This has personal meaning to me. Reagan said that in response to a campaign to keep Gays out of the teaching profession in California while Reagan was Governor of the State.
Reagan abandoned *all* his good qualities in pursuit of political power. And also had Alzheimer's and thus was suffering some pretty serious personality damage by the time of his *first* election, let alone his re-election.
I think part of it is that I was too young, and too far overseas*, to really notice the things he did during his presidency. I was generally aware of him as a bastion of conservatism and all that, which was reason for me to dislike him, but I didn't get much exposure to the specifics.
So, looking back, it's easier for me to think generous thoughts about Reagan's good qualities than W's.
*Not that I'm living any closer to the USA now, but I'm more connected to it.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 05:03 pm (UTC)The leader of that campaign was Anita Bryant.
My younger brother married Anita Bryant.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 05:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 05:58 pm (UTC)no.
Date: 2010-02-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 06:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 11:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 06:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:46 pm (UTC)So, looking back, it's easier for me to think generous thoughts about Reagan's good qualities than W's.
*Not that I'm living any closer to the USA now, but I'm more connected to it.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 10:03 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-05 05:01 am (UTC)