GOP Candidates Square Off At Reagan Library

While Democrats who don’t have fond memories of the Reagan administration would quarrel with the right’s nostalgia over his presidency, current Republican candidates revere it, and nearly all have tried to attach themselves to his persona and memory.

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The event, hosted at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, features everyone included in FOX News’ first debate, plus Carly Fiorina.

The Hillary Clinton campaign has been relying on the Center for American Progress’ blueprints as a guide to its own proposals and pronouncements, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we hear the above argument about Republicans and Reagan a lot more in coming days.

“They don’t communicate very well at all”, he said of Republicans.

As the contest lasted deep into the night, the candidates were polled on such matters as their choices for a woman to be depicted on the $10 bill and what their Secret Service code names would be if elected president. But, he gained energy as the night went on, (as noted above, even Trump acknowledged it) and Bush delivered another one of those soundbite moments when he defended his brother George W.: “He kept us safe”. When he addressed them, he did so with his trademark decency and a smile. With 40+ yards of polished metal, and traditional blue and white coloring, SAM 27000 not only dominated the debate arena, but was present in almost every televised shot, ensuring it more screen time than all the other candidates, combined. If so, are they still happy with their favorite candidate, or if not, will they switch to another one?

“Vladimir Putin would get the message”, she said. But he largely faded to the background on the crowded debate stage.

It’s probably because Reagan’s name reminds us of a simpler time when things were good; the economy was up and the Soviets were on their way out, America was great.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has largely avoided criticizing his fellow candidates, isn’t expected to join his rivals in taking on Trump. “For a long time now, you and I have been shushed like youngsters and advised there are no straightforward responses to the perplexing issues which are outside our ability to understand”, Reagan said at his 1967 initiation as legislative head of California.

Reagan, by contrast, personally liked many of his political opponents-such as Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill. Ted Cruz pitches himself as the leader for a new “Reagan revolution”. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. “The courts can’t legislate”, he said. “And we were strong and resolute”, he said. Insisted he would require Supreme Court nominees be abortion opponents, and defended the Kentucky county clerk who refused to grant marriage licenses to gay couples. Just on a human being kind of level, I can’t think of two people who are more diametrically opposed.

“The 11th commandment prevails, and that is, ‘Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican, ‘”Ronald Reagan said”.

Who will emerge as the chief alternative to Trump?

Even as Trump faded somewhat in the policy discussions, he was hardly invisible.

The clear target of many of his rivals.

The rise of Donald Trump has amused and befuddled a wide variety of commentators.

They were all silent on other parts of his legacy.

Julie Pace reported from Washington.