The phrase known as the Eleventh Commandment was popularized by Ronald Reagan during his 1966 run for Governor of California. Reagan, who later served as President of the United States, used the line as a rule of thumb for conduct within the Republican Party.
Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.
Origin and intent
Reagan introduced the expression while campaigning in California. It functioned as an admonition against public criticism of party colleagues, encouraging unity and restraint among Republicans during a competitive election season. The wording became a memorable slogan associated with Reagan's political style.
Use during the 1976 Republican presidential contest
When Reagan challenged the incumbent Gerald Ford for the 1976 Republican presidential nomination, he invoked the Eleventh Commandment again as part of his campaign rhetoric. In the opening phase of that primary season he lost the first five contests and ultimately did not secure the party's nomination.
Legacy
The Eleventh Commandment remains a shorthand reference in discussions of party discipline and campaign etiquette. Commentators and political figures sometimes cite the phrase when debating whether intra-party criticism helps or harms electoral prospects.