“because the first lady said so”: Julie Johnson, “Washington Talk: The First Lady; Strong Opinions with No Apologies,” New York Times, May 25, 1988, A22.
Glaser sat at her kitchen table… a photo in the Oval Office: Elizabeth Glaser and Laura Palmer, In the Absence of Angels: A Hollywood Family’s Courageous Story (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1991), 142–43.
When Wick approached Nancy… “different eyes than I would have before”: ibid., 141–49.
“It was a stunning… might cope with the epidemic in coming years”: Shilts, And the Band Played On, 609.
“Time went by, and nothing happened.… they still just didn’t care”: Glaser and Palmer, In the Absence of Angels, 150.
“Well, that’s when it was invented.… we did all that we could at the time”: Bill Higgins, “Hollywood Flashback: Ronald Reagan Atoned for AIDS Neglect at 1990 Fundraiser,” Hollywood Reporter online, last modified July 13, 2019, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ronald-reagan-atoned-aids-neglect-at-1990-fundraiser-1222855.
“The first time was with a group of ladies… in the end, she did good”: Barry Krost, telephone interview by author, July 20, 2017.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Improving US-Soviet relations became Nancy Reagan’s special cause… a force for peace within the White House”: Cannon, President Reagan, 448.
Nancy wanted to see… whom the Reagan administration staunchly backed: Deaver, Behind the Scenes, 39.
Ronnie was hemmed in… Central Intelligence Agency: Shultz, Turmoil and Triumph, 153.
“He had a sense of the world as it would be… a man for the age”: Cannon, President Reagan, 241.
That 1981 letter: The version quoted here is from Reagan: A Life in Letters, ed. Kiron D. Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson (New York; Free Press, 2003), 737–41. A version with slightly different wording appears in Ronald Reagan’s memoir, An American Life, loc. 3842 of 12608, Kindle. The substance and tone of the two are virtually identical, although the paragraph order and punctuation differ a bit. The most obvious explanation is that modest editing was done as the letter was transcribed and typed to be sent to Brezhnev.
“Mr. President, nobody elected anybody… Send it the way I wrote it”: Deaver, Behind the Scenes, 262–63.
“They never would announce the death of anybody… only word you got”: Caspar Weinberger interview, November 19, 2002, Presidential Oral Histories, Ronald Reagan Presidency, Miller Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-oral-histories/caspar-weinberger-oral-history.
“What do you think, Stu?… What’s for dessert?”: Spencer, author interview, October 22, 2016.
“In truth, Ronald Reagan knew far more about the big picture… Some of them did just the opposite”: Shultz, Turmoil and Triumph, 1134–35.
Ronnie also pressed the ambassador… made good on his promise not to boast: ibid., 163–71.
“I learned something else of interest… Nancy had no time for him at all”: ibid., 308.
“Yet he has become the most influential foreign-policy figure in the Reagan administration… hard-line approach to Communism and Soviet influence in the world”: Steven R. Weisman, “The Influence of William Clark,” New York Times online, August 14, 1983, https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/14/magazine/the-influence-of-william-clark.html.
Democrat John Glenn… “hope he is never in charge at a time of crisis”: Judith Miller, “Senators Give Clark Angry Advice, but Still Consent,” New York Times online, February 8, 1981, https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/08/weekinreview/senators-give-clark-angry-advice-but-still-consent.html.
“saw no hope in any policy that relied on trusting the Russians… did what he could to slow it down”: Deaver, Behind the Scenes, 129.
“I had never really gotten along with him.… he stayed around longer than I would have liked”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 204.
“Once you appear in this town on the cover of Time or Newsweek, count your days in the shop”: Clark, interview, August 17, 2003, Miller Center.
“My decision not to appoint Jim Baker… no idea at the time how significant it would be”: Ronald Reagan, An American Life, loc. 6564 of 12608, Kindle.
took a glass of cranberry juice… bargaining table: Lou Cannon, “Reagan, Gromyko Meet in ‘Exchange of Views,’ ” Washington Post online, September 29, 1984, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/09/29/reagan-gromyko-meet-in-exchange-of-views/57e5741a-a219-4125-a3ba-d594ece2e28c.
