, after TPS, mike1, janann, SteveMG, there aren't too many more libs to approach. He tried giving it to Olbermann, Matthews, Maher and Stewart but found "Return to Sender!" printed on the cover.— lefty
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
E-mail Will by clicking here.
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