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What's the difference between Reagan and Bush Jr? They're both hard-edged conservatives, but one of them, Reagan, knew when to adjust -- take the troops out of Lebanon after the marine barracks disaster, roll back some of his early tax cuts when his budget director told him the deficit was going out of control. Bush, on the other hand, either out of ignorance or simply not caring -- or both -- went full speed ahead on his issues no matter what, and that's where we are today.
Palin is much more in the Reagan mold -- hard-edged conservative but willing to deal to make things work. Probably comes from her humble origins, much more like Reagan's than Bush's snotty, privileged background. Combined with her obvious intelligence, drive and voter appeal, I think she will be formidable and should not be underestimated, whether you like her or not.
