Ronald Reagan Remembered: An Interview

On January 28, 1986, a day that was supposed to be filled with excitement and exploration, suddenly turned into a day filled with tragedy and sadness. The space shuttle Challenger was supposed to carry a seven member crew into orbit with one unique member along for this particular mission. Christa McAuliffe was supposed to be the first teacher to go into space as a member of the Teacher in Space Project. Due to this occasion, the media coverage and the number of viewers of this mission was extensive, particularly in schools across the nation. The Challenger lifted off shortly after 11:30 A.M., but tragically only seventy three seconds after takeoff it exploded sending debris and the seven crew members back to earth and into the Atlantic

For the audience he gives them examples of how government interference hurts Americans and also allusions to past times such as the revolution and how the founding fathers did not want a big government. He shares that he has “an uncomfortable feeling that this prosperity isn’t something on which we base our hopes the future.” Reagan’s ability to connect with his audience was rare and unlike many of his colleagues. Whether the topics he spoke on were always relevant to that of the listener, it did not always matter.

One major reason Ronald Reagan was able to defeat Carter in the election of 1980 was because Carter failed to rescue the hostages from the American embassy, prior to the election. He had already run for president in 1968 and in 1976, but didn’t win until 1980 as a Republican nominee because he established himself as the conservative candidate with the support of like-minded organizations such as the American Conservative Union. Reagan had several policies to try to recover the economy, one of them being deregulation, in which he advocated limiting government involvement in business. Following this policy, he deregulated several industries from government control. Another policy was to reduce inflation by controlling the growth of the money

Ronald Reagan is to this date the oldest serving president, and the effects of his presidency have affected not only the United States of America but most of the world as well. The consensus among historians is that Ronald Reagan left a lasting legacy that was a great one in numerous ways. His Reaganomics improved America’s economy greatly, and secured its future economic prosperity. He also fought communism head on and was able to end it in most parts of the world, but more importantly in Soviet Russia. However, in doing so he got wrapped up in the Iran-Contra Affair, which will forever be tied to his name in a negative regard. Within America, Reagan was able to improve society such as his success in curbing the use of illegal drugs.

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911 to Nelle Wilson and John Edward Reagan. His father, also known as Jack Reagan, came from an Irish background, while his mother was a Scottish and English mix. Reagan had only one sibling, his brother, Neil Reagan. He attended a high school nearby what he considers his hometown, Dixon. At Dixon high school, he served as student body president and participated in football,basketball, track, and school plays. After graduating from Dixon High, he proceeded to attend Eureka College, a small liberal arts institution and majored in economics and sociology. While he attended college, he eventually became interested in drama. He attended a screen test in 1937, this won him a contract in Hollywood. In the next two decades, he had appeared in 50 films. Reagan was married twice, first to Jane Wyman, and second to Nancy Davis. Reagan had two children with each of his wives.

Ronald Reagan was a true hero to many Americans. He was a strong president who cared for this country dearly, and Reagan really proved this by his actions during his presidency. He also proved his love for country by serving in the U.S Army during World War II. Ronald Reagan also came through as a hero by fixing the American Economy that was heading for disaster just like today’s. If you can reflect on what he had accomplished throughout his administration you can clearly see why he was a popular two term president. When you read this passage you will find that Ronald Reagan took on many challenges that shaped his legacy, and why many people consider him a hero .

     Lou Cannon has covered Ronald Reagan for thirty-six years, first as a reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, later as the White House correspondent for the Washington Post. He began with covering Reagan's first campaign for governor of California in 1966 and continued until Reagan's recent death in 2004. His other books on Reagan include Ronnie and Jesse: A Political Odyssey, Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio, President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime, Governor Reagan: His Rise to Power, and several others.