“small crack in the East-West ice”: Don Oberdorfer, “US, Soviets to Resume Arms Talks,” Washington Post online, January 9, 1985, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/01/09/us-soviets-to-resume-arms-talks/ea807b41-6748-46c2-9813-3ecc89574c34.
“That basic policy of strength… Now the work would begin”: Shultz, Turmoil and Triumph, 500.
“I did push Ronnie a little… if he hadn’t wanted to”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 289.
“an unusual Russian… did not stick to prepared notes”: White House memorandum of conversation, “Meeting with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,” December 28, 1984, Margaret Thatcher Foundation online, https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/109185.
“She would buttonhole… moving toward that goal”: Deaver, Behind the Scenes, 120.
“Usually tightly wound… relaxed, even joyous”: Jim Kuhn, Ronald Reagan in Private: A Memoir of My Years in the White House (New York: Sentinel, 2004), 164.
a charming boathouse that chief presidential advance man William Henkel had spotted earlier: Fred Barnes, “Parting Shots,” review of My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan, by Nancy Reagan, New York Times, November 19, 1989, Book Review, 9, https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/19/books/parting-shots.html.
“As soon as we walked into this room… alone with just their translators”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 291–92.
“emotional. It’s a dream… an arms race in space”: Cannon, President Reagan, 673–75.
“Our people couldn’t believe it when I told them… hadn’t dreamed it was possible”: Ronald Reagan, An American Life, loc. 123 of 12608, Kindle.
elegant, but not chic: “Paris Verdict on Mrs. G.: Elegant but Not Chic,” Straits Times (Singapore), October 5, 1985, 5, available at http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19851006-1.2.12.8.
“If that was an ordinary housewife’s tea… then I’m Catherine the Great”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 288–91.
“I followed the Iceland ‘summit’… Oh, please!”: ibid., 295.
A poll conducted… major reduction in nuclear weapons: Adam Clymer, “First Reaction: Poll Shows Arms-Control Optimism and Support for Reagan,” New York Times online, October 16, 1986, https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/world/summit-aftermath-what-public-thinks-first-reaction-poll-shows-arms-control.html.
“You would have liked it. People missed you”:… Barbara Bush, Barbara Bush: A Memoir” (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1994), 211.
“Oh, that’s all right”: ibid, 212.
“She was a very strong woman… she would be right there to prop him up.” Nancy Reagan, interview by James Mann, July 29, 2005. Transcript provided to the author by Mann.
“Part of the problem… such things”: Roosevelt, Keeper, 355.
Barbara noted that she had been impressed… seamstress was working overtime at the Soviet embassy: Barbara Bush, A Memoir, 211–13.
“Was this a bluff?… of the implied agreement”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 303.
“It would have been a shame to go home without seeing it”: ibid., 311.
“I will miss you and your husband… to help bring about the relationship that our two countries now have”: ibid., 311–12.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
twenty-four thousand miles… $33 million for GOP candidates: Cannon, President Reagan, 595–96.
“She was very concerned about losing the Senate… he just went”: Jane May
er and Doyle McManus, Landslide: The Unmaking of the President 1984–1988 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988), 280.
One poll showed that nearly a third of those… Democratic contenders for the Senate: E. J. Dionne, “Democrats Gain Control of Senate, Drawing Votes of Reagan’s Backers; Cuomo and D’Amato Are Easy Victors,” New York Times online, November 9, 1986, https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/05/us/elections-democrats-gain-control-senate-drawing-votes-reagan-s-backers-cuomo-d.html.
“Not again! Not after Watergate!”: David Abshire, Saving the Reagan Presidency: Trust Is the Coin of the Realm (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2005), 3.
Nancy’s normally warm relationship with Shultz… whether one of her closest allies should be ousted: Walter Pincus and George Lardner Jr., “Shultz Sought Nancy Reagan as Iran-Contra Ally,” Washington Post online, February 20, 1993, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1993/02/20/shultz-sought-nancy-reagan-as-iran-contra-ally/fded83e0-b442-474e-87c2-d2054248c1b3.
