Today would be Ronald Reagan's 99th birthday.

My first foray into blogging was my tribute to Ronald Reagan during the events surrounding the great man's funeral. I can think of no better words to say of him now than I did that evening in 2004.

I first heard the name Ronald Reagan as a child living in California. I was only three years old when he was elected governor, but my parents taught me early that he was a good man, and one to be admired. I followed his career from then on.

As an adolescent I listened to Ronald Reagan on the radio. What he said made sense, and he was a major influence in the formation of my world-view. As he challenged for the presidential nomination in 1976, I hoped that he would be the one to make us proud of America again. My heart broke when he conceded.

Four years later I sat late into the night, waiting for him to appear and announce his vice- presidential candidate. I was 17, and excited by his words and vision. I had never worked on a campaign before, but I did then. I am one of that generation he inspired with his conservative vision and principles.

In 1984 I cast my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. He remains the standard by which I judge any candidate for office.

I cannot help but be struck by the difference between this great American and the unworthy successor that sits in the Oval Office today. Unlike the self-referential tone of the incumbent, Ronald Reagan's words to this nation and this world can be said to have revolved around two themes that were inextricably bound in his heart, mind, and soul -- "America" and "freedom".

Today we mark the 99th anniversary of Reagan's birth in a nation with a Democrat in the Oval Office, a Democrat majority in the House of Representatives and a Democrat majority (a supermajority until just days ago) in the Senate. We can do nothing about the first, but let us vow to work together to guarantee that a year from today -- the Reagan Centennial -- we have undone the other two.

Others Remembering Reagan include GayPatriot. STACLU, JammieWearingFool, Virginia Right, American Conservative Values, Tab Right, WeaselZippers, Patriots & Liberty, Jefferson's Rebels, Grover Norquist, Texarkana GOP, PC Free Zone, American Thinker, NewsBusters, Moonbattery. RWN, PowerLine, Big Government, Shot in the Dark, Greenroom