perfidy

Well, what I tried to say, however ineptly, was this: It seems to me that the presidency of George W. Bush is unfolding much as Reagan's did. He is pursuing some similar policies, prosecuting a war against forces who would destroy American values, going ahead with SDI, enacting conservative social policy, etc. At the same time, he is suffering some of the fallout that Reagan did; e.g. coming across to some as alternately callous and clueless, and inspiring rabid, ad hominem attacks. The parallels between them are striking to me. Those things that can't be helped-- that people hate Bush as they did Ronnie-- are there, as are the resemblances that Bush could cultivate if he wanted to-- the policy decisions, the date with history, Dick Cheney, the rest of his cabinet sans Condi, and the whole idea of "compassionate conservatism" (empty as that has proven to be). 

• Do you think these parallels are as apparent as I think they are?
• Do you think Bush sees himself as Reagan's spiritual heir?
• If so, is he right?

As for my thoughts about Reagan, history so far has been very kind to him. I'm embarrassed to say that, since I spent the years 1981-1989 playing Dungeons and Dragons in various basements in Hooterville, Ohio, my firsthand recollections of Reagan's presidency are mainly the big moments, certain bits of invective, and Alex P. Keaton. Even worse, since I spent my history education studying the nineteenth century, I haven't filled in that hole in my knowledge.Can someone please recommend me a good biography of him as President that is neither hatchet job or hagiography? 

[update]This is starting to turn into a thing, and I didn't mean it to. I'm just trying to find out if you other guys share my feeling that Bush reminds me of Reagan a little.