Joel Gehrke: Ron Paul ca 1987: Reagan has 'no credibility'

Since receiving the link to this article in my email from a good friend, I have been chuckling.  Ron Paul decided to release an ad going after Perry for being Al Gore's campaign chair in Texas in 1988 when Perry was a Democrat and Al Gore was a lot more conservative.  In fact, some thought Gore was too conservative for a Bill Clinton ticket.  Clinton and the Democrats didn't need to worry as Gore went farther and farther left after 1992.

Americans are discovering the Ron Paul so many Texans have known.  Most don't realize that he quit the Republican Party and became a Libertarian.  Couldn't get elected as a Libertarian so he went back to the Republican Party and has been a thorn in the side of Republicans ever since on many issues.  What I didn't know is he wrote a letter attacking President Reagan when he quit the Republican Party giving his reasons as Reagan and Republican spending drove him out.  All these years and that letter was still around to be found.  This quote from the Washington Examiner article is priceless:

You can't accuse Ron Paul of being inconsistent. At least you couldn't, but then he ran an advertisement reminding voters of his support for Reagan. To paraphrase Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Paul voted for Reagan before he voted against him.  

OUCH!  Summed it up right there and threw Paul's credibility out the window at the same time.  He lied about supporting Reagan -- who would have thought?  Many people will say Reagan being President is what made them become Republican but Ron Paul can say that Reagan made him become a Libertarian.  What do the Paulbots have to say now as they spin this one?

Ron Paul ca 1987: Reagan has 'no credibility'

by Joel Gehrke Commentary Staff Writer

Follow on Twitter:@jsgehrkejr

September 6, 2011 3:35pm

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, should give his opposition researchers a raise. In response to an ad from Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, that attacks Perry for supporting a 1988 Al Gore presidential run while reminding voters of Paul's support for Reagan, the Perry campaign dropped this bomb: a year before Perry supported Gore as a conservative Democrat, Paul wrote a letter of resignation from the Republican Party that protested President Reagan's policies.

In fact, Paul went so far as to write that “there is no credibility left for the Republican Party as a force to reduce the size of government. That is the message of the Reagan years.”
In the letter, Paul makes a series of attacks on Reagan's agenda. In Paul's defense, those criticism align with his current policy positions:

"Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party have given us skyrocketing deficits, and astoundingly a doubled national debt."

Of course, Paul is attacking President Obama for the same reasons today. He has been rock solid in his belief that the federal government is too big and spending too much, and that Republicans and Democrats have caused that problem for decades. But now he's in the position of explaining how, despite Republican primary voters opinion to the contrary, he thinks that Reagan and Obama are alike.

Paul will have an especially difficult time explaining why he thought that President Reagan's military policies produced "the inevitable result that we are less secure today." "Today," in the letter, being four years before the Berlin Wall fell and the Soviet Empire collapsed inward on itself.
As the letter concluded, Paul wrote:

I want to totally disassociate myself from the policies that have given us unprecedented deficits, massive monetary inflation, indiscriminate military spending, an irrational and unconstitutional foreign policy, zooming foreign aid, the exaltation of international banking, and the attack on our personal liberties and privacy.

....

Source:  Washington Examiner

Looks like Rick Perry's opponents forget that the Perry campaign group has been together for a long time and in Texas the races for office are no holds barred with everything thrown at the candidates.  It is not a shake hands and let's be friends -- it is rough and tumble politics at its finest.  Some of the most interesting campaigns I have witnessed were when we first lived in Texas and then following them from here in Oklahoma.

Already thought the Al Gore deal was funny which is one of the talking points the opposition loves to use against Perry, but must admit compared to the anti-southern, cheesy, poorly done Michele Bachmann ad with outright lies, this one is the winner so far.  Waiting for the Romney one next.

Ron Paul being outed for leaving the Republican Party in 1987 because of President Reagan made my day!  He should know better as a Texan about the people Perry surrounds himself with -- they are smart, resourceful, and are very loyal to the Governor.  If there is something they can find that will debunk a negative ad, you can bet they will discover and use that info.  This campaign is going to be fun to watch.  Wonder what Obama is thinking as the Republican opposition is using what they were going to throw against Perry?

Welcome to Texas politics at its finest!

