Dedicated to Nancy Reagan.
(As published in the NY times Readers Forum June 8 2004)
I live 5000 miles away in Southern Africa. I am not an American, but I have admired Ronald Reagan for most of my life. I admired him because of his extraordinary charisma, his joie de vivre , his immense capability, his faith in himself, and, most of all, because he had faith in others.
This amazing person was able to charm the likes of my Queen, Margaret Thatcher and Mikhael Gorbachev. It is said that he called the Queen “Liz” and she loved it. Thatcher was affectionately called Maggie and Mrs Gorbachev “the lovely Raisa”. His wit and easygoing manner was nourished in the movies where he made a handsome hero, a dashing lover and a trusted confidante. But, I do believe, that his life was not simply an act---some of us thespians are wont to do that—it was a preparation for the premier role, that of the 40th President Of The United States. His charisma was that of a movie star’s, sure, but he took his immense responsibility seriously and used his relaxed, confident manner to the benefit of his country. There is a saying that charismatic men can “sell religion to the devil”. Reagan sold prosperity and peace. There is nothing wrong with that.
There will be, and have been, many detractors. After all, every President is judged according to his policies, his economic savvy, his ability to sway and influence Washington. Reagan did it better than most. He made mistakes but they pall in comparison to the lesser Presidents and many of the more able.
Like Eisenhower and FDR (with a large smattering of Teddy Roosevelt), Ronald Reagan gave people hope and courage. Every speech, with self-mocking or jocular asides, calmed America, encouraged America and, succinctly, gave Americans a father figure they had lacked since World War 2.
Reagan’s legacy is massive and he shall be remembered and revered in future history books just as Washington and Lincoln are today.
Ride nobly into the sunset, Mr President.