But Reagan constantly had to battle the "feelings" crowd, who "felt" that budget cuts were mean, and "felt" that tax cuts were paybacks to the rich, and who "felt" that a nuclear freeze was just soooooo much better than missiles in Europe, and "felt" that those nifty Sandinistas were just way cooler than the tacky Contras, etc etc.
Its always easier to say....they want to starve the old people and children and give the money to the rich.....and it feels so good and self-righteous.
His diaries reflect a constant battle with the feelings crowd, and an argument for stern rationality, both on domestic economic policy and in dealing with the Commies. He could stir feelings of patriotism, yes, but that wasn't the basis of his appeal, IMHO.
