As we progressed through this election year, we were rocked by the passing of Ronald Reagan. During the funeral, "Ronnie" ( I won't demean President Reagan's memory with addressing this small spirit as Jr) made an insinuation that someone (meaning President Bush) was no Ronald Reagan. In another instance during the debates, Kerry talked of being like Reagan.....who he adamantly opposed in case some wasn't paying attention in Kerry's previous years. Well, I hate to break it to them....President Bush is closer to Ronald Reagan than they think.
As both progressed through their elections much less their terms in office these two leaders were constantly berated by the press and stars of hollywood as being stupid, biggoted, confrontational, unilateral and reactionary, crazy with intent to war, and Far Right Evangelical. Amazing how little changes despite the lapse in the years between these two men's service, much less their generations. History has born out that these denegrations were not deserved by Ronald Reagan. He was a firm believer in the greatness of America and was not willing to let it fade by surrendering America much less the rest of the world to the totalitarianism of communism. He was smart and demonstrated in his abilities to write and work his speeches as well as hold his own in debates. The depth of his ideas were born out by the fall of the Soviet Union. President Bush has shown that he can grasp and execute national priorities and emergencies as they have arisen. This will be born out even more in the years to come as the historical documents of his terms of office are placed for review in his presidential library. One example I like came from the Newsweek article about the campaigns in which while analyzing the candidates, President Bush properly identified who he would face when his "Architect" Carl Rove ws betting on Dean.
I will extend the characters of the two are also alike in that both men have always been humble that they could joke about themselves, take criticism and not let it embitter them as it seemed to embitter their opponents in the other party's ranks, press and over rated, self infatuated celebrities. Both had firm belief in God and the blessing they felt He has brought the nation and the purpose he had for them to fulfill. They have both recognized the enemies of this nation much less the world to be totalitarian threats. Reagan had the threat of communism, we face the darker and ugly face of a form of fascism enhanced with a mutant form of a religion that is more threatening than that we faced with Hitler.
President Bush and Reagan are facng the two threats much the same way. Reagan stated once , "You and I have the courage to tell our enemies, 'There is a price we will not pay'; a line that they shall not cross." Our idea of Peace through strength, while encouraging the growth of democracy where theocratic despots, ruthless dictators are to be opposed as necessary with force and the peoples of these nations will be given the opportunity to enjoy democracy. One thing not publicized is that one of the towns where the shi'i had initially caused issues have now had city elections where some feared religious leaders controlling power, were instead defeated in all posts by opponents who represented the populace who did not want a threat of a theocracy. Both Presidents have or are showing that the power of the ideas of the ideals of freedom and democracy are the great combat multiplier against totalitarianism. It is this hope in the people of these nations that is helping fight this current religious terrorism. The hope is reflected by the people who continue to volunteer to support their new governments, the hope of boys and GIRLS going to school, and the attempt to move on with their lives despite the attacks.
President Bush and President Reagan faced contested election for their second term while confronted with their fights against totalitarianism. Both were hailed as such confrontational and unilateral leaders that this became the target of the election. The result of both elections though reflected mandates that the opposition could ever argue with. Reagan had an overwhelming number of electoral college votes as well as a great seperation in the popular vote. President Bush has a historical mandate in that not only did he win both the electoral college and popular vote by 3.5 million votes, but that it was made in record setting turn out that was predicted as supposed to be helpful to his opponents. President Bush won roughly 60.5 Million votes out of 117.6 Million votes cast. The first president to EVER receive this many votes.
So walking through these few items, we can see a close parrallel running through these two men's presidencies. Closer parrallels than "Ronnie" and the left ever would have guessed, much less cared for. A potential legacy that will irk the likes of the Clintons and the rest of the Democrats who could have only dreamed of having such leadership, but being to personally bankrupt to have ever had the courage or fortitude to ever have managed such an examples.
