Yeah, But Did Ronald Reagan Ignore a Downed Jet, a Mid-East Crisis and a Hurricane To Stay on Vacation?
Everyone is making fun of Joe Scarborough for being horribly wrong about Ronald Reagan’s response to the downing of a civilian airliner in 1983, but surely he wouldn’t have stuck to his schedule in the face of that disaster and a roiling crisis in the Middle East, like NOBAMA did, right?
While conservative media and The New York Times work on their narratives about President Obama’s response to the Russia-abetted shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and the Israeli invasion of Gaza, MSNBC’s Morning Joe was busy being completely wrong about Ronald Reagan’s response to the 1983 downing of Korean Air Flight 007 by a Soviet fighter. Social media is all abuzz about this clip of Mika Brzezinski trying to correct Joe’s certainty that Reagan “immediately canceled his vacation,” and that he did not wait four long days to address the nation:
Earlier in the show, though, Scarborough told his viewers a little more about “what Ronald Reagan did.”
“Reagan had just started a vacation. He immediately came home, canceled fund-raising, he canceled all campaign events for ten days. He refused to go out there because he knew he had to immediately be briefed, and immediately get his people out to hold press conferences, he had to immediately go forward and condemn the Soviet Union in the strongest terms possible, and get ahead of the crisis. That’s what Reagan did.”
In fact, it wasn’t until after news reports of Reagan riding horseys in the aftermath of the attack that he returned to the White House, in what Reagan administration officials acknowledged was a public relations move. Prior to that, they had long taken a line that should sound familiar to today’s pundits, that there’s nothing the President could do at the White House that couldn’t be done elsewhere via telephone.
Scarborough later apologized, via Twitter, for his “boneheaded error,” but he wasn’t just wrong about Reagan canceling his vacation immediately.
As it turns out…READ MORE
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By: Tommy Christopher
Tommy Christopher is The Daily Banter's White House Correspondent and Political Analyst. He's been a political reporter and liberal commentator since 2007, and has covered the White House since the beginning of the Obama administration, first for PoliticsDaily, and then for Mediaite. Christopher is a frequent guest on a variety of television, radio, and online programs, and was the villain in the documentaries The Audacity of Democracy and Hating Breitbart. He's also That Guy Who Live-Tweeted His Own Heart Attack, and the only person to have ever received public apologies from both Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
40 responses to Yeah, But Did Ronald Reagan Ignore a Downed Jet, a Mid-East Crisis and a Hurricane To Stay on Vacation?
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Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 15:25
http://www.reaganfoundation.org/whdpdf/090283.pdf
I suppose less than 24 hours from the incident to be back from vacation and in the situation room with your National Security Council is exactly like the Obama response. When your hero has gone into semi-retired mode and can’t be bothered to act like a leader it is best to scour the archives to try and find diversions as opposed to asking real questions as to why he has become so disengaged. He is making “Now watch this drive” and the Katrina flyover look like they were mistakes for the left to have even addressed at this point. There are many on the left who agree that his optics have left a lot to be desired lately. Only the tried and true can defend him lately.
jasperjava July 21st, 2014 at 16:40
We are better off having Obama in charge, no matter where he is, than Dubya or Reagan. At least we know he isn’t going to go to war with the wrong country, or fund terrorist thugs with money obtained by selling arms to terrorist governments.
Abby Normal July 21st, 2014 at 17:08
Yeah, but . . . but . . . Dubya protected us from Saddam and all those NOOK-ya-ler weapons.
And don’t go sayin’ bad stuff about the Great Ronald Reagan. It’s not nice. It’s heresy. Say 100 Hail Ronnies and you will be forgiven.
Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 19:54
I’ll give him his props as a politician, he actually is playing it brilliantly. He could give a rats rear-end what people think so if they are focusing on his reaction or lack thereof, instead of things going on he wins the day. While everyone is arguing about who had a more appropriate reaction to a plane crash, the border remains porous and all US territories were just exempted from the mandates of his signature legislation. All in all, not a bad play.
Jim Freeman August 2nd, 2014 at 10:05
we know he won’t do anything. nothing, notta, that is what we know..
jasperjava August 2nd, 2014 at 18:52
Better doing nothing than doing the wrong thing.