In 1949 Ronald would be divorced from Jane and would comment by saying, "Due to her nervous nature she[Jane] had allowed feelings of boredom to invade their life together." After living the bachelor life for a while Ronald married Nancy Davis on March 4, 1952 giving him more happiness than any one person can deserve. Although involved since 1941; Ronald became more influential in Hollywood by becoming the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947-1952 and again from 1959-1960. In 1967 Ronald would become the Republican Governor of California actively putting a stop to government hiring and raising taxes to balance the state budget. Ronald was re-elected Governor for another term but at the end of his second term chose not to seek a third and reached for a higher government platform but would be denied. The GOP would choose Gerald Ford to run for the Republican Party in 1976. In 1980 Ronald would not be denied by the GOP or the rest of the United States of America and on election day of that year became the 40th President. In fact in every category of the exit polls President Reagan vanquished his opponent by a staggering amount. From 1981-1989 President Reagan led this country with wisdom that exceeded all expectations. After leaving the White House President Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer

Serving as the 40th president, Ronald Reagan made a lasting impact on the United States of America. Reagan ran for president in 1968 and 1976 and did not win the elections, it was not until 1980 when he ran again for the third time and became the president. He entered his presidency with some background as he was the governor of California for 8 years. When he went in to presidency the economy was weak, inflation was high, and there were foreign difficulties. The Cold War and a recession was also happening during this time period. Reagan had a plan that is now known as the “Reagan Revolution.” During his presidency Reagan’s goal was to cut taxes to increase employment and the economy, increase defense spending, and bring a quick end to the Cold War.

The phenomenon dubbed the “Reagan Revolution,” can have its roots traced back decades, as early as the 1950s. It is important to start in this era, as it sets the stage for the 60s, which ultimately leads into the 70s and 80s, as history tends to portray a cause and effect relationship. Each of these generations contribute to this revolution of conservatism becoming the most popular view in the nation because of their cultural and social elements, with the 60s being the most important period. However, there is also an effect that stems from the previous Presidents, and their governing abilities, or lack thereof, that held office before Reagan. Ultimately, it is a blend of these two components at the same time in their respective decades,

at which time states began passing State Care Acts in the 1890 early 1900. These acts transferred the care of the severe mentally ill to the state. Where

Ronald Regan brought nothing but hope into America when it was needed the most. He led the great comeback. He made something impossible look so easy. He made everyone who doubting him rethink their statement. Reagan inspired America. On that day he kicked off his campaign, and throughout his presidency, he challenged us to lift our sights. He assured us that every American is created with the rights to life and liberty. Our dream is coming alive in our minds and hearts in unique and wonderful ways. When Reagan said, “We are Americans!” it was his voice that proved to the people that this land was ours and nobody could take away our dream for this great land. That is why he was so determined to knock down barriers that prevented individuals from reaching their dreams, and America from achieving greatness.

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My name is Ronald Reagan. I was born in a small town in Tampico,Illinois. I was born to John Edward ‘Jack’ Reagan and Nelle Reagan. I had an elder brother named Neil Reagan. I helped redefine the purpose government and pressured the Soviet Union to end the cold war. I solidified the conservative agenda for decades after my presidency. Like many other boys, growing up in the century of the Midwest, I was Irish decent. My father was an irish-American shoe salesman, and my mother was Scottish-irish descent. I was given a nickname, Dutch, I got that nickname because my dad thought that I looked like a little dutchman. I went to Silas Willard Elementary school for first grade, then Monmouth Central school for second and third grade ( I was promoted to third grade early.), then Tampico Grade school for fourth and fifth grade, once I finished fifth grade, I went to South Central grammar school from 6th-8th grade, then I began ninth grade at Dixon High School, and as soon as I finished ninth grade,

Ronald Regan, even after 20 years absent of state office, still manages to captivate American patriotism. As an upheld memorabilia of the United States, Reagan was well renounced as one of the nations most revered public figures. Ronald Reagan was born and raised in the small town of Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911. Given Ronald’s childhood; Reagans Father had been employed as a shoe salesman at the time of Reagans birth, and his family (which included his mother, brother and father) inhabited calamitous housing that consisted of insufficient plumbing/running water and the geographical location was that of an “abnormal residency”. In essence, Reagan experienced an ecosystem that of the “common people” during maturing alterations. As Reagan progressed through high school he enrolled in extracurricular clubs such as student body council, school performances and even athletic activities. During Reagans well rounded & auspicious adolescence; Reagan’s father, Jack, had incoherent job occupation and the Reagans were swept with inconsistent shifting of lifestyles. Jack and Nelle (Reagan’s mother) were both devoted Democrats given the time. Jack belonged to the Roman Catholics, and Nelle was an active member of the Disciples of Christ. In 1932, Jack Reagan was rewarded for his Democratic activism by being named the local director of the Works Progress Administration, a federal agency created by Roosevelt to provide work for jobless Americans. (Miller