Originally posted on 03/08/2016:

As painful as it is to admit for the criminal elements in the Republican party, Trump is very much like Reagan in persona, policy and leadership style. Reagan like Trump is growing the party. Reagan was a deal maker who frequently made deals with Democratic house Speaker Tip O'Neill. Reagan once uttered "commence bombing of the Soviet Union in 5 minutes" in earshot of the press. No one is exactly the same but there are plenty of similarities. Reagan who was considered a paragon of virtue in the Republican party was at one time a Democrat. Bombastic but pragmatic about his agenda, Trump has more in common with Reagan than not. Reagan opened SALT talks with the Soviets over the stubborn objections from members of his party. Trump favors negotiations with Putin instead of this cold shoulder attitude that has accomplished nothing.