Former President Ronald Reagan’s name has become almost synonymous with the Republican party. In September 2015, his name was mentioned 45 times in the second Republican debate.
However, while all of the Republican candidates have mentioned Reagan and why they are his natural successor, they seem to be going against the very tenets that made Reagan a successful politician.
Reagan stressed the importance of compromise and civility, things Republicans in Congress, as well as Republican presidential candidates, are now advocating against.
One of Reagan’s most famous rules was the so-called 11th commandment, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any Republican.” That statement could have been made for many reasons, one was most likely to prevent negative campaigning, which Gallup, a polling and information collecting agency, found that 57 percent of voters said was unnecessary.
This promise seems lost with the current presidential candidates. Donald Trump’s Twitter page addresses Ted Cruz as “lying Ted.” Recently the two frontrunners got into an argument over their wives. While this brought both campaigns a great deal of press, it seems trivial to many others including me, and makes the Republican party appear like children, not capable leaders.
The Democratic ticket is not faultless either. Last week, Hillary Clinton’s campaign claimed Bernie Sanders believes Clinton is not qualified to be president, which he later clarified. Clinton regularly claims Sanders is not a real Democrat.
Besides ignoring Reagan’s commandment, the Republican Party is also eliminating the possibilities of a compromise.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has resolutely refused to have a hearing for President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court.
This has caused a lot of backlash for more vulnerable Republicans politicians.
While staunch Republicans still refuse to meet with the nominee, this goes against Reagan’s theory on compromise. From his own autobiography, Reagan advocated for compromise and negotiation. He claimed these skills were essential in both private industry and public service. He stated that compromise is not a dirty word, and negotiation is something that has to occur.
However, these thoughts are not mirrored in the Republican Congress today. With McConnell’s gridlock in the Senate, Reagan’s words are being ignored by a population of leaders that idolizes him.
While public opinion of Reagan varies, there is no doubt that the GOP reveres him as a good example of their policies. However, if the party cannot honor their hero, they are shaming him.
By refusing to compromise and running an increasingly hostile debate, Republicans are ruining the integrity and gravitas that Reagan created for his party. Patti Davis was right when she said her father would be “appalled” by the GOP candidates.
npatwari@indiana.edu
