Ronald Reagan Armed with the charisma of an actor and the confidence of a seasoned politician Reagan emerged from his humble beginnings to pursue his greatest ambitions thus ful filling the promise of the American dream Even after his passing Reagan has remained a beacon of the Republican Party Readers of this volume will learn about the personality and politics that shaped Reagan’s legacy and made him the pivotal leader he came to be 10
Chapter 1 Early Life Early Life Early Life and Acting and Acting and Acting Career Career Career Career Career Career I n a stunning electoral landslide Ronald Reagan was elected the 40th president of the United States in 1980 A former actor known for his folksy charm and con fi dent ease as a public speaker the Great Communicator as he was sometimes called won the votes of divergent groups who had not traditionally supported the Republican Party He defeated Jimmy Carter the incum bent Democratic president by an electoral vote of 489 to 49 In 1984 he was reelected with an unprecedented 525 electoral votes Reagan was considered to be the most conservative candidate to win the offi ce in half a century He was a critic of social-welfare programs an advocate of a strong military and a zealous opponent of communism He 12
Early Life and Acting Career was also one of the few men to become presi dent who had not spent the major part of his life in politics or in a closely related public service profession For 30 years he had been primarily an entertainer in radio motion pic tures and television Although he had been active in political causes he did not become a candidate for public office until he was in his mid-50s Childhood and Education Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on Feb 6 1911 in Tampico Ill a small town in the northwestern part of the state He was the second of two sons born to John Edward Reagan called Jack and Nelle Wilson Reagan His nickname Dutch came from his father’s habit of referring to his infant son as his fat little Dutchman Jack Reagan was a Democrat known for his outspoken opposition to racial bigotry Nelle Reagan who was more conservative gave dramatic readings at women’s clubs hospitals and jails Jack Reagan was a shoe salesman who moved his family from one small town to another in Illinois finally 13
