Nancy Reagan Grave Dancing? She was ONLY First Lady - not POWERFUL.

[IdaBriggs]

Or influential. I mean, she wasn't even a Senator or Secretary of State. She was just married to this guy with an important job, while she baked cookies and decorated and stuff.

Why do they keep talking about how powerful she was and how much influence she had?



Part 2 of my ongoing reality series: "Don't put the Clintons (plural) BACK in the White House"

[NurseJackie]

1. Just Say No to grave-dancing.

Rest in Peace, Nancy Reagan. Condolences to her friends and family.

[IdaBriggs]

3. Generally agreed (but Junior and Cheney will elicit a jig in my home).

I am trying to make a point that she held one of the most powerful and influential roles in our country for eight years as did Hillary Clinton, but it may be too subtle (ha!) for a morning without caffeine.

[NWCorona]

31. Agreed!

we need to be better than this.

[vi5]

2. I had/have nothing major against Nancy Reagan..

I think her "Just Say No" initiative was naive but well intentioned and she seemed like a nice enough lady who loved her husband very much and raised a good son in Ron Reagan Jr.

I wouldn't call myself a fan but nothing she did would rise (or sink) to the level of me hating her enough to be happy she's gone. And I was someone who did a happy jig when Scalia died.

[PeaceNikki]

26. I do. The way they handled the AIDS crisis is one of the most shameful periods in US history

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/nancy-reagan-turned-down-rock-hudsons-plea-for-help-seven-we

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/3/06/remembering-nancy-reagan-her-involvement-aids-crisis

http://www.vocativ.com/news/294061/for-lgbt-community-nancy-reagan-leaves-legacy-of-inaction/

[vi5]

29. Good points.....

I'm not nominating her for sainthood by any stretch of the imagination. But ultimately her death doesn't impact most of us at this point since it's been a long time since she actively had any power. Unlike Scalia who died while still trying to and having the power to deny people their basic human rights and liberties. His dying provides a chance for people to have better lives. To my knowledge at this point Nancy's death affects nobody but her immediate family.

Still, to your point it is important to remember things like you posted.

[randr]

4. She put enormous pressure on legislatures to adopt the anti drug

policies of her husband. She is responsible for the destruction of many lives and families.

[IdaBriggs]

8. Are you saying the First Lady is influential and has power in Washington?

But not Hillary Clinton, right? And if Bill is there, he wouldn't be anything but a happy doddering old grandpa, right?

Right?



Apologies for the heavy sarcasm, but this is kind of a big deal. Sigh.

[UglyGreed]

10. Only the good parts

[randr]

11. Not sure what evoked the snarkasm

Nancy had tremendous influence in Washington. She was often the reason both side came together on important issues.
The influence I inferred was for her 'just say no campaign' which gathered enough support across the Nation that it became it's own meme.
I was supportive of Hillary's work on the health care issue. I think something might have been done at the time had there not been so much animosity toward her. I fear the same animosity will hinder her if she is selected as our candidate.

[IdaBriggs]

13. Sunday thread I posted yesterday....

I am beyond concerned about the cronyism and corruption inherent in spouses trading off the duties of the White House. Multiple posters voiced a complete lack of belief that "First Lady Hillary Clinton" was actually either powerful or influential during her husband's time in office.

The link is here - http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511424373 and I was attempting to use Nancy Reagan as an example of the power inherent in the address.

Sigh.

[randr]

15. I understand your concern

As the role of First Lady has evolved the position, and it is a position, has become more that just 'interior decorator'.
Since the Kennedy era First Lady's have championed issues such as alcohol addiction, education, health care, and literacy.
Their roles have improved our lives, mostly.

[RiverLover]

18. Plus the new animosity from the left, now that we know she's a purchased war hawk corporate

disingenuous candidate for the uber wealthy.

[backscatter712]

14. Yep. She also sat on her ass while the HIV/AIDS epidemic raged.

Rock Hudson asked for her help, and she refused.

[peace13]

5. She was party to concealing how sick her husband was for years.

She would parade him around like nothing was wrong. Was she powerful or master of deceit?

