LAT: To GOP, He's Dishonoring His Father (Ron Reagan)

[DeepModem Mom]

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
To GOP, He's Dishonoring His Father
Affronted Republicans scramble to discredit Ron Reagan's scheduled speech on embryonic stem-cell research at the Democratic convention

By Faye Fiore, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — Ronald Reagan's spiritual heirs will fill the halls of the Republican National Convention in late August, but the Democrats have secured his flesh and blood for a prime-time spot at this month's bash in Boston.

Ron Reagan, the late president's 46-year-old son, plans to use the global platform of the Democratic National Convention to endorse embryonic stem-cell experiments, an area of research that some think his father would have opposed but which his mother supports.

Politically, the booking is a triumph for the Democratic ticket of Sens. John F. Kerry and John Edwards, which promptly trumpeted its ability to attract "individuals from all political backgrounds." Affronted Republicans moved to discredit the famously renegade son, who often disagreed with his family's politics and is an outspoken critic of President Bush.

"I think his speech is a cute little story for convention coverage, but I don't think it's the sort of thing that will influence any voters," said Gary Bauer, a conservative activist and domestic policy advisor to President Reagan....

***

Lou Cannon, author of five Reagan biographies, thinks Reagan would probably have struggled with the stem-cell question.

"While he had great certainty on issues like taxes, these were not the kinds of issues he felt great certainty about," Cannon said. "He tended to rely on Nancy on things like this. She was a doctor's daughter…. He would have respected her position."

What would have troubled him less is his son's decision to take a public stand, Cannon said. "He always thought his children were free to speak for whatever they wanted. I think he'd be happy to have his son politically involved. He probably would have joked that he too used to be a Democrat," Cannon said....


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-reagan19jul19,1,1752363.story?coll=la-home-politics

[truthisfreedom]

1. this is so incredibly disheartening to rethugs that their heads are

literally bowed over it. ronny's wife and namesake kid are both against them, and their fearless bumbler is asleep in the grave, unable to voice an opinion. their futile efforts to express what they believe the gipper would have said are remarkably feeble and empty. i think it's time for them to forget using ron reagan as a tool to support the unelected fraud.

[Swamp Rat]

2. Ugh! Gary Bauer... I thought that creep was in Hades by now.

[CO Liberal]

17. He'll Be There Eventually

Along with James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ralph Reed, D. James Kennedy, Franklin Graham, Fred Phelps......

[devinsgram]

20. And a "Amen" to that one.

[DeepModem Mom]

21. See post #14, with Falwell's plea for $$$ for Bauer's PAC n/t

[saracat]

3. I prefer to think he is paying tribute to the best

part of his father. Reagan was at his best when he was a union president and a Democrat.Ron is just going back to his father's roots!

[Piperay]

4. Think again Bauer

because this could have a tremendous effect on "Reagan Democrats" by bringing them home to the Democratic Party and keeping them there. :-)

[Mr_Charlie]

5. I know I'm gonna get lit up for this, but I agree.

I say this NOT because I don't agree with Ron's positions.

I say this because the ONLY reason he is speaking at the convention is his name: Ronald Reagan. A name which he did not make famous. Let's face it, there must be thousands of people more qualified to talk on the issue of stem-cell research.

And no matter what Ron says, I find it incredibly hard to believe that his father would hate the Bushes so much that he would ever make a speech at a Democratic convention.

I see this as nothing more than the Democrats playing games (which is fine...I don't blame them), and Ron trying to boost his career (morbidly off his father's death).

Ok, flame away.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Names often grant people pol. credentials: JFK, Jr., George W. Bush..

whether they've earned them or not.

[w13rd0]

25. The "Gropenator" in California...

...is another example. And then there's Ditka/Nugent in Illinois. Hey, the GOP NEVER tries to trade on a persons name or celebrity status to obfuscate the relevant issues... </sarcasm>

[xchrom]

7. time honoured public relations tactic

ron puts a personal face, one that people recognize, on the ethical dilema{not for me} of stem cell research.
his critisism of bush, in this instance, is irrelevant, his personal experience is relevant.

[MissAnnThrope]

8. Exactly

People who are against things like stem cell research or physician assisted suicide (I know, a different area entirely.) are people who have NEVER had to go through any traumatic long illnesses with loved ones. I took care of my mother for 6 years before she died. She would have benefited from one or the other.

This may sound a bit callous, but as abortion is still legal, I feel stem cell research should be going on. I mean, do something with the fetuses other than sending them to some landfill. Let them do some good for people.

[thecrow]

11. As I understand it

Stem cell research can be done with the "extras" left over from invitro fertilization. They DO NOT have to use aborted fetus tissue.
(Possibly a republican talking point of anti-science?)

