Ronald Reagan's Biggest Mistake: Response from Sam Goldman

Like you, I remember the Reagan years and the Ford years before them. Your facts may, indeed, be correct, but whatever went on inside Reagan's mind, I doubt that Jack Kemp was included in the ganglia.

As I see it, he had NO CHOICE but Bush. As you say, Ford was a long shot and reluctant. It never would have worked any more than any president taking a lower leadership role, even in a company. The case of JQ Adams is different as he went to the legislative branch---we may yet see Bill Clinton there, no?

Jack Kemp was on a conservative tear, particularly on abortion. The women's groups were, and are, quite strong and there is little chance that he'd have escaped lacerating attacks; those, then, rub off an Reagan and his charm and good looks go down the drain along with millions of female votes, along with men who viewed, and still do, the abortion issue as important.

Barry Goldwater? Too old.

Any senator? None were outstanding and California, to the rest of the country, still had a taint of Nixon as being kooky, almost criminal. RR needed a mid-west or eastern person.

Bush's qualities on paper are admirable. Like George McGovern, he has a weak-sounding voice, but fighter-pilots aren't weak, nor are oil-men in the patch, nor are Maine sailors.

The fact that W came along is a quirk of history. The fact that Albert Gore eschewed the support of Bill Clinton ranks as the stupidest act in American campaign history. He deserved to have lost, even with my vote in his pocket. I blame Gore for W, not RR and not GF.

Bring back Bill, I say.

All the best,

Sam