“This is particularly damaging to President Reagan… character, integrity, and sincerity”: Louis Harris, “Reagan Rating on Inspiring Confidence Plummets,” news release, Harris Survey, December 1, 1986, https://theharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-reagan-rating-on-inspiring-confidence-plummets-1986-12.pdf.
“North didn’t tell me… This may call for resignations”: Reagan diary entry, Monday, November 24, 1986.
“Not funny, sonny”: Speakes with Pack, Speaking Out, 285–86.
“I called Don Regan… He should practically be able smell what is going on”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 272.
“Some of us are like a shovel brigade… cleaning up”: Bernard Weinraub, “Criticism on Iran and Other Issues Put Reagan’s Aides on Defensive,” New York Times online, November 16, 1986, https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/world/criticism-on-iran-and-other-issues-put-reagan-s-aides-on-defensive.html.
acted as though he were still a chief executive.… own introduction at the president’s speeches: Lou Cannon, “Too Big for his Britches?” Washington Post online, September 9, 1985, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/09/09/too-big-for-his-britches/ced7678e-a7ae-45b9-a78a-f3b7f2e778f6.
“He liked the word ‘chief’… words ‘of staff’ ”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 268.
“Don thought he was the president… Those were hard times”: Nancy Reagan, interview by Mann, July 29, 2005.
“When I need something… any need for an intermediary”: Regan, For the Record, 292.
“I’m not the chief of staff”… “and walked off”: Rollins, author interview, January 26, 2018.
said later that he heard no mention of swapping arms for hostages: Regan, For the Record, 20–21.
no recollection at all of McFarlane’s visit: “Reagan’s Iran-Contra Deposition,” Washington Post online, June 20, 1999, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/june99/reagan20.htm.
“getting our 7 kidnap victims back”: Reagan diary entry, Wednesday, July 17, 1985.
“Okay… Proceed. Make the contact”: Cannon, President Reagan, 551.
dropped another ten pounds: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 272.
20 percentage points in just a month: Adam Clymer, “Analyzing the Drop in Reagan’s Ratings,” New York Times online, December 7, 1986. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/07/weekinreview/analyzing-the-drop-in-reagan-s-ratings.html.
“I was right about Stockman… Why won’t you listen to me about Don Regan?”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 275.
“Get off my back!”: Peter Wallison, interview by author, Washington, DC, January 18, 2018.
“I grabbed my papers and folder… I got out of there”: Kuhn, author interview, October 7, 2018.
likely source of the story: Meacham, Destiny and Power, 308.
“a pain in the ass”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 279.
“Nancy came home from New York… a barn for about 36 hours”: Reagan diary entry, Wednesday, November 19, 1986.
“I’ll be goddamned… always thought of the country”: Abshire, Saving the Reagan Presidency, 39.
Deaver led the two men… Ronnie sat back and listened: Deaver, Nancy, 100–101.
“Mr. President,” he began, “let me tell you”… until he got his facts straight: Cannon, President Reagan, 641–43.
“He has to have his mind opened… see what’s happening to him”: ibid., 645.
“Are you still here, Don?”: Regan, For the Record, 69.
“Nancy, I’ve got some hang-ups”… “it is important that you do it”: Meacham, Destiny and Power, 307.
“You’re more interested in protecting Bill Casey… his credibility is gone on the Hill”: Regan, For the Record, 67.
“Is this how they repay… brought us back from Watergate?”: Pat Buchanan, “No One Gave the Order to Abandon Reagan’s Ship,” Washington Post online, December 8, 1986. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1986/12/08/no-one-gave-the-order-to-abandon-reagans-ship/97b5dd4b-e66a-47b6-ac21-24ba1d12bb24.
“too long, and it’s not appropriate… shown to be in charge”: Regan, For the Record, 77.
December 12 memo to Regan… direct access to the president: Abshire, Saving the Reagan Presidency, 19–20.
“Behind the desk… seen at the NATO heads-of-government summit”: ibid., 87.
“She—along with many others in Washington… quickly understood that important difference”: David Abshire, “Don Regan’s Real ‘Record’ Looking Out for Number 1,” Washington Post online, May 15, 1988. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1988/05/15/don-regans-real-record-looking-out-for-number-1/d99a9baa-12bb-4d25-abfe-fae5c21b6486.
