What caused New Deal Liberal Ronald Reagan to become a rethug?

[WI_DEM]

Reagan at a campaign rally for FDR, Oct. 22, 1944:
"My first vote for president was for Franklin D. Roosevelt--It will be an honor and a privilege to cast a fourth vote for the man who came into office when this nation was at its lowest point and restored our faith in ourselves. It will be an honor to vote once again for this gallant commander in chief who picked us up after the tragedy of Pearl Harbor and has led the world toward defeating fascism..."

Reagan at a campaign rally for Harry Truman, Sept. 27, 1948:
"Every four years the other party suddenly changes its colors and proclaims itself a friend of labor. Well as the president has pointed out many times--that elephant won't fly..."

[Sandpiper]

1. Racism

Reagan defected because of the Dems embrace of the Civil Rights movement.

He opposed:

Brown v. Board of Education

The Civil Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act

His distatste for people of color ran deeper than his principles.

He was Strom Thurmond with more charisma.

[papau]

15. Also the GE monies and promises for a TV career - promises that

were kept for the 2nd tier has-been in the 50's.

And Somebody suppressed the reporting of his rape of Serena Walters, and the reporting of his cheating on his wife Jane.

[devilgrrl]

2. probably the...

[Old and In the Way]

18. He got the religion when he started making big bucks.

That's when taxes became a problem for him. It's the usual path to conservative politics...greed.

[norml]

3. Nancy

She came from a family that was active in republican politics.

[miss_kitty]

4. Nancy-That's my understanding

and he seemed like 'a go along to get along' kinda guy.

[WI_DEM]

6. hey, my cat's name is "Miss Kitty"

[miss_kitty]

11. It's a good name ;-)

that was my avatar kitty's nick name.

[LostInAnomie]

5. Hate for blacks, hippies, etc...

While he was governor of California he used very violent and oppressive tactics to crush student rebellions.

He also found that the other side was far more responsive to cultural demagoguery.

[Piperay]

7. Political expediency

the guy was an opportunist. When it suited his aims he was a Democrat and when he could advance himself better by being rethug he joined them.

[bliss_eternal]

8. So what happened to their kids?

Didn't seem that his daughter or son share their political beliefs--to the extent that I heard the daughter was estranged from him for years.

Anyone know?

[mark414]

9. well ron jr. is a liberal atheist

and patti davis posed for playboy...and is quite the liberal herself

don't know about the estrangement

[KT2000]

10. heard it was when he worked for GE

as a spokesman. Maybe he was indoctrinated into their way of thinking as he went out and addressed groups on their behalf.

[Journeyman]

12. I believe some of your answer may be found in the HUAC hearings. . .

on Hollywood in the late 1940s. Look especially at HUAC* Chairman J. Parnell Thomas' (R-NY) attack on the Hollywood labor movement in 1947, when Ronald Reagan appeared as a "friendly witness" before the Commission as part of its assault on the Hollywood Ten. There are many explanations hidden in those dark days, amid the depths to which individuals can sink in pursuit of self-interest.

*House Un-American Activities Commission

[BuyingThyme]

13. Joe McCarthy

[Enraged_Ape]

14. Negros

They were tolerable and knew their place back in the "New Deal" days. But once they indicated that they, too, might like to sit at the table...well, poor Ronnie just couldn't handle it.

[AngryAmish]

16. Stroke

[Orsino]

17. Money, money, and money. n/t