As one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century, Ronald Wilson Reagan succeeded in renewing pride in America, strengthening the principles of family, faith, and freedom on which this nation was founded, and restoring our hope for the future. President Reagan endeared himself even to his political opponents with his self-effacing wit and irrepressible optimism. Inspiring, thoughtful, and at times downright funny, he had an amazing gift for stirring emotion, sparking debate, and calling a nation to action.

In In The Words of Ronald Reagan, his oldest son Michael Reagan has gathered a wonderful collection of his father's public and private words, providing a close-up portrait of our fortieth president. From hilarious one-liners to eloquent letters to intimate family moments, these selections depict Ronald Reagan in all his many roles-as world leader, conservative icon, orator, actor, and father. Complemented by Michael Reagan's personal and insightful commentary on his father's life,In The Words of Ronald Reagan will delight you, inspire you, and motivate you to finish the job Ronald Reagan began-the job of rebuilding the American dream.

In the Words of Ronald Reagan

Nelson Books

Contents

Foreword: The Value of His Words.................................ixActing...........................................................1Age..............................................................6Alzheimer's Disease..............................................8America..........................................................11The Assassination Attempt........................................18The Berlin Wall..................................................23Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats......................................27Citizen Politician...............................................31The City on a Hill...............................................33Communism........................................................36Congress.........................................................39Conservatives....................................................41The Constitution.................................................46Crime............................................................48Defense..........................................................50Democracy........................................................55Democratic Party.................................................57Dreams...........................................................62Economics and Economists.........................................66Education........................................................67Faith............................................................73Family...........................................................79Football.........................................................83Freedom..........................................................86The Future.......................................................91Generations......................................................95The Gipper.......................................................97Good and Evil....................................................100Gorbachev........................................................103Government.......................................................110History..........................................................116Horses...........................................................119Humility.........................................................121The Irish........................................................124Jelly Beans......................................................127Leadership.......................................................129Liberals and Liberalism..........................................132Life.............................................................134Marriage.........................................................135Memorials........................................................138Morality.........................................................142Nancy............................................................144Neighbors........................................................147Patience.........................................................148Peace............................................................150Politics and Politicians.........................................154Poverty..........................................................157Prayer...........................................................159The Presidency...................................................163The Press........................................................170Race Relations...................................................173Radio............................................................177Religious Freedom................................................179Republican Party.................................................181Right to Life....................................................184School Prayer....................................................186The Soviet Union.................................................189Taxes............................................................192Truth............................................................196Values...........................................................197Veterans.........................................................200Welfare State....................................................203Afterword: My Uncommon Father, Ronald Reagan.....................206

Chapter One

Without question, Dad's acting career prepared him well for politics-but not in the way you might think. The acting profession didn't just teach him how to carry himself on a stage or play to the camera. It prepared him for the presidency in much more subtle ways. Good actors learn early that their craft is not just a game of let's pretend.

I've been in actors' workshops, and I've even done a bit of acting on television-just enough to develop a deep respect for the stage and screen accomplishments of my parents, and enough to know that my place is on radio! A lot of people think acting is about faking it; that it's a bag of tricks used to present an illusion to the camera. People think that acting is nothing more than being able to emote on cue. Wrong, all wrong. Acting-a genuine dramatic or comedic performance-is about finding the truth within, about summoning and revealing thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and convictions with utter genuineness.

Both of my parents saw acting as a process of revealing truth, not creating illusions. My mother, Jane Wyman, would stay in character for days during filming, because that was how she preserved the truth and integrity of her character. Dad rarely had to stay in character, because the roles he played were usually variations on the real Ronald Reagan. He always believed the camera was merciless in detecting insincerity and evasion.

The acting profession also prepared my father for the bad reviews and harsh criticism that are part and parcel of public life. He never complained about the relentless attacks against him and Nancy throughout his years in office. By the time he got to the White House, Ronald Reagan had a very thick skin regarding the many unfair and downright stupid things that were written and said in the press.

Dad was a good actor. In fact, if he had gotten the kind of roles he truly wanted, I think he might have been a great actor. If you doubt me, take another look at his supporting role as George "the Gipper" Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American (1940). Or check out his performance as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942), in which he gave a brilliant one-take performance capped by the unforgettable line, "Where's the rest of me?!"

For the most part, Dad was typecast as the romantic lead in lightweight pictures. They were not bad pictures. In fact, they were quite entertaining and successful-mostly comedies such as John Loves Mary, The Hasty Heart, and of course, Bedtime for Bonzo. He resigned himself to the fact that he had become (as he put it) "the Errol Flynn of the B movies"-an assessment that prompted Errol Flynn himself to say, "I thought I was the Errol Flynn of B movies!" Perhaps if Dad had gotten the roles he really wanted, he never would have gone into politics.

There's an interesting story about the filming of King's Row. Dad's co-star in the picture was Bob Cummings. Dad and Bob-two very likable, genuinely nice guys-really hit it off and became good friends. Several times on the set...