But the President isn’t doing nothing. The sanctions imposed on Russia are already having an effect.
grandpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 17:07
as was brought up during one of the many many many very TAXPAYER EXPENSIVE BENGHAZI INQUISITION boondoggles, US Citizens are some 60+ times safer under POTUS Obama than under POTUS Reagan when outside the USA. World airline travelers are some 50% less likely to be blown out of the sky by military weapons under POTUS Obama than under POTUS Reagan. Why I’m calling for the US Government to begin funding for buildings, bridges, parkways memorials, airports and naval vessels to honor POTUS Obama’s MORE HONORABLE service to the United States of America by insuring that the honors bestowed on POTUS Reagan are 60 times more and 50% larger, for POTUS Obama (shows the US treats ALL races by EQUAL STANDARDS). Also, I suggest we turn the entire Mt. Rushmore into one gigantic bust of POTUS Obama with the current POTUSes as outward memories in His forehead. Along with giving Him AF-1 (a nice flying palace) as a special gift from the American People (free fuel and scheduled maintenance with 3 full standby crews available at all times) so He doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Hawaii after he completes his voluntary contract of Service with the American People. (include this very moderate gift as a very minor part of a well deserved Retirement Bonus).
Bunya July 21st, 2014 at 20:08
“… so He doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Hawaii”
Didn’t you mean to say, “so he doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Kenya and meet up with the Muslim brotherhood.”?
m2old4bs July 21st, 2014 at 17:09
Wow Jeff, you really want to go down that road? You realize of course that your post shows more about the type of person you are than anything you say about Obama?
Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 19:18
That response really didn’t say anything at all
AnthonyLook July 21st, 2014 at 23:32
I wonder what the children of racist parents that maliciously, consistently and constantly disrespect the President of the United States grow up to do / be?
Jeff Allen July 22nd, 2014 at 01:21
I’m not sure, I don’t happen to know any.
AnthonyLook July 23rd, 2014 at 01:53
Both of you don’t know any.
Spirit of America July 22nd, 2014 at 23:21
Just out of curiosity, where is racism in the article or comments up to this point?
And if there isn’t any, why introduce it?
Jeff Allen July 23rd, 2014 at 09:52
It is clearly implied. Science has proven that if you A.) lean right B.) take issue with the President C.) own a gun, you are a racist. You don’t even have to use overtly racist terms anymore like “apartment”, “Chicago”, “inner city”, “angry”, etc. I hope that clears it up for you.
Dwendt44 July 22nd, 2014 at 00:18
St. Reagan took 3 1/2 days before he returned to D.C. and gave a stern response written by his speech writer. Then he commented that we should be sure to not overreact.
Jeff Allen July 22nd, 2014 at 01:21
check the link above from the official WH records. Unless you are asserting that they have been doctored.
Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 15:25
http://www.reaganfoundation.org/whdpdf/090283.pdf
I suppose less than 24 hours from the incident to be back from vacation and in the situation room with your National Security Council is exactly like the Obama response. When your hero has gone into semi-retired mode and can’t be bothered to act like a leader it is best to scour the archives to try and find diversions as opposed to asking real questions as to why he has become so disengaged. He is making “Now watch this drive” and the Katrina flyover look like they were mistakes for the left to have even addressed at this point. There are many on the left who agree that his optics have left a lot to be desired lately. Only the tried and true can defend him lately.
jasperjava July 21st, 2014 at 16:40
We are better off having Obama in charge, no matter where he is, than Dubya or Reagan. At least we know he isn’t going to go to war with the wrong country, or fund terrorist thugs with money obtained by selling arms to terrorist governments.
Abby Normal July 21st, 2014 at 17:08
Yeah, but . . . but . . . Dubya protected us from Saddam and all those NOOK-ya-ler weapons.
And don’t go sayin’ bad stuff about the Great Ronald Reagan. It’s not nice. It’s heresy. Say 100 Hail Ronnies and you will be forgiven.
Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 19:54
I’ll give him his props as a politician, he actually is playing it brilliantly. He could give a rats rear-end what people think so if they are focusing on his reaction or lack thereof, instead of things going on he wins the day. While everyone is arguing about who had a more appropriate reaction to a plane crash, the border remains porous and all US territories were just exempted from the mandates of his signature legislation. All in all, not a bad play.
Jim Freeman August 2nd, 2014 at 10:05
we know he won’t do anything. nothing, notta, that is what we know..
jasperjava August 2nd, 2014 at 18:52
Better doing nothing than doing the wrong thing.
