When liberals called Ronald Reagan “The Great Communicator,” it was one-third compliment, one-third insult, and one-third justification.

Compliment, because yes, he communicated well. Insult, because it implies that he was mostly flash with little substance. And justification, because this is the way both sides explain political success of the other side: it must be because they are better at rhetoric; it can’t be because their ideas are more appealing.