idealism of, 435–36
improvisational skill of, 216
intellect of, as underestimated, 305, 440, 533, 572
Las Vegas act of, 110–11, 113
legacy of, 527, 565–72
in letter about faith to Loyal, 336–37
as lifelong horse lover, 98–99
lucrative speaking engagements of, 170
Malibu Canyon ranch of, 98–99, 145
marriage of NR and, see Reagan, Nancy, marriage of RR and
marriage of Wyman and, see Wyman, Jane, Reagan’s marriage to
newspaper column and radio program of, 170
as oblivious to NR’s faults, 154, 159
as radio sportscaster, 85–86
Rancho del Cielo of, see Rancho del Cielo (Reagan ranch)
religious faith of, 84, 336–37, 346
in resignation from SAG presidency, 107–8
in rewriting stories with unhappy endings, 175
in romance with NR, see Reagan, Nancy, romance of RR and
as SAG president, 76, 91
in shift from New Dealer to conservative, 41, 98, 125, 569
skin cancer of, 400–401, 543
speaking tours of, 115, 201, 204
strong women as filling deep-seated need in, 79
superstitions of, 343
troubled childhood of, 6
trusting nature of, 3–5, 7, 82
vision and ambition of, 3
as voracious reader, 81, 292
Reagan, Ronald, Alzheimer’s disease of, 6, 81, 112, 373–74, 521 Abshire on, 534
Brinkley on, 536
Capps and, 548
deepening effects of, 547–51
emotional and physical toll on NR of, 548–50, 556
and failure to recognize friends and associates, 537–38
Hutton and, 531, 532, 533, 546, 556
increasing public evidence of, 541–42
Maureen and, 545
media’s response to, 546
medical costs of, 553
Michael’s lies about, 555
Morris on, 533
NR and, 532, 536–37, 542–43, 544–45
NR as gatekeeper in, 547
and NR’s 1996 Republican Convention speech, 546–47
and NR’s decreased public appearances, 555
NR’s financial anxieties and, 553
official diagnosis of, 542–43
Parvin and, 538
and Patti’s reconciliation with NR, 547–48
as possibly brought on by riding accident, 536–37
public admiration for NR’s devotion to RR in, 545
public announcement of, 529, 532, 543–44
and question of performance as president, 532–36
ranch life as too difficult for, 550–51
Reynolds on, 535–36
Ron on, 535, 542–43, 544
and RR’s daily routine, 546
and RR’s withdrawal from public appearances, 546
Ryan and, 531, 543–44, 546
Spencer and, 542
Reagan, Ronald, assassination attempt on, 267–82 Brady wounded in, 272–73
failure to transfer power to Bush in, 274
inaccurate first reporting on, 268–69
increased security measures following, 344–45
infection crisis in, 281–82
NR first told of, 269
NR at RR’s bedside in, 271–72
NR’s increased anxiety in wake of, 282, 284–85, 346, 347, 350, 353–54
NR’s increased reliance on astrology following, 5, 342, 344, 346
NR’s insistence on going to hospital, 269–70
NR’s insistence on reduced schedule following, 282
RR’s notes in, 276, 277, 281
RR’s recuperation from, 277, 279
RR’s release from hospital after, 282
RR taken to hospital in, 270–71
seriousness of RR’s condition downplayed in, 280–81
spiritual impact on RR of, 283–84
TV broadcasts shuffled in wake of, 279–80
wounding of RR in, 270
Reagan, Ronald, as California governor, 143–70 abortion rights law signed by, 150–51, 167
amateurism and missteps in early days of, 148–49
Battaglia fired as chief of staff of, 156–58
as disinterested in Sacramento social life, 145–46
first inaugural gala of, 143–44
inauguration of, 143
Meese as chief of staff for, 159–60
and Mitchell execution, 149–50
in move from Governor’s Mansion, 162–63, 165
in 1968 presidential bid, 171–76
NR seen as disruptive presence in, 152–54
NR’s fears about RR’s safety in, 152–53
NR’s insecurity and naivete about role in, 147–48
and NR’s insistence on building new Governor’s Mansion, 165
and NR’s snubbing of political wives, 146
NR’s support of Weinberger in, 149
and NR’s visits with Vietnam veterans and POWs, 168–69
personnel problems of, 148–49
reelection of, 164
RR’s conflict avoidance in, 148, 157–58
second inaugural gala of, 164
student protests and, 151–52
tax policies of, 149
Reagan, Ronald, California gubernatorial campaign of, 127, 129–30 Edie and, 137
in election landslide over Brown, 142
Hollywood Democrats’ support for, 142
Kitchen Cabinet of, 129–30, 148
Maureen and Michael excluded from, 139–40
NR as careful observer in, 134
NR as intermediary between RR and Kitchen Cabinet in, 129–30
NR’s increasingly vocal complaints about, 140–41
NR’s public appearances in, 138
Spencer and Roberts as consultants in, 134, 136
Wyman and, 136–37
Reagan, Ronald, childhood of:in dramatic recitals with mother, 83
