The eldest child of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Patti Davis, recently voiced her concerns about the present condition of American politics. According to Davis, her father would be “appalled” by the prevailing divisiveness and lack of civility in today’s political sphere.
In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” aired in February 2024, the 71-year-old Davis expressed her distress over the increasingly common personal assaults and harshness among politicians. She stated that such behaviors markedly contrast with the values her father, Ronald Reagan, championed during his presidency.
Davis contended that her father, renowned for his hopeful view of America and his knack for bipartisan cooperation, would find the current political environment foreign. “He would be really scared for our democracy,” she remarked, speculating on Reagan’s potential reaction to the shift towards negativity and polarization in political discourse. She believes this mirrors her father’s principles of promoting unity and constructive dialogue over division and hostility.
During the discussion, Davis also broached the subject of cognitive assessment for presidential candidates, suggesting it might be a sensible step, especially considering the advanced ages of potential candidates like former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. With both leading contenders for the 2024 election possibly serving in their 80s, Davis voiced her worries about the effect of age on cognitive abilities, given that her father was 77 at the end of his term and was subsequently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The proposal of cognitive tests has found support among some, including Republican candidate Nikki Haley, who has advocated for term limits and mental competency tests. Davis’ remarks contribute to a wider conversation about the need to ensure that leaders are physically and mentally capable of meeting the demands of the presidency.
While reflecting on her father’s legacy, Davis underscored his role in ending the Cold War, stating that it was not the achievement of someone “fractured in age.” She recalled instances where Reagan’s staff privately expressed concerns about his alertness and conduct near the end of his presidency, but she emphasized his overall intelligence and leadership.
Davis’s comments extend her critique beyond her father’s presidency to the existing state of the Republican Party. She suggested that Ronald Reagan might neither recognize nor choose to align with the GOP in its present form. Her observations align with a broader discourse on the transformation of the Republican Party, particularly following Trump’s presidency, which has witnessed a shift from some of the central principles Reagan upheld.
Davis has often used her writings and interviews to offer a unique perspective on her father’s principles and how they starkly contrast with today’s political climate. She has consistently criticized the direction in which the Republican Party is heading, calling for a return to politeness and respect in political interactions.
As the United States anticipates the 2024 elections, the voice of Davis serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of integrity, civility, and unity in politics.