THE KINDER, GENTLER SQUANDERING OF THE REAGAN LEGACY
by Rhonda Rohrabacher
I just returned from Ronald Reagan’s 100th Birthday celebration at the Reagan Library where Reaganites and Reaganite exploiters reveled in an euphoric sanctuary where the mood, spirit and atmosphere felt very much the same as similar Presidential events 20 years ago. It almost felt like Ronald Reagan was still president and the last 20 years had just been a bad dream. It made me reflect back to that era of hope, when I first got involved in Orange County Republican Party politics in 1988.
Orange County was often heralded as America’s most Republican county, and Ronald Reagan always affectionately referred to it as “the place where all good Republicans go to die.” In OC there were many opportunities to partake in rallies and functions where Reagan was present. The mood and spirit then was magical. It wasn’t until the Republican National Convention in New Orleans later that year, that I had a foreboding glimpse into a “Kinder, Gentler” “New World Order” future without the Gipper. Being on the floor as a youth delegate to that convention, I began to cry when Reagan gave his farewell address and felt no solace when his replacement spoke to us in an unassuring Blue Blood nasal tone. It was then that it really sunk in that the leader who had been President since I was 10 years old, the patriarchal grandfather in my life, was leaving.
I walked precincts and recruited volunteers and precinct captains for the OCGOP with enthusiasm and vigor over the next 4 years. Coasting on Reagan’s accomplishments helped ease the transition. However, our new leader’s reneging on a “Read my lips no new taxes pledge,” is bound to dishearten any activist and alienate the voters that had given the Gipper his winning majority. I remember walking the same precincts targeting “Reagan Democrats” in the least Republican part of Orange County in 1992 as I had in 1988 and having the door slammed in my face by countless voters who said they’d never vote Republican again because they no longer trusted us.
That year, I witnessed my first Tea Partyesque backlash and a flood of new volunteers, angry at the Republican Party establishment because of Bush’s actions, got involved. Many of them supported Ross Perot, earning them the nickname “Peroistas.” Even I, as the precinct director of the OCGOP could not bring myself to vote for Bush’s re-election. I suspect there were many other conservative party functionaries like me who secretly voted their conscience that year.
The only energizing force for Republicans in the last decade has been the emergence of the Tea Party movement. When Reagan was running for president, the Republican Party was the Tea Party movement. Today, most Tea Party activists distrust the Republican Party establishment.
The same country club Republicans who did everything they could to defeat Reagan in 1980 and before, finally won the only way they could in 1988, on the back of Reagan’s great appeal to the American middle class.
Reagan gave idealists and pragmatic reformers a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and Republicans will not be enjoying the energy and excitement of political activism until we have leaders who are basing their decisions on principle and who identify with a broader cross section of the American people (that’s the folks outside the country club).
The American people aren’t voting for a Republican label, they’re voting for policies that will affect their lives and leaders who will give their well-being the highest priority. Republicans in denial can easily point the finger at Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, but it ain’t them, it’s us. Reagan did his part, now it’s up to us to salvage his revolution and carry on and “pay our way for the blessings bestowed upon us.”
Publisher’s Note: Rhonda has been toiling as a conservative and Republican activist since high school, when she worked on the Chris Cox for Congress campaign. Though her primary role these days is mother to she and Dana’s three children, Rhonda is still very engaged helping candidates, causes and the OC GOP – Flash.