With so much talk about the Reagan coalition among the GOP talking heads and presidential candidates, I thought it a good idea to remember the former president’s birthday. Ronald Wilson Reagan was born this day, February 6, 1911 in Tampico, IL to John (“Jack”) and Nelle Reagan. He rose to political stardom in the 1960’s when he became California’s governor in 1966, and again in 1970. He was originally a registered Democrat, but changed his political affiliation to Republican back in 1962. When asked why he left the Democratic party he replied with the now-famous quote, “I didn’t leave the Democratic party; the Democratic party left me.”
For me personally, as a child of the 80’s, he simply was “the President” in my most formative years. I still remember the day he was shot (I was in elementary school, I think 2nd grade). I remember my Dad talking about him and saying good things, and I remember his strength, even as a kid.
After serving two terms as president (anyone remember the election of ‘84?) he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early 1990’s. He died at the age of 93 in 2004, but his influence lives on and is truly palpable in this year’s election. Today, he would have been 97. 
Not sure if you ever saw the movie Iron Eagle (the original) but it’s funny how they talk about Reagan in it. He’s probably the last president who garnered the respect he did while still in office. It’s kind of odd to see movies speak favorably of a sitting president.