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WITH PETER HANNAFORD, AUTHOR AND FORMER REAGAN ADVISOR AND SENIOR
FORMER REAGAN ADVISOR AND SENIOR CONSULTANT TO APCO WORLDWIDE OF
CONSULTANT TO APCO WORLDWIDE OF WASHINGTON D.C.
WASHINGTON D.C. >>MEICE, FORMER ATTORNEY
>>MEICE, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL, SUGGESTS YOU ARE THE
GENERAL, SUGGESTS YOU ARE THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE HUMAN BEING
MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE HUMAN BEING AS TO PRESIDENT REAGAN.
AS TO PRESIDENT REAGAN. >>WELL, THAT IS FLATTERING OF
>>WELL, THAT IS FLATTERING OF YOU TO SAY THAT.
YOU TO SAY THAT. >>HE SAID THAT.
>>HE SAID THAT. >>I KNOW HE DID BECAUSE IT WAS
>>I KNOW HE DID BECAUSE IT WAS THIS THE BOOK!
THIS THE BOOK! LAUGH LIFE YOU WORKED WITH HIM
LAUGH LIFE YOU WORKED WITH HIM ALSO.
ALSO. >>HE IS A GOOD FRIEND.
>>HE IS A GOOD FRIEND. >>YOU WERE THERE.
>>YOU WERE THERE. >>YES.
>>YES. >>I AM NOT SAYING YOU WERE A
>>I AM NOT SAYING YOU WERE A REPORTER, BUT IN HINDSIGHT YOU
REPORTER, BUT IN HINDSIGHT YOU ARE LOOKING BACK, BUT YOU ARE A
ARE LOOKING BACK, BUT YOU ARE A LIVING, WALKING, PRIMARY SOURCE.
LIVING, WALKING, PRIMARY SOURCE. >>THAT'S TRUE.
>>THAT'S TRUE. IN FACT, MY VERY FIRST BOOK
IN FACT, MY VERY FIRST BOOK IS -- SETS OUGHT TO BE A
IS -- SETS OUGHT TO BE A CHRONICLE OF REAGAN'S SPECIFIC
CHRONICLE OF REAGAN'S SPECIFIC MARCH TO THE WHITE HOUSE WHICH
MARCH TO THE WHITE HOUSE WHICH IS BEEN SEVEN YEARS LONG, BEING
IS BEEN SEVEN YEARS LONG, BEING COMPLETED FROM 1980'S, FROM
COMPLETED FROM 1980'S, FROM INSIDER POINT OF VIEW. THAT'S
INSIDER POINT OF VIEW. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I SET OUT TO DO
EXACTLY WHAT I SET OUT TO DO WITH IT.
WITH IT. IN THAT SENSE, IT IS REPORTING,
IN THAT SENSE, IT IS REPORTING, YES.
YES. >>YOU HAVE TEN PUBLISHED BOOKS.
>>YOU HAVE TEN PUBLISHED BOOKS. >>UH-HUH.
>>UH-HUH. >>ONE WRITTEN, BUT READY TO BE
>>ONE WRITTEN, BUT READY TO BE PROCESSED.
PROCESSED. >>IT IS IN THE PROCESS.
>>IT IS IN THE PROCESS. >>I WILL TALK ABOUT ALL OF THAT
>>I WILL TALK ABOUT ALL OF THAT SORT OF THING.
SORT OF THING. I REALLY WANT TO START WITH
I REALLY WANT TO START WITH LET'S TURN BACK THE TIME TO
LET'S TURN BACK THE TIME TO SATURDAY OF FEBRUARY, 1965.
SATURDAY OF FEBRUARY, 1965. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DATE?
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DATE? >> YES, I DO.
>> YES, I DO. >>WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DATE?
>>WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DATE? >> WELL, IT WAS THE OPENING DAY
>> WELL, IT WAS THE OPENING DAY OF THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN
OF THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY'S MIDWINTER CONVENTION.
PARTY'S MIDWINTER CONVENTION. TWO FRIENDS AND I HAD BEEN DOING
TWO FRIENDS AND I HAD BEEN DOING VOLUNTEER WORK FOR LOCAL STATE
VOLUNTEER WORK FOR LOCAL STATE ASSEMBLYMAN.
