What Obama Can Learn from Reagan

As President Obama prepares for his second State of the Union address, here are some elements from Ronald Reagan's arsenal that Obama would be smart to follow

From left: Diana Walker / Time Life Pictures / Getty; Kevin Lamarque / Reuters / Corbis

Presidents Ronald Reagan, left, and Barack Obama

Back in January 2008, while meeting with the editorial board of the Reno Gazette-Journal before the Democratic Nevada caucuses, Barack Obama offered some approving commentary on the legacy and influence of the 40th President. Ronald Reagan, he said, "changed the trajectory of America in a way that, you know, Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not." Not surprisingly, Obama's remark riled both Hillary Clinton and her husband, who viewed it as demeaning to the achievements of the Clinton Administration as well as a cheap tactic to win favor with some of the Silver State's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!