[IdaBriggs]

9. At a certain level, how can you separate the two? nt

[gordianot]

6. The Presidential gig was the final acting job for 2 grade B actors.

Nancy was able and trusted to feed lines when Ronnie forgot or went off script. I always wondered how much of his own crap he believed unlike the current sociopaths who believe what they say.

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Adultery & Pre-Marital Pregnancy becoming a ultra moral crusader, influencing RR's religiosity.

.


Let's not forget that the 8 year presidency was guided by astrology sessions.


At least there weren't any seances.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/07/obama-apologizes-to-nancy_n_142280.html


.

[randr]

12. Last night tweety actually said that Nancy's astrologer was "at least

a smart one" ROTFL

[RiverLover]

16. She did Ron's astrological charts.

Important stuff.

[NCTraveler]

17. Love your message. Yell it from the rooftops.

#berniewillstartwinningwiththismessage

[IdaBriggs]

19. Sigh. Believe it or not, Bernie is not my only concern.

I may just not be cut out for this (not making an inappropriate innuendo) sausage festival because I really don't like thinking about "how it gets made". The politics of power are terrifying. The corruption and deal making that takes place - sigh.

I *know* I am not the only one with this corruption concern. It has become an article of faith amongst the Republicans, and is accepted as "business as usual" among large contingents of our own party. I said this deep in the other thread - what are the odds an entire generation of ambitious politicians all simultaneously decided that honestly, a two time Senator and a retired Secretary of State was the "most qualified" person to be President? Why was the ONLY INDEPENDENT with no ties to the DNC the only person (other than "pick me for the VP spot to demonstrate party unity" guy) willing to throw his hat into the ring? I think the fact Bernie ISN'T beholden to the DNC and wasn't taken seriously has kept him going - and I am convinced he wouldn't have been in if he hadn't known what was going on in the halls of power at a level to which we mere citizens are not privy.

Connections: money and power, favors given and received, threats subtle and not in regards to support for future careers - I really don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I know regularly scrubbing the bowl is a good thing.

I am not a politician, and I am not stupid. Neither are the majority of the voters. Bernie's VP pick is going to be crucial; my gut is that person (if Bernie is elected) will fill the office of President before his term is over.

Sigh.

[NCTraveler]

21. Sigh

Sigh

[IdaBriggs]

22. Does that mean we are good, even if we disagree about this?

I hate having my favorite tomato guy annoyed with me.

[NCTraveler]

23. I found part two to be awe inspiring!!!!! Borderline brilliant. nt.

[IdaBriggs]

24. Now you are teasing! Lol!

So, show me we are good (even if you disagree with my concerns) and tell me how many different heirloom varieties you have ready to go this year.

A good DUer would organize a DU centric "come from all over the country and get some tomato plants to take home/meet your favorite posters in person" weekend.

Just saying. I would drive from Michigan for the promise of some of your plants and even bring a dish to pass to a picnic, too. Talk to me sweetly, and I might even find a way to transport my Chocolate Raspberry Tiramisu.

[Jitter65]

20. She was co-President with Ronnie. Truth! nt

[H2O Man]

25. Very good.

Recommended.

[kstewart33]

27. Nancy Reagan was very powerful as First Lady.

She was instrumental in firing a number of key aides to Reagan. She was also influential in Reagan's policy decisions.
I'd wager that the only First Lady with more power in the White House in the last 100 years were Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton.

Nancy Reagan had no interest in baking cookies.

[tularetom]

28. I can't honestly say how powerful/influential Hillary Clinton was as FLOTUS but I can say this

Bill Clinton will not be a passive partner in a Hillary presidency. The guy thinks he's smarter than anybody and that includes her. He is congenitally unable to keep his mouth shut and his opinions to himself. He will be constantly offering advice and blabbing to the media. She can't stop him during the campaign, theres no indication that she'd be able to stop him in the unlikely event she gets elected.

I had enough of him by about 1995. I really don't want him anywhere near the oval office again.

[Arazi]

30. Really good point. I was one of those who was initially skeptical

Of your post yesterday although I qualified that with the point that I'm deeply uncomfortable with political dynasties.

In light of Nancy Reagan however, yeah, its a concern