Dallas Morning News, Metro Section, Page 3B , Saturday, February 9, 2008

Reagan a player in more than just national politics

by Ed Housewright, ehousewright @dallasnews.com

Ronald Reagan's name has popped up in the current presidential campaign. Democrat Barack Obama said the former president "changed the trajectory of America ."

Mr. Reagan has become a player in Collin County politic, too. Two candidates seeking to unseat Commissioner Phyllis Cole are wearing the Reagan mantle and citing his views on limited government.

Collin County, after all, is one of the most staunchly Republican counties in the state.

Matt Shaheen, a first-time candidate, has photos of Mr. Reagan on his Web site. Beneath them is one of his famous quotations: "The problem is not that people are taxed too little. The problem is that government spends too much."

Douglas Reeves, the other candidate challenging Ms. Cole, rhapsodizes about Mr. Reagan on his Web site.

"Both nationally and locally we need leaders with Reagan-like qualities," Mr. Reeves writes. "Ronald Reagan stood for small government; he believed government was not the answer, but that government was the problem. He believed in spending our tax dollars on core government functions only."

Mr. Reeves says he has a "Reagan-like, limited government philosophy."

Ms. Cole, who has served for 18 years, is the only candidate in the Precinct 1 commissioners' race not to mention Mr. Reagan on her Web site. But she's a big supporter nonetheless.

"We all respect Ronald Reagan as a great leader," Ms. Cole said. "We try to emulate him. He was the great communicator."

Mr. Shaheen is such a fan of the Gipper that he helped form the Ronald Reagan Conservative Society three years ago. Its Web site, www.reagansociety.org, says its mission is to "continue the legacy of the greatest President of our generation by assisting candidates endorsed by the Society through financial and/or volunteer support."

The organization held a Remembering Ronald Reagan gala dinner in downtown Dallas last Saturday. The society says Mr. Reagan, who left office 20 years ago, advanced individual liberty, economic opportunity and national pride. In Collin County , Mr. Reagan may be a part of campaigns for decades to come.