Skelton: Reagan gave America hope. Trump offers venom and lies

Today’s GOP presidential candidates could learn a lot from former president

The Republican Party will hold a presidential candidate debate Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It doesn’t work. In personality and character, the GOP’s modern idol is the polar opposite of Reagan.

America, according to the upbeat Reagan, was a “shining city on a hill.” It’s a dumping ground for venom and lies for Donald Trump’s whining.

People felt good about themselves after hearing Reagan’s rousing rhetoric. It was “always a bright dawn ahead” — “Morning in America.”

Yes, it was a little naive and corny, but it made everyone smile — and won over many Democrats.

Trump spreads hatred, both for immigrants and for Democrats. He demonizes his detractors. He incites riots and rebellion.

Reagan genuinely cared about people. Trump merely employs them.

But he has a cult following among Republican voters, even if GOP leaders fear he will drag the party down again next year. He is far ahead of his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in the polls.

According to Times Washington reporter David Lauter, “barring some sudden, dramatic event, the die is pretty much cast” for former President Trump to win his third consecutive GOP nomination and face President Biden in the election next year.

I can’t believe Reagan would support Trump even if he were the GOP’s standard bearer after covering him for 20 years as a candidate, California governor, and 40th president. Oh, he might say something about supporting the party’s ticket. But I seriously doubt he’d vote for Trump in private.

Reagan, regardless of party, had no time for jerks and egomaniacs. Trump’s caustic rhetoric would have made him shudder.

The Gipper used strong language — “tear down this wall,” “evil empire” — but he was always dignified and gracious, especially in public. Trump comes across as a childish bully who needs to learn to control his emotions.

“Ronald Reagan could throw a political punch, but he did it with courtesy, with humor,” former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger once told a crowd at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

In 1980, he gently poked President Carter and said, “Anyone who says he likes cold showers will lie about other things too.”

“Reagan would never have called people stupid, even if he thought they were,” George Steffes, his legislative lobbyist in Sacramento, once told me.

Unlike Trump, Reagan would never have questioned whether late Arizona Senator John McCain (R) was a war hero after being captured by the North Vietnamese and held captive for more than five years. McCain’s military service was idolized by Reagan.

Reagan was a firm believer in conservative values. Trump is a liar.

But Reagan was no ideologue on the spur of the moment. He frequently governed as a moderate, particularly in Sacramento, sometimes compromising with Democrats to get half a loaf, other times because he believed it.

As governor, Reagan was practically a liberal on the environment. He once led a pack train into the High Sierra to declare off-limits to federal highway builders the spectacular John Muir Trail and Minaret Summit south of Yosemite.

Despite his opposition to intrusive, centralized government, Reagan assisted in the formation of a bi-state agency with Nevada to control growth at pristine Lake Tahoe. In addition, he signed legislation establishing the California Air Resources Board, which resulted in the nation’s first tailpipe emissions standards.

Reagan raised and lowered taxes to meet the government’s revenue needs as governor and president.

He signed legislation as president that granted amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants.

Could Reagan have won the Republican presidential nomination in today’s polarized, ultraconservative, and uncompromising Republican Party? Many people believe not. A little too centrist. He’d be a dreaded RINO — a Republican in name only.

I strongly disagree. Reagan’s personality, optimism, character, authenticity, and rhetorical skills could help him win in any era. He was an outlier.

“Reagan did not forego candidate debates.” Trump is about to duck his second question in a row.

“He always liked to debate,” says his long-time political mentor, Stu Spencer.

He usually rose to the occasion, delivering precise remarks that are still remembered today: “There you go again.” “I am paying for this microphone.” “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

In the first debate of the 1984 campaign, he was thrashed by Democratic nominee Walter Mondale. Reagan sounded old and out of touch.

But Reagan bounced back in the second debate with a legendary age quip that effectively sealed his reelection: “I will not make age an issue in this campaign.” I will not use my opponent’s youth and inexperience for political gain.” Mondale, too, laughed.

Anyone remember much of what the current Republican candidates said in their first debate?

While they’re there, these presidential hopefuls should visit the Reagan Library. They might learn a thing or two about bravery and boldness.

George Skelton is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times.