Ron Reagan to address Democratic convention
You shouldn't have to be a Democrat to appreciate the delicious irony of this....
LOS ANGELES - (KRT) - In a move sure to embarrass Republicans, Ron Reagan will address the Democratic National Convention this month.
Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan and an outspoken critic of the Bush administration, will be at the podium on the second night of the four-day event in Boston, July 27, in support of stem-cell research....
Reagan, a Seattle resident with his wife, clinical psychologist Doria, said he was contacted about two weeks ago by the Democratic National Committee. He said he "had a nice chat" on the phone with Kerry, "but he wasn't pushing me. I had already decided."
A registered independent who has long been an outspoken political liberal, Reagan said he would not campaign for Kerry or any other candidate. He said he would vote for Kerry, however, "as a way to defeat Bush."
Reagan, 46, said he also did not vote for Bush in 2000, despite the fact that Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, was vice president during Ronald Reagan's two terms in the White House.
President Bush "has made some terrible mistakes," most notably, attacking Iraq, Reagan said.
Reagan also opposes Bush's stand on stem-cell research. That is the only reason Reagan accepted the Democrats' invitation, he said.
Well, one could see this as yet another example of the Emperor having no clothes. The reality, though, is that Ron Reagan never saw eye-to-eye politicially with his father. Even so, having the Reagan name at the Democratic Convention is an irony that should be lost on no one.
Given Reagan's long and arduous journey watching his father die of Alzheimer's disease, his devotion to stem-cell research is understandable. What is not so understandable is the Bush Administration's opposition- particularly Laura Bush, who has also had to deal with losing a loved one to Alzheimer's.
Clearly, this seems a case where ideology is more important than compassion. Bush's Conservative base demands adherence to their ideology, and given that his base is wavering over the war in Iraq, Bush is in no position to rock the boat.
It would be nice to think that Bush could err on the side of humanity and compassion, but "Compassionate Conservatism" has indeed proven to be a misnomer.
WE DESERVE BETTER.