father’s alcoholism and, 79–80, 81–82
frequent moves of, 80–81
as lifeguard, 83
mother as stabilizing force in, 82, 112
Reagan, Ronald, film and television career of, 109–10, 114, 126 canceling of General Electric Theater and, 125
Death Valley Days hosted by, 126
in General Electric Theater, 113–14
studio contracts lost by, 108
Warner Brothers contract of, 86
Reagan, Ronald, 1976 presidential primary campaign of:family meeting on, 182–83
Florida loss in, 188
and Ford’s loss to Carter, 199
Kitchen Cabinet and, 185
New Hampshire loss in, 187
North Carolina loss in, 188–89
North Carolina TV speech in, 190–91
NR as recruiter for, 186
NR’s pessimism about, 183, 189, 191
NR’s reflections on, 196–97
NR’s rivalry with Betty Ford in, 194–96
Sears in, 189, 190
Reagan, Ronald, 1980 presidential campaign of:Anderson’s debate with RR in, 231–32
Bush as running mate in, 225
Carter debate in, 232–33
Carter’s concession in, 237
Casey as manager of, 219–20, 221
Deaver in, 211–12, 221
Ford as possible running mate in, 224–25
Iowa caucuses in, 212–14
moderate tone of, 208–9
Nashua debate as turning point in, 217–18
New Hampshire primary in, 214–20, 221
Nofziger’s rejoining of, 221
NR’s disapproval of Bush as running mate in, 225–26
NR’s encouragement of, 203
NR’s focus on RR’s emotional appeal in, 228–29
NR’s public image missteps in, 229–30
NR’s racially insensitive co
mments in, 214–15
NR’s speaking engagements in, 212–13, 214–15
official declaration of, 210
RR’s racially insensitive gaffes in, 215, 226–27
run-up to, 203–10
Sears fired as manager of, 219–20
Sears as manager of, 206–8, 210–12, 214, 215–17
Spencer in, 222–23, 227–28
Reagan, Ronald, post-presidential life of NR and, 515–16 Bel Air home of, 509–10, 513
book deals of, 516
Century City office of, 503, 515–16
knighthood of, 516
low approval ratings of, 522
lucrative Japanese speaking tour of, 517–18
1992 Republican Convention speech of, 538–39
Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to, 541
Rancho del Cielo stays of, 516, 517
travel by, 516
in visit to Berlin Wall remnants, 516–17
Reagan, Ronald, presidency of:abortion issues downplayed by, 301–2
Abshire’s call for administration overhaul in, 482–83
AIDS crisis and, 412, 414, 418–23, 425–26, 428, 429, 432
anti-narcotics bill signed by, 463
astrology controversy in, 353–54
Bitburg cemetery visit of, 390–91
Camp David weekends in, 289–92
conflict between principles and political reality in, 297–98, 300, 303
congressional standing ovation in, 283
cuts in arts subsidies under, 356
cuts to social programs under, 321, 328–29
diaries of, 570–72
economic policy of, 263–64, 283
expanded defense budget in, 379
first inaugural celebrations in, 245–46
first inauguration in, 247
historians’ rating of, 566
immigration bill in, 463
Iran-contra scandal in, see Iran-contra scandal
Iran policy of, 399, 471–72
job approval rating of, 501, 516
Kitchen Cabinet supporters as concern in, 252–53
military buildup by, 435
Nicaragua contras supported by, 434
1981 tax cut in, 300
1982 tax hike in, 300–301
in 1984 China trip, 295–96
1985 European trip of, 390–95
NR’s glamorous lifestyle as concern in, 249–50
official family portrait of, 248
overscheduled first European trip in, 293–94
possible effect of RR’s Alzheimer’s in, see Reagan, Ronald, Alzheimer’s disease of
presidential library of, see Reagan Library
Rancho del Cielo stays of, 292–93
reliance on astrology in, 341–42, 345
RR’s delegation of authority in, 296
and RR’s disinterest in details, 296, 389, 440, 533, 534
and RR’s occasional use of sleeping pills, 320–21
second inauguration in, 366, 385–86
Soviet relations with, see US-Soviet relations
tax return release as issue in, 297–98
tax system overhaul in, 463
“tear down this wall” declaration in, 46, 516–17
in war on drugs, 321, 330
White House troika in, 235, 300, 387
Reagan, Ronald, presidential reelection campaign of, 375–86 advertising in, 378–80
age issue in, 382–83
formal announcement of, 375
“Morning in America” ad in, 378–79
NR’s fury at first debate debacle in, 381–82
NR’s initial opposition to, 375
Reagans love story as theme of, 380–81
Rollins as campaign manager in, 376, 377–80, 384
RR’s poor performance in first debate of, 381–82, 384
second debate in, 383
Reagan, Ronald Prescott “Ron,” 19, 131, 148, 307 in affair with older woman, 176–77
American Express ad of, 358
and assassination attempt, 275–76
