Political Animal

Blog

July 19, 2011 11:15 AM Dems embrace (and GOP rejects) Reagan

By Steve Benen

Digg Reddit StumbleUpon Delicious

The House Democratic Caucus unveiled a new video this morning about the need for Congress to do the right thing on the debt ceiling. The clip isn’t exactly what I would have expected.

For those who can’t watch online, the video features a weekly radio address from President Reagan, during his presidency, delivered in September 1987. Reagan was apparently growing tired of the very possibility that lawmakers would balk at their responsibilities.

“Congress consistently brings the Government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility,” he told the nation. “This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in financial markets, and the Federal deficit would soar. The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility — two things that set us apart from much of the world.”

That last part should resonate with those who care about “American exceptionalism” — exceptional countries pay their bills.

The point of the video, of course, is to drive home the point that this is no longer the party of Reagan. Indeed, Republicans in 2011 recognize the Reagan legacy and deliberately reject it. These are folks who claim to have a religious-like reverence for “Ronaldus Magnus,” but have no use for his style of governance.

Just two weeks ago, a House Republican went so far as to dismiss Reagan as a “moderate, former liberal” who “would never be elected today.”

I continue to be fascinated by this, in large part because the GOP, almost literally, worships Reagan, and yet, has no use for his beliefs or the way in which he approached his responsibilities.

The video from the House Democratic Caucus seems to be an effort to needle Republicans over this. It won’t work, of course, but I’d be delighted if it at least led to some questions for GOP lawmakers, asking them to explain why they’re right to pursue default while Reagan was wrong.

Steve Benen is a contributing writer to the Washington Monthly, joining the publication in August, 2008 as chief blogger for the Washington Monthly blog, Political Animal.
Digg Reddit StumbleUpon Delicious

Comments

Post a comment

  • Unabogie on July 19, 2011 11:24 AM:

    Honestly, it's just like their belief in Jesus. They claim to worship the guy, but when faced with his actual beliefs, they call it "socialism".

    Same, same.

  • Martha on July 19, 2011 11:26 AM:

    I've been wondering for weeks now (months?) why the Democrats weren't going full-on with precisely this kind of ad. Why isn't this blanketing the airwaves? And, Steve, why do you say it won't work? Seems like a good start on addressing the gap in the public's knowledge of what the debt ceiling is.

  • Daryl McCullough on July 19, 2011 11:36 AM:

    Unabogie,

    I was going to make exactly that point, but you beat me to it.

  • square1 on July 19, 2011 11:36 AM:

    Interesting. When I say that the Democratic Party is now the party of Reagan and that Obama is basically a "Reagan Democrat"/"Rockefeller Republican" I get attacked by Obama's defenders for uttering blasphemy.

    In the last 25 years, the Democrats have moved slightly to the Right of the 1980s GOP and the Republicans have moved slightly to the Right of the John Birch Society. Shoot me now.

  • DonBoy on July 19, 2011 11:44 AM:

    What they worship is his 49-state victory.

  • Tuttle on July 19, 2011 11:55 AM:

    I always wondered about the 'Ronaldus Magnus' line.

    Are they comparing him with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus? You know, the guy who LOST to Caesar in the Roman Civil Wars.

    Or maybe it's Erik Magnus Lenscher they're going for... the super-villain Magneto.

  • Jon on July 19, 2011 11:56 AM:

    It might not work with the far right -- what would? But this could be extremely effective with independents and the center right. Democrats should run it like crazy.

  • Han's Solo on July 19, 2011 11:56 AM:


    ...the GOP, almost literally, worships Reagan, and yet, has no use for his beliefs or the way in which he approached his responsibilities.

    Why does this surprise you? They also worship Jesus, a man who's mission in life was feeding the poor and healing the sick.

  • c u n d gulag on July 19, 2011 11:56 AM:

    Yup, they worship the legend of Ronnie, not the actual President or the man.

    And can someone remind Obama that Reagan is THEIR idol, not OURS?

    We got some pretty good ones on our side if you want to go back away's, too.
    FDR.
    Truman.
    JFK.
    LBJ.

    Hell, Teddy Roosevelt would be far to the left of most of today's Democrats - except on the issue of race.
    Ike would be far too Liberal for many of today's Democrats in Congress.