“To undertake such a campaign… could now answer”: Abshire, Saving the Reagan Presidency, 104.
“Don’t you let Don Regan in the room”: ibid., 104–7.
“I’m right in the middle of something here”: Ryan, author interview, January 22, 2020.
“In my judgment… larger foreign policy goals”: Reagan Library files. Abshire memo, “Beyond the Tower Board Report,” Series VI: The Independent Counsel Investigation Re: Iran/Contra, 1987–1989 Cf1169., https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/archives/textual/smof/coinvest.pdf.
“Nancy blamed me for ruining his birthday party”… hung up on her: Chris Wallace, interview by author, Washington, DC, July 9, 2017.
“Was that Nancy Reagan you were talking to in that tone of voice?”: Regan, For the Record, 90–91.
“I feel like I’m going through a nightmare.… God, I hope not”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 280.
“George, I’m going to have to do something about Don… A certain honor is at stake”: Meacham, Destiny and Power, 308.
She wanted him out before the next round of Sunday shows: ibid., 309.
As the New York Times reported the next day… “ ‘embarrassment abroad’ ”: Steven V. Roberts, “Inquiry Finds Reagan and Chief Advisers Responsible for ‘Chaos’ in Iran Arms Deals; Reagan Also Blamed,” New York Times online, February 27, 1987, https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/27/world/white-house-crisis-tower-report-inquiry-finds-reagan-chief-advisers-responsible.html.
“Look, Don, you got off easy”: “The Final Days of Donald Regan,” Newsweek, March 9, 1987, 23.
fired like a shoe clerk… “I had no idea”: Regan, For the Record, 369–70.
“It was worked out beforehand… He just had to sign on”: Jane Mayer, “Nancy Reagan’s Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering Stands Out in Circumstances of Regan’s Ouster,” Wall Street Journal, March 2, 1987, 46.
“He was calm, easygoing, congenial… a chance to restore some morale to the office”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 283–84.
“President Reagan spoke to the American people… confessed error”: R. W. Apple Jr., “Reagan’s Concession on Iran Affair Evokes Memories of Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs Speech,” New York Times online, March 5, 1987, https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/05/us/reagan-white-house-spirit-con
trition-reagan-s-concession-iran-affair-evokes.html.
An overnight CBS News poll… looked even better: Cannon, President Reagan, 657.
“When Nancy was brought in… a special place in the history of first ladies”: Abshire, Saving the Reagan Presidency, 165–66.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“If anyone had said six years ago… seen her hungry, period”: Ellen Goodman, “If the First Spouse Had a Career of His/Her Own,” Boston Globe, March 10, 1987, 15.
“At a time he most needs to appear strong… henpecking order”: William Safire, “The First Lady Stages a Coup,” New York Times online, March 2, 1987, https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/02/opinion/essay-the-first-lady-stages-a-coup.html.
“putting his own house in order, since nobody elected Nancy”: James Reston, “Reagan’s Last Chance,” New York Times online, March 4, 1987, https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/04/opinion/washington-reagan-s-last-chance.html.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll: Jane Mayer, “First Lady Anti-Drug Efforts Aim to Reverse Image Damage,” Wall Street Journal, March 20, 1987, n.p.
“The gentlemen who could exercise the greatest influence… a pretty lucky man”: Judy Mann, “Below the Belt,” Washington Post, March 6, 1987, C3.
“I talked to him… that he wanted to devote time to”: Frederick J. Ryan Jr., interview, May 25, 2004, Presidential Oral Histories, Ronald Reagan Presidency, Miller Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-oral-histories/michael-deaver-oral-history-deputy-chief-staff,https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-oral-histories/frederick-j-ryan-jr-oral-history.
“Well, Mike… who take care of those things”: Lyn Nofziger, interview by Lou Cannon, April 19, 2002. Transcript on file in Cannon’s papers at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
“Somewhere along the line in Washington… hard to keep your perspective”: Nancy Reagan with Novak, My Turn, 202.
The Triumph of Nancy Reagan Page 71