ASSEMBLYMAN. HE ASKED US TO GO OVER THERE AND
HE ASKED US TO GO OVER THERE AND BUTTONHOLE VARIOUS PARTY LEADERS
BUTTONHOLE VARIOUS PARTY LEADERS AND ASK THEM ABOUT CERTAIN
AND ASK THEM ABOUT CERTAIN MATTERS, POLICY MATTERS
MATTERS, POLICY MATTERS BASICALLY ON HIS BEHALF BECAUSE
BASICALLY ON HIS BEHALF BECAUSE HE WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE
HE WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE.
THERE. WE GOT THERE RATHER EARLY, TOO
WE GOT THERE RATHER EARLY, TOO EARLY AS IT TURNED OUT.
EARLY AS IT TURNED OUT. THERE WASN'T ANYTHING GOING ON.
THERE WASN'T ANYTHING GOING ON. WE WENT TO THE MEZZANINE WHERE
WE WENT TO THE MEZZANINE WHERE THEY HAD COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS TO
THEY HAD COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS TO KILL TIME.
KILL TIME. AS WE WERE DOING THAT, DOWN THE
AS WE WERE DOING THAT, DOWN THE AISLE WAY, CAME RONALD REAGAN.
AISLE WAY, CAME RONALD REAGAN. >>THIS GUY?
>>THIS GUY? >> THIS GUY.
>> THIS GUY. WE WE RECOGNIZED HIM
WE WE RECOGNIZED HIM IMMEDIATELY.
IMMEDIATELY. HE HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN
HE HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN TOW.
TOW. THERE WASN'T ANYBODY ELSE THERE,
THERE WASN'T ANYBODY ELSE THERE, EXCEPT THE CONCESSIONAIRE.
EXCEPT THE CONCESSIONAIRE. HE CAME OVER AND WE INTRODUCED
HE CAME OVER AND WE INTRODUCED OURSELVES AND CHATTED FOR WHAT I
OURSELVES AND CHATTED FOR WHAT I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SAID RIGHT
PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SAID RIGHT AFTERWARDS WAS A VERY LONG TIME,
AFTERWARDS WAS A VERY LONG TIME, BUT I IMAGINE IT WASN'T MORE
BUT I IMAGINE IT WASN'T MORE THAN ABOUT THREE MINUTES
THAN ABOUT THREE MINUTES PROBABLY. BUT IT WAS VERY
PROBABLY. BUT IT WAS VERY FRIENDLY CHAT.
FRIENDLY CHAT. >>HE WAS THINKING OF RUNNING FOR
>>HE WAS THINKING OF RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?
GOVERNOR? >> HE WAS EXPLORING.
>> HE WAS EXPLORING. SAID HE DIDN'T THINK HE WAS
SAID HE DIDN'T THINK HE WAS PREPARED TO RUN FOR OFFICE OR
PREPARED TO RUN FOR OFFICE OR DIDN'T HAVE ANY INTEREST.
DIDN'T HAVE ANY INTEREST. AND THEY SAID YOU SHOULD.
AND THEY SAID YOU SHOULD. SO THEY AGREED TO SUPPORT AN
SO THEY AGREED TO SUPPORT AN EFFORT BY HIM TO SPEND ALMOST A
EFFORT BY HIM TO SPEND ALMOST A YEAR EXPLORING SIMPLY BY GOING
YEAR EXPLORING SIMPLY BY GOING AROUND THE STATE TO ALL THE
AROUND THE STATE TO ALL THE REPUBLICAN CLUBS AND UNITS AND
REPUBLICAN CLUBS AND UNITS AND GETTING A FEEL WHETHER OR NOT HE
GETTING A FEEL WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD RUN. THIS WAS PART OF
SHOULD RUN. THIS WAS PART OF THAT PROCESS.
THAT PROCESS. HE HAD AN ARMY OF
HE HAD AN ARMY OF UNDERESTIMATEORS.
UNDERESTIMATEORS. >>HE CERTAINLY DID.
