I disagree that this picture of Reagan with his arm around Obama on Time Magazine's cover would never happen. Reagan was generous to his political opponents and, given his absolute confidence in his own abilities, would no doubt have found humor in the idea of being so chummy with someone who represents everything he opposed about government.



In fact, the irony escapes the propagandists at Time. Reagan's largeness of spirit in granting that his political foes were wrong, and not evil, only makes The Gipper look that much better compared to his arrogant, incompetent successor. Obama's weapon of choice is belittlement of his opponents. It is not attractive, and reveals a pettiness that shrinks the stature of Obama and the presidency - especially when compared to a man who understood all Americans; even those who disagreed with him.

I can understand why conservatives are angry. But as we prepare to celebrate Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday, it is good to remember his sunny disposition and can do attitude toward the future. It makes Obama's forced "WTF" theme at his State of the Union all the more ridiculous.

Update: Ed Lasky pints out that in 2008 Obama was photographed conspicuously holding Fareed Zakaria's "The Post-American World," and these days he is photographed holding a book about Reagan. How times (and political needs) change. Ed writes:

He believed in American declinism-and encouraged it.