To boil it down to one paragraph. Reagan’s “great” insight was that the presidency was just another performance, very similar to his movie roles. He focused on his and his staff’s presentation and frequently ignored the real job. Kind of brilliant, and also sad.
Truman doctrine. Basically said u.s. will support those fighting against commies. I.i. contras
Cubans troops were in Angola
Charlie Wilson
Really was no such thing as the Reagan doctrine
Noonan said he “acts as if he was lucky to be with you”
I
Steffes said “he was removed from people” in a central way
Rarely thanked anybody
Like stories not arguments
Not prepared
Played role of President. Put on a show.
He reigned rather than rules
“Reagan always believed the next day would be better”
Indiscriminate trustingness
Baker understood that policy could not be separated from execution. His legislative policy group had lot of power
Adult children of alcoholics – book
Father alcoholic. Mother bible thumper. Born Illinois. Moved alot. Small. Read A lot. Close to mother. Loner. Like football. Played. Rescued 77people from drowning when lifeguard
Eureka college. Paid at least part himself
Had a soft surface and a hard core
People felt he was one of them and thus extended forgiveness easily
Washed dishes at girls dormitory. Said ” best job i ever had “
Stopped robbery no bullets
Maureen Reagan daughter of Jane wyman
Michael was adopted by Reagan and wyman
Denial
First divorced President
Patty born by Nancy Ron too
Michael said he found it difficult to hug his own kids
Tried to remove Douglas from supreme court while in Congress
Supported Campus Disorders act. Which withheld federal subsidies from students who participated in campus protests
Douglas blood points of rebellion supported right to protest
Failed.
Nixon wanted him to do it. Erlicmsn notes s as I’d so.
Patmsn hearing tut o follow money in Watergate. Ford helped squash
Ford continued to support Nixon after others in GOP turned
Agnew resigned. Ford came in fourth in poll. Behind rockafeller connally Reagan
“I am a Ford, not a Lincoln “
Came out strongly on wrong side of Watergate
Quote about the Anderson ‘voted concious not party’ meant as criticism
Not s leader.