Reagan: What Was He Really Like? Volume II

By William P. Clark and Curtis Patrick

Behind-the-scenes anecdotes and first-person recollections from forty-nine diverse people illuminate their personal relationships with Ronald Reagan.
 
What was Ronald Reagan like in private? How did he treat his children? How did he handle pressure? This collection of intimate remembrances of the late President’s staffers, colleagues, and friends sheds new light on the life and career of the immortal “Gipper.”
 
See how Reagan used humor to disarm his most ardent critics and tenacious opponents. Marvel at his gift for persuading difficult, almost impossible to deal with legislators. Learn the untold story behind the secret plan hatched by former Air Force Secretary Thomas C. Reed and a handful of dedicated insiders to launch Reagan’s first campaign for president of the United States in 1968.
 
Many of author Curtis Patrick’s interview subjects were members of Reagan’s original 1966 campaign for governor of California. Some came aboard soon after the election and were appointed to fill key positions in the governor’s cabinet and to head up state agencies and departments. For the most part, except in a few cases, these interviewees had never been recorded or published before.
 
“Curtis, I not only like your book; I love it!” —Edwin Meese III, former US attorney general

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Mar 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781614484592

Book preview

ENDORSEMENTS & PRAISE

VOL. 2.

Curtis, I not only like your book; I love it!

Edwin Meese III

White House Counselor to President Ronald Reagan

U.S. Attorney General, President Ronald Reagan

Legal Affairs Secretary & Chief of Staff for Governor Ronald Reagan

Author WITH REAGAN: The Inside Story, Regnery Gateway

"Curtis, I do like your chapter on me—it is interesting! I like your chapters. They tell the story correctly. I told you it had to be interesting—well, it is interesting!" Good!

Lyn Nofziger

White House Communications Director President Ronald Reagan.

Consultant Communications Director Governor Ronald Reagan.

Curtis Patrick, thanks for your help in making much of this happen. Best Regards, always.

(in his book AT THE ABYSS An Insider’s History of the Cold War)

REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE? is an incredibly detailed account of the early Reagan years, beautifully written by a man who was there, and who thus made the later years possible.

Signed, Tom / Thomas C. Reed

Special Assistant to President Reagan for National Security Policy

U.S. Air Force Secretary, President Gerald Ford.

Dear Curtis, As usual, you are doing the Lord’s work in advancing the truth about our great leader and friend. How may we assist?

Judge Wm. P. Clark, Jr.

Secretary of the Interior

National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan

CA Supreme Court Justice

Rancher & Cowboy

Patrick has provided a service by sharing these stories and pictures (most of ) which have never been published anywhere. With them, we gain a deeper insight into the gentlemanly grace, extraordinary energy, and moral essence of Ronald Reagan. These stories are an important addition to the historical record of a great American president. You have achieved your goal!

Thomas M. Loarie, Top Reviewer for America’s #1 Online Bookseller

Curtis, The Reagan Book is Brilliant!

Dr. Michael E. Fischer, Director Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs

Dear Curtis, YOUR BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE! I am so honored to be included and have my small role given so much space (Vol.1). As I’ve told you, I was only a spear-carrier, but was given the opportunity to carry some pretty potent spears. Again, my friend, THANK YOU—CONGRATULATIONS ON A TRUE WORK OF ART—and thank you for letting me be YOUR friend.

‘Tom’ Thomas C. Ellick, Special Assistant to the Reagan Cabinet-Office of the Governor

Planning & Policy Development: Selling of new programs through the Media Liaison with California State Legislature

"Dear Curtis, Thank You so very much for the finished product after your many years of work on the RR Oral History & Book Project! Everyone honored in your book saw the Reagans through different eyeglasses. There was so much I learned that was new! You gave me too much space! I am honored to have been included in Vol.1. RR would have been so appreciative—I can see him grinning and ducking his head (normal gestures for us) with delight as he said, Well Curtis this is a fine surprise I won’t soon forget! So Thank You from Nancy and me! "For the pleasure of your company and all that you did to make my life run so smoothly. Thanks from this Nancy too, Curtis. Well done!"

Nancy Clark Reynolds

KPIX-TV (San Francisco, CA) news anchor

Assistant Press Secretary under Lyn Nofziger

Special Assistant to Nancy Reagan—thru Hiatus years to the W.H.

