You told some newspapers editors last week that if Ronald Reagan were running for president today “he could not get through the Republican primary.”
I know what you were up to. You were trying to enlist Ronald Reagan in your tireless effort to get the GOP’s presidential candidates to violate their principles. You want them to defect to your side and come out in favor of raising taxes to reduce the record budget deficits you’ve created for our grandchildren with your reckless spending.
You were hoping to make Romney and company look like conservative fanatics who’d never do what my father was forced to do when faced with a growing federal deficit -- compromise and propose spending cuts and higher taxes at the same time.
To some extent, Mr. President, what you said about Ronald Reagan not being able to win his party’s nomination in 2012 is true. It would indeed be almost impossible if he was running only as the former governor of California or as an actor and not on his record as president.
Would the Republican Party of today nominate a union member or the president of an actors union? Would it nominate someone who raised taxes as governor of California? Who signed a no-fault divorce bill? Who signed an abortion bill?
As former governor, Ronald Reagan would win some primaries in 2012. But it would be a hell of a fight for someone like him to get through today’s Republican nomination process. Based on his record in Sacramento, in 2012 Ronald Reagan would be painted as insufficiently conservative and too willing to compromise with the tax-and-spenders.
But President Obama, you sly dog. You were also trying to make it seem that Ronald Reagan would support your socialist dream for America. That he would support hiking taxes to cover the deficit. That he would even support higher corporate tax rates and more government regulations on business.
That, Mr. President, is absolutely untrue. So is your insinuation that Ronald Reagan would not have supported Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which passed 228-191 while your budget plan was being laughed out of the House by a 419-0 vote.
Ronald Reagan would have been a staunch supporter of the Ryan budget. His plan slows the rates of growth in Social Security and Medicare spending. In upside-down Washington, that’s considered a spending cut. But in the real world it isn’t.
President Obama, I have a suggestion. If you really want to find the cause of your budget problems, don’t blame anti-tax Republicans. Look in the mirror. Then give Harry Reid a call over at the Senate and ask him why he hasn’t put up a budget in 1,000 days.
And, please, don’t try to make people believe Ronald Reagan would support you or any part of your failed plan to return the United States to economic health by higher taxes and more spending. He wouldn’t.
Mr. President, I knew Ronald Reagan. He was not only a friend of mine, he was my father. And trust me, he’d never be a political friend of yours.
Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of “The New Reagan Revolution” (St. Martin’s Press, 2011). Visit his website at www.reagan.com, or e-mail comments to Reagan@caglecartoons.com.
mnjcpa posted at 12:43 pm on Sat, Apr 14, 2012.
Michael - if this column had a horn section, you would be hearing the loudest, most thunderous applause. I couldn't have outlined a more correct interpretation of today's events and Obama needs to be called out for what he is!
Slabside posted at 2:28 pm on Sat, Apr 14, 2012.
Bravo Michael Reagan! Well said and so true. November 2012 can't get here quick enough!!
asuaguila posted at 3:34 pm on Sat, Apr 14, 2012.
Reagan raised taxes during his second term in office, signed amnesty for illegal immigrants, illegally invaded Nicaragua while denying it to the American people, and caved to the terrorists after the 1983 Beirut bombing. Thank you President Obama!
Slabside posted at 4:48 pm on Sat, Apr 14, 2012.
Oh yes by all means thank you President Obama for:
Significantly increased the number of Americans at or below the 'poverty' level.
Gaving 800 Billion taxpayer dollars to Corporate America and actually protected CEO bonuses by law in his stimulus legislation, (even though the vast majority of Americans from both parties rejected 'stimulus".
Forceing the job-destroying and unconstitutional Obamacare bill on Americans even though the vast majority of Americans opposed it (both then and still today).
Selling 2500 asssault rifles to the Mexican drug cartels who then used those weapons to kill two U.S. law enforcement agents, then had Holder lie about it to congress.
Illegally attacking Libya after he himself stated that the President did not have that constitutional authority.
Making illegal appointments while congress was still in session.
Appointing a known communist, (Van Jones), as a Czar over Americans.
.
Appointing a NAMBLA, (North American Man-Boy Love Asscociation), advocate, Kevin Jennings, as safe schools czar.
Took an illegal 250 million dollars in campaign contributions that came in the form of pre-paiod untraced credit cards, after he said he would only take public funding.
Set out on a world islamic apology tour to bow low before and kiss the rings of muslim kings to humiliate Americans.
Threw away 500 million dollars on his cronie friend's business venture, (Solyndra).
Instituted Class warfare by using the OWS movement, founded by Van Jones, Obama's long time communist friend.
Increased foreign held U.S. debt and therefor enslaved future generations of Americans financially.
