Ronald Reagan
Despite being seen as a strict Conservative, Reagan actually would surprise many people in how he much he compromised with Congress. Being that Congress was liberal, Reagan possibly did not try to fight against them but instead he tried to work with them because he would be fighting a battle that he was unlikely to win. Even though Reagan made the most significant tax cut ever for higher income earners, with obvious approval from Congress, he raised taxes incrementally eight times. Reagan did not want the deficit to get out of control with major tax cuts and did increase government spending (YES, INCREASED GOVERNMENT SPENDING). Reagan also signed the amnesty program which would pardon the over one million illegals who were living in America at the time. How exactly is a pragmatic Reagan the hero of the dogmatic GOP today?