Press & Media contact during 1970’s for Reagan Family,

Goodwill Ambassadors for President Richard Nixon, traveling around the world aboard A.F. Three or Four-aircraft-U.S. Department of State

1980’s created Press & Media contact in Washington D.C. for Reagan’s Presidential Campaigns

East Wing Transition Team

Friend and Regular visitor to the Reagans at the White House

International Election Observer for President Reagan

‘A great addition to the scholarship on Reagan.’ It is especially important as I think you really capture the compelling essence of Reagan’s character and political convictions. At base, Reagan comes across, not as an ambitious political zealot—which many liberal critics assert—but a man of genuine beliefs and personal warmth.’

Dr. Eric Herzik

Chair Department of Political Science

University of Nevada, Reno

‘Great book! Better than many of us, you knew the ‘prez’ Ronald Reagan. Congratulations. A real treasure!’

Verne Orr, PhD

U.S. Air Force Secretary President Reagan

Dean Emeritus, College of Business & Public

Management, University of La Verne, CA

A gripping reminder of the days before the presidency.

Richard B. Whitaker, author, Las Vegas, NV

Dear Curtis, Thanks so much for your Reagan book Vol.1., I couldn’t put it down! It is a treasure to have the benefit of your experiences and insight. I’m glad you took the time to put it down on paper.

‘Doug’ Douglas Patterson, C.P.A.

Thank You! Congratulations, Curtis! Your book about the REAL Ronald Reagan is so rich and full of valuable wisdom, it should be included in all leadership studies regardless of any student’s field. How elegantly RR conducted himself and his work, that you chronicled so well, is a winning format.

Buck Ware, Reagan’s CA Advance Team, business owner, retired Bigfork, Montana.

Curtis, I had no idea of your early involvement with the Gov’s. campaign. Your insight and historical perspective, not to mention your excellent writing style, are most impressive. I’m looking forward to Vol.2!

Best Wishes, Bill / William J. Raggio, Senate Majority Leader & longest serving Member of NV State Senate (37 years). Carson City / Reno, NV

To say that I was thrilled to receive a signal copy of your book about Ronald Reagan would be an understatement. Thank you for allowing us to hear from those who worked so closely with the Gov. and Pres. Who better to tell us what he was ‘really’ like. Thank You.

Ed Worthington, Fairless Hills, PA

Dear Curtis, I finished your Reagan book & enjoyed it very much. Valuable insight!

Regards, Doc / Dr. Joseph W. Johnson, (Physician to the Stars)

Henderson / Las Vegas NV

This book is great! It makes me yearn for the Reagan years again. The author, Curtis Patrick, did a wonderful job of presenting intimate glimpses of President Reagan, as remembered by himself and many of his colleagues.

Linn of Pine Valley Ranch, Milford, MI

Patrick, You wrote on the flyleaf of the book, REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE? Vol.1 that you sent me, ‘Thanks!’ No! It is my privilege to say ‘Thanks.’ What a great account of the early Reagan years. Thank You!!!

Nita Wentner Ashcraft, N.CA Vice Chairman Finance 1966 RR for Gov., Napa, CA

Curtis, Thank you very much for REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE? Marvelous contribution to his legacy. I remember many of the contributors and have fond memories of those days.

Herb Temple, Former Adjutant Gen. State of California. Lt. Gen. U.S. Army Ret., Palm Desert, CA

Kudos for this book, it gave me insights of Ronald Reagan the many others in print have not. The most unusual Table of Contents are an easy read and informative. Thank you for this book. You made me laugh. I’m now more knowledgeable and I miss our beloved President even more!

Shirley Randall, Archive Assistant, The Reagan Ranch Center,

Young America’s Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA

Dear Mr. Patrick, What a rare pleasure meeting you! Douglas County Lincoln Day Dinner proved to be a roaring success due to your presence. Your enthusiasm about your life, and writing about Ronald Reagan was spell-binding. We’ve had so many wonderful comments about your presentation!

Maggie Benz, Chair Douglas County Republican Central Committee, Minden, NV

"The book, REAGAN: What Was He REALLY Like? Vol.1., is the most unique book about Reagan that is out there. It is not a history, but a book about (more than) 20 people, that Mr. Patrick interviewed who worked for him (Reagan) and knew him well. One can’t get a better look at a person than having the people he knew tell you what he was like. Looking forward to the next volume."

‘Artie’ Arthur Schroeck, Performed with his wife, Linda November, Award Winning, renowned, life-long music arranger and composer to top singers, musicians & performers from Frank Sinatra & Liza Minelli to Frankie Valli & Sammy Davis Jr., in clubs and venues all over America. Composed Can’t take my eyes off from you & many others. Rare, Brave, Hollywood-style Conservatives!

