The 11th Commandment

The vast and ever changing field of 2012 GOP Presidential Candidates loves to quote Reagan but, so far, the emulation ends there.

Reagan attributed this rule to the head of the California GOP, Gaylor Parkinson, the year he ran for the Governor's seat, 1966. Reagan wrote: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican. It's a rule I followed during that campaign and have ever since."

Reagan looked at the state of California, and indeed the nation, in 1966, and knew that he need not attack his colleagues but rather run on the facts of their principles and positions. Their ideas contrasted to his own were losing ideas. His truth would win per ipsum. It needed only telling. And what a master teller the Great Communicator was.

Looking at the halflings of his legacy, we see Santorum attacking Romney, Newt attacking Paul Ryan's budget (Ryan must be wondering why he's suddenly the enemy...), Ron Paul attacking everybody who is not shrugging with Atlas, and a whole slew of trolls, goblins and circus freaks attacking Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin. They would all gang up on Tim Pawlenty if it seemed worth it.

Why few are taking the position that the attacks will and should come from we the people is beyond me. We will, in good time, destroy them all in turn for that is what Americans love to do in politics. Bush, Clinton, Bush and even Obama have felt the love turned rage that is the sceptical and fickle American voter.

So my advice to the candidates- not that they would take it because, of course, they know better, is to shut up. Tell your story, stake your claim in the ground and let us decide. 2012 is so winnable. Barack Obama is so beatable- he knows it, the media knows it, the people know it. Why waste energy and resources attacking each other when even the worst candidate amongst you, yes even Gary Johnson the baby killing pot smoking hippie would still be better than the liberation theologian, marxist who currently sits at the Resolute desk, feet up and coat off.

Reagan never took his coat off in the Oval. He thought the room and the Office were both worthy of such etiquette. That's another lesson any President could learn from Reagan.