ballet career of, 199–200, 275, 356, 357
birth of, 116
Doria’s relationship and marriage with, 200–201, 241–42
Dutch praised by, 409–10
as favorite child, 119, 176
in fight with parents over Secret Service protection, 357–58, 616–17
in GE commercials, 117
journalism career of, 358
in last visit with NR, 575
on Loyal’s adoption of NR, 37
on Michael’s relationship with NR, 555
money problems of, 201
on NR’s childhood, 14
on NR’s fights with children during RR’s absences, 119–20
on NR’s financial anxieties, 553
at NR’s funeral, 577–78
and NR’s growing awareness of AIDS crisis, 415
on NR’s role in RR’s gubernatorial campaign, 130
on NR’s role in RR’s life, 112
parents’ relationship with, 176, 201
and parents’ wills, 554
on Patti’s claims about NR, 119
and Patti’s novel, 372
as Playboy contributor, 358
in public criticism of Reagan administration’s inaction on AIDS, 421
and RR’s 1980 election, 236
on RR’s Alzheimer’s disease, 535, 542–43, 544
on RR’s lack of close friendships, 133
on RR’s remoteness, 117
in Sacramento, 163
on sale of ranch, 552
as Saturday Night Live host, 358–59
strain of RR’s long absences on, 117–18
at Yale, 199–200
Reagan Diaries, The (Brinkley, ed.), 572
Reagan Foundation, 502, 570 in conflict with Young America’s Foundation, 552–53
conservative board members purged from, 524–26
Ryan as chairman of, 546
Reagan Library, 501–3, 517, 541, 556, 559 dedication of, 524
NR’s devotion to, 566
NR’s funeral and burial at, 576–77
Pickens’s fund-raising for, 566–67
RR’s burial at, 563–64
RR’s writings held by, 569
Redbook, Michael’s attack on parents in, 362–63
Redford, Robert, 378
Red Scare, 75, 205 see also Communists, Communism
Reed, Clarke, 193
Reed, Rex, 246
Reed, Thomas C., 141, 219 1968 RR presidential bid urged by, 171–72, 175
on NR’s role in gubernatorial campaign, 129–30
on RR’s 1976 presidential bid, 184, 185, 186
Regan, Ann, 485
Regan, Donald T., 302, 341, 348, 358 Abshire’s strategy memo to, 483
background of, 388–89
excluded from Abshire’s meetings with RR, 483
firing of Buchanan resisted by, 479
and Geneva summit, 449–50
imperious and self-serving style of, 469–70
Iran-contra deal opposed by, 473
Iran-contra press conference urged by, 484–85
J. Baker replaced as White House chief of staff by, 351, 385, 388–89, 396
memoir of, 352, 353, 508
negative press about, 475
NR’s blaming Iran-contra on, 352, 469
NR’s campaign for ouster of, 4, 304, 352, 474–77, 484–86, 488, 497
NR’s conflict with, 388, 396, 399, 470–71, 481–82, 609
NR’s power underestimated by, 471
on NR’s reliance on astrology, 351–52
Reagans’ quarrels over, 474
resignation of, 487–89, 491
RR’s camaraderie with, 470, 477
sexism of, 470
Tower report’s criticism of, 487
Rennert, Leo, 360
Report to the People (TV series), 152
Republican National Committee (RNC), Maureen as special con
sultant to, 360–61
Republican National Convention:of 1968, 174
of 1976, 193–97
of 1980, 224–25
of 1984, 380–81
of 1992, 538
of 1996, 546–47
Republican Party:1964 losses of, 127
1982 losses of, 376
1984 election victories of, 529
Resnick, Patricia, 413
Reston, James, 183, 496
Revell, Dennis, 248, 278, 545, 551, 557 in last visit with NR, 576
Maureen’s wedding to, 282–83
Revell, Rita, 545
Revlon, NR on board of, 519
Reykjavik, Iceland, US-Soviet summit in, 453–56
Reynolds, Frank, 273
Reynolds, Nancy Clark, 187, 189, 484–85 on NR’s insecurity, 161–62
on NR’s political instincts, 161
and Reagans’ introduction to Washington social scene, 239, 240
on RR’s Alzheimer’s disease, 535–36
Ridgway, Matthew, 393
Righter, Carroll, 111, 143 astrology column of, 111, 143, 343
astrology-themed parties of, 343
NR’s consultations with, 344
Risky Business (film), 359
Rivers, Joan, 373, 516
Robb, Charles S., in 1994 senate campaign, 527–29
Robbins, Anne “Nanee,” 18, 37
Robbins, Kenneth:death of, 18, 19
Edie’s divorce from, 17
financial difficulties of, 18–19
and Loyal’s adoption of NR, 37
marriage of Edie and, 10–11
NR’s relationship with, 17–18
Robbins, Patsy, 18
Roberts, William, 133–34, 136, 171, 188
Robinson, Jill Schary, 77
Rockefeller, Nelson, 134, 149 as Ford’s vice president, 184
in 1968 presidential race, 174
Rockne, Knute, 503
Roe v. Wade, 151, 301
Rogers, William, 475–76
Rollins, Ed, 360, 395 in departure from RR White House, 396
on NR’s dislike of Regan, 471
NR’s relationship with, 377
as RR’s 1984 campaign manager, 376, 377–80, 384
Romney, George, 171
Ronald Reagan, USS, 555
The Triumph of Nancy Reagan Page 77
