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Huntsman channels Reagan: Will announcing at Liberty State Park backfire?

Ryan Streeter
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With Huntsman set to announce his candidacy next Tuesday, the choice of his site is an eyebrow-raiser.

There's no way you can announce that you will announce in Liberty State Park without telegraphing to the world that you aim to be the Reaganesque candidate. It was on the same spot on September 1, 1980, that Reagan launched his general campaign against Jimmy Carter.

And so it's worth remembering Reagan by watching the video below. And then it's worth asking, does Huntsman run the risk of disappointing? Trying to live up to the Gipper is always a tall order.

"The protection of human rights and freedom of expression are fundamental necessities under a free society": House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen marks the 50th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Natalie Gonnella

This week a number of Cuban-American Congress members marked the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, paying tribute to the approximately 1,500 CIA-trained soldiers who stormed the beach in Cuba as part of a secret attempt to overthrow the Castro regime and curtail the spread of communism.

Although panned by many as an "immoral" and "incompetent" failure by the Kennedy Administration, in a statement last week on the House floor, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen reminded Americans of the courage and dedication of those involved in the operation on the ground and the continued importance of protecting human dignity and freedom across the globe. An avid advocate for human rights and democracy, here's a look at what House Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen had to say about the 50th Anniversary of the event:

On April 17, 1961, the anti-communist patriots of Brigade 2506 were determined to help their homeland and their loved ones who were living under a repressive regime. Even though the operation was not successful, the dedication and the commitment that these brave individuals illustrated during the conflict was exceptional.

During the operation, one hero was asked if he wished to be evacuated, and he said, “I will never leave this country.” These individuals showed a strong sense of heroism as they were up against the repressive regime’s armed forces.

President Ronald Reagan was a longstanding supporter of individuals taking action to free themselves from oppressive socialist and communist regimes. When referring to the Bay of Pigs, President Reagan stated, “By supporting courageous freedom fighters around the world, we're shining a light on the path out from Communism.”

These heroes reached the beaches of Playa Girón to fight against communism in Cuba that was being supported by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The evil empire made a strong push into Cuba that became a national security threat to the United States. A strong Soviet Union presence in Cuba led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This intrusion cemented the dangers of the Soviet Union having very close ties to the Cuban regime. Democracy and liberty of the people in the Western Hemisphere were in severe jeopardy as the communist forces were looking to expand their control. But the will of freedom-loving people who seek for a better future will not be deterred by the evils and the power of communism.

The protection of human rights and freedom of expression are fundamental necessities under a free society. As the spread of communism crumbled during the Cold War, democracies throughout the Western Hemisphere flourished in open societies. However, the United States must remain vigilant that history does not repeat itself.

At this moment, Russia is currently infiltrating the Western Hemisphere by joining forces with anti-democratic tyrants such as Chavez, Ortega, and Morales. Recently, reports have indicated that Russia has sold $15 billion worth of weapons and military equipment to Chavez. In addition, senior Russian military officials have mentioned the possibility of establishing refueling bases for Russian bombers in Cuba.

Russian activities in the Western Hemisphere raise serious concerns as they are arming rogue regimes that are counter to the interests and the security of our beloved nation. The veterans of the Bay of Pigs symbolized this struggle between communism and freedom. The brave Brigade 2506 patriots decided to risk their very lives in order to liberate an oppressed society.

These men fought courageously on that historic day. They came from many backgrounds, but all of them cared about freedom and liberty for the people of Cuba. Even though the Bay of Pigs operation was not successful, their call to serve rose again to protect our nation from enemies abroad. Many of these veterans continued to serve the United States by joining our Armed Forces and fighting with honor during the Vietnam War.

I would like to acknowledge all individuals who consistently are working toward fulfilling the dreams of a free Cuba, which is the dream of the veterans of Brigade 2506 who aspired and fought for a free and democratic Cuba. I would also like to recognize the veterans of the Bay of Pigs who are with us today in the gallery.

Gentlemen, thank you very much for your sacrifice and commitment for a free Cuba and a strong United States.

On President's Day: Remembering Reagan's first inaugural as the public chooses him as the greatest U.S. President

Ryan Streeter

In the latest Gallup poll asking respondents who the greatest President is, Ronald Reagan won handily as 19% of respondents chose him. Abraham Lincoln took 14%, Bill Clinton 13%, John F. Kennedy 11%, and George Washington 10%. The remainder of Presidents who were named took in single digits.

In honor of the nation's 40th President, whose 100th birthday we just celebrated, let's reflect on these words from his first inaugural, delivered January 20, 1981:

These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people...

For decades, we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals.

You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, we are not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow...

Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. Ending inflation means freeing all Americans from the terror of runaway living costs. All must share in the productive work of this "new beginning" and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy. With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, we can have a strong and prosperous America at peace with itself and the world.

Ronald Reagan tops latest surveys by Rasmussen and Gallup examining voters' views of US Presidents

Natalie Gonnella 

In honor of President's day, this week both Gallup and Rasmussen surveyed Americans' views of US Presidents.

