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ABC’s Muir Tags Michael Reagan as ‘Conservative’ But Skips Ron Jr’s Ideology

By Brent Baker | January 17, 2011 | 10:04

A  A
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Picking up on “a family feud” fueled by a decision by ABC News to promote Ron Reagan Jr’s new book in which he insists his father displayed symptoms of Alzheimer’s while in his first presidential term, ABC anchor David Muir, who failed to identify Ron Jr. as a liberal, reported “Ron's conservative half-brother Michael Reagan is blasting him.”

Muir highlighted Michael’s devastating tweet: “My brother was an embarrassment to his father when he was alive and today he became an embarrassment to his mother.” After citing another tweet in which Michael charged “my brother seems to want to sell out his father to sell books,” Muir tried to attribute Michael’s disgust to a rivalry: “Michael Reagan, now angry with his brother, also has a book out this week.”

Ron Reagan Jr. once hosted a show on MSNBC and is a regular guest on the left-wing channel where he reliably offers liberal commentary. In the January 16 Parade magazine he displayed his inability to refrain from taking liberal pokes at his late father’s policies. The excerpt, from My Father at 100, included:

His cherished tax cuts were passed. However, they were scaled back when it became apparent that trickle-down economics was, indeed, “voodoo.”

(Something better to read. Parade has posted their December 4, 1983 cover story by then-President Ronald Reagan: “How to Stay Fit: The President’s personal exercise program.”)

From the Sunday, January 16 ABC World News:

DAVID MUIR: Tonight, a family feud is brewing, Ronald Reagan's sons arguing over their father's mind during his presidency. In a new book, Ron Reagan Jr. says his father showed signs of Alzheimer's while he was President, even during his first term. He spoke to ABC's Elizabeth Vargas.

RON REAGAN JR ON FRIDAY’S 20/20: There was just something that was off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

MUIR: Now, Ron's conservative half-brother Michael Reagan is blasting him. On Twitter he writes: “My brother was an embarrassment to his father when he was alive and today he became an embarrassment to his mother.” And he goes on to write: “My brother seems to want to sell out his father to sell books. My father did not suffer from Alzheimer’s in the '80s.” Incidentally, Michael Reagan, now angry with his bother, also has a book out this week. The brothers now feuding.

— Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

About the Author

Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Brent Baker on Twitter.
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Comments

Are they half-brothers?

Submitted by ekslib on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:09am.

I thought Michael was adopted.

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Correct Michael is the adopted one.

Submitted by HeavyChevy on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:18am.

Not sure where the half brother thing is coming from I here the same mention on other sites as well.

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I think Michael was adopted

Submitted by Chris Norman on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:22am.

I think Michael was adopted when Reagan was married to Jane Wyman. Ron (Skippy) is the son of Nancy and RR.

Let's make the 2012 campaign: "The War on Error"
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Reagan was married to Jane Wyman when Mike was adopted

Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:23am.

Apparently that = half brother to some.

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Half brothers?

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:33am.

Not in the way we thought of it years ago.. Yes Mike and Maureen were adopted by the Gipper and Jane Wyman so there is no blood relations but in the way we think of the modern family today they are. When two queers have kids they are thought of as sibling even though there is no way they could be by blood.

 

I commented on this yesterday. Mike Reagan was on The Early Show today saying the same thing he has always said. Ron is a creep who is lying to sell books. Well maybe not in those words but that is the way I took it.

I bet the little twerp doesn't sell over 100,000 of this book.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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I bet the little twerp doesn't sell over 100,000 of this book.

Submitted by HeavyChevy on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:54am.

Does it count if Ron Jr himself buys 99,999 of those books :-)

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Heavy, Not sure little Ronnie has the cash for that

Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:05pm.

...as that may be why he wrote the book in the first place.  :-)

-Dave

Vote for the American in November

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His next book will be about

Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 1:11pm.

His next book will be about how his mom just won't die, so he can get on with his miserable ( my characterization, I'm certain not his ) life.

Barack_Must_Go.....

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First of all

Submitted by srhoades on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:58am.

Maureen was not adopted.  All you have to do is look at a picture of her and her mother to realize that.  As for Mike and Non being half-brothers, it is not considered so just because of the "way we think of the modern family".  It is biblical.  Once a child is adopted, he is just as much a part of the family as a child added the natural way.  Biblically an adopted brother and sister cannot get married -- because they are brother and sister -- just as they cannot, and never have been able to, in modern society.

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I used to listen to Mike's

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:46am.

I used to listen to Mike's radio show religously until the station changed to an all sprots format. I seem ot recall Mike talking about Maureen being adopted. I stand corrected. They had another child, Christine, who died one day after birth.

 

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Half-brothers

Submitted by tampamom25 on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:23am.

Michael is adopted.  Ron is entitled to his opinions, but should keep them to himself rather than trying to carve out fifteen minutes of fame by bad-mouthing his father.  "Something was just off. I couldn't put my finger on it" is not a medical diagnosis.  There was a time when common sense and family loyalty were more important than making the rounds of talk shows and writing a book.  Apparently Ron Reagan has neither of those qualities....

