Reagan and Trump: Political outsiders who won over the American public

OPINION:

President Ronald Reagan and President-elect Donald Trump have much in common: common critics, common policies and common outcomes. 

Former CIA Director John Stockwell once said that Reagan “has always been drawn to radical activities and a propensity towards right-wing radical activity. With this flawed person pointing out his defective mind. It’s a dangerous, dangerous, dangerous combination.”

Time magazine described Reagan as “shallow, superficial and frightening.” Actor John Cusack called him “a criminal who uses the Constitution as toilet paper.”

The Nation once fretted that Reagan was “the most dangerous person ever to come this close to the presidency.” Although these quotes were directed at Reagan, they might as well have been from Mr. Trump’s critics now. 

CBS News reporter Lesley Stahl said this about our 40th president: “I predict historians are going to be totally baffled by how the American people fell in love with this man and followed him the way we did.” Yes, that is the same “60 Minutes” reporter who tried to sandbag Mr. Trump in an interview. 

Critics on the left and in the media hated Reagan, but the American people loved him. Reagan received 489 Electoral College votes in the 1980 election. He asked voters if they were better off than they were four years earlier, and the overwhelming majority agreed with him.

Mr. Trump asked the same. Even “Make America Great Again” comes from the Reagan years. 

Much like “The Apprentice” introduced many viewers to Mr. Trump, Reagan became a familiar name to viewers when the actor hosted a television show called “General Electric Theater.”

Once elected, many critics underestimated both men as mere celebrities, failing to recognize their ability to connect with people from various backgrounds. Reagan gave addresses from the Oval Office and used the bully pulpit, while Mr. Trump uses social media and rallies to advance his agenda.

In the 1980s, we talked about “Reagan Democrats.” Today, we hear about the forgotten men and women of America. While pushing many traditional conservative policies, both men had a populist appeal. 

When I ran for county executive in Milwaukee, I reviewed the voting records for blue-collar neighbors in the county who had voted for Reagan. The citizens in these wards gave me the margin for victory. I even held events at Serb Hall in Milwaukee. This was where the phrase “Reagan Democrat” came to life in 1980. These are the same areas that swung for Mr. Trump. 

Each of these men was an outsider, even in his own party. Both moved to deliver on their promises on their own terms. 

High prices, a troubled economy, problems in the Middle East and a lack of confidence among the American people were the top challenges after the 1980 election. They are also some of the biggest challenges today. 

In his first term, Mr. Trump pushed significant tax cuts and regulatory reform similar to the actions Reagan took during his first term. Eventually, these policies led to an economic boom in the 1980s and will again today. 

Reagan often spoke of his support for free trade, yet his administration imposed a 45% tariff on Japanese motorcycles to save Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson. Later, the Reagan administration slapped a 100% tariff on Japanese electronic devices.

Reagan did so because Japan was violating a trade agreement. He continued to push for free trade overall but was willing to use tariffs to get the attention of other countries.

Mr. Trump called me about trade policy when I was governor before going to a G7 meeting in Canada. He previewed his pitch to end all tariffs if the other G7 countries eliminated their tariffs, too. Not surprisingly, none of the other foreign leaders took him up on his proposal. Like Reagan, Mr. Trump wants free but fair trade.

There is word that the head of Hamas might be interested in a cease-fire. This development came after the November election. Similarly, Iran released the Americans held hostage on Jan. 20, 1981 — the day Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States. 

Both Reagan and Mr. Trump have taken on communism. Reagan took on the Soviet empire. Unlike prior presidents, he did not want to contain communism; he wanted to transform it.

Mr. Trump continues to rail against the abuses of the Chinese Communist Party. He is willing to stand up to oppressive leaders in China, Russia and North Korea. At the same time, he is not willing to get us into endless wars. Similarly, “Peace Through Strength” worked under Reagan, as it was one of the most peaceful times in world history. 

On a personal level, both men survived assassination attempts. Each credited those events with giving him a more clear focus and purpose. Both invoke a divine plan for their protection and a subsequent calling. 

The traditional media disdained both men. Those outlets overemphasized challenges such as the Iran-Contra situation with Reagan or the legal actions against Mr. Trump. Still, the public loved them. 

Mr. Trump’s election will be one of the greatest political comebacks in history. Now, he can join Reagan as one of the most significant on policy, too. 

• Scott Walker is the president of Young America’s Foundation and was the 45th governor of Wisconsin.