There have been numerous books on the Reagan presidency. What sets Patrick’s book apart is his relying upon the voices of the everyday people that were touched by the Reagans and helped Reagan to achieve the accomplishments that changed America and arguably, the world. While reading this book I was struck by its honesty and authenticity; there are no ulterior motives behind what Patrick quotes. People simply report what they recall. Patrick also undermines the myth of Reagan as being an intellectual lightweight throughout the book. Numerous interviewees stress Reagan’s intelligence and ease at understanding complex problems.

James Kirwin, On-Line Book Reviewer

Personal recollections of one of the true giants of the 20th century, June 1, 2011

Reagan: What Was He REALLY Like? offers an intimate close-up of the man and explains why almost everyone who worked for Ronald Reagan loved and respected him so much. He was at once the consummate gentleman and a man of principle who was not afraid to stand up for the issues he believed in. This book would be a splendid choice for both history buffs and general readers alike. Very highly recommended!"

One of Top 500 Amazon Reviewers, Paul Tognetti weighs-in on

REAGAN: What Was He REALLY Like? Revised Vol.1.

REAGAN

What Was He Really Like?

VOL. 2.

Curtis Patrick

NEW YORK

REAGAN

What Was He Really Like?

VOL. 2.

© 2013 Curtis Patrick. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from author or publisher (except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages and/or show brief video clips in a review).

Disclaimer: The Publisher and the Author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the Publisher nor the Author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an organization or website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the Author or the Publisher endorses the information the organization or website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that internet websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.

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DEDICATION

Judge Howard A. Patrick

1913-1994

According to the Whidbey Island newspaper:

The Solomon of Island County, Washington.

My real father. Graduate of Long Beach, CA, Polytechnic High School, 1931. Winner of top speech awards. See his First Place winning speech, Preliminary Constitution Contest, (page xi): Graduated USC, B.A., on public speaking scholarship. Graduated USC School of Law, Juris Doctor. Officer / Ensign, U.S. Navy, WWII. Served as Aide & Flag Lt., under Vice Admiral John Perry, Pacific Theater. Awarded Bronze Star: For meritorious achievement—. By his tireless energy, skillful administration and persistent devotion to duty—. An outstanding example to his fellow officers.

Returned to Pacific Northwest, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington under Admiral Perry. Appointed Law Officer, General Court Martial, Seattle, WA. Retired as Commander U.S. Navy. Appointed Island & San Juan Counties Superior Court Judge by Governor Dan Evans. I regret more than ever that we had no more than three brief meetings in our lifetimes before he passed away; due to circumstances beyond our control.

Thanks to finding my loving family: Patsi, my sister and Wilma my stepmother, they have given me letters, old newspaper stories and documents I was unaware of until recently. I learned that my father had been a high-achiever, was widely respected, loved and admired by those around him. He was an eloquent speaker with a stentorian voice, who practiced many of the principles of Ronald Reagan! He also wrote like Frederick Hayek, Nobel Memorial Prize winner, recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and author of the renowned book on international economics and Socialism: "The Road to Serfdom."

The speech that follows was written and delivered by my father when graduating from high school in 1931 and, eerily, his prescience shows through. It mirrors 2012 both here in the United States, under the present administration in the White House, and in new flare-ups of power, control and genocide under Socialism, and dictatorial expansion in countries around the globe. Little did I know how much my father’s latent genes affected me.

When I read about him, I understood far better the drive and determination I was able to muster to commit the thirteen years it has taken to research, write and carefully complete the Reagan Books, Vol.1 & Vol.2, and the RR Oral History Project; archiving the recordings of the recollections of my colleagues.

The overarching issue to me was how important this work and the legacy of Ronald Reagan was to the history and, in some small way, the preservation of the United States of America. My deepest "Thanks!" to You, Dear Father.

Curtis

Page 160 of Judge Howard A. Patrick’s 1931 High School Year Book with his winning speech on Democracy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. WAR AND CONSCIENCE

Interviewee: Clyde E. Beane

"Reagan was a visionary. He was the commander. You have the commander who makes the decisions—and you have the subordinates who do a lot of the studying of different matters and bring them to the commander to decide upon. He was very good at delegating. He generated TRUST in the American people!"

Disk jockey, Radio/TV news broadcaster, newspaper reporter

Worked for Press / Communications Director, Lyn Nofziger

Researcher; Author of White Paper that came to be regarded as Reagan’s position statement on the Vietnam War.

Researcher; Author of White Paper on "The Degradation & Protection of Lake Tahoe, which helped forge the friendship between Reagan and Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt.