>>HE CERTAINLY DID. AS SOON AS HE LEFT THIS LITTLE
AS SOON AS HE LEFT THIS LITTLE CHAT WE HAD WITH HIM, I THOUGHT
CHAT WE HAD WITH HIM, I THOUGHT WHAT A NICE MAN.
WHAT A NICE MAN. >>I WANT TO GET BACK.
>>I WANT TO GET BACK. WHAT DID YOU THINK?
WHAT DID YOU THINK? I WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU.
I WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU. YOU THOUGHT HE WAS A NICE MAN,
YOU THOUGHT HE WAS A NICE MAN, BUT WHAT ELSE DID YOU THINK?
BUT WHAT ELSE DID YOU THINK? >> THE HE COULD DO ANYTHING.
>> THE HE COULD DO ANYTHING. THE REASON I SAID THAT, MANY
THE REASON I SAID THAT, MANY REPUBLICAN ACTIVISTS,
REPUBLICAN ACTIVISTS, PARTICULARLY IN NORTHERN
PARTICULARLY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WAS THAT THE ONLY WAY
CALIFORNIA WAS THAT THE ONLY WAY YOU WOULD WIN AGAINST THE
YOU WOULD WIN AGAINST THE INCUMBENT WHO WAS PAT BROWN,
INCUMBENT WHO WAS PAT BROWN, JERRY BROWN'S FATHER, HE HAD TWO
JERRY BROWN'S FATHER, HE HAD TWO SUCCESSFUL TERMS AND HE WANTED
SUCCESSFUL TERMS AND HE WANTED TO RUN FOR A THIRD.
TO RUN FOR A THIRD. ONLY WAY YOU COULD DEFEAT HIM
ONLY WAY YOU COULD DEFEAT HIM WITH A VERY SEASONED POLITICIAN.
WITH A VERY SEASONED POLITICIAN. MOST OF US WERE SUPPORTING THE
MOST OF US WERE SUPPORTING THE RECENT MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO.
RECENT MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO. >>CHRISTOPHER.
>>CHRISTOPHER. >>A GOOD MAN, AND RECENTLY
>>A GOOD MAN, AND RECENTLY COMPLETED HIS TERMS.
COMPLETED HIS TERMS. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.
HE WAS SUCCESSFUL. HE CERTAINLY WAS A SEASONED
HE CERTAINLY WAS A SEASONED POLITICIAN.
POLITICIAN. AT THAT MOMENT, I JOINED THIS
AT THAT MOMENT, I JOINED THIS PLATOON OR MAYBE IT WAS AN ARMY
PLATOON OR MAYBE IT WAS AN ARMY OF PEOPLE WHO UNDERESTIMATED
OF PEOPLE WHO UNDERESTIMATED RONALD REAGAN.
RONALD REAGAN. >>WHAT DID YOU THINK -- DID YOU
>>WHAT DID YOU THINK -- DID YOU LIKE HIM?
LIKE HIM? WHAT WAS YOUR IMPRESSION?
WHAT WAS YOUR IMPRESSION? >> OH, YES, I LIKED HIM.
>> OH, YES, I LIKED HIM. >>WAS A SALESMAN, A POLITICIAN,
>>WAS A SALESMAN, A POLITICIAN, ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY.
ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY. >>I KNEW HIM AS A MOVIE STAR,
>>I KNEW HIM AS A MOVIE STAR, BUT HE WAS A VERY -- NO, HE
BUT HE WAS A VERY -- NO, HE WASN'T ORDINARY.
WASN'T ORDINARY. HE HAD A PARTICULAR WARMTH TO
HE HAD A PARTICULAR WARMTH TO HIM THAT -- HE HAD KIND OF
HIM THAT -- HE HAD KIND OF MAGNETIC CHARM TO HIM I WOULD
MAGNETIC CHARM TO HIM I WOULD SAY.
SAY. >>COULD WE SAY INCANDESCENT?
>>COULD WE SAY INCANDESCENT? >> YES, I HAD ONE WOMAN FRIEND
>> YES, I HAD ONE WOMAN FRIEND OF HIS SAYS EVERY TIME HE CAME
OF HIS SAYS EVERY TIME HE CAME IN, HE LIT UP THE ROOM.
