September 16, 2008 - 4:22pm
News

When Reagan came to N.J. in '69, GOP wasn't so sure they wanted him

Would Ronald Reagan, the former movie actor who had been Governor of California for just two years, have beaten Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 presidential election – if Republicans had nominated him?   The Reagan of the late 1960’s was perceived differently than he was when he was elected President in 1980 – he was viewed as Barry Goldwater’s guy, a conservative that was not necessarily in line with the Clifford Case wing of the New Jersey GOP.  In 1969, Reagan came to Millburn to headline a fundraiser for GOP gubernatorial candidate William Cahill on the same day the campaign announced key Democratic endorsements in Hudson County.  Cahill made only a brief appearance at the Reagan event, and headed instead for Democrats for Cahill events in North Bergen and Jersey.  The endorsements overshadowed Reagan’s visit.

WALLY EDGE can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

Comments

Guess What....


Next year I'd bet good that after eight years of despotic leadership from the McGreevey-Corzine administration, there will be Hudson County Democrats endorsing Chris Christie. Heck, I think they'll be some Hudson Hillary supporters backing McCain by October!

09/17/08 8:39 am