Conason: Bush Should Fear Nancy Reagan’s Ire

[kskiska]

While trying to avoid ostentatious gloating, Republican operatives quietly confide their hope that the public tributes to the late Ronald Reagan this week will lift the sagging George W. Bush. That may happen for a time, just as the capture of Saddam Hussein briefly bolstered the President. By Election Day, however, memories of Reagan are unlikely to motivate anyone who wouldn’t have voted for Mr. Bush anyway.

Meanwhile, with typical taste and restraint, the Bush-Cheney campaign has erected a "living memorial" to Ronald Reagan on its Web site. Such strained attempts to associate their candidate with his professed role model may prove less profitable than they expect. Placing him alongside Reagan isn’t necessarily flattering to the incumbent, in terms of substance or style.

(snip)

Invidious comparisons aside, the Bush team may confront yet another problem if they are tempted to exploit Reagan’s legacy. Her name is Nancy Reagan.

(snip)

And lately, in pursuit of her passion for medical research, she has displayed no reluctance to consort with Democrats. Among her closest friends is Casey Ribicoff, widow of Abraham Ribicoff, the late liberal Democratic Senator from Connecticut, who told The New York Times that Mrs. Reagan was infuriated by the President’s stem-cell decision.

Last month she spoke publicly at a Beverly Hills benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, where she received an award from the actor Michael J. Fox and a kiss on the cheek from singer James Taylor. Both entertainers happen to be staunch Democrats and supporters of John Kerry, an outspoken supporter of stem-cell technology.

more…
http://www.observer.com/pages/conason.asp

[molly]

1. I would like to see Nancy in a public debate

with the idiot.

[Newkophile]

3. Yeah, but keep it in perspective

If the stem cell controversy had occurred back in the '80s, Reagan would have done the same thing as Bush to appease the fundamentalist religious wing of the GOP. Furthermore, had another previous GOP President, e.g., Ford, Nixon contracted the dreaded Alzheimers', it wouldn't have made a bit of difference in the decision. And Nancy would have stood by her man. Republicans only convert to liberal causes when it affects them directly. They don't care about the overall public good, just what gets them elected and keeps them in power. Still, if Nancy does a turnabout on Bush, I'd love it.

[livetohike]

4. Welcome to DU MSM

:hi:

You are so right on this statement:

<Republicans only convert to liberal causes when it affects them directly>

The stem cell research issue is a good example. If the draft is reinstated, you can bet there will be a scramble by Republican parents to shelter their offspring.

[Eloriel]

6. Yeah, they learn "compassion" the hard way.

Not the fake kind you put in a slogan to win elections, but the real kind that allows you to feel others' pain.

[DinahMoeHum]

2. Don't forget her son, Ronnie Jr.

He's no fan of * or the current GOP, either.

:kick:

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. if only nancy had been half as vocal about......

the AIDS epidemic. I think it's great that she's speaking out about stem cell research because my mother passed away in '87 from complications of alzheimers. However, I just wish nancy had shown half the passion about AIDS victims & homelessness of those who weren't related to her.

[Skittles]

7. Nancy never gave a flying f*** about anything that didn't affect her

or her evil f*** husband. All this compassion being shown towards her now is severely misplaced.

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. i couldn't agree more.........

but i hope that somewhere in all the hype & revisionism re: the reagans' legacy, that some good will come from her speaking out in favor of stem cell research. can you imagine the impact a republican first lady could have had on promoting research for AIDS. such a waste...and so many lives lost.

[birdbrain]

8. I hope and pray she endorses Kerry.

that would be too sweet...

[Zen]

10. Maybe Nancy will become her own person now.

Perhaps she's tired of being a republican whore.

[yellowcanine]

11. If Shrub uses Reagan in campaign commercials, I am betting Nancy will

publicly break with Shrub and may endorse Kerry.

[charlyvi]

12. A Female Zell...

Maybe Nancy, Patti and Ron can come to the convention and unmask the * regime. Especially if they see his website (Reagan is God!!!) or start using RR in campaign commercials to get shrub re-selected.