  • Kevin (not the famous one) on July 19, 2011 12:00 PM:

    ...in large part because the GOP, almost literally, worships Reagan, and yet, has no use for his beliefs...

    And to think the GOP knows full well they shouldn't have any other gods before them, including the teflon don.

    word salad is so much fun

    black is white

    up is down

    "oundla enjoy" I'm trying

  • Bobsled on July 19, 2011 12:03 PM:

    That's because they are in love with the MYTH of Ronnie Ray-gun, not the reality.

  • Ron Byers on July 19, 2011 12:12 PM:

    I happen to love the ad. I would be running it in the District of every tea party Republican.

  • Kevin W on July 19, 2011 12:28 PM:

    Pretty easily explained actually. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Think

  • meander on July 19, 2011 1:02 PM:

    Ads about how Reagan increased taxes numerous times would also be effective. As ideological as he seems to be from today's perspective, he was quite pragmatic when it came to keeping the government running.

  • KurtRex1453 on July 19, 2011 1:06 PM:

    These things are preaching to choir unless they are made into commercials and put on national media ad rotation for weeks on end. When I see it on a popular TV show, I will cheer.

  • skeptonomist on July 19, 2011 1:15 PM:

    Reagan was always in a position of responsibility - governor and then President, so he never took the position of opposition within a government. His policies - trickle down and the Laffer curve - were irresponsible enough. His fundamentally, grossly irresponsible tax policies set the country on a path of large deficits and increasing debt/GDP. He didn't care how big deficits were.

    Do you think that any president, Republican or Democrat, would deliberately advocate default? Reagan's behavior is irrelevant for current congressional Republicans.

  • Wondering on July 19, 2011 4:09 PM:

    So spend like crazy. Fund regulations that strangle the nation. Continue to raise spending. Do not propose a budget to put us on track. AND be like Regan?

  • Doug on July 19, 2011 9:33 PM:

    "When I say that the Democratic Party is now the party of Reagan...I get attacked...for uttering blasphemy." square1 @ 11:36 AM.

    Let me get this straight, square1. Democrats, who are trying to raise the debt ceiling while battling against so-called Republicans, use a clip of a Republican advocating raising the debt ceiling and THAT means Democrats = Republicans?
    You get attacked, square1, not because it's "blasphemy" to attack President Obama as a Republican, it's because the attack is false in and of itself. Mr. Obama is NOT a Republican, he is a Democrat. If you disapprove of something he does, fine. If you assert, without anything validating your assertion, something, THEN you will be attacked. Or laughed at.
    Your choice...

    Wondering @ 4:09 PM
    Stop wondering, you ARE clueless.
    "Spend like crazy" - aka the Presidency of George W. Bush.
    "Fund regulations that strangle the nation" A list please. Currently almost all regulations must make an "impact" statement showing the economic pluses and minuses of said regulations. Besides, the only regulations I know of that are referred to as "strangling", amazingly enough usually by CEOs, Republicans and other banditti, are those designed to protect such unimportant things as our air, water, or working conditions.
    "Continue to raise spending" See comment re GWB.
    "Do not propose a budget plan to put us back on track" Democrats HAVE proposed a budget plan that WOULD put us back on track; it's just a track the currently corporately-owned GOP doesn't want to go down. The only "track" the current Republican budget plan would put us on is a railroad track. Tied to the cross-ties. With a high-speed train approaching.
    "AND be like Regan?" And what do you have against Donald Regan (Ronald Reagan's Budget Director)?
    Silly, silly.

  • mgloraine on July 19, 2011 11:37 PM:

    I really wish we could bring Ronald Reagan back to life...so that we could throw him in jail for a couple hundred years for his war crimes and domestic felonies.

    Every time 0bama or any other so-called "Democrat" invokes Reagan as if he were some sort of respectable human being, I just want to vomit.

  • zhongoj on July 20, 2011 5:16 AM:

    --Something unexpected surprise--

    Hello. My friend

    http://www.jordansforking.com/

    Dedi cated service, the new style, believing you will love it!!!

    WE ACCEPT PYA PAL PAY MENT

    YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!!

    thank you!!

  •  
  •  
  •