George Skelton, a longtime political columnist, on Sunday wrote an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times explaining why the Ronald Reagan library is “a bad fit” for Republicans to host their second presidential debate.
“The GOP’s modern idol is exactly the opposite of Reagan in personality and character,” Skelton wrote, noting that the current Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, views America as a “waste bin for venom and lies.”
“Reagan truly liked people,” Skelton explained “Trump merely uses them.”
Describing how Reagan would have likely received Trump, Skelton suggested, “I very much doubt that in private he’d vote for Trump.”
“Reagan had no respect for blowhards and egomanics, regardless of party,” Skelton wrote. “He would have shuddered at Trump’s caustic rhetoric.”
Contrasting Reagan and Trump's public personas, Skelton noted Reagan “was always dignified and gracious, especially in public.”
“Trump comes off as a childish bully who needs anger management,” Skelton wrote.
“Reagan was a true believer in conservative principles. Trump’s a con man,” the columnist added.
