I suggest you see Edmund Morris' interview with Charlie Rose. It was played on PBS last night and the Rose show is usually repeated. A full hour interview makes a big difference.
Morris gave a far different portrait than the media has portrayed. Morris stated that Reagan was a great President and very intelligent, a born executive who knew what was important and focused his mind and energy on those things. In contrast, he noted that Clinton has not been a successful leader because he either never had the smarts, talent or discipline to focus on what he wanted and needed to accomplish.
Morris also stated that Dem Arthur Lyman, who ran their Iran/Contra investigation, was stunned when he read Reagan's diaries - how penetrating Reagan's analysis and observations were. Morris detailed how most expected Gorby to best Reagan and how Reagan took charge from the moment they met.
Morris stated that Reagan the most unusual man he ever met and by far the most "incorrupt" politician. Morris stated that Reagan was so unusual in that he had never doubted himself and had been a success in all that he had wanted (w/ one exception) - student leader, sports announcer, motion picture actor, union leader, television host, corporate spokesman, political spokesman, governor and then President and world leader. The lone exception was the death of his child Christina which led to the destruction of his marriage to Jane Wyman.
As for Alzheimer's, Morris confirmed that it was not present until years after Reagan left office. |
