Remember this week: Patti, Ron, stem-cell, two legitimate elections

[DeepModem Mom]

Having watched the first of the Ronald Reagan funeral coverage, I've found it helpful to remember these things:

1. Two people in the room at the Reagan Library, and everywhere else this week, share our political ideas -- Patti and Ron.

2. In an article on the frontpage of the NYT this morning, quotes from Mrs. Reagan's friends indicate that the issue of stem-cell research is now the most important thing in Nancy Reagan's life.

3. The military honor guard, and playing of "Hail to the Chief," are in observance of the death of a man twice legitimately elected President by the American people -- unlike the man fraudulently propelled into our White House in 2000.

I owe my attempt toward a more positive attitude about this week to my Gen Y daughter, who expressed to me this morning that she hoped the ceremonies, regardless of whom they honor, might remind people of the importance of the office of President of the United States. It is not an office with the same qualifications as that of your best beer buddy, or favorite frat-boy.

[sundancekid]

1. kudos to your Gen Y daughter ... out of the mouth of babes, AGAIN!

[JDPriestly]

2. October Surprise

Twice elected in legitimate elections? What about the October Surprise that led to the release of the hostages immediately after Reagan was inaugurated? You may argue that there was no October Surprise, but Kevin Phillips suggests there was in "American Dynasty."

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Chicanery, indeed, but the votes were counted --

[JDPriestly]

4. Legitimate

means more than that the votes were counted.

Assuming the October Surprise occurred, the acts of the perpetrators were illegal. Assuming also that Carter's failure to negotiate the release of the hostages was a major cause for Carter's loss of the election, Reagan's election was caused by illegal conduct. In my view, it was therefore not "legitimate."

Before reading Phillips' book, I doubted that the October Surprise really occurred. After reading it, I still do not know, but I am willing to assume, that the October Surprise occurred and that it was a material factor in causing Reagan to win the election. Therefore, I would not categorize Reagan's election as "legitimate."