Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign that Changed America

by Shirley, Craig

  Bufkin, Dave. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 14, 2006.

  Burnley, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 17, 2007.

  Bush, George H. W. Interview by Craig Shirley. February 16, 2007.

  Bush, Jeb. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 22, 2006.

  Caddell, Patrick. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 13, 2009.

  Campo, Terry. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 7, 2007.

  Cannon, Lou. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 5, 2006.

  Cannon, Lou. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 6, 2006.

  Carmen, Gerald. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 25, 2006.

  Carmen, Gerald. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 18, 2007.

  Carney, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April, 12, 2007.

  Carter, Jimmy. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 11, 2006.

  Chavez, Linda. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 16, 2007.

  Cheney, Richard. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 9, 2004.

  Cheney, Richard. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 19, 2007.

  Clark, Colin. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 22, 2006.

  Coleman, Muriel. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 2, 2007.

  Corbin, Darlene. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 11, 2007.

  Davis, Michele. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 14, 2008.

  Deaver, Mike. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. October 18, 2006

  Devine, Don. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 14, 2006.

  Diggins, Jack. Interview by Craig Shirley. August 4, 2006.

  Doherty, Eileen. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 11, 2007.

  Donaldson, Sam. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 12, 2007.

  Donatelli, Frank J. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 14, 2006.

  Donatelli, Frank J. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 26, 2006.

  Donatelli, Rebecca R. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 14, 2006.

  Dunn, Robert. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 23, 2009.

  Duvall, Dale C. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 6, 2006.

  Eberle, Bruce. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 4, 2007.

  Edwards, Lee. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 11, 2007.

  Ellis, Tom. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 10, 2004.

  Evans, Stan. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 25, 2004.

  Fabrizio, Tony. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 6, 2007.

  Finkelstein, Arthur. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2007.

  Fund, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 12, 2007.

  Gingrich, Newt. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 21, 2006.

  Gold, Victor. Interview by Craig Shirley. December 19, 2007.

  Gold, Victor. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 16, 2007.

  Gold, Victor. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 5, 2007.

  Gold, Victor. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 27, 2006.

  Halper, Stefan. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 20, 2007.

  Hannaford, Peter. Interview by Craig Shirley. June 25, 2009.

  Hannaford, Peter. Interview by Craig Shirley. June 30, 2009.

  Hannaford, Peter. Interview by Craig Shirley. March 4, 2008.

  Hannaford, Peter. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 24, 2006.

  Hecht, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 28, 2006.

  Heckman, Bob. Interview by Craig Shirley. 2007.

  Herring, Joanne. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2007.

  Hillyer, Quin. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 5, 2006.

  Hoitsma, Gary. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 24, 2006.

  Hooley, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 4, 2009.

  Hume, Brit. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 19, 2007.

  Kaufman, Ron. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 25, 2006.

  Keene, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. May 12, 2009.

  Keene, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 17, 2006.

  Keene, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 18, 2007.

  Keene, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. October 10, 2006.

  Kemp, Jack. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 15, 2006.

  Kennedy Townsend, Kathleen. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 18, 2007.

  Khachigian, Ken. Interview by Craig Shirley. August 29, 2008.

  Khachigian, Ken. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 2007.

  Kinder, Lorelei. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 12, 2007.

  Klinge, Ken. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 12, 2006.

  Klinge, Ken. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 27, 2006.

  Kudlow, Larry. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 8, 2004.

  Lacy, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 23, 2006.

  Laffer, Arthur. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 18, 2007.

  Lake, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 16, 2004.

  Lake, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 19, 2006.

  Lambro, Don. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 24, 2007.

  Langdon, Bruce. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2006.

  Lauderback, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 2, 2006.

  Laxalt, Paul. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 31, 2006.

  Leonard, Tish. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 12, 2006.

  Levin, Mark. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 14, 2006.

  Lewis, Marrin. Interview by Craig Shirley. September 6, 2006.

  Livingston, Bob. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 19, 2007.

  Long, Mike. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 19, 2007.

  Lucey, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 8, 2006.

  Lucey, Laurel. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 4, 2009.

  Lucey, Pat. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 5, 2006.

  Mahe, Eddie. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 12, 2006.

  Maloney, Gary. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2006.

  Maxwell, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 20, 2006.

  McConnell, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 30, 2006.

  McInturff, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2007.

  McPherson, Peter. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 25, 2007.

  McShane, Michael. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2007.

  Meese, Edwin. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 6, 2006

  Minnick, Brad. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 5, 2007.