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine in 1961

NOTE: From the 1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign against Socialized Medicine as proposed by the Democrats, then a private citizen Ronald Reagan Speaks out against socialized medicine. There is no video because this was an LP sent out by the American Medical Association

President Reagan's comments in 1961 need to be heard by everyone in America including those Democrats in the Senate who voted to keep Obamacare instead of repeal. His comments detail what the Democrats were trying to pull off on socialized medicine during the Truman years and they never stopped. The Democrats finally pulled it off with Obamacare years after Reagan's warning in 1961. That passage fell in the category of 'elections have consequences" which was never truer than in 2008.

The comments of President Reagan should be used by everyone as he sums it up better than anyone I have heard what is wrong with socialized medicine. His words to contact your members in Congress including the ones who agree with you to express your disgust with socialized medicine are as true today as when he first said them.

Please share the link below with your members of Congress as they need to listen to President Reagan in this You Tube audio about the dangers of socialized medicine: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs&feature=email

The Judicial Ruling by Florida District Judge Vinson when he ruled that it is unconstitutional for the bill to mandate individuals to buy healthcare was a major step forward. Because the Democrats got cute and attached a no severability clause in the Obamacare bill, he ruled the whole bill was ruled unconstitutional.

Now it is up to all of us to put more pressure on the Senate even though they have voted to keep Obamacare. This fight is far over and their votes to keep Obamacare against the wishes of the American people will have repercussions in 2012. The House has done their part but we have to let our Republican members know we stand behind them 100% in their fight against Obamacare and the House Democrats who voted to keep it, we will be coming after them in 2012.

Doubt if you would ever see a Pelosi or Barney Frank take the time to listen to this Reagan audio because they have no desire to hear what he had to say. Those Senate Democrats along with House Democrats who voted to keep Obamacare who are up for reelection in 2012 need to hear this audio loud and clear.

The question of the day is if Ben Nelson, Nebraska Democrat, is going to stand for election or is he going to retire. He has gone from being popular in Nebraska to be one of their most unpopular Senators ever. During the Bush years he was a staunch ally of the President but since Obama took over he has been voting with the Democrats more and more. Time Nelson retired and Nebraska Republican Senator Mike Johanns is joined by a fellow Republican to represent the values of the people of Nebraska.

We took one Democrat seat back in North Dakota when Dorgan retired and they elected the popular Republican Governor John Hoeven to be their Senator and now in 2012 we have a chance to pick up their second Senate seat with Conrad announcing his retirement.  In January 2013, North Dakota could be represented by two Republican Senators along with Nebraska. 

Next up is the Democrat Senator Johnson in South Dakota in 2014.  Then each of our six red states in the center of the Country will have two Republican Senators when he is defeated.

Looks to us like the 2012 election is already starting with the Senate Democrats voting to keep Obamacare. As a good friend and I have been saying since 2000 -- politics has become a virtual campaign with little stopping in between federal elections. 

Reagan Centennial Update and the Year Ahead!

This email was perfect timing.  The 'sky is falling crowd' has been out in full force because of the lame duck session of Congress which frankly should be outlawed except for keeping Government open and emergency type items.  That said, many are convinced our best days as a Country are behind us which makes me wonder about the people posting stories and some people's comments.  In the middle of all of negativism comes this email from the Reagan Foundation to remind us that this is the Reagan Centennial Year.

Ronald Reagan was such a positive person who saw the glass half full when he shared with all of us "America's best days lie ahead."  We still believe in the Reagan optimism that our best days are ahead.  Having been around a lot of college students by living here in Norman and having children graduate from the University of Oklahoma, I will second his comments.  Many of the young people today are very bright and share a theme with President Reagan that they want to make the world a better place.  The number of hours donated by OU students to different charities and to our communities is enormous.  A large number of our athletes are mentors in the public schools here in Norman. 

The future of America is bright as people standing up telling Government to go on a lean budget and stay out of our every day lives.  They are not snarky and don't attack all the time, they just speak the truth that they want the Congress to stop the runaway spending.  A few national politicians are frankly too snarky and are too quick to comment negatively on every little item.  It doesn't do the country any good to keep fostering the hatred we see.  We don't like the President's lurch toward the left supported by the Democrats in Congress, but elections have consequences as people are finding out.  Change will be coming in January as the House of Representatives will be the outpost for the common sense Republicans we just elected. 

