Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a bronze statue of former President Ronald Reagan at Florida International University last week.
I think that’s great — and necessary. At a time when Republicans have strayed from the kind of conservative ideals that Reagan stood for, seeing his image — all 7 1/2 feet of it — is a reminder we need.
I hope when students and others see the statue, they’ll remember some of the most important parts of his legacy: opposing communism and ending the Cold War.
The statue is part of a celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. But the timing is important for another reason, too. With the current Republican president posting a racist video about Barack and Michelle Obama — which he later had removed, blaming it on a staffer — the GOP should use this moment to think about the conservative ideals of liberty, opportunity and principled leadership that have shaped our nation.
When I read about Reagan’s statue, all I could think about was how far the Republican Party has strayed from the ideals he embodied.
Miami has a special stake in this battle for the soul of the party. Many students and families at FIU, as well as people across South Florida, know communism isn’t just something taught in history class. It’s a lived experience marked by exile and repression.
The contrast between our 40th president and our 47th underscores a shift within the GOP. The ideals that were once hallmarks of the party of Reagan are now becoming increasingly at odds with the direction of the Republican Party under President Donald Trump.
Reagan understood conservatism should appeal to America’s better angels, not its worst impulses. His opposition to communism was rooted in moral fortitude and human dignity. When he stood outside Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in 1987 and demanded, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” Reagan was steadfast in his belief that communism was destructive.
Reagan offered optimism and resolve without trafficking in hatred or rage.
Reagan wasn’t perfect. The Iran-Contra scandal, which involved an arms-for-hostages deal with Iran, was a massive blemish on his presidency. Reagan has also been criticized for ignoring the AIDS epidemic, leading it to accelerate. But he was a principled leader who believed America was a shining city on a hill that could deliver prosperity for all.
Under Trump, though, Republicans seem to be abandoning policy discussions and are focusing far too much on the attention economy.
When Republicans rely on social media attacks on opponents to energize the base but lack substance, something is lost. The best hope for the future of the GOP is to find its way back to its conservative roots while expanding its coalition. The GOP should, in fact, be a Grand Old Party with a big tent — and welcome those who uphold freedom and opportunity.
Lately, my party has chosen to risk making itself smaller by tolerating white nationalist ideology in its ranks. That is in direct conflict with the principles of the party of Reagan. As a result, I’ve seen former colleagues and friends walk away, and seeking refuge in the Democratic Party.
For students at FIU, the Reagan statue should be more than something they pass on their way to class. It should serve as a beacon of hope for the future of conservatism and challenge college Republicans who invoke Reagan’s name to uphold the ideals he represented.
As Reagan once said, “…freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” The same is true for conservatism. Its future isn’t decided by the number of retweets, viral posts or podcasters flooding the internet, but by those willing to defend its principles with the restraint and moral clarity of Reagan — even when it’s hard.
Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board.