Reagan is THE reason many of our generation became conservatives.

The man had a genuine Love for our country and saw NOTHING but the greatness in it and of our people.

Would Reagan believe what is going on right now?
What would he say?

Thanks Bryan. I needed that.

For those of us who became conservatives, there are a multitude of reasons why we have been and always will be grateful for and to Ronald Reagan.

INC on February 13, 2008 at 10:43 PM

President Reagan had a multitude of beautiful speeches like the partial one you posted. I’ve got to tell you, when I first heard him speak like that, I thought of it as hooey. I thought of him as an old man living in the past.

Over time, he showed me I was a young punk who had no hope, no faith, no vision, no energy, no willingness to do the hard work to maintain the freedoms we were all pissing away in a culture of drugs, sex, and ignorance.

I wasn’t the only one who realized I was the problem and not him.

A great man.

Reagan 2020: Clear Vision for the 21st Century

Then came Mr. Reagan.

They say that the United States has had its day in the sun; that our nation has passed its zenith. They expect you to tell your children that the American people no longer have the will to cope with their problems; that the future will be one of sacrifice and few opportunities.

My fellow citizens, I utterly reject that view. The American people, the most generous on earth, who created the highest standard of living, are not going to accept the notion that we can only make a better world for others by moving backwards ourselves. Those who believe we can have no business leading the nation.

I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy itself under mediocre leadership that drifts from one crisis to the next, eroding our national will and purpose. We have come together here because the American people deserve better from those to whom they entrust our nation’s highest offices, and we stand united in our resolve to do something about it.

For those of us who became conservatives, there are a multitude of reasons why we have been and always will be grateful for and to Ronald Reagan.

When you say this is muuuch better than the black-eyed-please-use-your-brain-and-realize-there-is-no-substance guy’s version, I fear you do not see that it is all about style and presentation with the Obamatitus plague; content means nothing.

As a conservative counter to that vid, this Reagan thing is an unimaginative joke. I mean, c’mon… what Obamatoid is going to see this and go, “Wow man, I was missing it…now HE’S cool…” None.

It’s about the FEELING bro, and “Yes I Can (support crazy leftist ideas without even knowing it)” just gives me that feeling. Once we conservatives get that, I think we might stay in the game.

Keith

Sadly, right now, I just don’t know where to look :(

I really miss that great visionary man. I wish we had him now more than ever. God rest his soul.

Obama, yes we can turn a sure Victory into a pitiful Defeat! YES WE CAN!

He represents more than just America; he represents what America should be.

logis on February 13, 2008 at 8:39 PM

Yes. Amen, logis. He represents what we should be.

It is kind of funny seeing the under 40 crowd waxing so sentimental about Reagan. Most don’t remember him except through the eyes of a kid. None ever voted for him. I guess the parental influence has a little to do with it.

Bradky on February 13, 2008 at 6:48 PM

I was 18 when RWR left office, I never had the pleasure of voting for President Reagan. He was the first President I have clear memory of. The Peanut Farmer I barely remember, and I’m glad I wasn’t old enough to understand how bad everything was.

Bryan, thank you for posting this inspirational Reagan speech. I needed to hear the words of my favorite President after shoveling several inches of freezing slush.

I truly miss and love this great man. I had to wipe away a few tears after watching this.

This puts me in mind of a cab driver I had in Korea… He said solemnly, in English: “You know Ronald Reagan? Great, great man.”
joewm315 on February 13, 2008 at 7:36 PM

Ronald Reagan is practically considered a god in Japan. He represents more than just America; he represents what America should be.

This generation needs a Reagan. Badly.

Not bad.

Big S on February 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM

Not bad at all. Too bad McCain delivered it very stiffly and dryly. There was NO conviction in his voice. I could speculate as to why, but I won’t.

We miss you Mr. President.

Don’t you love that last phrase in [Reagan's] speech– his first inaugural? Why shouldn’t we be optimistic about the future….We….are Americans. Where is the rhetoric like that today when we need it?
gajaw999 on February 13, 2008 at 4:38 PM

Just yesterday I happened to see a random clip from an old Jimmy Carter speech – I guess from his “malaise” diatribe – where he was talking about how pessimistic and negative the mood in America was. And the dork seemed to be badgering us about it. Yeah, that’s a hell of a solution there, Jimmy.

This shouldn’t be something only the “great communicator” could understand. It’s the commonest of common sense: If you want people to be positive there’s only one way to do it – be positive yourself!

Right now, Barack Obama’s the only candidate giving out that vibe. But there’s a huge difference: Obama keeps promising America a bright future – but only if we change absolutely everything this country stands for….

Of course, what Obama’s saying would be horrifically depressing to anyone who stopped for a second and thought it through. Unfortunately, there’s an awful lot of people out there for whom that will never be a problem.

Bad Penny on February 13, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I think it is the first inaugural. Anyone else know for sure?

TX Mom on February 13, 2008 at 2:14 PM

Yes, the first inaugural. I played hookey from school that day to watch it and I remember specifically the last line, “And why shouldn’t we believe that? We are Americans”, and Jimmy Carter standing and giving the Gipper enthusiastic applause.

‘Nuff Said…

Rest In Peace, Mr. President!

My favorite Reagan story is when he was running in 1980.
A reporter reminded him that many people thought of him as a war monger, and then asked him if he could promise that he would not invade Cuba. Now, in light of the accusations that he would be trigger happy, he could have answered the question in moderate tones, soothing tones. But no, Reagan got a twinkle in his eye, and he said, “Well, you know Sam, I don’t think Mr. Castro should ever go to sleep at night but that he doesn’t think we might be coming in.” That is classic Reagan! Funny and full of insight at the same time. Man, I miss him!