This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 64.12.107.xxx (talk) at 02:24, 13 December 2001 (*added some stuff about Reagan's childhood and intelligence). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 02:24, 13 December 2001 by 64.12.107.xxx (talk) (*added some stuff about Reagan's childhood and intelligence)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Ronald Wilson Reagan (R) was the 40th president of the United States, from 1981-1989. Longest-lived president at age 90 (as of 2001).
Child of alcoholic father, Reagan developed an early gift for storytelling, acting and selective memory. He was a first-rate radio announcer of Chicago Cubs games, relying on a ticker for the barest details, and making up the rest. He was so good not only because he had a soothing baritone voice but because he really believed what he imagined was happening in the game, and conveyed that belief to his listeners.
Then it was on to Hollywood, where the plots were written by others but he had to make them play. His face and body were as handsome as his voice, and he had a successful career as a 2nd rank leading man.
He got the nickname "the Gipper", which he retained the rest of his life.
Ronald Reagan began his political life as a staunch New Deal / Franklin D. Roosevelt supporter. He gradually became a staunch anti-Communist. He was elected governor of California and elected president in 1980 and 1984. During his presidency, Reagan survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr.
His life provides an example of a special kind of intelligence. His IQ was only average and his mind was lazy. But he had great stage presence, great instincts for how to come across to people and make them like him.
He was:
- anti-Communist
- in favor of tax cuts
- in favor of smaller non-military government
- in favor of removing regulations on corporations
- supportive of business interests, both small and large
- supportive of individual liberties
- tough on crime
- a big fan of jellybeans
He is credited with:
- building up the military
- lowering taxes
- creating the Earned Income Tax Credit - so that his tax cut would be passed
- greatly escalating the "war on drugs"
- beginning antimissile defense research (Star Wars)
- coining the term "volunteerism"
He was the first divorced person to be elected president.
During his administration, there was a major scandal and investigation of what came to be known as the Iran-Contra Affair.
Reagan currently suffers from Alzheimers disease.
Major Legislation Signed
Major Legislation Vetoed
Supreme court Appointments
- Sandra Day O'Connor - 1981
- William Rehnquist - Chief Justice, 1986 (an associate justice since 1972)
- Antonin Scalia - 1986
- Anthony M. Kennedy - 1988
Inaugural Addresses:
/Talk
See also:
- Previous President: Jimmy Carter
- Next President: George Bush