Palin is no Reagan

10 February 2011 |permalink | email article

Stuart K. Spencer, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1994, made the point that “politics is never a science. It’s always an art.” In Ronald Reagan’s successful runs for California governor it was Spencer who guided the strategy which eventually led to the former Hollywood actor becoming President of the United States.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth Sarah Palin spoke at a gala party at the Reagan ranch, trying to link herself to the Gipper’s legacy. But it was Ron Reagan Jr. who declared that his father, if he were alive today, who would assert that the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate is unqualified to be president.

Unfazed, Palin dubbed herself as the leader of “a new generation of common-sense conservatives” with a duty to “keep the flame of the Reagan Revolution burning bright, “end the era of big government and be for the “little guy.”

Times columnist Steve Lopez flayed Palin for being clueless about Reagan raising taxes during hard times as governor, that the federal deficit grew astronomically while he was president, and that his economic policies benefited the rich at the expense of the “little guy.”

Lopez called Spencer, who now lives in Palm Desert and is more a Reagan loyalist now than ever, to get his take on Palin. He said she might share some of Reagan’s ideals, but he would be dismayed at Palin’s shrill tone and lack of political understanding. “I’ve tuned her out,” said Spencer. “In my mind, she’s not going anywhere.” 

I’ve known Spencer for over three decades and would be surprised that, in addition to Palin, he’s not dismayed by the disappearance of civility which was once a Republican hallmark in terms of the presidency. The art of politics rarely exists today.

Quotable

“It’s cheaper, it’s easy for people and half the electorate is already used to it.” – Gov. Jerry Brown, suggesting that conducting the statewide balloting completely by mail “might be a good idea.” Californians have yet to be asked what to decide in the special June statewide election or even if the Legislature will approve the budget-related vote.

 

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