FLASHBACK: President Reagan: Ronald Reagan converted a little girl to a Republican with a SINGLE question and the liberal parents never forgave him

Ronald Reagan converted a little girl to a Republican with a SINGLE question and the liberal parents never forgave him 😂 pic.twitter.com/vi4WOSuAcS

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 20, 2025

Eric Daugherty Clip

More of President Reagan’s humor – you might remember…

On His Age (1984 Presidential Debate)
During a 1984 debate with Walter Mondale, Reagan addressed concerns about his age (he was 73) with:
“I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”
This quip, delivered with perfect timing, drew laughs and effectively neutralized age-related criticism. Reagan often reused variations of this self-deprecating humor about his age, including citing Thomas Jefferson: “We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.”
On Government Bureaucracy
Reagan frequently poked fun at government inefficiency, often saying:
“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”
This line, used in speeches like his 1986 remarks at the National Conference on Economic Development, resonated with his audience’s skepticism of big government. It became one of his signature one-liners, repeated in various forms throughout his presidency.
On the Soviet Union (Consumer Life Joke)
Reagan loved telling Soviet-era jokes to highlight the inefficiencies of communism. One he often shared, including in a 1988 speech at the Reynolds Metal Company in Virginia, went:
“A man in the Soviet Union wants to buy a car. He goes to the dealer, pays for it, and is told he’ll get it in 10 years. He asks, ‘Morning or afternoon?’ The clerk says, ‘Why does it matter, it’s 10 years from now!’ The man replies, ‘Well, the plumber’s coming in the morning.’”
This joke, poking fun at Soviet bureaucracy and scarcity, was a staple in his speeches to contrast American freedom with communist systems.
Post-Assassination Attempt (1981)
After surviving an assassination attempt in 1981, Reagan used humor to reassure the public. To his wife, Nancy, he said:
“Honey, I forgot to duck.”
And to surgeons as he entered the operating room:
“Please tell me you’re all Republicans.”
These lines, widely reported and repeated in public appearances, showcased his resilience and charm under pressure. He often referenced these quips in later speeches to highlight his recovery and optimism.
On Politics and Acting
Reagan, a former actor, often leaned into his Hollywood background with humor, saying:
“How can a president not be an actor?”
This was his response when asked how an actor could become president, used in various settings to deflect criticism about his showbiz past. He also quipped about others, like Clint Eastwood’s mayoral bid:
“What makes him think a middle-aged actor, who’s played with a chimp, could have a future in politics?”
These lines, blending self-awareness and wit, were repeated to underscore his belief that politics and performance shared common skills.