IN, HE LIT UP THE ROOM. SO THAT WOULD FIT, YES.
SO THAT WOULD FIT, YES. >>6-1, ABOUT.
>>6-1, ABOUT. >>YES.
>>YES. >>HE DID PLAY FOOTBALL?
>>HE DID PLAY FOOTBALL? >> YES, BUT HE WAS EXTREMELY
>> YES, BUT HE WAS EXTREMELY NEAR CITED.
NEAR CITED. >>VERY NEAR SIGHTED.
>>VERY NEAR SIGHTED. WHEN HE WAS A BOY, AND FIRST
WHEN HE WAS A BOY, AND FIRST STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL, HE AND
STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL, HE AND HIS BROTHER LIVED IN ONE SIDE OF
HIS BROTHER LIVED IN ONE SIDE OF THE STREET, AND COUPLE OTHER
THE STREET, AND COUPLE OTHER BROTHERS ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND
BROTHERS ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND THEY WOULD TAKE TURNS PLAYING IN
THEY WOULD TAKE TURNS PLAYING IN EACH OTHER'S LAWN.
EACH OTHER'S LAWN. AND HE ALWAYS PLAYED THE
AND HE ALWAYS PLAYED THE LINEMAN, AND HIS BROTHER WAS THE
LINEMAN, AND HIS BROTHER WAS THE BALL CARRIER.
BALL CARRIER. IT DIDN'T MATTER HE WAS
IT DIDN'T MATTER HE WAS NEARSIGHTED, EVEN SAW THIS BIG
NEARSIGHTED, EVEN SAW THIS BIG BLUR IN FRONT OF HIM, ALL HE HAD
BLUR IN FRONT OF HIM, ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS THROW HIMSELF AT THE
TO DO WAS THROW HIMSELF AT THE BLUR!
BLUR! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>WE WILL TALK FOOTBALL LATER.
>>WE WILL TALK FOOTBALL LATER. I WANT TO GET BACK TO PETER.
I WANT TO GET BACK TO PETER. YOU WERE ADVISOR TO REAGAN IN
YOU WERE ADVISOR TO REAGAN IN ISSUES AND RESEARCH IN THE '76
ISSUES AND RESEARCH IN THE '76 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION?
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION? >> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.
>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT. AGAIN, I WAS SENIOR
AGAIN, I WAS SENIOR COMMUNICATION ADVISOR TO HIM IN
COMMUNICATION ADVISOR TO HIM IN 1980.
1980. >>YOUR CURRENT SENIOR COUNSEL TO
>>YOUR CURRENT SENIOR COUNSEL TO APCO WORLDWIDE.
APCO WORLDWIDE. >>APCO WORLDWIDE, UH-HUH.
>>APCO WORLDWIDE, UH-HUH. WHAT DOES IT DO?
WHAT DOES IT DO? >> IT IS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS
>> IT IS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY BASED IN
COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY BASED IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. IT IS ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD, AND IT
IT IS ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD, AND IT HAS OFFICES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
HAS OFFICES ALL OVER THE WORLD. THAT'S THE FIELD I HAVE BEEN IN
THAT'S THE FIELD I HAVE BEEN IN FOR 40 YEARS OR SO.
FOR 40 YEARS OR SO. >>YOU MAJOR IN ENGLISH.
>>YOU MAJOR IN ENGLISH. >>YES.
>>YES. >>CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY.
>>CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY. >>I WAS UNIVERSITY OF
>>I WAS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
CALIFORNIA. >>WHERE YOU HE MET YOUR WIFE.
>>WHERE YOU HE MET YOUR WIFE. >>I DIDN'T MEET HER THERE.
>>I DIDN'T MEET HER THERE. I MET HER ON A BLIND DATE WHEN I
I MET HER ON A BLIND DATE WHEN I WAS A STUDENT.
WAS A STUDENT. >>IN THAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREA?
>>IN THAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREA? >> YES.