This is a common misconception (no pun intended) about stem cell science; that is is linked arm and arm with abortion.
Let's say then that as long as they have invitro fertilization they can continue with stem cell research.

[MissAnnThrope]

37. See,

The "liberal media" doesn't tell the average person that. People think stem cell research and immediately think aborted fetuses. Which is perpetuated by bills against it, politicians speaking out against it and all of that. Here in NJ, we're about to get state funded stem cell research. I hope other states follow suit.

http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=1910

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mr_Charlie]

28. Inappropriate comment...and it doesn't address what I was saying

I agree totally with furthering stem-cell research, but in terms of this article, that's irrelevant.

Ron Reagan speaking at the Democratic National Convention <I>does</I> dishonor his father in my opinion...that's what I'm talking about. Reagan may have been many things, but at the top of that list, he was a republican. All I'm saying is that the ONLY reason Ron was invited was because of his name...a name made famous by his father.

There are many ways for Ron Reagan to support stem-cell research without speaking at the convention.

It's a coup for the Democrats, and I think it's a great gamesmanship move for the party. But simply because it's good for us doesn't change my mind that Ron is disrespecting his pop.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

30. The dishonor is Bush's and the GOP's

answer that charge instead of having posts deleted.

[Mr_Charlie]

34. I didn't delete shit.

I don't even know how one would go about that.

And again, you are COMPLETELY missing the point of my statement. Please don't tell me you are so shallow that every thought must be in lockstep with yours or else its *-loving.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

35. and you are completely missing the point

of political conventions.
Ron Reagan is, by far, the most qualified person to speak on stem cell research at a national, quadrennial political convention, for the party which supports it.

[glitch]

31. Ron honors his father by being a fully functioning human being

capable of making his own decisions and alliances. To be anything less would disrespect both his parents.

[Spangle]

27. Ron use to be Demo

Yet he turned Repug and spoke in the repug conventions.

Can't see where he would object to his son doing the same.

[Mr_Charlie]

33. C'mon...so was Strom Thurmond. I don't buy that argument.

Reagan embodied the phrase "party man." You know it, I know it. There is no way I can fathom a lucid Reagan being happy about his name being used to implicitly endorse a Democrat for president.

If Ron is truly not using this as a career boost, I'd like to see him <I>at least</I> register as a Democrat.

I did not vote for Reagan, I disliked almost everything he stood for, but I will say this about him: he did earn his GOP reputation and credentials the hard way. I don't think he had anything handed to him, unlike a certain son of his.

I realize this is an unpopular opinion, and again, don't confuse my objection to him as a rejection of the platform. It just really bothers me that this guy seems to be so idolized by progressives, because I just don't see the appeal beyond a name he was given at birth.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Lou Cannon Knew Reagan Alot Better Than Edmund Morriss

It's telling Nancy won't be there... She doesn't think much of the Bushs...

[depakid]

10. I wonder what Gary Bauer

thought of Nancy's reliance on the occult (astrology) to plan Reagan's schedule? or the fact that Reagan never went to church?

It's uncanny how things like that don't seem to bother the fundies- they'd pillory any Democrat for it.

It'll be interesting to see whether they take off the kid gloves with Ron Jr... and risk Nancy's wrath.

[Triana]

12. "cute little story"?...

...how arrogant and condescending. Piss off, Bauer. What dirty rug did that cockroach crawl back out from under? Someone sweep him back under it - or better yet, down the street sewer.

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Bauer heads a PAC, Campaign for Working Families; see this Falwell...

appeal for donations, from NewsMax.com:

Gary Bauer on the Political Frontlines
Jerry Falwell
Thursday, July 1, 2004

....To the pro-life, pro-family, pro-traditional marriage, pro-America voters in this nation, we must determine that President Bush is the man with our interests at heart. It is that simple. The distressing fact regarding this election is, however, that President Bush stands at a political crossroads, with John Kerry ostensibly running neck-and-neck with him in many polls. In addition, Mr. Kerry has raised an astounding $150 million for his campaign....

***

That is why I am utilizing this column to urge you to support the Campaign for Working Families, which is headed by Gary Bauer. It is the organization that I believe can have the greatest impact in re-electing Mr. Bush to the Oval Office.

Mr. Bauer recently stated, “John Kerry’s success, not to mention the incessant negativism of the nightly news outlets, is beginning to take its toll. President Bush’s approval ratings are dropping — even on the crucial issues of foreign policy and national security!”...

***

“Weeks ago,” he said, “it seemed we were guaranteed to gain seats in the Senate. Now we’re on the defensive. Our majority in the House once seemed secure, greatly aided by redistricting in Texas. But with two consecutive losses in special elections, the Democrats are raking in money hand-over-fist. Unfortunately, we are not.”...

