I rarely disagree with Steve Hayward about anything, let alone about the Reagan legacy. And I’m not really sure I do disagree with the points he makes about that subject specifically. But I do think that he is being too hard on Jeb Bush, as is Daniel Henninger. Bush wasn’t saying that Republicans have nothing to learn from Reagan’s example, should try to do the opposite of whatever Reagan would have done, etc. Given Jeb Bush’s own record of conservative accomplishments, I would think people would give him the benefit of the doubt when they see an ambiguous quote in the news.

While I’m on the subject, I also find Henninger’s dismissal of the importance of listening to voters wrongheaded: “What’s to hear? People want what they always want: a job that will let them build a life and family. What they want from Republicans is leadership toward that goal.” Well sure, people want that. But the biggest obstacles people have in attaining their dreams change over time. In one era it might be income taxes, and another it might be a dysfunctional health-care system. Listening might help fill in some important details.