I read an article, (the link to which will be attached), asking if today’s Republican Party is the party of Trump or the party of Reagan. The obvious answer is neither. The truth is that not one of the candidates can be compared to Reagan, but the closest is Trump.

If Reagan were running today, he would be ostracized by the majority of the candidates seeking the presidency in 2016. He was a conservative, not a reactionary. He worked across the aisle to insure the passage of necessary legislation. He preferred diplomacy to war.

Trump is the party’s leader, but mainstream Republicans hate him. What they continue to ignore is the fact that right-wing voters are rejecting the other candidates for their obstructionism and lack of Republican principles.

The article was accurate in one respect; only Ben Carson and John Kasich have acted like adults during their campaigns. The debates have been a farce filled with vicious attacks both personal and private. The word ‘debate’ does not apply to school yard brawls.

Michael Reagan wrote the article, and I definitely agree with much of it. He points to a lack of leadership and the failure of most of the presidential wannabees to adhere to true Republican principles and ideals. He wrote: “We didn’t leave the Republican Party–the party left us.”

Mr. Reagan was wrong about two things: He failed to admit that Trump was right about George W. Bush being a liar; and he fails to mention how disruptive a force the TEA Party became.

We both agree on one thing: The Republican Party today has no resemblance to the GOP of the 1980’s. Intelligence and a positive stance on the issues was paramount when Reagan and Bush 41 were campaigning for the presidency. Today I hear lots of loud noise with no substance, with the exception of a desire to rush into war once again.

So whose party is it today? I believe it belongs to conservative voters. They are clearly expressing their rejection of the ‘status quo.’

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus promised Republican voters many things after its loss in 2012; he has not kept a single one of those promises. The party has not moved forward; in truth, it has moved backwards in thought and policy.

As an Independent, I am proud of Mr. Reagan for exposing the weakness within the GOP. Leaders are badly needed, but I don’t believe any of them are holding public office today.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of JBrazito

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