One More Campaign for the Gipper

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After a "72 hour stretch of glowing remembrances" of Ronald Reagan [4], "Republicans and Democrats began crafting statements" about the late president "that suited their political goals." Bush-Cheney campaign manager Ken Mehlman [5] told the New York Times [6], "In many ways, George W. Bush and the policies that he put forward stand on the shoulders of Ronald Reagan." The Bush-Cheney campaign [7] website also features a "living memorial" to Reagan. (Interestingly, then-Congressman Dick Cheney [8] implored President Reagan to "really cut defense" and faulted Reagan for "tolerating a decision-making process ... that lacked integrity and accountability," according to Misleader.org.) Democrats "are praising Reagan for qualities they often say Bush lacks." John Kerry [9] said, "President Reagan ... taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship," and praised Nancy Reagan for her stem-cell research advocacy.