Because the first Republican debate was held at the Reagan Library, with Nancy Reagan prominent in the audience, it was only natural that Reagan received respectful attention from the candidates.(The Week)(Brief article)

Because the first Republican debate was held at the Reagan Library, with Nancy Reagan prominent in the audience, it was only natural that Reagan received respectful attention from the candidates. Some critics, especially liberals who chafe at the retrospective bipartisan consensus on Reagan's greatness, accused the Republicans of idolatry. Well, Reagan was the most successful Republican president of the last century. He should be emulated. Democrats might have done better in 2000, 2002, and 2004 if they had embraced the model of their most successful recent president, Bill Clinton, instead of veering left. But to emulate Reagan one must first understand him, and we fear ...