Michael Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan, has been one of Newt Gingrich’s most high profile supporters. But, in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Reagan said Gingrich would be better off mentioning the conservative icon less often.
“Ronald Reagan told us what the city on the hill looked like to him,” Michael Reagan said in a video flagged by GOP 12’s Christian Heinze. “I think Newt Gingrich needs to tell the country what that city on the hill looks like to him.” (RELATED: More on Ronald Reagan)
According to Reagan, Gingrich spends too much time trying to portray himself as the heir to the 40th president’s legacy, and should focus more on sharing his own vision of America.
“I think the party needs to look past Ronald Reagan and find that next great leader,” he said. He added that candidates like Gingrich should “learn from my father,” not try to become him.
Gingrich, Heinz notes, has mentioned Reagan more than any other Republican presidential candidate and has been criticized by some for overstating his role in Reagan’s presidency. He has mentioned Reagan 55 times over the course of the GOP debates. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who comes in second, has only mentioned Reagan 14 times.