  Mintz, Myron. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 8, 2008.

  Mondale, Walter. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 28, 2007.

  Morris, Brent. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 15, 2006.

  Morrison, Susan. Interview by Craig Shirley.

  Mounger, William D. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 16, 2007.

  Murphy, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 5, 2006.

  Myers, Lisa. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 9, 2008
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  Nolan, Pat. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 1, 2006.

  Norquist, Grover. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 21, 2006.

  Novak, Robert. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 11, 2007.

  Peden, Neal. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 6, 2006.

  Pickering, Charles. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2006.

  Pinkerton, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 2, 2006.

  Plissner, Marty. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 4, 2008.

  Powell, Jody. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 10, 2006.

  Rafshoon, Gerald. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 1, 2009.

  Rafshoon, Gerald. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 20, 2008.

  Reagan, Michael. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 2, 2004.

  Reed, Clarke. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2006.

  Reed, Rick. Interview by Craig Shirley. 2007.

  Reynolds, Nancy. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. October 3, 2006.

  Roberts, Jim. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 20, 2006.

  Robinson, Ron. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 22, 2007.

  Roper, Tim. Interview by Craig Shirley. 2007.

  Rotterman, Marc. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 15, 2007.

  Russo, Paul. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 8, 2006.

  Ryan, Fred. Interview by Craig Shirley.

  Schulz, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 23, 2007.

  Schweiker, Richard. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 6, 2006.

  Sears, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. July 26, 2006.

  Sears, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 18, 2004.

  Seigenthaler, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 25, 2008.

  Seigenthaler, John. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 15, 2007.

  Shankman, Frida. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. 2007.

  Shelby, Rick. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 12, 2006.

  Shrum, Robert. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 19, 2008.

  Sinnott, Nancy. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 29, 2007.

  Smick, David. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. October 18, 2006.

  Smith, Rodney. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 7, 2006.

  Spencer, Karen. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 20, 2006.

  Spencer, Stuart. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 21, 2004.

  Spencer, Stuart. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 28, 2006.

  Spencer, Stuart. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 29, 2006.

  Stockdale, James. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 15, 2007.

  Stone, Ann. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 18, 2007.

  Stone, Roger. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. April 10, 2006.

  Sweat, Joseph. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 12, 2007.

  Tapscott Canevaro, Cindy. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 3, 2006.

  Tapscott, Mark. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 1, 2008.

  Teague, Randal C. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. August 22, 2006.

  Thomasson, Ray. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. February 12, 2007.

  Timmons, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. March 10, 2008.

  Timmons, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 6, 2006.

  Totten, Don. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. January 4, 2008.

  Tucker, Bill. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. September 11, 2006.

  Tutwiler, Margaret. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 1, 2006.

  Valis, Wayne. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. March 27, 2008.

  Viguerie, Richard A. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. December 6, 2006.

  Von Damm, Helene. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. May 17, 2006.

  Walinsky, Adam. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 10, 2005.

  Whitfield, Dennis. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. June 29, 2006.

  Wirthlin, Dick. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. November 8, 2006.

  Wren, Carter. Interview by Craig Shirley. Tape recording. October 23, 2006.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  People live and people die.

  In the three-plus years since I began work on Rendezvous with Destiny, many of the players in this compelling drama have passed on, including a number of friends. Bill Buckley, Jack Kemp, Jude Wanniski, Lyn Nofziger, Mary Dent Crisp, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Bob Teeter, Jesse Helms, Guy Vander Jagt, Jennifer Dunn, Jerry Falwell, Hamilton Jordan, Michael A. W. Evans, Bob Novak, Hugh Sidey, Dennis Warren, Mike Deaver, Paul Weyrich, Ted Kennedy, Jody Powell, Caspar Weinberger, and others who played roles in the 1980 campaign have, in the words of Ronald Reagan, “gone home,” as we all must someday. Still, I was able to interview some of these individuals among the hundred-plus people I spoke with, and thus to preserve their recollections. To all, I am beholden.

  I am also deeply indebted to Ken Cribb and ISI Books for their faith and confidence in this project. Ken is not only a dear friend but also one of the most influential men in the American conservative movement today. Conversations with him remind one of the phrase “the pleasure of his company.”

  Also to Jed Donahue, editor in chief of ISI Books. Though a young man, he nearly had a heart attack when I turned in a 1,700-page draft. But as George Will, Fred Barnes, and Michael Barone can attest, and as I now know, Jed is one of the best, most patient, and most understanding editors in America. And to Doug Mills, Spencer Masloff, Jennifer Connolly, Chris Michalski, Christian Tappe, Jeremy Beer, Doug Schneider, and all the other fine people at ISI and ISI Books, thank you.

