Inside the Beltway: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina compete to be the next Ronald Reagan

By Jennifer Harper - The Washington Times - Tuesday, September 15, 2015

NEWS AND OPINION:

Welcome to the GOP debate planet: 2,000 people in the audience, 11 tightly wound Republican presidential hopefuls, and a potentially behemoth broadcast audience which could include every single American save President Obama, who will not be watching because he has “better things to do,” according to the White House. Yeah, well. Even the Democratic Party is officially urging its loyal members to tune in on Wednesday night. Host network CNN has guaranteed a big show on a grand set inside the spectacular Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, in the very shadow of the 40th president’s Air Force One; moderator Jake Tapper aspires to prompt candidates to actually debate rather than snipe, which should be interesting.

The event is treated like a sports match though; there are viewer guides and advisories like “Trump’s locked and loaded,” which came from Fox News. And when the hubbub is over and the analysis begins, the learned folk will line up for the time-honored tradition of figuring out which of the candidates appeared to be the most like Ronald Reagan — that is, authentic, qualified, optimistic, chivalrous and mighty, or words to that effect. The Reaganesque factor still resonates with voters who recognize the real deal when they see it.

“It matters because of Reagan’s timeless principles. Republicans have played footsie with kinder and gentler and compassionate conservatism — which simply proves the adjective is the enemy of the noun — and always, the GOP comes back to Reagan conservatism, at least in rhetoric,” Craig Shirley, an award-winning Reagan biographer and historian, tells Inside the Beltway.

“Reagan’s inspiration came from the American Revolution, which taught in part that we must always be in a state of revolution, always challenging conventional wisdom, always challenging the status quo. Reagan’s entire career was about challenging the status quo. None of these candidates call themselves Nixon Republicans or Bush Republicans, but most call themselves Reagan Republicans,” Mr. Shirley continues.

“Which is why these debates don’t take place at the Bush Library, the Hoover Library or the Nixon Library. They take place at the Reagan Library because the Gipper is simply the most successful and interesting Republican president of all time, now surpassing even Abe Lincoln as the most beloved president of the Republican Party and one of the most beloved presidents of the American people.”

Mr. Shirley adds, “But if any of these candidates thinks it was every easy for Reagan, they have much to learn.”

AND THE REAL DEAL

“My husband was humbled and honored to be President of the United States. I heard him say on more than one occasion that he was only given temporary custody of the presidency, but I know from very personal experience that it was the role of his lifetime. Debates are a crucial part of the election process, and I’m thrilled that so many qualified candidates have the opportunity to be heard at the Reagan Presidential Library.”

— Nancy Reagan, on the big event.

THE CANDIDATE COCKTAILS

Yes, the GOP presidential debate has much entertainment value mixed with moments of sheer policy terror for candidates on the hot seat. So it’s only fitting that the National Press Club give onlookers a place to go to witness it all, with cocktails to match. Indeed, the 97-year-old organization will stage a debate watch party at its headquarters not two blocks from the White House itself, naturally with drink specials to honor the big players.

The club advises: “In honor of the candidates the Club is offering the following cocktails: The Rand (Bourbon and branch water), The Rubio (Cuba Libre), The Cruz (Canadian Club), The Huckabee (Diet Coke), The Walker (Miller), The Dr. Carson (Bloody Mary), The Trump (Corona), The Jeb! (Budweiser, the King of Beers), The Kasich (Grateful Dead or Long Island Iced Tea), The Christie (Boilermaker) and The Carly (Cosmopolitan).”

NOT SO SILENT

“The silent majority stands with Trump”

— Motto on Donald Trump campaign signs at a Dallas rally for the Republican front-runner attended by 20,000 people on Monday night.

A SANDERS REALITY CHECK

He is a compelling and candid speaker, with outsider charm. But he may have expensive tastes. That would be a certain Democratic presidential hopeful from Vermont. From our read-it-and-weep desk:

“Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose liberal call to action has propelled his long-shot presidential campaign, is proposing an array of new programs that would amount to the largest peacetime expansion of government in modern American history. In all, he backs at least $18 trillion in new spending over a decade, according to a tally by The Wall Street Journal, a sum that alarms conservatives and gives even many Democrats pause,” writes Laura Meckler, who covers demographics for the news organization.

“Mr. Sanders sees the money as going to essential government services at a time of increasing strain on the middle class,” she says.

THE PUTIN DIRECTIVE

“As Putin advances, the Obama administration continues to talk about offering Putin ’off ramps.’ To prevent even greater destabilization in Europe, the West must realize that Putin isn’t looking for ’off ramps.’ He’s only biding his time and looking for the next on ramp.”

— Rep. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s persistent push for power in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere, in The Ripon Forum.

MR. STEWART AND THE HEROES

On the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday: Veteran comedian Jon Stewart joins New York Fire Department Battalion Chief James Lemonda, the Uniformed Fire Offers Association and hundreds of firefighters to rally on behalf of 33,000 first responders left ailing following their heroic deeds at ground zero. Exposed to toxic substances and carcinogens, many developed cancer and other chronic diseases. The rally urges Congress to extend health benefits for these selfless officers; New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Peter King, Jerry Nadler and Lee Zeldin will be also attend.

Mr. Stewart will later join officers lobbying Congressional leaders.

POLL DU JOUR

• 52 percent of Americans favor building a fence along the entire U.S./Mexico border; 76 percent of Republicans, 50 percent of independents and 36 percent of Democrats agree.

• 50 percent say children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S. should be granted automatic citizenship; 32 percent of Republicans, 46 percent of independents and 72 percent of Democrats agree.

• 49 percent say the children should not receive automatic citizenship; 67 percent of Republicans, 53 percent of independents and 26 percent of Democrats agree.

• 46 percent say the top government priority is to develop a plan for employed illegal immigrants to become legal residents; 28 percent of Republicans, 45 percent of independents and 66 percent of Democrats agree.

• 39 percent say the top priority is to stop illegal immigrants from entering the U.S.; 55 percent of Republicans, 37 percent of independents and 26 percent of Democrats agree.

• 14 percent say the priority is to deport illegal immigrants; 16 percent of Republicans, 16 percent of independents and 8 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A CNN/ORC poll of 1,012 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 4-8 and released Monday.

• Discussion and debate to jharper@washingtontimes.com.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.