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I found out that he has no

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:34am.

I found out that he has no facts to base his lies on like the rest of the MSM. It is his opinion. We all know about opinion and butt holes. He learned how to make his opinions facts while hosting a show on Air America.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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In ABC's defense of not

Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:31am.

In ABC's defense of not labeling Ron Jr. was most likely because they didn't want to say douchebag while there might be children within earshot of the television set.

Just one look at this little, liberal pussy and the way every word out of his over used mouth is negative, negative and more negative tells his entire empty story.

He's a jealous little wimp who now, without any actual proof, attacks his own dead father, for nothing more than personal monitary gain.

The larger than life great American leader, Ronald Reagan, was a father not only to him, but in the hearts and minds of most real Americans.

Maybe that's this sissies problem, he never learned to share, now he blames dad for his failure as a human being.

Liberals, no matter of their station in life, spend a lifetime as miserable leeches, attempting to suck the life out of all those they encounter.

Barack_Must_Go.....

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There is something off

Submitted by Marsh on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:28am.

about Ron Jr. But I can put my finger on it

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Sexual orientation maybe?

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:40am.

Sexual orientation maybe? Or he is most at home doing the dance of the sugar plum fairies?

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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OK Rick

Submitted by texusmc on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:09am.

you owe me a new computer screen!  "Dance of the sugar plum fairies"  hahahaah tooo good.

That asnr hurt!!   (Acute Spontanteous Nasal Reaction)

 

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance that they are the most ferocious fighters on Earth. And the amusing thing about it is that they are." --Kevin Keaney, US Navy chaplain, Korea 1951
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Step brothers in my opinion

Submitted by Calypso Jones on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:34am.

I'd like to know how that family life went when they were younger... But anyway.   Conservatives should wear the conservative label with pride.  I think it rather says something that the media doesn't want to mention the ideology of their own side.   We should be using that to our great advantage.

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Congress seating plan is a PLOY ...

Submitted by Jayke on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:33am.

... to make "DEAR LEADER" look good.  It's a no lose for the Dems.

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As I said the other day, if

Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:41am.

As I said the other day, if Ron is right, it just proves that Reagan, with Alzheimer's, was a better president than the  healthy (well, except for that smoking thing) current one.

As for why a label for Michael, but not Ron, well, that's because Ron is just "normal."  ;-)

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Jr

Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:40am.

is a disgrace to the Reagan name.

Your 15 seconds of shame are up!

"Apparently, I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what Barack Obama does with mine"
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This is his second 15

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:44am.

This is his second 15 minutes. He was the darling of the talking head shows when the Gipper died.

Soneone commented yesterday that ther must have been a mix up at the hospital. Did it happen twice with Ron and Patti?

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Oh yes

Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:46am.

I could believe that if it weren't the fact he looks too much like his daddy.

But surely doesn't think nor act like him.  Ron is probably rolling over in his grave right now.  I still blame Nancy for Ollie North not getting in the Senate here in Va.  So obviously there are some really strange things happening in that family.

"Apparently, I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what Barack Obama does with mine"
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The old adage, the apple

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:50am.

The old adage, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does not apply in this situation.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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You got

Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:56am.

that right...

"Apparently, I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what Barack Obama does with mine"
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Ron Reagan Jr.... errr Rachel Maddow

Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:50am.

Has anyone ever seen Ron Reagan Jr. and Rachel Maddow in the same room together?  Just wondering...

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Dunno, but it's a topsy-turvy world....

Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:01am.

Maddow is a gun enthusiast. Ron Jr. is a ballet enthusiast.

 

"Newsbusters is WORSE than al-Qaeda!" - Dee Guadalupe Maria Concita Marisol Cesar-Chavez-Perez-Scott

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HMMMM Interesting

Submitted by texusmc on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:13am.

Could the be the wonder twins? 

Wonder twins power activate, shape of a tutu, form of a liberal!

 

err ok or something to that effect..use your imagination

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance that they are the most ferocious fighters on Earth. And the amusing thing about it is that they are." --Kevin Keaney, US Navy chaplain, Korea 1951
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Ever heard of branch kin?

Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 1:11pm.

Ever heard of branch kin? There is the possibilty that the Gipper pissed in a branch and Madcow momma drank from it.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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The media & Reagan Jr.

Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:57am.

Anyone care to bet that not one member of the liberal media will ask (in a confrontational manner) whether little Ronnie thinks he is besmirching his father's good name and reputation to merely make a buck?

No?  I don't think so either.

If Maureen were still alive, she'd be blasting little Ronnie along with Michael.  And just think how Nancy must feel.  Little Ronnie better hope his book does well, because methinks he just cut himself out of her will.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

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Hey Blonde!

Submitted by texusmc on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:13am.

You are correct. Little ronnie got himself cut out of the will years ago!

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance that they are the most ferocious fighters on Earth. And the amusing thing about it is that they are." --Kevin Keaney, US Navy chaplain, Korea 1951
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Little Ronnie, Tex...

Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:50am.

...is a first class turd in my book.

