I mentioned this recent poll over at the Q&A. Then I realized I hadn't expressed my shock over it here. I'm too lazy to do a search on the details, but it was a call-in poll that accompanied a television special on a cable network (A&E? Bravo? Discovery?)
Regardless, Ronald Reagan came out number one. Yes, number one. Ahead of Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington... You get the picture. I was absolutely stunned.
My own impression of this result is that history has been whitewashed. People remember Reagan as a kindly, endearing, optimistic man who single-handedly crushed the Soviet Empire. Mention that the entire Eastern Bloc was already collapsing internally and people will look at you vacantly. Mention Iran-Contra and people don't know what you are talking about. Challenge his perception of honesty by reminding people how he lied about things like Iran-Contra--more than once-- and many people will refuse to believe you. Worse, challenge people to tell you what he really did in office, and they will struggle to tell you anything after the whole Commie-killer thing. Some will tell you that he "restored optimism." When I remind them that optimism didn't pay the bills in the 80s...
Regardless, Ronald Reagan came out number one. Yes, number one. Ahead of Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington... You get the picture. I was absolutely stunned.
My own impression of this result is that history has been whitewashed. People remember Reagan as a kindly, endearing, optimistic man who single-handedly crushed the Soviet Empire. Mention that the entire Eastern Bloc was already collapsing internally and people will look at you vacantly. Mention Iran-Contra and people don't know what you are talking about. Challenge his perception of honesty by reminding people how he lied about things like Iran-Contra--more than once-- and many people will refuse to believe you. Worse, challenge people to tell you what he really did in office, and they will struggle to tell you anything after the whole Commie-killer thing. Some will tell you that he "restored optimism." When I remind them that optimism didn't pay the bills in the 80s...
Comment