Reagan - The Great Communicator

[ASTATEPIKE]

What I like about Reagan was his stance on principle. His principle never faltered. If he was dedicated to a cause/belief, He didn't waver when it came to defending it. However, Reagan had the unique ability to be strong on Principle and nice to the individual persom (political party not mattering). He would be so nice to the individual promoting the other idea, cause or legislation, whatever - that they couldn't dislike him, as a person.
Reagan, like Alexander Hamilton, who some want to be replaced on the ten dollar bill, was a man who had no problem with a person and their political views. He did not allow one's view to alter his perception of that individual - yet, he still stuck to his guns on the issue. This is what made him a true "Great Communicator" and gave him the ability to win 44 states in his first Presidential election and 49 in his last.
We can all learn alot from Reagan and his political posture. Differing political views so often stem views of "that person is stupid" or "they don't know anything," etc. It should be totally different. Reagan knew that and that's what allowed him to be a cross over candidate.
Should we therefore not have strong political principles? No!
But we should not allow these principles to interfere with one another in a personal manner. Having one's principles attacked is good. It causes growth within that person - as they are not being attacked, only a principle that they believe in is being attacked. Too often people who get into a political debate feel that each side is attacking the other, (I'm talking real-life instances, not debates on Greek Chat), in a personal manner. This is simply not true. Reagan was able to conquer this mental hurtle - and hopefully many of our elected officials can too!

Comments, Questions and Asinine Responses Welcome!

[PhiPsiRuss]

With this thread, we now have our 10,000th thread on Ronald Reagan! WOO HOO!!!

[mrblonde]

Rather have another thread about Reagan than that stupid book.

[DZHBrown]

There are multiple ridiculous threads on a pointless topic that has absolutely nothing to do with news and politics, so I think it's fine if there are multiple threads on a real topic.

[Kevin]

I think good communication skill is what our current President lacks. He's a very principled man from what I've seen and heard. Just doesn't really back it up well on that podium. Who needs 3x5's when you have teleprompters?

In the age of TV Presidents, your abilty to act/communicate to an audience is one of a candidate's most important assetts when it comes to winning elections. Maybe that shouldn't be the case. It is said that Abraham Lincoln would have likely lost to Davis just because of the way he looked and talked. It's a bummer that elections aren't about ideas anymore (at least, it seems that way when it comes to the general electorate).

I think in a way, Reagan's communication ability might have been a bad thing. I think it set the bar too high for Bush I -- and with Clinton's ability to come off as intelligent and "Presidential" on television played a lot into his two victories.

When people say the economy and peace are the two biggest determinations as to whether someone would get elected again, I'd have to say that's not necessarily true. I believe if the electorate genuinely has an affinity for a candidate, they'll believe anything they're told. Even if Reagan's policies had not worked, and the economy had gone into the tank, and the Soviet Union was still building missiles, I think he could have been reelected (if it were possible) to a third term on charm alone.

[LXAAlum]

My favorite Reagan quote, and it wasn't easy to get to just one....had to do with the nature of government. I think he said this sometime in the late 60's early 70's or so....

"When you have a government big enough to give you everything you need, you also have a government big enough to take everything you have."

So true.