Reagan on Bush

Wow. I'd heard about Ron Reagan Jr.'s interview with Salon.Com, but I finally got around to reading it. All I can say is that I hope statements like this, coming from someone in the Reagan family, get more play in the weeks and months to come.

"The Bush people have no right to speak for my father, particularly because of the position he's in now," he said during a recent interview with Salon. "Yes, some of the current policies are an extension of the '80s. But the overall thrust of this administration is not my father's -- these people are overly reaching, overly aggressive, overly secretive, and just plain corrupt. I don't trust these people."

And this one.

Reagan took a swipe at Bush during the 2000 GOP convention in Philadelphia, which featured a tribute to his father, telling the Washington Post's Lloyd Grove, "The big elephant sitting in the corner is that George W. Bush is simply unqualified for the job... What's his accomplishment? That he's no longer an obnoxious drunk?"

OK. I've always considered Ron Jr. to be one of the more likable members of the Reagan family. Maybe it's because back when I was coming out, and he was a ballet dancer, there was so much speculation about his being gay. Apparently, he's not, with a wife of ten years (but no kids). I've seen him on television on occasion, on Animal Planet, and doing occasional pieces for morning news shows.

Here's what I'm thinking. Ron Jr. needs to start campaigning on behalf on John Kerry along with his negative statements on Bush. Name recognition alone guarantees that at least some people will hear him out, and give what he says some thought. Of course, so soon after his father's passing, there may not be a smooth way to come out and do something like that.

But one never knows.

While Reagan rejects a political career, he clearly doesn't shy from speaking out. What if GOP conservatives, who still lionize his father as the greatest president of the 20th century, pressure him to shut up? "That wouldn't be a smart thing for anyone to do."

C'mon Ron. Look at it as snatching the mantle of your father's legacy out of W's grubby hands.

Comments

[Tim Who?]

His wife is pretty strong too. One night while Ron was on stage dancing Nancy showed up at the house and wanted to throw all of Ron's clothes away and fill his closet with new clothes.
(Nancy didn't like Ron's taste in clothing)
Ron's wife threw Nancy out of the house!
Told her to get out, stay out and don't come back!
That girl has guts!

I remember the story well but can't find a link?
This was right after he got married.

I would like to see her and Ron out pushing Kerry.