 Taken at the Reagan Round-Up Fall Dinner held on October 5. “That we did keep faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city on a hill."  My mother, Pat, was a Barry Goldwater supporter. I was destined to be a Republican. When I was a baby, my mother went to Indianapolis to meet Barry Goldwater who was making a stop during his presidential campaign in 1963. She took me along. Goldwater kissed me on the forehead and my fate was sealed. The first time I was able to vote was the 1980 presidential election, and I proudly pulled the lever for Ronald Wilson Reagan. That was also the year I joined the Air Force. I remember the day the picture of Jimmy Carter came down at the base, and was replaced with the iconic portrait of a smiling Ronald Reagan, whom I proudly served as my Commander-In-Chief for four years. Reagan served as arguably the first true conservative U.S. president in over 50 years. His election changed the Republican Party and built the core beliefs still practiced today: lower taxes, less government and a strong military. During the years from 1976 to 1980, Reagan traveled the country, speaking informally and listening to hundreds of small groups. It enabled him to hone his conservative philosophy and his vision of where America should be headed. The Reagan Revolution began with one Reagan Republican, and by 1988 the House and Senate had majorities of both chambers that identified as Reagan Republicans. Reagan left office with an approval rating of 63 percent, the highest of any Republican president in Gallup’s history. About four-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (41%) say Reagan has done the best job as president over the past 40 years, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in July. Ronald Reagan genuinely loved America, and he wanted all Americans to love it too. Is today's Republican Party still the Reagan Republican Party? As long as there are those of us who see America as that shining city on a hill, I say yes and it will be for a very long time. Highlights from the Reagan Round-Up Fall Dinner Comments are closed.
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AuthorI was born and raised in Columbus, and I've spent the last 24 years living and working here. I love our city, and together we can keep it great! |
