Republican politicians are constantly trying to cloak themselves in the mantle of Ronald Reagan. In the latest GOP debate, candidates invoked Reagan's name 26 times.  

Bill O'Reilly expounded on Reagan's enduring allure:

"While writing and researching 'Killing Reagan,' I think I discovered the secret to his success as president - courage.  The assassination attempt injured him grievously.  In public it looked like he recovered quickly, but behind the scenes he struggled.  

How he overcame the trauma is a stunning story and the mark of a great man.  

But some folks don't want that story told, and this time it's not the left attempting to deceive us.  It is zealous supporters of Reagan.  

Before 'Killing Reagan' was even finished, my co-author Martin Dugard received calls warning us not to say anything negative about President Reagan.  

The Reagan guardians even went to my bosses to try and spike the book.  Then last week a hit piece showed up in the Washington Post.  It was almost comical.

What has really angered the Reagan loyalists is the fact that President Reagan sometimes struggled in the White House, we believe because of his injuries.  The loyalists even deny that there was an intense 1987 meeting where President Reagan was evaluated by his top guys.  

But it's absolutely true.  

The success of Ronald Reagan is what politicians should emulate, but that should not be based on a false narrative.  His courage in overcoming a near-death experience enabled him to triumph over adversity.  

Mythologizing Ronald Reagan does the country no good, but his message for politicians is a powerful one:  Stand for something, don't back down, fight your way through difficult times."