This is the holiday season and the world is not ending.  In a few days we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the next week we usher in the new year that should be full of hope and optimism.  The first week in January the new Congress is sworn in with Speaker-Elect Boehner becoming Speaker Boehner and the Senate adding six more Republicans.  Republicans this session will have a say in the direction of the country and in government spending.  They need our full support because the veto pen is still in the White House and Reid is still leader of the Senate. 

During this time of year remember the optimism of Ronald Reagan who brought back American Pride after some of the worst years this Country went through where our military returning from Vietnam were treated very poorly and harassed, where mortgage rates were 16% and inflation very high under President Carter.  President Reagan with his hope and optimism was able to work with the Democrat Congress to get the economy moving and interest rates down.  He treated people with respect and they responded.  That is something people running from office need to remember.  

As we celebrate the 100 years of President Reagan's birth, we need to bring back that hope and optimism of a man who took office when we had our Iranian embassy staff being held prisoner in Iran who were released right after he was sworn in as President.  The Iranians knew they were no longer dealing with Carter who was a wimp but would be dealing with President Reagan, a man who would not back down to their threats.  Those were dark days when the former two-term Governor of California took over, but our Nation turned around and we will do it again. 

Reagan Centennial Update

Dear Friends,

The Ronald Reagan Centennial is quickly approaching! These past few months have been exciting as a number of partnerships and programs have taken shape. Meanwhile, through the generosity of Centennial presenting sponsor, GE, throughout 2010 the "Traveling Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum Exhibit" brought artifacts and stories from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to cities across America including Long Beach, Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Boston and Houston.

President Reagan often said, "America's best days lie ahead." As representatives of America's next generation of great leaders, the Ronald Reagan Centennial National Youth Leadership Committee embodies that same optimism, representing the future with anticipation and promise. If you haven't done so yet, visit our website to read the profiles from the National Youth Leadership Committee. Some members participated in a podcast series with Reagan Centennial partner, and non-profit promoter of free markets, Sam Adams Alliance. These podcasts can be found here, or on iTunes.

Additionally, in January of 2011 many of the student leaders on the Committee will be featured in their college or university newspaper.

Visit the Centennial website ( www.reagancentennial.com) for the most recent Calendar of Events and other Centennial updates. In particular, here are upcoming dates to keep in mind:

2011

January 1: Ronald Reagan Centennial float in the Tournament of Roses Parade

January: Ronald Reagan civics based curriculum announced for use by schools nationally

February 5 &6:  Live webcasts of President Reagan's Centennial birthday celebration

February 7: Grand re-opening to the public of the greatly enhanced and renovated Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

February 10: Ronald Reagan Centennial Postage Stamp issued by the United States Postal Service

February: Academic Symposia with University of Southern California, University of Virginia, University of Notre Dame, followed by the United States Naval Academy next fall

March 12: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, Wall Street Journal, and Manhattan Institute conference in New Your City titled, "Supply Side Economics: Reagan's Leadership Then and Now"

March 27: Partnership with the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana for the NASCAR Auto Club 500 May: Select Major League Baseball teams will honor the Reagan Centennial during a home game

For the third year in row, the Rose Parade Viewers' Choice Award will allow Rose Parade fans to choose their favorite float by voting online and via text message. On January 1st be sure to vote for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation float #52 and ensure Ronald Reagan's place in Rose Parade history!

Let me conclude with a photo of sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan - two of whom are on our Centennial National Youth Leadership Committee - spelling out "RR 100" on the carrier's deck:

Sailors honor Reagan

By: Senior Political Editor Mark Preston


Celebrating late President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday, U.S. Navy sailors mark the occasion on the deck of the aircraft carrier named in his honor. (PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. Navy/ Dylan McCord)


Washington (CNN) - Sailors serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan paid tribute to the nation's 40th president last week by forming together on the deck of the aircraft carrier to spell out his initials and the number 100 to signify the upcoming anniversary of the late president's centennial birthday.
Reagan, who was born on Feb. 6, 1911, was first elected president in 1980 and again for a second term in 1984. He died on June 5, 2004 at the age of 93. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library plans a year long celebration to honor the 40th president on his 100th birthday.

