The American Presidency: Reagan Restored Patriotism Overnight
As this coming Monday is President’s Day, The National Review Online has published an article titled “A Great and Mighty President”. The article features the commentary of three historians who discuss the nature of the American presidency and the men who have held the office.
Each president has left his mark on the office, but the NRO story points to several who were particularly influential in shaping the scope and responsibility of the presidency. While noting the contributions of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, the author, Brian Bolduc, notes the impact of one modern president - Ronald Reagan.
Mr. Bolduc writes:
“The most obvious and dramatic effect of his inauguration was the restoration overnight — it really was overnight — of American self-confidence and patriotism,” Morris argues. “It’s one thing he and TR had in common: It was a personal dignity and they embodied the national dignity as well as its force.”
The other quality Morris emphasizes is Reagan’s courage. “Before him, every president seemed to be scared of the Soviet Union — terrified of it,” he says. “Reagan seemed to instinctively understand that it was a ramshackle system, a house of cards that just had to be tipped over and then it would crumble.”
Reagan was the last president who strengthened the office, Morris says: “Clinton was much more accommodating with Congress and the latest Bush was much more controversial. But Reagan somehow managed to hold it all together.”
In a time when the world is as unstable a place as it has ever been, one can’t help but hope that our next president is, once again, an individual who displays that Reagan-esque sense of self-confidence (not to be construed as conceit) that simultaneously embodies our “national dignity as well as its force.”
Indeed, perhaps it is appropriate that we ask whether one can exist without the other.
- tdc
*Photo credit: thehistoryplace.com
*TUNE IN TONIGHT!* Sarah Palin Speaks at Reagan 100 Celebration
As part of the Reagan 100 Celebration, hosted by Young America’s Foundation (YAF), Governor Sarah Palin will be delivering the keynote speech for tonight’s events.
Earlier today, YAF issued an email announcement describing the Reagan 100 Celebration, as well as additional details about Governor Palin’s remarks:
As you know, February 6, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth—a celebration Young America’s Foundation is calling Reagan 100.
During Reagan 100 Young America’s Foundation will recognize President Reagan, his values, his vision, and his lasting contributions to Freedom and its future. Through the Reagan Ranch, the Reagan Ranch Center, and expanded programming all across the country, we will bring President Reagan and his ideals back to life for the next generation.
This evening, Governor Sarah Palin will give the keynote address at the Foundation’s Reagan 100 Opening Banquet at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California. Governor Palin was Alaska’s youngest and first woman governor and the first female Vice Presidential candidate in the history of the GOP.
“I am very excited to have been selected to address Young America’s Foundation’s Reagan 100 dinner,” Governor Palin said. “Young America’s Foundation has been sharing the values of President Reagan with young people for more than 40 years, and there is no organization more committed to preserving freedom’s future.”
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth, Governor Palin will reflect on the seminal speech by President Reagan, “Time for Choosing,” that discussed the risks and rewards before an America at a crossroads in the early 1960’s. Governor Palin will draw parallels to today while calling for young people to continue the Reagan revolution into the future.
Though I was too young to pay much attention to what was happening during President Reagan’s terms in office, what I have come to understand today is that he was a unique politician, and, by most accounts, a man of great character.
The United States is a young republic that has seen its share of difficult times. Yet, the history of our country is one that has allowed remarkable individuals to come to the fore as strong leaders amidst these challenges. Sometimes, these leaders emerge as strong matriarchs in their families. Sometimes, these leaders are Presidents.
Regardless of their station, great leaders can inspire great achievements in others. President Reagan, it seems, was such a man.
It is important that we understand our history, and I plan to tune in to as many of the Reagan 100 events as I can over the next two days. I hope you will too. See below for links and air times.
- tdc
*See the LIVE BROADCAST of Sarah Palin’s speech on CSPAN at 11pm Eastern time
*The full schedule of broadcasts (via YAF) - YAF Ustream.tv link
As I watched the minute-by-minute updates of last night’s elections stream across Twitter, I could not help but smile at the passion of my fellow citizens. For people of all political stripes, there is a renewed sense of engagement that has motivated millions of us to become involved in politics as we never have before.
If the events of the last 24 hours have any sustained resonance, it is that they affirm the power of our collective voice to influence the governance of our communities; and highlight our responsibility to do so according to our personal values and beliefs - even when it means going against a seemingly stronger, more established adversary.
No matter the outcome of any one electoral contest, our republic continues on, as it was founded in the Constitution. We may sway from Left, to Right, and back again, but, thankfully, we always have a center to which we can return.
As my final commentary on last night’s election, I share this ‘remix’ of one of Ronald Reagan’s speeches, once again extolling the virtue and promise of our great country.
Indeed, the cause always goes on…
- tdc
Engagement welcome here also - comments?
