Mr. Trump I knew Ronald Reagan. And youre no Ronald Reagan!
Of course I am stealing that line with a twist. Donald Trump shouldnt mind. Hes been stealing my dad for his own purposes. Trump frequently invokes Ronald Reagans name to defend his sudden 180-degree switch from being a life-long pro-Clinton Democrat to a Reagan Republican.
Both men did make a switch but almost all the similarities between the two end there. Ronald Reagans odyssey from Hollywood liberal to conservative backer took place over almost two decades.
Starting with his 1964 Time for Choosing" speech that galvanized Americans for Barry Goldwater dad began a 16-year effort of crisscrossing America to support conservative candidates for office. My dad also served eight years as Californias governor. When he ran for President he had a proven conservative track record.
Donald Trump doesnt have one. In fact Trump still cant explain his sudden change from being a liberal Democrat. When dad ran in 1980 Trump donated the maximum amount to Jimmy Carter. As the Wall Street Journal reported Trump also donated to a PAC for Walter Mondale who ran against dad in 1984.Trump has criticized some candidates for their indiscretions made during their childhood. But what can you say for a grown adult who supported both Carter and Mondale over Ronald Reagan?
One of my dads most important lessons to me was how to uncover a phony. He told me not to judge people by what they say; judge them by what they actually do. As President dad used this trust but verify" principle on the Soviets and it worked. Voters today should apply Reagans verify principle on Trump.
During the 2008 election Trump told CNN that he wanted President George W. Bush impeached. Then during Obamas first year in the White House after he rammed through Congress a $800 billion stimulus and proposed a radical health care takeover Trump praised the President saying he was amazing" and truly phenomenal."
Obamas then chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel was a player in passing Obamacare. Rahm eventually left the White House to run for Chicagos mayor. In 2010 Trump actually donated $50000 to Rahms mayoral campaign! Just last year Trump told 60 Minutes" he wants single-payer health care like they have in Canada and Britain. Its nothing less than socialized medicine.
For most of his life Trump had been a Democrat backing strong gun control and abortion rights. Today he says hes for the Second Amendment and pro-life. But when asked who hed like for the Supreme Court he suggested his sister a sitting federal judge. It turns out shes liberal and pro-choice.
Trump also donated to Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential campaign. In 2012 after she had served almost four years as Secretary of State Trump had nothing but praise for her. He told CNN: I think she does a good job ... The record of Hillary Clinton and how did she do as Secretary of State probably above and beyond everybody else." Folks this was in 2012.
Still at some point Trump says he became a conservative. I am not sure when. In 2012 Trump sharply criticized Mitt Romney.
He had a crazy policy of self-deportation which was maniacal" Trump said of Romneys plan for the nations illegal immigrants.
It sounded as bad as it was and he lost all of the Latino vote" Trump said. He lost the Asian vote. He lost everybody who is inspired to come into this country."
Trumps own plan today calls for mass deportation. Go figure. I almost need a chart to keep tabs on Trumps ever-changing positions.
This past September Trump was the first Republican candidate to call for the U.S. to open its doors to Syrian refugees. He told Bill OReilly I hate the concept of it but on a humanitarian basis with whats happening you have to."
He quickly backtracked on that. Then he came out for a total ban of all Muslims into the U.S.
I dont doubt for a second the Donald is a great and funny entertainer. Hes always playing to his audience. Today its Reagan conservatives. Tomorrow I am afraid it may be liberals in Washington. Come Election Day should Reagan Republicans vote for Donald Trump?
Recently I tweeted the answer: You cant be a Trump Republican and a Reagan Republican. Its time to choose."
Michael Reagan is the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan. A bestselling author syndicated columnist and commentator he chairs the Reagan Legacy Foundation.
Mr. Trump I knew Ronald Reagan. And youre no Ronald Reagan!
Of course I am stealing that line with a twist. Donald Trump shouldnt mind. Hes been stealing my dad for his own purposes. Trump frequently invokes Ronald Reagans name to defend his sudden 180-degree switch from being a life-long pro-Clinton Democrat to a Reagan Republican.
Both men did make a switch but almost all the similarities between the two end there. Ronald Reagans odyssey from Hollywood liberal to conservative backer took place over almost two decades.
Starting with his 1964 Time for Choosing" speech that galvanized Americans for Barry Goldwater dad began a 16-year effort of crisscrossing America to support conservative candidates for office. My dad also served eight years as Californias governor. When he ran for President he had a proven conservative track record.
Donald Trump doesnt have one. In fact Trump still cant explain his sudden change from being a liberal Democrat. When dad ran in 1980 Trump donated the maximum amount to Jimmy Carter. As the Wall Street Journal reported Trump also donated to a PAC for Walter Mondale who ran against dad in 1984.Trump has criticized some candidates for their indiscretions made during their childhood. But what can you say for a grown adult who supported both Carter and Mondale over Ronald Reagan?
One of my dads most important lessons to me was how to uncover a phony. He told me not to judge people by what they say; judge them by what they actually do. As President dad used this trust but verify" principle on the Soviets and it worked. Voters today should apply Reagans verify principle on Trump.
During the 2008 election Trump told CNN that he wanted President George W. Bush impeached. Then during Obamas first year in the White House after he rammed through Congress a $800 billion stimulus and proposed a radical health care takeover Trump praised the President saying he was amazing" and truly phenomenal."
Obamas then chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel was a player in passing Obamacare. Rahm eventually left the White House to run for Chicagos mayor. In 2010 Trump actually donated $50000 to Rahms mayoral campaign! Just last year Trump told 60 Minutes" he wants single-payer health care like they have in Canada and Britain. Its nothing less than socialized medicine.
For most of his life Trump had been a Democrat backing strong gun control and abortion rights. Today he says hes for the Second Amendment and pro-life. But when asked who hed like for the Supreme Court he suggested his sister a sitting federal judge. It turns out shes liberal and pro-choice.
Trump also donated to Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential campaign. In 2012 after she had served almost four years as Secretary of State Trump had nothing but praise for her. He told CNN: I think she does a good job ... The record of Hillary Clinton and how did she do as Secretary of State probably above and beyond everybody else." Folks this was in 2012.
Still at some point Trump says he became a conservative. I am not sure when. In 2012 Trump sharply criticized Mitt Romney.
He had a crazy policy of self-deportation which was maniacal" Trump said of Romneys plan for the nations illegal immigrants.
It sounded as bad as it was and he lost all of the Latino vote" Trump said. He lost the Asian vote. He lost everybody who is inspired to come into this country."
Trumps own plan today calls for mass deportation. Go figure. I almost need a chart to keep tabs on Trumps ever-changing positions.
This past September Trump was the first Republican candidate to call for the U.S. to open its doors to Syrian refugees. He told Bill OReilly I hate the concept of it but on a humanitarian basis with whats happening you have to."
He quickly backtracked on that. Then he came out for a total ban of all Muslims into the U.S.
I dont doubt for a second the Donald is a great and funny entertainer. Hes always playing to his audience. Today its Reagan conservatives. Tomorrow I am afraid it may be liberals in Washington. Come Election Day should Reagan Republicans vote for Donald Trump?
Recently I tweeted the answer: You cant be a Trump Republican and a Reagan Republican. Its time to choose."
Michael Reagan is the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan. A bestselling author syndicated columnist and commentator he chairs the Reagan Legacy Foundation.
