Reagan's Lessons for Bush and Kerry

[AmyStrange]

COMMENTARY
By Patricia O'Connell

Reagan's Lessons for Bush and Kerry
The President needs to master playing well with others. The Democratic contender must show conviction -- and a lighter touch

FROM: http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2004/nf20040611_2611_db045.htm
Let me say this up front: I wasn't a big fan of Ronald Reagan's Presidency. I thought many of his domestic and social policies were too conservative. But he certainly earned the Great Communicator moniker in my book. His ability to steer public opinion with the strength of his core beliefs -- less government, lower taxes, a stronger defense -- was a political force of nature.
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Upon his death, with the airwaves flooded with tributes to the 40th President, I've been reminded of the qualities I did admire about him -- his humor and easygoing style, and his devotion to wife Nancy, to name a few. I also see some lessons for both President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry in the way Reagan conducted himself as a candidate for the White House and as a President. Here are some pages from the Gipper's playbook that each of the candidates should study:

For Bush:

Resolve and arrogance are two different things. Granted, the U.S. after September 11 is different country than the one that Ronald Reagan led. (Imagine being wistful for the days when our greatest enemy was an Evil Empire and the greatest fear was of nuclear annihilation.) But Reagan had a way of being emphatic and optimistic at the same time. He believed he could persuade everyone -- Democrats, the Russians, the world -- of the righteousness of his cause. So when Reagan delivered lines like "Tear down that wall," they rang true. Now contrast Reagan's mastery of the bully pulpit with Bush's attempts at Reaganisms. Daring Iraqi terrorists to "bring 'em on" brought cringes, not smiles.

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