Mac Baldrige: The Cowboy in Ronald Reagan's Cabinet - Hardcover

"Ronald Reagan was once asked if he considered any member of his cabinet a `true visionary.' Two, Reagan replied: United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick and Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldridge...this book shows what a brilliant selection Mac Baldridge was." * The Wall Street Journal * Mac Baldrige was a get-it-done guy who didn't let partisan battles get in the way of talking with those on both sides of an issue or the aisle. He was respected and trusted by everyone from presidents to congressmen to cowboys. He often said, "You have to under-promise and over-deliver." Mac over-delivered, and so does this book about him. --James A. Baker, III, President Reagan's first White House chief of staff Ronald Reagan knew Mac Baldrige only as a successful industrial leader when he joined the cabinet, but Mac quickly became a trusted adviser because of his vision, wisdom and common sense judgment. He was the right man for the right job at a time many challenges, including the beginning of globalization, were facing the U.S. economy. This book tells the inside story of a special man at a special time in history, who contributed greatly to our nation's economic recovery and historic growth. --Edwin Meese III, Counsellor to President Reagan and U.S. Attorney General Mac Baldrige was a loving and sensitive man, and a great leader. This book will make you feel good again about our national leaders. He was an inspirational cabinet member, with the common touch, who understood America every time he saddled up a horse. Ups and downs, good times and bad. At least two Presidents relied on his good judgement, and you will love his story. --Marlin Fitzwater, Press Secretary to Presidents Reagan and Bush 41 Mac Baldrige was a universal favorite of the Washington press corps-he was friendly, honest, capable, and really interesting. How did he do it? The answer is in this book . . . which should be required reading for today's Washington crowd. --Sam Donaldson, former White House correspondent, ABC News

Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency at a time when Japan and Europe, fully recovered from wartime devastation, threatened America's position as the number one economy in the world. Manufacturing was in decline; traditional industries were being beaten by foreign competitors; many American industries had grown complacent. President Reagan named Mac Baldrige, a successful industrialist (and card-carrying member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), Secretary of Commerce to address these economic challenges. This book recounts the Washington career of an American original during the era supporters celebrate as "morning in America."