re: Did the Dems love Russia and hate Reagan during his presidency?

Reagan was constantly described by the leftist brain trust as a "B-list Actor", despite the fact that he was previously the Governor of California.

They especially hated him for turning the South Republican. That was the point when the so-called Reagan Democrats became "the deplorables", although they wouldn't be called that for another 30 years.

His shallacking of Mondale was one of the greatest arse-whippings in politics that I can recall.