alternatehistory.com

The thought hit me last night but I wasn't near a computer. Let's assume that Reagan wins in 1980 as a Republican but includes a vast majority of the tenets of the Libertarian philosophy into his governance. Many Goldwater types hoped for this. Let's even assume Ron Paul is the Vice-President. Yes this is a long shot, but let's have some fun with this. Reagan gives the political middle finger to the neo-cons and doesn't engage in a war on drugs, doesn't get involved with the contras, doesn't send troops to Lebanon. What other things would happen differently? How would this transform the Republican Party? Would it transform it at all or would he just alienate the Nixon types who want to wage the war on drugs and get the U.S. involved as a global police force? What would need to happen during the terms prior to Reagan's first term to cause him to go Libertarian but keep the Republican name? Would he get a second term? Butterfly this however you like. Have fun. Be creative.
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