Lake worked to sidestep criticism of her past financial support for Democrats first by blaming the donations made in her name on her ex-husband, which would be illegal. She then said she evolved politically. "Look at Ronald Reagan," Lake told one interviewer who pressed her on her donations to Democrats. "He was a former Democrat. What's the problem with it?" Lake also says the Democratic Party has grown more radical since she supported Kerry and Obama. (Lake's 2008 donation to Obama came shortly after National Journal ranked the Illinois Democrat the most liberal senator.)