OPINION:
It defies logic that we live in an era where our government intentionally makes it easier to procure a crack pipe than baby formula. Supply chain disruptions, out-of-control spending and an endless parade of progressive policies are destroying American’s savings (and future), our reputation abroad and national morale. Without new leadership, we will continue to experience inflation levels we have not felt since the days of President Jimmy Carter. Unfortunately, the malaise is here to stay for a while, but hope is on the horizon.
The election of 2016 represented a unique moment in time, to turn away from the flailing, failing establishment driven state and toward a candidate who almost no one saw coming — but who I was proud to support, to help elect and to see his “America First” agenda change the trajectory of our nation.
If former President Donald Trump were running today, I’d be all in. But I can’t sit back in the meantime while President Biden and the radical, “woke” left destroy America.
While the 2020 midterm elections are shaping up to be a tremendous victory for Republicans, this is only the beginning of our fight. Millions of Americans are already looking to the 2024 presidential contest. Continued failure from the Biden administration and a doubling down on ineffective policies that contribute to further setbacks make the voices calling out for real and effective leadership loud and clear. It is reminiscent of the late 1970s when Americans were looking for — and ultimately found — President Ronald Reagan.
The finger-pointing, blame game and lack of leadership from the current White House are quite familiar to those of us who worked on that campaign and in the Reagan White House. It made it easier to show the American people a stark contrast to what good leadership can look like. It opened the door to the prosperity Mr. Reagan brought when America changed course in the 1980s.
Great leaders stand up for what is right, even when it may be unpopular amongst the chattering class and liberal media elites.
We must carry the America First agenda that Mr. Trump began in 2016 forward.
Despite the poor example set by the Biden administration, Republicans are working tirelessly to keep their communities open for business and thriving. States with Republican leadership are enjoying unemployment rates lower and economic growth higher than the national average in large part because leaders are steadfast proponents of their residents.
Commonsense conservative solutions that are proving to work are a demonstrable alternative to what we are seeing come out of Washington today.
The left will not make it easy for the challenger in 2024. Working overtime to divide America, the relentless attacks are already underway. The liberals know they will be unable to beat Republicans at the ballot box, so they are doing all they can to discourage candidates from seeking the presidency. False accusations about candidates are already in full force — and we’ve seen how dirty they will play with the Durham prosecution of Hillary’s Russia hoax.
Under Mr. Reagan’s leadership, America thrived because as our leader, he put America first. Likewise, during Mr. Trump’s presidency, the United States enjoyed record-high employment, economic stability, safety and global respect. Many are yearning for a return to Reagan and Trump policies and the prosperity good leadership can bring. Now, we must get ready for that next battle for the soul of America coming in 2024.
• Ed Rollins, a longtime political pundit from FOX to CNN, is a senior strategist of “Ready for Ron.” He managed President Ronald Reagan’s 1984 reelection campaign and served as assistant to the president during Reagan’s first and second terms. He has served as chair of the pro-Trump Great America PAC since 2016.
