THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume XIII, Issue # 162, June 22, 2011
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
JON HUNTSMAN, JR.: EVERYTHING "REAGAN"
EXCEPT THE SUBSTANCE
By Christopher G. Adamo
WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A GENUINELY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
FOR THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY -- A PILLAR OF STRENGTH & CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATISM -- NOT A RINO
"MODERATE" PRETENDING TO BE A REAGANITE CONSERVATIVE -- A PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER UNWILLING TO BEND TO
PRESSURE FROM THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA & DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON KEY ISSUES OF PRINCIPLE -- A CANDIDATE WITH
AN INSPIRED UNDERSTANDING OF ECONOMIC FORCES, WORLD AFFAIRS, & THE DEADLY ISLAMIST ENEMY OF THE U.S.A. &
THE WEST -- A CANDIDATE WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS THE DIRE CONDITION OF THE
AMERICAN NATION, & THE DRASTIC COURSE CORRECTION IT WILL NEED, IF REAL RESTORATION IS TO ENSUE
FULL STORY:
How is it that, in 2011, every aspiring Republican presidential contender seeks to cast himself as the new incarnation of
Ronald Reagan, a president who in his time was maligned like no other? The reality of the Reagan legacy that ultimately
endured is that of a pillar of strength and Conservatism. Ronald Reagan was responsible for the awakening of America
to its looming fiscal crisis, along with his pivotal role, abetted by then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, in
bringing about the downfall of the Soviet Union. But to his contemporaries, even including many who called themselves
“Republicans,” he was regularly characterized as everything from bumbling idiot to bellicose madman.
Clearly, Reagan’s unwillingness to bend to media and Democratic Party pressure on key issues of principle, along with
an inspired understanding of world affairs and economic forces, resulted in an eight year stretch in which America
resurrected itself from the devastation of the previous dozen years. And that was no small feat, considering that the
period had encompassed Vietnam and Watergate, followed by the disgrace and dysfunction of the Carter Presidency.
Yet, from out of it, Reagan led the way to a renewed and unprecedented American status on the world stage,
accompanied by unrivaled economic growth and prosperity at home. Amazingly, even against this stellar backdrop the
many current pretenders completely miss the real attributes and appeal of Ronald Reagan.
Nor is this a singular and isolated phenomenon, limited only to Reagan and his time. In like manner, throughout the
1990s, and even into the new millennium, every coalescing Liberal Leftist political cabal sought to counter the enormous
impact of radio talk show giant Rush Limbaugh. Big name Democrats, from former New York Governor Mario Cuomo to
Colorado Senator Gary Hart, as well as many others, were regularly unveiled amid great fanfare as the newest Liberal talk
radio phenomenon, and antidote to Limbaugh. “Air America,” an entire network devoted to Far Leftist propaganda, put
forth a plethora of such programming, in hopes that at least a few of their “rising stars” would capture a sufficient
number of listeners to provide a remedy to Limbaugh’s “Excellence in Broadcasting Network.”
Yet, despite their pathetic counterfeiting of Limbaugh’s format, including his bravado and satire of political opponents,
they could never gain any traction with the American public. This caused them to caterwaul about some imagined unfair
advantage on Limbaugh’s part, even to the point of demanding government intervention in the form of the “Fairness
Doctrine” by which they might stifle his dominion of the airwaves. Never were they able to comprehend that it was not
his value as an “entertainer” that drew the country to him, but the ultimate substance and sincerity of his commentary
that endeared him to real America.
It is no less amazing that the perennially shallow among us can witness the power and impact of so gifted an individual
as Reagan, and only glean some relatively secondary attributes of personal style and charismatic appeal as the
invaluable traits needing to be emulated. Meanwhile, they remain oblivious to, or even contemptuous of, the actual
qualities of Ronald Reagan that set him apart from the rest of the political field.
