Only Reagan is Reagan; Palin is A Poor Substitute

Professor John J. Pitney has compared Governor Palin to President Reagan in a recent National Review op-ed. He wrote,

Nothing in politics touches Republicans as deeply as the memory of Ronald Reagan. A few weeks ago, Michael Reagan made a remarkable comment: “Wednesday night I watched the Republican National Convention on television and there, before my very eyes, I saw my Dad reborn; only this time he’s a she.” By making this comparison, he perhaps said more than he realized. The Gipper did not always shine in debates and press conferences. He made mistakes that worried his aides and political allies. Still, he had a way of coming back and reenergizing the ranks.

In the debate, Palin summoned up the spirit of the comeback Reagan. She invoked his name and even adapted his most famous debate line when she said: “Say it ain’t so, Joe, there you go again pointing backwards again.”

So Republicans again have something to cheer about. In such a hostile political climate, they will need it.

I disagree wholeheartedly. Comparing Governor Palin to President Reagan only reminds true conservatives how unlikely it is that we shall ever see another statesman of Reagan's caliber. A political party that must use the verbiage of its once great leader rather than the substance of his policies is doomed for much greater than political downfall. It's in danger of ideological bankrupcy.