Beane was assigned to write a research paper on the Vietnam War for Reagan’s first international TV debate: CBS’s Town Meeting of the World. Beane recalls, It was going against my own conscience to write a paper that was essentially in support of it. Reagan added some facts to what Beane had written and then on May 15, 1967, Reagan debated Robert F. Kennedy. Newsweek declared Reagan the winner. To those unfamiliar with Reagan’s big-league savvy, the ease with which he fielded questions about Vietnam may have come as a revelation. Political rookie Reagan left old campaigner Kennedy blinking when the session ended. One columnist reportedly said that Reagan had destroyed his opponent. Kennedy asked, Who the F---K got me into this Reagan thing?

Chapter 2. STAY AT HOME MOM LANDS WHITE HOUSE JOB

Interviewee: Wendy Borcherdt

"He didn’t have an ego. He didn’t have a personal ego. He was unique. He was truly unique! I think that’s why people who did not agree with him couldn’t help but like him because he was so sincere."

Los Angeles Junior League; Foster Grandparents Program with Nancy Reagan

Owner of a business consulting firm, Management by Objectives

Associate Director of White House Presidential Personnel; White House Personnel Liaison / Special Assistant to the President

Distinguished Overseer of the Board of Overseers of the Hoover Institution at Leland Stanford Jr., University (Palo Alto, CA);

Lyn Nofziger called Wendy Borcherdt one of the hardest workers he’d ever seen. She never expected to be given any of the positions she held (in California or in Washington, D.C.) but once she was on the job, she got right to work. She believed that everyone who worked in Reagan’s campaigns had an obligation to support him. She said, He knew what he stood for and what he would really fight for!

Chapter 3. REAGAN’S WELFARE CLEANUP STUNS CRITICS AND IT WORKS

Interviewee: Robert B. Carleson

Regarding the ‘tough sell’ of the complex, innovative Reagan Welfare Program: "Reagan never gave up! He used his own personal appeal. He just overwhelmed the legislature. He went over the heads of the legislators and went to the people directly!"

Chief Deputy Director, California Dept. of Public Works (now Dept. of Transportation)

Designed The Reagan Welfare Reform Program that was implemented in California and on the federal level (when Reagan was President)

Carleson did with Reagan what Reagan did with the people of California (as Governor) and with the American people (as President)—he went to Reagan with the facts, the truth. Carleson said, Reagan was a delegator and trusted his people, so it was easy to carry out my job.

Chapter 4. I WAS A VOLUNTEER

Interviewee: Esther Rushford Green

"The loyalty that he inspired, that he engendered in the way he treated people—good—special! His sense of humor and his ability to humble himself to the circumstances always impressed me! And—it’s never changed."

1966 Reagan for Governor campaign volunteer; worked briefly at the state capitol (opening mountains of mail) after Reagan was elected

California State Republican Central Committee in charge of special events: Her job was to take care of the Reagans at all of the California RCC events

Republican National Committeewoman from California, 1984-1988 t Executive Director (in California) of both of Reagan’s presidential campaigns

There was never a task too large or too small—Green took on whatever was asked of her because of her admiration for Ronald Reagan. Speaking of her experience with other candidates and campaigns, she said, "I think of candidates since Reagan—there will never be another Ronald Reagan and that is our great adjustment—for those of us that are left behind."

Chapter 5. JUSTICE WORKS

Interviewee: Paul R. Haerle

Reagan was actually more interested in the appointments to the Board of Regents of the University of California system during the mid-1960s tumultuous upheaval on the campuses than most of his other appointments; other than judicial.

"No one ever, to my knowledge, Curtis, ever gave Ronald Reagan (any) speech cards with their handwriting (or typing) on them! They were all written in his handwriting!"

Author’s note: True! Other than research notes, in advance.

Attorney, Thelen, Marrin, Johnston & Bridges, San Francisco, CA

Appointments Secretary: screening applicants re key positions (1967-69)

Northern California Governor Reagan Re-election Chairman (1970)

Chairman California Republican Party

Judge / Justice California First District Court of Appeal (August 1994-present)

Paul Haerle’s job was to screen candidates for key positions within the state government: judicial appointments, members of the Board of Regents of the University of California system, including positions from local county levels for Governor’s appointments to State Boards & Commissions

Chapter 6. THE GREAT IMPLEMENTER

Interviewee: Stan Harper

"I remember Ronald Reagan as honorable, dedicated, sincere, and extremely loyal to all those around him. This man had the unique ability to instill confidence in those around him and was extremely appreciative for all that people did for him and his cause. I remember once he told our department, during a meeting, that it wasn’t about him, but what he believed."