Although Rasmussen asked voters to name the most influential leader among those elected within the last 50 years, while Gallup asked respondents to name the greatest President among all who have ever held office, the top spot on both surveys went to the same man: America's 40th President, Ronald Reagan.

Rasmussen also notes that:

[G]iven a list of some of America’s most influential other past presidents, more than one-in-four Americans choose Ronald Reagan as the one if another were to be recognized with a holiday. John F. Kennedy comes in second.

Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy were also among the top four in both polls.

The full results from both surveys can be viewed here (Rasmussen) and here (Gallup).

What They're Saying: GOP freshmen remember President Ronald Reagan

Natalie Gonnella

From foreign secretaries to former staffers, in recognition of what would have been President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday, people around the world have warmly reflected on the leadership and legacy of America's 40th President.

With an enormous outpouring of appreciation and admiration, some of the most interesting reflections have come from members of the GOP freshman class, many of whom were only teenagers during Reagan's White House years.  

In tribute to an American icon, here's a look at what a few of Washington's newest Republicans had to say about "The Gipper":

Representative Kristi Noem, The Corner: National Review Online:

As a little girl, I remember seeing Pres. Ronald Reagan on the television. I liked him because, like my father, he was a cowboy. His horses were beautiful and his California ranch was an enchanting place I wanted to visit. But because my family wasn’t very political while I was growing up, it wasn’t until later that I began to admire Reagan as a leader. The trait that sticks with me to this day was President Reagan’s optimism. Reagan was the right leader at the right time and we desperately needed his vision in order to restore America’s greatness. Beyond his unwavering support for cutting taxes and strengthening national defense, he believed our country was in fact a “shining city on a hill.” That optimism was contagious.

Senator Marco Rubio, remarks on the Senate Floor: 

I will never forget my parents’ reaction the day the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Having lost their country to Fidel Castro’s Communism, they had spent 30 years divided from their homeland, friends, and relatives — just as the Wall had done to millions in Europe. Especially for my parents’ generation of Cuban exiles, whose hopes and dreams were shattered by Communism, the Wall’s fall was an historic event they questioned would ever come. It was a day of celebration and rekindled hope that all lands within Communism’s grip would soon be free as well.  Ronald Reagan helped bring about the change that made Communism’s fall possible. By joining with other world leaders like Pope John Paul II, he seized the opportunity to highlight Communism’s failures. In doing so, he helped make millions of oppressed people more self-aware of their intrinsic dignity, more confident that their pursuit of freedom was justified, and more hopeful that they were not alone in their struggles. In commemorating Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday, we also remember the work that remains to be done to tear down other oppressive walls that still stand. America’s responsibilities in this effort cannot be underestimated.

Senator Ron Johnson, commermorative statement:

Simply put, Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of my lifetime. He had the extraordinary gift of distilling a complex set of problems into a solution that  people could understand and rally around. Faced with the combination of a sluggish economy, high unemployment, and incredibly high interest rates and inflation, he recognized that government was not the solution, but a major part of the problem.  So he set out to limit the size of government by dramatically reducing taxes. Working with a Democratic Congress, he enacted real tax reform that reduced the top tax rate to 28%.   As a result, for a brief period of time, we were actually 72% free.  This landmark achievement ushered in two decades of peace and prosperity. We will serve his legacy well by remembering this history, and honoring the principals that defined him as one of our nation’s finest leaders.

Representative Tim Scott, The Post and Courier:

The greatest president in the modern era would have turned 100 years of age today. I was in high school when he became the 40th president of the United States, and his leadership inspired me to enter public service. I am thankful for President Reagan's life, for what he did for our country and for our world. He caused us to believe in ourselves again and to believe in the American dream. He loved his country. And he loved the cause of freedom. He knew then what we know to be true today -- that the answer to our problems lies not in the hands of government but in each of us. He famously said, "Government isn't the solution to our problem. Government is the problem." He didn't say it for any other reason except that he meant it. He believed it. And he was right. President Reagan believed that government had grown too big. He believed that high taxes stifled the economy and American creativity. And he was right.

Representative Joe Walsh, Facebook post:

I am proud today to honor the memory of a great leader and a great American.  And I am privileged to serve the people of President Reagan’s home state, Illinois. Like President Reagan, we still face that long twilight struggle.  Our nation is burdened by debt, unsustainable spending, and runaway government.  But this past November, the American people remembered his old fundamental truth—‘government is not the solution, government is the problem.’  And they spoke loud and clear: cut taxes, cut spending, and cut government.  That was Reagan’s philosophy, and I am proud to carry on his tradition. Yet as we face the tough decisions ahead, we must keep alive Reagan’s eternal optimism.  We must affirm as he did, that ‘for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead,’ that we are and must always be that shining city on a hill. Let’s go out there and win won for the Gipper.

As they reflect on President Reagan at 100, our 2012 hopefuls would do well to reflect on the true meaning of his leadership

Natalie Gonnella

President Reagan's legacy is one of strong and authentic leadership. During his time as America’s commander-in-chief, Reagan had the courage and - commonly overlooked by his critics - the understanding needed to make the big decisions. He based his decisions on solid, well-informed ideas, many of which he had spent a long time thinking about. His conviction was communicated to voters, who saw in their President a leader who could provide certainty and direction. 

