Why is the Ron Reagan Bush Bashing

[saracat]

Interview not bigger news at DU? Ron said he wouldn't vote for Bush and would vote for the alternative to get Bush out of the WH! King asked would he vote for Nader, and RON said No. The viable candidate. He was tongue in cheek saying he was voting for Kerry. I would think after a week of DU wailing about the funeral ,this would have been of interest.

[malatesta1137]

1. Ron has always been

a liberal. If Michael Reagan did the bashing, then it would be news.

[tom_paine]

2. I agree. God Bless Ron Reagan Jr.

I saw some of that interview. Swaer to God it was probably the most CNN I've watched straight through since 9-11.

He said most of what needs to be said "there is something terribly wrong in this country." and so many other things.

God Bless Ron Reagan, Jr.

[Az]

18. You realise you are asking god to bless an avowed atheist

:evilgrin:

[gauguin57]

3. there were about 10 threads

on this very topic last night ... some of them are still here today. It IS big news on DU.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Truly!Thanks for pointing it out.He's doing GREAT work on Repubs. n/t

[physioex]

4. Ron and Patty have been pretty much on our side for a long time..EOM

[Oddman]

5. That was a great interview with Larry King

Ron Reagan has always spoken his mind articulately and insightfully. I'm glad he's a liberal!

[David__77]

6. Hate to be opportunist, but he should be cultivated as a candidate.

I think it would be interesting to have a Democratic candidate--the son of Ronald Reagan, Ron Reagan. Rep. Ron Reagan (D)?

[senseandsensibility]

7. I think people have responded

but his reaction wasn't a surprise. Many DUers were predicting that Ron would do this as soon as the funeral was over. He has a well known history of liberalism. He even substituted as the liberal host of Buchanan and Press, I belive, on MSNBC.

[eissa]

8. I've said this before...

Ron Reagan as a speaker at the dem convention!

[gauguin57]

9. I don't think he'd do it.

He's an independent ... doesn't want to be tied to either party.

[gauguin57]

10. Besides, Ron doesn't WANT to go into politics ...

... because he likes being able to say what he thinks without the usual consequences. Also, he admits he's an atheist, and knows an atheist can't get elected to high office right now in this goofy country. He wants to continue to be a broadcaster (MSNBC political color pieces, dog-show commentary on Animal Planet) and an advocate for the arts (Creative Coalition), not a politician. He spoke about that a lot last night on Larry King.

Then, there's this snip from an April 2003 interview in Salon:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/04/14/ron_reagan/print.html

Here's the germane snip:

"Has Reagan ever considered running for office? No, he insists, "I have no political ambitions. For one thing, I'm not interested in raising all that money. It's just not the life I want to lead. When is the last time you heard a politician speak his mind? McCain? Yes, he came close. But I once asked him at a Creative Coalition meeting, 'You talk passionately about this nexus of money and influence that is corrupting our democracy. Why don't you name names?' His response was a demurral.

"I have no problem with public service. And yes, better people should be running for office. But personally I just can't see myself doing it, to live in Washington D.C., the whole package. I was immersed in that my whole life. I saw politicians up close and there were so many who just repulsed me."

What if a group of concerned citizens approached him and helped raise money for his entry into politics -- would that make a difference? "You mean like they did with George W.? 'Hey, you've got name recognition, that's all that matters -- we'll give you millions of dollars to run!' Imagine coming to a man with just two years' experience in public office, and a ceremonial one at that. Imagine installing such a blank slate in the presidency of the United States! This is a regency, not a presidency.

"And they told us, 'Don't worry about W. not knowing anything, good old Dick Cheney will be his minder.' Dick Cheney? And this was going to be compassionate conservatism? Dick Cheney is to the right of Genghis Khan, he wants to drill in your backyard, he wants to deny black people their rights --it was all there in his voting record for us to see. What were we, rubes?"

While Reagan rejects a political career, he clearly doesn't shy from speaking out. What if GOP conservatives, who still lionize his father as the greatest president of the 20th century, pressure him to shut up? "That wouldn't be a smart thing for anyone to do."

[Cheswick2.0]

11. kick

[theboss]

13. Because this has been Ron's position for something like 18 years

If Ron came out in support of Bush, THAT would be news. This is like Barbara Streisand saying that she is backing Kerry.

[Yupster]

14. I wonder if he voted

for his dad? I know they didn't get along politically even back then.

[Frangible]

15. it's so ironic

That Bush tries to sell himself to be "the legacy of Reagan", when Reagan's actual legacy hates Bush.

[saracat]

16. Better Words could

not be said! Thank you.

[JI7]

17. he was a liberal even when his dad was president

so was his sister. his dad would not be surprised. in fact it seems like his dad did not try to push any right wing views on to his kids and just let them be as they are.