Progress Reports: Jared Allen
Gone But Not Forgotten
There are shortages of plenty of things in Washington, D.C. these days; true bipartisanship, budget surpluses, and many would say patience. Many would also say there’s quite a shortage of Republicans. And many more would likely say there’s a grave shortage of heroes of any political persuasion.
But one thing that is in plentiful supply are members of Congress who still derive their inspiration from a man who hasn’t been in Washington for nearly a quarter-century, but who remains an icon — indeed, a hero — to scores of politicians and millions of Americans: Ronald Reagan.
Asked for a list of Republicans who recall President Reagan most fondly or who channel his spirit most regularly in discussions with their colleagues, a high-ranking House Republican aide inhaled deeply and said; “Well, there are 177 members of the House Republican Conference…”
“I’d start at the top,” he said with a laugh.
But it’s no joke.
Among active Republicans especially, Ronald Reagan still occupies the highest corner office in their political hearts.
For dozens, Reagan was their very inspiration for seeking elected office in the first place — a phenomenon that is as real today as it was 30 years ago. And many Republicans still derive their policy views from the platform that President Reagan implemented over two decades ago.
But more influential than the policies he espoused or the persona he displayed for America, Reagan the man — his patience, his gentle demeanor, his easy smile, and the kindness he showed to even his enemies — has shaped the way numerous elected officials approach their jobs as public servants, the way they treat their colleagues, and the very way they conduct themselves as people.
For Representatives David Dreier and Dana Rohrabacher, both California Republicans, Reagan’s political and personal influence was felt early on in their careers — in fact, before either thought much about placing their own name on the ballot.
In 1966, Rohrabacher — then barely 20 years old — was working on Reagan’s first gubernatorial campaign as the head of Youth for Reagan when, in response to infighting between competing conservative youth groups, the Reagan campaign announced it was disbanding Youth for Reagan.
Beside himself, Rohrabacher sought to secure a meeting with Reagan the only way he knew how; by camping out in his backyard. After a night in a sleeping bag and after nearly being pleaded away by Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan suddenly appeared, running toward Rohrabacher in his pajamas and with a face full of shaving cream, Rohrabacher recalled.
“He came up to me and said, ‘Well, if you can spend a night in my backyard then I suppose I can spend a few minutes with you. Now what’s the problem,’” Rohrabacher said with a spot-on imitation of one of America’s most recognizable celebrity voices.
Rohrabacher pleaded his case, he said, and Reagan agreed not to eliminate Youth for Reagan.
“It showed what a good person he was,” Rohrabacher said.
Already a conservative warrior, Rohrabacher said he was instantly hooked on Reagan the man, and spent much of the next 22 years by his side, first as a campaign aide and then as a White House speechwriter, the whole time having his first impression only continuously reinforced.
“My admiration only grew for him the more time I spent with him, and that’s not usual in politics,” Rohrabacher said with a laugh. “The lessons I learned were to be tough on policy and not to compromise on principle, but always be nice to people.”
“That worked so well for him,” said Rohrabacher. “To bring about change in any situation it’s about soul, and it’s about your inner decency. That allows you to succeed.”
Rohrabacher was elected to Congress in 1988 on a campaign of continuing the Reagan legacy of conservatism. But he said he’s strived equally as hard to keep the “Reagan the man” legacy of grace and kindness alive though his own approach to politics.
Dreier, too, developed an early admiration for Reagan through personal exposure, which included multiple Christmases with the Reagans beginning in 1975, when Drier was 23.
“His optimism was just something that I really, really, really found to be contagious for me,” Dreier said.