***

I honestly believe that it is essential that we flood Campaign for Working Families with financial help in order to secure our future. This organization that is on the frontlines on our behalf can accept contributions up to $5,000 per person, but even small gifts are important and quickly add up when we join together....In addition, may we pray fervently each day for the re-election of George W. Bush at this critical time in our nation’s history.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/1/165807.shtml

[Gman]

15. This trumps anything Zell Miller might do at the RNC

and makes what Miller says irrelevant as it won't have near the impact of "The Great Communicator"'s flesh and blood speaking out at the DNC.

[Yupster]

16. Arnold gets to be a Republican

Ron Reagan gets to be a Green. He can speak wherever he wants. He's well into adult territory.

[progressivebydesign]

18. So the freak Bauer surfaces again..

.. he looks unborn himself. What a creep. I think it's wonderful that Ron, Jr. will be speaking about an issue near and dear to him and Nancy Reagan. WE are the Party of inclusion. Because stem cell research is performed on tissue from in-vitro, and the Repugs are against it, does that mean NO conservative has EVER had in-vitro? Ever? You mean that every single affluent lawmaker and pundit can swear that they NEVER had that process to conceive a child? Or if they did, they chose to carry 8 children to term, in order to save the life of all the embryos created in that process? I call bullshit. This is just ANOTHER wedge issue that the GOP politicos have grabbed hold of to further their aims, and cash in on the crazy money... the money from people like Moon and Falwell.

[Sideways]

23. Freak Indeed

If the GOP REALLY thought they could make this a viable issue they would have touted out some GOP heavyweight to give the message. The fact that they let Gary "my mother still dresses me" Bauer deliver it all but kills this argument. They still fear Nancy.

The GOP is stuck between a rock and a hard on (as usual) because their very reptilian brains will not allow them to behave decently but their reptilian instincts keep them stirring up shit looking for someone or thing to devour.

[goclark]

19. Not smart on Rethugs part

Many parents may have had disagreements with their children's politics.
But Nancy is in a deep state of grief and as far as I know she loves her son dearly. He was a like a gift to her that Ronnie gave her.

So, her she is deep in grief and someone is putting her son down. They are also making light of her ideas for stem cell.

Nothing on earth is as protective as a mother with her son.
They better lay off a Nancy or she could come out blasting and telling the Whole Truth about all of them.

[Nashyra]

22. Typical Republican

I congratulate Ron Regan Jr. for taking the issue to the largest audience possible. I do not think he is trying to cash in on his father's name, he's trying to make the country aware of his father's illness one that affects many household in this country who do not have the resources to care for their loved ones like the Regan's had. This response to his speaking is so typical of the repukes, attack the person, don't address the issue.

[playahata1]

32. And I resent the Repukes' implying that Ron is trying to cash in on

his father's name/legacy. Last I checked, he's always had his own thing.

[ProfessorGAC]

36. Besides, Look At Their Current Standard Bearer

Like Bush hasn't cashed in on his father's name. What disingenous nonsense. Ron Reagan has gotten where he is by doing more work to get there than Li'l Georgie has done to get where he is!
The Professor

[w13rd0]

24. Did the GOP say the same when...

...junior decided to rush to war based on lies and dismissed questions as to whether he'd asked his fathers advice, since his father had a fairly sobering assessment of what an Iraq invasion would mean? You mean they didn't? SHOCKING!

[colonel odis]

26. to the gop, he's dishonoring his father. to democrats,

he's being a man and standing up for what he believes in, unlike his older brother who continues to suck at the family teat, trading on his last name.

[Pachamama]

29. Ron Reagan Jr. would never, ever dishonor his Father...in fact, what he is

...doing in speaking at the Dem Convention is to specifically "honor" his father and stop the crazy neo-cons that have hijacked his father's name to further their cause....The problem is that Republicans who are brainwashed sheeple following this administration are so blind to not see the truth and that if Reagan was their hero, that this administration is about as far away from Reagan's philosophy as possible....

Ron Jr. would never do anything to upset his mother Nancy in these frail times for her following her husband and lifemate's death....She approved this, and Nancy knows what her husband's legacy and wishes would have been....Ron Jr. is carrying the torch....

[peterh]

38. Yes, I have to agree....

because Ron Reagan tends to exhibit humanist traits, he is not only dishonoring the GOP image of his father, but his humanist rhetoric is sacrilegious to the GOP in general. To the GOP, the only good science involves research into new weapons of mass destruction such as the mini-nukes now being pushed and creationism….while bad science involves research in humanity and evolution.

Heck, there’s probably a fair amount of people within Bush’s faithful base that feel that a session with faith healer Benny Hinn is all you need…..it truly is scary when you think about it.

[Seabiscuit]

39. So if Nancy shows up

in Boston for the Convention, will the rethugs howl that she's "dishonoring her husband"???

Here's to the rethugs: :puke: all over yourselves.