But the President isn’t doing nothing. The sanctions imposed on Russia are already having an effect.
grandpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 17:07
as was brought up during one of the many many many very TAXPAYER EXPENSIVE BENGHAZI INQUISITION boondoggles, US Citizens are some 60+ times safer under POTUS Obama than under POTUS Reagan when outside the USA. World airline travelers are some 50% less likely to be blown out of the sky by military weapons under POTUS Obama than under POTUS Reagan. Why I’m calling for the US Government to begin funding for buildings, bridges, parkways memorials, airports and naval vessels to honor POTUS Obama’s MORE HONORABLE service to the United States of America by insuring that the honors bestowed on POTUS Reagan are 60 times more and 50% larger, for POTUS Obama (shows the US treats ALL races by EQUAL STANDARDS). Also, I suggest we turn the entire Mt. Rushmore into one gigantic bust of POTUS Obama with the current POTUSes as outward memories in His forehead. Along with giving Him AF-1 (a nice flying palace) as a special gift from the American People (free fuel and scheduled maintenance with 3 full standby crews available at all times) so He doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Hawaii after he completes his voluntary contract of Service with the American People. (include this very moderate gift as a very minor part of a well deserved Retirement Bonus).
Bunya July 21st, 2014 at 20:08
“… so He doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Hawaii”
Didn’t you mean to say, “so he doesn’t wind up having to walk all the way back to Kenya and meet up with the Muslim brotherhood.”?
m2old4bs July 21st, 2014 at 17:09
Wow Jeff, you really want to go down that road? You realize of course that your post shows more about the type of person you are than anything you say about Obama?
Jeff Allen July 21st, 2014 at 19:18
That response really didn’t say anything at all
AnthonyLook July 21st, 2014 at 23:32
I wonder what the children of racist parents that maliciously, consistently and constantly disrespect the President of the United States grow up to do / be?
Jeff Allen July 22nd, 2014 at 01:21
I’m not sure, I don’t happen to know any.
AnthonyLook July 23rd, 2014 at 01:53
Both of you don’t know any.
Spirit of America July 22nd, 2014 at 23:21
Just out of curiosity, where is racism in the article or comments up to this point?
And if there isn’t any, why introduce it?
Jeff Allen July 23rd, 2014 at 09:52
It is clearly implied. Science has proven that if you A.) lean right B.) take issue with the President C.) own a gun, you are a racist. You don’t even have to use overtly racist terms anymore like “apartment”, “Chicago”, “inner city”, “angry”, etc. I hope that clears it up for you.
Dwendt44 July 22nd, 2014 at 00:18
St. Reagan took 3 1/2 days before he returned to D.C. and gave a stern response written by his speech writer. Then he commented that we should be sure to not overreact.
Jeff Allen July 22nd, 2014 at 01:21
check the link above from the official WH records. Unless you are asserting that they have been doctored.
Abby Normal July 21st, 2014 at 15:54
Saint Ronny didn’t didn’t get too excited when the U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian airliner either. He grudgingly settled out of court for $131 million but never apologized. Of course, it’s considered heretical to bring this up in polite society. After all, Saint Ronny devoted his life to walking on water and feeding the children – actually, feeding them ketchup since, as we all know, ketchup is a vegetable but it’s not polite to bring that up either. Oh, gosh. I’ve already said too much. I’ve committed heresy, haven’t I. Well, I’d better end this and go say 100 Hail Ronnies so I don’t go to Hell.
Abby Normal July 21st, 2014 at 15:54
Saint Ronny didn’t didn’t get too excited when the U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian airliner either. He grudgingly settled out of court for $131 million but never apologized. Of course, it’s considered heretical to bring this up in polite society. After all, Saint Ronny devoted his life to walking on water and feeding the children – actually, feeding them ketchup since, as we all know, ketchup is a vegetable but it’s not polite to bring that up either. Oh, gosh. I’ve already said too much. I’ve committed heresy, haven’t I. Well, I’d better end this and go say 100 Hail Ronnies so I don’t go to Hell.
“Hail Ronnie, Full of Grace, The Right is with thee. Blessed art thou among politicians . . .”
labman57 July 21st, 2014 at 16:18
Hey, don’t blame Joe. He was only reciting this week’s scripted talking points provided to him by the RNC.
labman57 July 21st, 2014 at 16:18
Hey, don’t blame Joe. He was only reciting this week’s scripted talking points provided to him by the RNC.
Jim Freeman August 2nd, 2014 at 10:06
at the very least he did come back. unlike the jerry lewis replacement we now have.
Jim Freeman August 2nd, 2014 at 10:06
at the very least he did come back. unlike the jerry lewis replacement we now have.