I've read some some diaries that seem to border on hysteria today regarding Barack Obama's alleged loving embrace of all things Reagan. Here's a quote that infuriated one diarist:
"I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. He put us on a fundamentally different path because the country was ready for it. I think they felt like with all the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s and government had grown and grown but there wasn't much sense of accountability in terms of how it was operating."
I think Reagan was a lousy President. I think his policies did great damage to this country from which we may never fully recover. I think the reverence with which he is held in many quarters cannot be logically linked to his actual "accomplishments." I also think that the above statement of Obama's is absolutely correct.
The American people took a chance on Reagan in 1980, despite genuine concerns about him, because they desperately wanted to try something different. They wanted to feel different about themselves and their country. And many people felt exactly as Obama said they felt. I heard it from them then, I hear it from them now when they remember Reagan. Nothing I said then or now made or makes any difference with how they remember feeling about Reagan. And many of these people are fine, hard-working, decent folks who happen to have a fundamentally different world view than I have. They are often called "Reagan Democrats."
Obama was having an intellectual discussion. He has also said this:
"There are circumstances in which, I would argue, Ronald Reagan was a very successful president, even though I did not agree with him on many issues, partly because at the end of his presidency, people, I think, said, “You know what? We can regain our greatness." Barack Obama
That is also an accurate appraisal of why many Reagan Democrats still have fond memories of his presidency. I don't feel that way. Most of you don't either. But it is a valid observation.
For a little added perspective, consider this fine Democrats strong praise of Reagan:
"Hillary and I will always remember President Ronald Reagan for the way he personified the indomitable optimism of the American people, and for keeping America at the forefront of the fight for freedom for people everywhere...
We will always remember his tremendous capacity to inspire and comfort us in times of tragedy, ...and we can rest assured that, as joyous a place as Heaven is, his wit and sunny disposition are making it an even brighter place to be."President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton
"President Reagan brought back grace, strength and class to the American presidency. He restored the nation's pride at a time when our collective spirits were low."Governor Bill Richardson
“Even when he was breaking Democrats' hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.” Sen. John Kerry
“We often disagreed on issues of the day, but I had immense respect and admiration for his leadership and his extraordinary ability to inspire the nation to live up to its high ideals. He will be honored as the president who won the Cold War, and his 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall' will be linked forever with President Kennedy's 'Ich bin ein Berliner.' " Sen. Ted Kennedy
Maybe we should beat them up a while, too.
UPDATE First, thanks to all who have recommended and commented. Second, I want to address in one place those who have questioned ("misleading," "unfair," etc.) my not explicitly specifying that the statements listed toward the end were in response to Reagan's passing. Frankly, A) I thought that was obvious from the quotes themselves; B) it is hinted at in the title:
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing. ...The term "eulogy" may refer to a funeral oration given in tribute to a person or people who have recently died. Eulogy
C) My argument doesn't rest on the quotes, they're just lagniappe; and D) Yes, people say polite things at funerals, but they don't have to be this effusive (e.g. for Teddy to compare Reagan to JFK is pretty darn strong.
P.S. If you don't know what "lagniappe" is, look it up. ;)