Goldwater for President operations 1964 GOP Convention San Francisco

Chief of Staff for California Assembly Minority Leader Charles Conrad

Reagan for Governor campaign: Asss’t., to Rus Walton setting up outreach programs, U.R.O.C. & California G.O.P. Field Operations

Governor Reagan Staff Appointment: set up Program Development Unit, Gov’s Office

Governor Reagan Re-elect H.Q. operations-1970

Set up & directed Special Operations for numerous RR Task Forces, Western & National Gov’s Conferences, forums, seminars, meetings & conventions

Director of Communications for 1983 Economic Summit (G-8) at the request of President Ronald Reagan

Private, independent business owner, Southern California

Harper worked with Rus Walton, Executive Director of UROC [United Republicans of California], promoting not only this fresh new political face, Reagan, but his ideals and policies.

Chapter 7. STUDENTS SUPPORTING REAGAN BLACKBALLED!

Interviewee: Rex Hime

"Basically, he was the Sequoia and we were the branches. I think another one of Reagan’s remarkable skills was the ability he had in putting (choosing) the type of people around him that he did. He was a genuine person who could touch people."

Law student at University of California, Davis

Deputy to John Kehoe, Director of California Dept. of Consumer Affairs

Appointed as President Reagan’s representative to the [Lake]Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, T.R.P.A., California & Nevada

In May of 1969, Governor Reagan called out the National Guard to quell the rioting that occurred at the student-occupied People’s Park in Berkeley, CA. Rex Hime and a fellow conservative decided to try to get students together with Governor Reagan to improve relations between the state government and the college students. Hime says, "In whatever small way that any of us played a role in helping him communicate with somebody—setting up a meeting…changing the mind of one kid—you put all of that together and I hope that helped him make a difference."

Chapter 8. THE DOCTORS

Interviewees: Dr. Howard House and Dr. John House (father and son)

"His gift, of course, was his ability to communicate, and he needed to hear well in order to function. He was always so gracious! I was impressed with the way he handles his cabinet, the way he listens to his experts."

Dr. Howard House: Founder of the renowned House Ear Clinic & Institute in Los Angeles, CA.

    He met Reagan in 1979 when Reagan presented himself as a patient with a hearing loss caused by an incident that occurred on a movie set

Dr. John House: In 1983, he was President Reagan’s otologist. After an examination, he prescribed a hearing aid for Reagan’s right ear

The fact that the President of the United States wore a hearing aid made headlines all over the world—and ultimately benefitted the entire hearing-impaired community.

Chapter 9. THE LEGISLATOR

Interviewee: Robert Lagomarsino

"I always felt like he knew exactly what I was talking about. (This was complex stuff; some of it for university professors and corporate CFOs and CEOs.) I didn’t have to explain things in great detail because he grasped it right away—issues like the tax reform bill. I always thought that Reagan, especially when he first came to Sacramento, was ‘naïve.’ Reagan didn’t know that you couldn’t cut the budget across the board by 5%. He didn’t know that you couldn’t be critical of the University of California at all. He really wasn’t naïve at all. He was a man of principles and he did what he thought was the right thing to do, even though other people thought that maybe it couldn’t be done—because it never had been done."

Former mayor of Ojai, California

California Senator (Santa Barbara / Ventura Counties): 1961-1973

United States Congressman: 1974-1993

Principal Senate Co-author of Ronald Reagan’s Tax Reform Bill (which later became Proposition 13)

Assisted President Reagan as a Congressional Observer of the Geneva Arms Control Talks

Elected Secretary of the House Republican Conference

Lagomarsino is a quintessential public servant. His deep knowledge of the legislative process helped Reagan develop themes, direction, and position papers. As a State Senator, he helped get Governor Reagan’s agenda passed in the California Senate. As a Congressman, due to his experience and knowledge of Conservation and Natural Resources, his efforts were successful in helping to create The Channel Islands National Park (California).

Chapter 10. WANDERING SECRETARY EARNS PLACE AT RR’S CABINET TABLE

Interviewee: Susan Dewsnup Madden

"People were treated with dignity. We worked lots and lots of extra hours. At times the work was hellacious and even scary! Why did we do it? The catalyst came from the top—from Ronald Reagan. He was absolutely genuine."

Secretarial pool rover in Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown’s Correspondence unit.

Secretary to Dr. Alex Sherriffs, Reagan’s Education Secretary

When Reagan defeated Brown, Madden says she was lucky to keep her job. She worked wherever she was needed. She became the secretary for Dr. Alex Sherriffs until he resigned to become Chancellor of the California State Colleges. She became concerned about Sherriffs’ replacement, so she started analyzing education-related legislative bills and preparing reports. She attended Cabinet meetings where she voiced her opinions, which often were contrary to those of Reagan’s other advisors. She was unafraid to speak up when she saw anything she felt was