While phrases like “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” still resonate deeply in American memory, another Reagan quotation, “the ash heap of history,” has frequently appeared during the 2024 GOP presidential campaign.
Notably, ex-Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, has alluded to relegating the People’s Republic of China to this metaphorical dustbin. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has identified several policies he would discard if elected president. Former Vice President Mike Pence wants Roe v. Wade’s contentious abortion-rights decision to remain in that figurative heap.
As many GOP candidates prepare for a debate at Reagan’s library, they are expected to invoke the “Great Communicator.” This shift towards blending Reagan’s hopeful conservatism with a more aggressive, Trump-esque tone underscores the evolving nature of the Republican party.
Peter Robinson, who once penned speeches for Reagan, noted the country’s ability to rejuvenate and rally, a quality Reagan deeply understood. Present-day Republican candidates, including Haley, DeSantis, and Pence, frequently draw inspiration from Reagan’s speeches, a strategy many of his former speechwriters recommended.
Reagan’s “ash heap” speech, though perhaps lesser known today, was a significant historical moment. Addressing the British Parliament in 1982, Reagan ambitiously called for the end of the Soviet Union. He proclaimed the eventual decline of Marxism-Leninism, foreseeing it left in the “ash heap of history.”
Fast forward to the current campaign trail: Haley recently invoked Reagan’s sentiment, emphasizing freedom’s power against adversaries like communist China. DeSantis, too, uses a version of the phrase, though his choice of words echoes Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky more than Reagan.
Today, of all the presidential GOP contenders, Pence references Reagan the most, frequently acknowledging his admiration for Reagan’s ideals. On the other hand, a newcomer to the race, Vivek Ramaswamy, uses Reagan-era lines to challenge Pence’s perspectives.
Despite opting out of the California debate, President Trump has long adopted Reagan’s motto “Make America Great Again.” The essence of Reagan’s belief in the inherent goodness of America’s core remains a touchstone for today’s GOP. As Robinson, now with Stanford University’s Hoover Institute, comments, the nation seeks leaders who, like Reagan, believe in America’s potential for renewal.
As the 2024 GOP presidential campaign heats up, the enduring legacy of Ronald Reagan serves as a beacon for candidates. Whether they draw from his optimism or adapt his rhetoric to address modern challenges, the “Great Communicator’s” influence is undeniable. The melding of Reagan’s vision with contemporary political strategies reflects the Republican Party’s search for a unifying voice in changing times. As candidates look to the past for inspiration, they also carry the responsibility of shaping the future with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the American dream.
