President Ronald Reagan is known for strictly adhering to his dictum, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.” Notably, Reagan credited this so-called “11th Commandment”, which he began promoting during his first California gubernatorial run, to Gaylord Parkinson. (At the time, Parkinson was California’s Republican Chairman.)

Reagan believed that criticizing other Republicans gave Democrats an opening through which they could exploit intraparty policy differences, and even personal animosities, that existed in the GOP. Reagan especially emphasized this doctrine during primaries, which often devolved into mudslinging fests. His power, personality and popularity ensured that his commandment became an article of faith among Republicans.

To be clear, Reagan’s stance was not solel

See Full Page