Are GOP Candidates Invoking The Real Ronald Reagan?

06:48

January 03, 2012

President Ronald Reagan makes a point while addressing a Joint Session of Congress Tuesday night, January 26, 1982, on Capitol Hill. (AP)

On the campaign trail, GOP candidates like to compare themselves to Ronald Reagan, especially when it comes to his record as a tax-cutter.

60 Minutes became the latest news organization to put that record under the microscope. In an interview with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, reporter Leslie Stahl pointed out that Reagan did compromise when he raised taxes. Cantor's press secretary yelled off camera that Stahl's comment "was a lie."

But Ronald Reagan did in fact raise taxes 12 times during his time him office. And while taxes went down overall during his two terms in office, Reagan did raise taxes during the 1982 recession.

Guest:

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University

This segment aired on January 3, 2012.