  Special thanks go to Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Joanne Drake, and Fred Ryan of the Reagan Library for their support and assistance in the writing and research of Rendezvous with Destiny. Files long sealed at the Reagan Library were made exclusively available to me because of the kindness of Mrs. Reagan, Joanne, and Fred, and with the special assistance of Reagan Library senior archivist Jennifer Mandel. Their help is a debt I can never repay. More half a million documents were made available for review, and we selected five hundred of the most useful for this project.

  I had less luck with the George Bush Presidential Library. The former president's 1980 papers are not accessible even to the archivists there. According to my researcher, Andi Hedberg Maloni, they require a “deed of gift” from Bush himself, since the files are considered private. This he has refused to grant. The commonly held view among Bush's former staff and other knowledgeable individuals is that these files contain memos and notations critical of his 1980 opponents, including Reagan. We were, however, able to review the 68,000 papers contained in the Robert M. Teeter Papers stored at the Bush Library. Thanks go to Doug Campbell for his help there.

  Thanks also to President Jimmy Carter for agreeing to an interview. Although nearly thirty years had passed, it was evident that the president still had strong feelings about the election of 1980. Carter's presidential library has not yet processed the 1980 campaign documents, but I was allowed to review other files in which campaign documents resided, including the personal papers of many Carter White House aides and 1980 campaign aides. I am grateful to Mary Ann McSweeney, archives specialist at the Carter Library.

  I am also grateful to Richard Cheney, Walter Mondale, James A. Baker III, John Sears, Brit Hume, Tom Brokaw, David Broder, John Anderson, Pat Boone, Newt Gingrich, Art Laffer, Bruce Langdon, Pat Lucey, Bill Brock, Michael Barone, Dick Sch
weiker, Lou Cannon, Sam Donaldson, Larry Kudlow, Lisa Myers, Dick Wirthlin, Stu Spencer, Richard Viguerie, Jody Powell, Pat Caddell, Jerry Rafshoon, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Ed Meese, Adam Walinsky, and so many others for taking time out of their busy schedules to sit down and speak with me.

  Vice President Mondale was an utter joy to talk to, garrulous and full of pep. He told me of going out to California before running against Reagan in 1984 to meet with Jesse “Big Daddy” Unruh, Democratic speaker of the state house. Unruh was an unreconstructed liberal and thus he and Reagan battled mightily over the years. Mondale asked Unruh how he could beat Reagan. The blunt reply was: “You can't.” Big Daddy expanded, “You won't know what hit you.… This guy's got some kind of magic. He has some kind of touch with the public that [is] phenomenal.” Then he warned the Minnesotan, “I figure that you're going to find out about it.”

  Mondale himself was not immune to Reagan's charms, telling me, “I opposed him as hard as I could, but I still liked the guy.”

  Only four people I sought out I was not able to interview. David Stockman was at the time under indictment; Ted Kennedy was under a physician's care; Karl Rove would not give a reason. The fourth, rocker Alice Cooper, a Reagan supporter in 1980, had a unique reason for begging off. In an e-mail to Hayley McConnell, a research assistant on this book, an aide to Cooper wrote, “I am not sure [Cooper] remembers much about 1980 as he was drunk the entire time. Well, most of the time from 1969 through 1982 actually.”

  I also had a sneaking suspicion that Kennedy may not have wanted to address the issue of whether he really wanted Carter to win in November 1980. Jody Powell told me he always “felt … that Kennedy did not want Carter to win that election.” It may be, too, that Kennedy did not want to relive that painful campaign, having been ahead of everybody by miles, only to lose ignominiously to Carter. It was evident in my interview with President Carter that he bears no good wishes for Ted Kennedy; I would have liked to ask Kennedy whether they had spoken since 1980.

  Extraordinary special thanks go to my principle research aide, Borko Komnenovic, for his years, months, weeks, days, and hours of extraordinary work. Borko is an émigré from the former Communist Yugoslavia, where he grew up under the mailed fist of dictator Marshal Tito's regime. “Growing up … Ronald Reagan to me was the face of America,” Borko wrote. “One of the first passages I read in my entire life was a short article about Ronald Reagan. It was about how Reagan spent his holy days at his Santa Barbara ranch.” One of Borko's neighbors, who had once been imprisoned by Tito, told the young man, “There is no joke with this Reagan. He is the one who is going to finally destroy this evil.”