Longhorn85
New member
For me, his Presidency helped me to realize that I was a conservative. Although I was raised with conservative values, it was basically unthinkable for a black american to be a republican. When I left home to attend the University of Texas in 1979, I considered myself to be a democrat, which is what my parents are.
I voted for Carter in 1980 because I thought he deserved another shot and I thought he was a good man. After Reagan became president, I was disapointed, but had an open mind. I liked his leadership style and admired his strength. I eventually realized that all the hype I had heard was likely wrong (war monger, racist, hated the poor, etc).
Then came the air traffic controllers strike, and the way he handled that (fired them all).
Then came the tax cuts.
Then came the rebuilding of the military.
Then came the rise of Colin Powell.
Then came the strength in the face of the USSR, and the big back-down.
Then came the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor.
Then came the signing of the MLK holiday.
His speeches: The Challenger, Tear Down this wall, etc.
His humorous one-liners in debates vs Carter and Mondale.
And yes, his support of the Contras, his unapologetic pro-life stance.
The invasion of Grenada.
The placing of mid-range missiles in Germany vs liberal protest at home and abroad (it along with SDI broke the back of the USSR)
That was enough to make me come out of the closet as a black republican and I haven't looked back since.
Thanks RR
I voted for Carter in 1980 because I thought he deserved another shot and I thought he was a good man. After Reagan became president, I was disapointed, but had an open mind. I liked his leadership style and admired his strength. I eventually realized that all the hype I had heard was likely wrong (war monger, racist, hated the poor, etc).
Then came the air traffic controllers strike, and the way he handled that (fired them all).
Then came the tax cuts.
Then came the rebuilding of the military.
Then came the rise of Colin Powell.
Then came the strength in the face of the USSR, and the big back-down.
Then came the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor.
Then came the signing of the MLK holiday.
His speeches: The Challenger, Tear Down this wall, etc.
His humorous one-liners in debates vs Carter and Mondale.
And yes, his support of the Contras, his unapologetic pro-life stance.
The invasion of Grenada.
The placing of mid-range missiles in Germany vs liberal protest at home and abroad (it along with SDI broke the back of the USSR)
That was enough to make me come out of the closet as a black republican and I haven't looked back since.
Thanks RR