As Peggy Noonan pointed out in her column this week, “it wasn't [Reagan’s] eloquence people supported, it was his stands…voters weren't charmed, they were convinced.”  And in a post this week in the City Journal reflecting on Reagan's "four pillars," the Manhattan Institute’s Nicole Gelinas highlighted the astuteness of Reagan’s policy approach:

The Gipper didn’t achieve all [of his] goals, and [Washington] would need to adapt his example to a different time, of course…but the mission is the same: economic growth. And the principle behind the four pillars also remains the same: government shouldn’t compound crisis-induced economic uncertainty by adding more uncertainty.

Reagan provided the kind of certainty and determination that just about all potential GOP presidential candidates hope to emulate. Here is a snapshot of what a few in the 2012 field have been saying lately about the "The Gipper":

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels:

Watching him as President really reinforced for me the idea that if you get the opportunity to have public responsibility or hold public office, you should hunt big game. Public leaders should always have the long-term future of those they serve at the forefront of their minds. They need to concentrate on those big ideas and goals and recognize that they can’t do everything. This seems like an obvious point, but in truth lots of people don’t get it. Reagan was great in this regard. He took the long view and focused on the big things that America needed at the time…He would encourage us to remember that we have only opponents, not enemies.  He learned how to turn the other cheek and never lose sight of the fact that we are all in this together – as Americans.  He would never stoop to the level of personalizing things, even if his opponents were doing it to him. It’s really important never to demonize groups or people in political life, and he led by example in this regard.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich:

Concerned about the economic and international threats to our prosperity, Ronald Reagan, a former FDR Democrat, reminded us that America’s choice was not between Left and Right, but between freedom and totalitarianism.

Gingrich went on to add 

Ronald Reagan’s greatest legacy encompasses so much more than his economic and diplomatic accomplishments. His vision for peace and prosperity came true not only because he believed it was possible, but because he helped America believe it was possible

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin:

Reagan showed us that despite a deep recession, there could still be morning in America. He could speak to the economic troubles facing ordinary Americans because he understood what it was like to live through a Great Depression where families scraped to get by. And yet, he saw us recover from our Great Depression, and under his leadership we experienced the greatest peacetime economic boom in our history. He could speak to our fears that our years as a superpower were over, because he understood what it was like to see America at war and really fear that we might lose. And yet, he saw us win two world wars, and under his leadership we won the Cold War without firing a single shot. Reagan's belief in American greatness was rooted in historic fact, not blind optimism. He was a sunny optimist because he knew that our best days are yet to come.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty:

Don't confuse being nice with being weak. Ronald Reagan was a great example of that…You can be hopeful and optimistic and strong, but you also need to make sure that you, you know, are willing to back it up.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney: 

His policies, foreign and domestic, reflected his optimistic spirit…Reagan's words were even more significant. He rang the bell of freedom and gave courage to brave souls resisting one of the great tyrannies of modern times — the "evil empire," he was not afraid to call it. …Here at home, Reagan saw a federal government that had become, like a diseased heart, enlarged and sclerotic. Paving a path trod today by the Tea Party, he sharply cut taxes to restore economic growth. He took painful measures to rein in double-digit inflation. He fought to cut federal spending. He sought to restore our Founding Fathers' vision of American greatness and limited government...Reagan's legacy is very much alive. Only amiable dunces cannot see that.

South Dakota Senator John Thune: 

What impressed me about Ronald Reagan was the strength of his conviction, his belief in American exceptionalism, his optimism about the future, his hope in the greatness of America, his understanding that America’s greatness isn’t defined by its government bureaucracies and institutions in Washington, D.C., but by the strength of its people’s character, by creative, ingenuity, innovation and hard work of the people of this great nation…. Ronald Reagan understood what was so unique about the American experiment: fundamentally we believe in freedom. 

As we celebrate President Reagan's 100th birthday with so many people paying tribute him and GOP hopefuls trying to wear his mantle, it is important to remember what Byron York said in the Washington Examiner today: “echoing Reagan's words and being Reaganesque are two different things."  As Human Events (President Reagan’s favorite conservative publication) has warned, “the political landscape is littered with too many individuals who can be referred to as RINOs (Reagan in name only), falsely laying a claim to Reagan’s legacy.” 

America needs a nominee with bold ideas and sturdy footing, someone who, like President Reagan, offers serious and thoughtful solutions to take on the formidable challenges facing the nation (something ConservativeHome's Ryan Streeter has been saying here, here and here.).

We need a Reagan-esque, not Reagan-ish, leader as we tackle massive domestic and global uncertainties. A Reagan-esque leader won't just repeat Reagan's past policies or focus too much on his power of communication, but rather adopt his skill for making the well-informed tough decisions that our nation needs now. Repeating Reagan's policies, words, or style of communication isn't enough.

In his farewell address in 1989, reflecting on the resurgence of national pride and patriotism during his presidency, Reagan commented that “this national feeling is good, but it won't count for much, and it won't last unless it's grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge.” Those vying for the 2012 nomination would do well to take note.