What a terrific tribute! I'll be in touch with you again in the new year as our celebratory year begins.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

My best to you all,
Stewart McLaurin
Executive Director Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration

Contrasting Ads

Today the ad has been released, "Mourning in America," which is a take-off of the Ronald Reagan ad in 1984, "Morning in America." When President Reagan defeated Carter in 1980 he took over a Country that was on its back with mortgage rates over 16% and high inflation. He brought with him into office an optimism that spread throughout the Country along with a plan to put America back on its feet and fix the economy through tax cuts and cutting waste.

In 2008, Obama ran on Hope and Change except he didn't explain what his Hope and Change was going to entail. Voters didn't realize that he wanted to fundamentally change America by centralizing everything in the Federal Government. Anyone who dared challenge Obama was called a 'racist' because he was part black. Now that the Bush Tax Cuts are set to expire on January 1st,  he wants them to expire on the wealthy who are the people who create the jobs and keep America moving. Even his advisers are telling him that the Bush Tax Cuts need to stay in place. Will he listen?

In less than two short years Obama and the Dem leadership in Congress have managed to totally tank the economy, takeover business by the Federal Government, bailout banks, pass a stimulus that has wasted billions, pass a Healthcare bill that is going to cost the American taxpayers billions if not trillions before it is said and done and raise the deficit to over $13T. This is the Change without Hope Obama as President has given millions of Americans along with his lapdogs in Congress.

The title of his ad, "Mourning in America,"says it all:




Contrast the above ad to this one from the 1984 campaign after President Reagan had been in office for four years. Mortgage rates were down, inflation cut in half, people were back to work, and tax cuts were spurring the economy. The American people were once again in charge of their own lives.




Time to pass the gavel in the House to Conservataive Republicans and take it away from the progressive liberal Pelosi and her supporters who want to take the Country socialist. When voters put Pelosi and the progressives in power, bet most of the voters didn't realize how many of them belong to the Socialist Party of America -- for some reason they don't like to broadcast that fact. The Progressive Caucus should be called Anti-American as they want to fundamentally change America and take away freedoms that we have had for over 200 years. Anytime you have a group calling you names for disagreeing with an agenda, you have control freaks in charge. That is not America!

Republicans have a plan to govern while Democrats have a plan to let the Bush Tax Cuts expire and continue to grow Government.

Vote on November 2nd  to hand the gavel back to
'Common Sense' Conservative Republicans

There is a choice on November 2nd -- vote for Conservative Republicans who believe in free enterprise, lower taxes, smaller government, along with a strong defense and homeland security.

Obama: Greater than Reagan

Obama: Greater than Reagan

By: David Freddoso
Online Opinion Editor07/01/10 3:55 PM EDT

So says Siena College’s survey of 238 presidential scholars.

I wonder how many of them voted for Obama?

Read more at the Washington Examiner

Memorial Day Tribute to our Military

These tributes on this Memorial Day 2010 are to the men and women of America who gave everything in defense of our freedoms and our Country and to their families and friends. Today is an opportunity for all of us to say "Thank You" to all the veterans of America who have died and to those who have fought and are fighting today for Freedom and to protect this Nation.


Grew up in small town in Ohio where every Memorial Day there was a parade in our town from downtown to the cemetary with the high school marching band playing patriotic songs along with members of the military, cub scouts, girl scouts, dignataries and other groups. When the parade reached the top hill befire the cemetary the song became slow and mournful as the parade went down the hill and entered the cemetary for the speeches honoring our veterans who had died. Years later our son's Cub Scout troop marched in two parades on Memorial Day in a different small town. My Dad who had served in WWII was so proud to see his grandson marching. Will never forget the taps and gun salute when he was laid to rest in the same cemetary where our band marched each year on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program).

And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The first tribute is a speech from the greatest American President of our lifetime, Ronald Reagan in 1984 when he honored a Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War.

President Reagan narrates the next video which is a tribute to Memorial Day from House Republicans.


Video Tribute to the men and women who rest at Arlington with Trace Atkins singing "Arlington"

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941