John Avlon : Tea Party 's leader in 1964 speech given by Reagan for his birthday . In speech more civil than today 's , Reagan envisioned more freedoms , he writes . That does not mean that Reagan or Goldwater were racist -- just as it is mistake to label the Tea Partiers of today racist -- but that heroic fight was n't their primary or even secondary concern , nor was it that of their conservative constituents . Avlon says that time not as idyllic as some think and U.S. is more conservative today . Avlon : What today would call Reagan , Goldwater , liberal on social views , taxes .
John Avlon : Tea Party 's leader in 1964 speech given by Reagan for his birthday . In speech more civil than today 's , Reagan envisioned more freedoms , he writes . Avlon says that time not as idyllic as some think and U.S. is more conservative today . Avlon : What today would call Reagan , Goldwater , liberal on social views , taxes .