Yet, for the past several years, virtually every one of the insipid and invertebrate Republican “moderates” could be
quickly identified by their assurances of being the new Ronald Reagan. Not surprisingly, former Utah Governor Jon
Meade Huntsman, Jr, on announcing his intention to run for the Presidency of the United States this past week,
descended to a new low of pandering in his shameless effort to ride once again on the legendary coattails of the
“Gipper.”
In making his announcement, Huntsman set a scene that was visibly as much a reflection of Reagan’s own 1980
campaign kickoff as possible. Yet the similarities completely ended there. As the nation suffers grave devastation at the
hands of Far-Leftist Barack Hussein Obama and his gaggle of equally Liberal minions, Huntsman professes his
“respect” for Obama and belief in Obama’s “love” for this nation. He further derided any on the political Right who
might castigate the current administration for the disastrous course it has charted. Characterizing Obama’s critics
“corrosive,” he promised to rise above their politicking.
Claiming to be Conservative (as they all do), Huntsman is a supporter of such countercultural keystones as same-sex
“marriage.” Not surprisingly, those on the political Left view him as the ideal Republican candidate, sufficiently
“centrist” to keep the Liberal agenda on track, in the remote possibility that he could ever be elected. More essential to
their interests however, his lukewarm “Conservatism” represents a critical flaw to any Republican presidential campaign,
thus providing a virtual guarantee that none of his sporadic “Conservative” quirks would ever become a bone of
contention, since he could never rally the America people to him, even if facing off against the likes of Barack Obama.
Perhaps most telling of all, the Liberal media machine has been fawning all over him, ever since word leaked out that he
might throw his hat into the ring. With the “mainstream” punditry having been devastated by the refusal of former
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to enter his own bid for the White House, they have since been abuzz with
anticipation over Huntsman’s impending announcement. And now that he has made it official, they are predictably
assuring America that this is indeed the right kind of “Republican” around whom the nation can rally. Even Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat - Nevada) has given his blessing to the Huntsman candidacy. No doubt this is
as close as he believes the Democrats can come to a rerun of the 2008 McCain debacle.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry has shown that he understands the dire condition of the nation, and the drastic
course correction it will need if real restoration is to ensue. In a speech to the Republican Leadership Conference on
June 18, 2011, that contained no mutual admiration between the political Right and the political Left or insipid deference
to phony Liberal notions of “civility,” Perry touted the greatness of America and the promise of its future, if the
appalling current policy is strenuously rebuffed, and constitutional principle unapologetically reinstated. This he offered
with no attempt to “find common ground” or “reach across the aisle.” Such ideals represent the starkest of contrasts to
the nation’s regular humiliation and denigration by Barack Obama (who, we must remember, Jon Huntsman, Jr., assures
us he “respects”).
With seventeen months remaining before Election Day, 2011, Conservative America can take heart. Not every Republican
candidate has officially declared.
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Politics, Political Competition, & the Control of
Public Policy: Elections, Political Parties, Political Factions,
Ideologies, & Special Interest Groups
American Government & the U.S. Presidency:
Presidential Politics & National Leadership
The American Political System:
Politics & Government in the U.S.A.
The American Political & Cultural Left:
Liberals, Statists, Socialists, Marxists, & Other Leftists:
The Democratic Party, Academia, & the Mainstream Media
Liberalism Versus Conservatism in American Politics
-------------------------
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY & POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES:
COMPETING SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT
Conservatism
Traditional Conservatism: Questions & Answers
Conservatism: Attitudes, Types, & Present Status
Constitutional Conservatism: American & British
Liberalism
Classical Liberalism: Intellectual Foundations
Classical Liberalism: Conservative Liberalism
Manchester Liberalism & Social Darwinism
Modern Social "Liberalism": Statist "Liberalism"
Radical & Totalitarian Ideologies
Radicalism, Utopianism, & Totalitarianism
Christopher G. Adamo is a resident of southeastern Wyoming. He has been involved in politics at the local and state
level for many years. His contact information and article archives can be found at www.chrisadamo.com
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THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
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Conservative Government Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity