Three Democratic governors, including California’s Jerry Brown, are celebrating the Gipper’s 106th birthday today by declaring it “Ronald Reagan Day.”
But one state that Reagan won overwhelmingly in 1980 and 1984 and that hosts an international airport named for him is saying no — after saying yes to a proclamation for the 40th president of the United States.
President Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan congratulate comedian Bob Hope, left, during his 80th birthday celebration in this May 20, 1983 file photo in Washington. Reagan died at the age of 93, Saturday, June 5, 2004, at his home in Bel Air in Southern California. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
According to the organizers of Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, the office of Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic Party boss, initially agreed to joining the 32 states that have declared today “Ronald Reagan Day.”
But two weeks after the pledge was received, it was taken back, prompting the project’s leader, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist, to criticize Virginia’s governor who has again refused to recognize Reagan, who died in 2004 at the age of 93.
“Most governors have proclaimed resolutions honoring today, Ronald Reagan’s birthday as Ronald Reagan Day. Virginia’s governor refused. Again,” said Norquist, who also led the battle to name Washington’s airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Nancy Reagan browses through a local greeting card shop near the White House on Thursday, Feb. 3, 1983 in Washington where she purchased a birthday card for her husband President Ronald Reagan and also bought valentines for close family members. The president was 72 that year. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
“It is sad that Terry McAuliffe has once again decided to be a bitter partisan politician and not the governor of all the people of Virginia. It is painfully clear he ran for governor solely to be a blocker for the unsuccessful presidential candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Virginia needs a governor who focuses on Virginia,” he said.
Last year, McAuliffe did order the lowering of flags to honor former first lady Nancy Reagan after her death.
Norquist started the project 20 years ago to help build the legacy of Reagan by naming projects after him.
“Ronald Reagan Day” is a key element.
But the group and its supporters have also won 151 domestic dedications in 33 states and the District of Columbia, and 17 international dedications in nine countries.
“Reagan reduced the size and scope of government, cut taxes for all Americans, and laid the foundation for economic prosperity. By the time he left office, America was freer, safer, and stronger in every way. And although he has been out of office for over a quarter of a century, he remains the leader his successors should emulate,” said Norquist.
See the 32 states that have proclaimed today “Ronald Reagan Day.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
