With what would have been Ronald Reagan’s 101st birthday today, I wanted to take this time to celebrate the legacy of one of our nation’s greatest presidents. Contrary to what many professors at liberal universities, including Allegheny, have to say about Reagan’s “failed presidency,” Reagan remains one of our most successful and cherished presidents.
Here are just a few of Reagan’s accomplishments during his two terms in office: 1. Ended the Cold War. 2. Revived the economy 3. Restored faith in America. Even more impressive than these huge feats, Reagan accomplished them while maintaining a humble spirit.
Throughout his presidency, Reagan promoted “peace through strength.” Following Jimmy Carter’s weak containment policy, Reagan chose to be more forceful with President Gorbachev and the Soviet Union. Once referring to the latter as an “evil empire,” Reagan was courageous in standing against Soviet communism.
Reagan turned his strong rhetoric into action and refused to compromise with an American adversary at the 1986 Reykjavik summit with Gorbachev. The two leaders met to sign an agreement that would abolish nuclear arms, with the proposal that the US could continue testing on the Strategic Defense Initiative, also commonly referred to as Star Wars. This program would allow the US to test countermissiles to defend against foreign attacks. However, when Gorbachev insisted Reagan abandon SDI, Reagan refused to yield to Soviet pressure. So, although the agreement did not come through, this meeting should not be seen as a failure, but another example of President Reagan’s strong will. A president needs to have this quality – to stand his ground and for America when faced with adversity. He continued to do so until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which symbolized the end of the Cold War and encouraged the sentiment of American exceptionalism.
Another misconception about Reagan’s presidency is his failed economic policies. While college professors like to tell students that Reagan’s economic policies led to inflation, they fail to mention that his supply-side economics, a policy that makes it easier for individuals to produce goods and services, helped lead to almost 35 million new jobs. His tax cuts also led to an economic boom which resulted in an impressive growth rate of 3.5 percent from the beginning of 1983 to the end of 1990. This economic growth lasted 92 months without a recession. It was the longest period of sustained growth during peacetime and the second-longest period of sustained growth in U.S. history.[1]While championing a free market economy, Reagan proved that cutting taxes and relying on private businesses and individuals, not government, to revive the economy, can and does spur economic growth.
Reagan’ strength was not only evident in his public policy achievements. Nearly facing death after an assassination attempt in 1981, Reagan won over Americans by showing no signs of weakness. The bullet, shot by would-be assassin John Hinckley, Jr., came within an inch of the president’s heart. In spite of his terrifying situation, Reagan kept a sense of humor by commenting on the hospital staff, “I hope you’re all Republicans.”
This near-tragedy also revealed another of Reagan’s unique qualities – his humility. Dick Wirthlin, Reagan’s Chief Political Strategist, shares a revealing anecdote in his book The Greatest Communicator:What Ronald Reagan Taught Me about Politics, Leadership, and Life, in which Reagan got down on his hands and knees to clean up a spill he made in his hospital room so his nurse would not get in trouble. Moments like these prove the leader’s modesty and compassion.
Reagan was tested once again when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1994. Instead of retreating into private life, Reagan again humbled himself and shared his struggle with Americans in a handwritten letter. His illness eventually led to his death on June 5, 2004.
Reagan’s gentle demeanor, Wirthlin writes, came through in his ability to speak directly to the American people. His skill in telling stories, not just lecturing the American people, is one of the reasons that he is cherished to this day. On the day of his funeral in Washington, D.C., almost 5,000 people visited the beloved president’s casket each hour.
Wirthlin reveals another detail of Reagan’s humble character, recalling a conversation he overheard between the president and one of his advisers, “Mike Deaver once suggested to him that he might take off his suit jacket to make himself more comfortable when working alone in the Oval Office. President Reagan said he wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing. He said he respected the office too much to ever remove his jacket.”[2] The fact that Reagan insisted on formality in the Oval Office shows he considered it an honor to serve the United States.
Reagan was a true class act. Not only did he stop Soviet communism, improve the US economy and restore faith in America – he did it all with a humble heart. I admire our former president and his ability to not only stand up and fight for America, but to do so with grace. Happy Birthday to a president who restored much needed confidence in our nation.
1. Sperry,Peter. “The Real Reagan Economic Record: Responsible and Successful Fiscal Policy.” heritage.org. 1 March 2001.
2. Wirthlin, Dick. The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me about Politics, Leadership, and Life. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004. Page 125.