If he absolutely felt he must write such a disgusting (and opinion based) book, he could have at least had the good grace to wait until after his mother had passed.

Nancy is 89 years old, and as everyone on the planet knows, adored her husband.  When it came to her "Ronnie", she was the first mama grizzly.  I'm not sure what her health is like at this point in time, but whatever it is, this attack by her son on Ronald Reagan is likely not going to be helpful in any way, shape, or form.

Shame on RR, Jr.  He's a despicable excuse for a man, and does not deserve to carry his father's noble name.

As for the poster below who stated Nancy was rather apolitical, and on the "wrong" side of the stem cell issue, I understand why it would appear that way, but to those who are afflicted with a deadly disease, please understand they grasp at any straws for a cure...it's no different than Michael J. Fox.  I can't blame them for desperation.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

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A man?

Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 12:10pm.

You're being too kind, Blonde, calling this twerp "a despicable excuse for a man."

I don't think he would measure up even to THAT designation of "a man."

It may be the reason that the MSM doesn't "label" Ronda is because DADT is still in effect in his case.

Comrade Bubba
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hahah NB

Submitted by texusmc on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 1:17pm.

so do we now get to call RR jr Little ronda? hahahah ...

agree with you Blonde. (again0 he is a despicable little ...well whatever  he/she  shemale whatever..

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance that they are the most ferocious fighters on Earth. And the amusing thing about it is that they are." --Kevin Keaney, US Navy chaplain, Korea 1951
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Alas, little Ron isn't Ronda

Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 3:20pm.

Allthough he may be a pinch hitter, he was (is?) married and has a child.

He's still a sorry excuse for a human being.  An embarassment to the Reagan name....fortunately his idiot sister had the good sense to use her mother's name.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

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I don't think Nancy is aware

Submitted by Calypso Jones on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:05am.

I think she is republican only by the love of her husband.   She seems to me apolitical.   Easily manipulated and used by Junior.     Afterall, she has been reportedly on the wrong side of issues since the death of her husband....Embryonic stem cell research being one of them.

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WHY?

Submitted by NevadanConservative on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:10am.

W H Y did junior turn out to be such a liberal, given the shining example of his father? Not having been able to figure this out afore, perhap[s one of the assembled here knows the answer?

 

NVCon

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No facts, but...

Submitted by retrocon on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:35am.

No one knows the answer to this, not even Ronnie, Jr.  But my reasonable guess is three fold 1) he is the rebellious child, against anything his parents stand for; and 2) he was raised around Hollywood elites; 3) as the natural born son, he felt entitled.  So, if you want to look compassionate to your hollywood buttkissers, and piss off the conservative folks... well?

Michael, on the other hand being adopted, didn't take dad for granted, he appreciated that which he was given, and was able to develop a set of values that weren't based on entitlement.

Just MHO.

Oh, on the main topic... since the MSM is all liberal, they chose not to label their own.  

Think about it.  If they had to label liberals, they would have to say things like "And now, to our anchor desk with Liberal David Muir... or Liberal Katie Couric... you get my point.   So, if you get no label, you are  automatically assumed to be liberal.  It's just simple economics, they would go broke on air time if they had to add the term "liberal" every time they called out a liberal.  It would consume most of their broadcast time.

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Could be their ages as well.

Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:54am.

Maureen & Mike Reagan were raised in the 50's for the most part, and Patty & Ron during the 60's.

Perhaps the birth order thing as well....regardless, Patti & Ronnie are twits.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

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Well...

Submitted by retrocon on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:59am.

I was raised in the 60s and i turned out OK...

well, more or less

;-)

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Ha ha, hence the "retro"

Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 3:21pm.

Me too, alas....although my younger sister was rather liberal.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

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economies of scale

Submitted by IrateNate on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 9:57pm.

they do, however, seem to find time to label conservatives.  But since "conservative" has 4 syllables, they usually prefer the inaccurate, more hateful, term "far right".

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I wonder why junior has such hate for his father?

Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 11:29am.

Perhaps when President Reagan found out that his son ronnie is a rump wrangler he wasn't pleased.  I don't know,  just guessing though.

hbnolikeee
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Yeah, twinkletoes . . .

Submitted by ConservaSerb on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 3:28pm.

Like we care what an athiest, lefty ballet dancer has to say?

Back to your tutu . . .



A wise & frugal government, which shall leave men free 2 regulate their own pursuits of industry & improvement, & shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. T. Jefferson
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Ronald Reagan

Submitted by cocodrie on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 3:52pm.

The name of such a big man being carried by a little person with such narrow shoulders.

 

Jesus Loves You so much He died for you

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Perfect Coco

Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 7:32pm.

Ron jr could had been so much more. He has a nice disposition, even for a lib. But his venom towards his own family (a well loved family) is a shame.

Hope all is well with you. : )

Seek Truth, Defend Liberty
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Ron  Jr's Ideology? That's

Submitted by TCinAZ on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:57pm.

Ron  Jr's Ideology? That's easy.

His Pirouette Progressive Bill with a (Hey World! What About Me!?) Daddy Issues rider, to be read on the House floor by Meghan McCain.

A-HOLE!

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