June 7, 2004

Reagan, Proto-Blogger?

Rex Hammock has some touching thoughts about the late, great Ronald Reagan. Rex also thinks Reagan would have been a blogger had blogging existed 20 years ago. Excerpt...

As hard as it is for those who know me to believe, I never voted for Ronald Reagan. In fact, for three years while he was in office (1982-84), I worked as a press secretary and speechwriter for a (D) U.S. congressman. As one of the "blue dog" Democrats, the southern moderates who served as swing votes during Reagan's two terms as President, the congressman I worked for was constantly being lobbied by the White House. For that reason, I got to know a few folks who worked for Reagan and on a couple of occasions even attended some functions at which the President spoke.

I think there's something about working in Washington (at least back then) that helps one get past political disagreements when it comes to personal relationships. During the time I was in Washington, I went from being convinced that Reagan was the anti-Christ to appreciating his stalwart stand for those things in which he believed. The more I witnessed up close the finger-in-the-air approach to policy that most politicians practice, the more I came to appreciate that Reagan actually had some beliefs about which he would not compromise. I also came to appreciate his ability to know when there was no more negotiating room and the exact time to compromise, and then, with artful savvy, declare victory.

I became a fan.