Lied about "No Lobbyists in my white house" by having about 60 lobbyists on staff.
Drastically increased unemployment for Middle and Working class Americans.
He drastically increased the gap between rich and poor; under Obama, the middle class and working class are poorer now after three years under Obama, but the rich are far richer under Obama..
He lowered the standard of living for the Middle and Working classes by 10% so far during his term.
He increased America's debt to exceed our GDP.
He has increased the energy costs for the average American family by $1800.00
He has launched a bid to re write the second amendment but was "educated" by the supreme court.
He makes war upon Christianity by refusing to allow Christian Prayer at a National Cemetery during Christian Funerals.
He has taken orders from George Soros and the CFR.
Refused to act and virtually assisted Iran in the development of nuclear weapons.
Refused to act in a humanitarian purpose regarding the brutal regiomes in Iran, Syria, and Yemen, though he used the "humanitarian excuse" lie to attack Libya and execute it's former leader.
Sided with Illegal aliens over Americans in immigration policy and border enforcement.
Initiated a brutal federal crackdown on state Medical marijuana programs, even though he admitted past use himself.
Yes asuaguila, let's thank President Obama!!
CSalafia posted at 8:02 pm on Sat, Apr 14, 2012.
Dear Michael,
Perhaps you should look back at what your dad actually did. Raised taxes, including Capital Gains, and expressed support for a "Buffett Rule" by coming out and saying it was unfair that corporations and the wealthy pay a lower tax rate than a secretary.
While it's nice you're trying to whitewash your Dad's legacy, there's no way he'd be nominated in today's GOP... not even 1:1,000,000. Today's GOP is an insult to your Dad's legacy.
Dale Whiting posted at 6:37 am on Sun, Apr 15, 2012.
Ronnie Jr.
You claim "I know what [Prestident Obama was] up to." Don't flatter yourself! Rather defend the proposition that the Great Communicator could win today's Republican Primary. He lost it his first time round to Gerald Ford, probably because Ford was too quick on the draw with Nixom Amnesty. But he did win it the second time around, but primarily because of the Iranian Embassy mess. Then during his administration he was embarrased by Olie North and the Iran Contra affair, claiming that ignorance was bliss! Ronald Reagan, the former Democrat and labor union president was no right wing political figure. He was a movie star, a well liked movie star.
mnjcpa posted at 5:14 pm on Sun, Apr 15, 2012.
Why is it that Reagan's name even get's brought up in the context of Obama's presidency Dale? Why isn't Obama referring to LBJ or Clinton? Hmmm
Maybe it's because Reagan was one of the most popular presidents in history, a Republican, a person with whom Obama has absolutely nothing in common and without any agreement whatsoever and try to convince the American people he is Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan did what Obama's doing. It is shameless, it's offensive, and like everything else Obama is doing, it's a lie.
Irons1 posted at 6:56 am on Mon, Apr 16, 2012.
Thank God that Obama isn't like Ronald Reagan, a republican myth.
mnjcpa posted at 8:27 am on Mon, Apr 16, 2012.
Myth? Hardly. Reagan's policies took us out of a Carter depression and began one of the largest economic growth periods in American history.
Why his name is even brought up in the same paragraph as Obama was my point - Obama ain't nothing like Reagan.
VofReason posted at 12:47 pm on Mon, Apr 16, 2012.
Liberalism is a mental disorder. What is up is down and down is up. You know, Occupy Wall Street good, Tea Party bad. Don't try to reason with them, just keep walking. I will admit though, Dale correcting Michael Reagan is priceless.
mnjcpa posted at 2:00 pm on Mon, Apr 16, 2012.
Forgot to thank Slabside for an excellent overview of the accomplishments of our esteemed President.
Accuracy posted at 8:58 am on Tue, Apr 17, 2012.
Michael Reagan also mentioned “And, please, don’t try to make people believe Ronald Reagan would support you or any part of your failed plan to return the United States to economic health by higher taxes and more spending. He wouldn’t.”
President Obama tried the “he’s like Ronald Reagan” tactics when he tried to get the Buffet Rule approved by the U.S. Senate, a measure that would require the nation's wealthy to pay a higher tax rate.
It was nothing more than Obama’s attempt to draw attention away from economic recovery issues important to the public, as he suggested the measure could be alled the "Reagan Rule" after President Ronald Reagan.
Obama even cited speeches delivered in 1985 by the Republican icon. "He (Ronald Reagan) thought that in America the wealthiest should pay their fair share and he said so," Obama said.
But, Senate Republicans blocked President Obama's "Buffett Rule" and the proposal failed in a 54-45 Monday, April 16th. Obama wasn't trying to cut the deficit. Rather, he was just playing politics with the deficit.