Reagan's Victory in the Cold War

Now many who sought accommodation with the Soviet Union are arguing that the Soviet Union was in collapse when Reagan took office. The corrupt regime would have collapsed of its own weight even without the relentless pressure of the American military buildup, President Reagan's moral leadership, and aid to Communism's enemies in Afghanistan and the Americas.

One can attempt to make the case that Reagan was not largely responsible for executing the end game against the Soviet Union, but it rings hollow. Reagan pointed to a goal most thought impossible and implemented a policy the Left thought was unwise. The goal was achieved.

In 1969 Joe Namath predicted the New York Jets would beat the powerful Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl. All the experts laughed until Namath engineered the 16-7 victory. Arguing that Reagan did not win the Cold War is like saying the Baltimore Colts really weren't that good a team and that any quarterback could have defeated them.

It is pathetic for the Left to argue that the defeat of the Soviet Union, that they once claimed was impossible, was inevitable. However, to acknowledge Reagan's success, particularly since it means that the Defense Budget can be $100 billion smaller than it was during the Cold War, is an emotional impossibility. Reagan led the victory in a Cold War, the Left did not even acknowledge existed in 1980.

Now you know what I think. What is everyone else's assessment?

Note: The Public Broadcasting System's Series Think Tank featured a round table discussion on the question of whether Reagan won the Cold War. A transcript can be found on line.

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