>> YES. SHE WAS A STUDENT AT MILLS
SHE WAS A STUDENT AT MILLS COLLEGE, A SMALL WOMEN'S COLLEGE
COLLEGE, A SMALL WOMEN'S COLLEGE IN OAKLAND.
IN OAKLAND. BOYS FROM CAL, AND GIRLS FROM
BOYS FROM CAL, AND GIRLS FROM MILLS DATED A LOT.
MILLS DATED A LOT. >>THAT'S WHERE YOU MET.
>>THAT'S WHERE YOU MET. ENGLISH MAJOR, AND ALL OF A
ENGLISH MAJOR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WANT TO GET TO YOUR
SUDDEN, I WANT TO GET TO YOUR TEN PLUS, 11 BOOKS FOR A SECOND.
TEN PLUS, 11 BOOKS FOR A SECOND. I NOTICE A WHOLE BUNCH ON
I NOTICE A WHOLE BUNCH ON REAGAN.
REAGAN. BUT YOU HAVE ONE ON THE
BUT YOU HAVE ONE ON THE ESSENTIAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
ESSENTIAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. >>SURE.
>>SURE. , WELL, I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED
, WELL, I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
IN THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY GENERALLY FOR QUITE SOME PERIOD
GENERALLY FOR QUITE SOME PERIOD OF TIME.
OF TIME. I WAS ASKED TO JOIN THE MOUNT
I WAS ASKED TO JOIN THE MOUNT VERNON ADVISORY BOARD AT ONE
VERNON ADVISORY BOARD AT ONE POINT.
POINT. I SERVED ON THAT BOARD FOR TWO
I SERVED ON THAT BOARD FOR TWO TERMS.
TERMS. THEY HAD TERM LIMITS BY THE WAY.
THEY HAD TERM LIMITS BY THE WAY. I ENJOYED THAT EXPERIENCE VERY
I ENJOYED THAT EXPERIENCE VERY MUCH.
MUCH. I LONG HAVE BEEN ADMIRER OF
I LONG HAVE BEEN ADMIRER OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. AND I AGREED WITH THE PEOPLE AT
AND I AGREED WITH THE PEOPLE AT MOUNT VERNON THAT HE IS NOT AS
MOUNT VERNON THAT HE IS NOT AS WELL APPRECIATED AS HE SHOULD BE
WELL APPRECIATED AS HE SHOULD BE BY AMERICAN SCHOOL CHILDREN
BY AMERICAN SCHOOL CHILDREN BECAUSE HE IS NOT -- HIS
BECAUSE HE IS NOT -- HIS IMPORTANCE IS NOT TAUGHT AS MUCH
IMPORTANCE IS NOT TAUGHT AS MUCH AS IT ONCE WAS.
AS IT ONCE WAS. SO I HIT UPON THE IDEA OF A BOOK
SO I HIT UPON THE IDEA OF A BOOK OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THOUGHT OF
OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THOUGHT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. >>I NOTICED THAT STYLE IS
>>I NOTICED THAT STYLE IS PREVALENT IN MANY OF YOUR BOOKS.
PREVALENT IN MANY OF YOUR BOOKS. >>HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
>>HIS CONTEMPORARIES. I LOOKED AT A LOT OF THINGS HE
I LOOKED AT A LOT OF THINGS HE WROTE AND SAID, AND HE WROTE --
WROTE AND SAID, AND HE WROTE -- HE WROTE IN AN I HAD IUM THAT
HE WROTE IN AN I HAD IUM THAT WOULD SEEM VERY ARCHAIC TODAY TO
WOULD SEEM VERY ARCHAIC TODAY TO YOUNG READERS IN PARTICULAR.
YOUNG READERS IN PARTICULAR. IT WAS QUITE FORMAL.
IT WAS QUITE FORMAL. IT WAS VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD
IT WAS VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD GRAMMARIAN GOOD ENGLISH, BUT
GRAMMARIAN GOOD ENGLISH, BUT DIDN'T HAVE QUITE THE APPROACH,
DIDN'T HAVE QUITE THE APPROACH, THE ACCESSIBILITY YOU WOULD WANT
THE ACCESSIBILITY YOU WOULD WANT FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES TODAY IN
FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES TODAY IN PARTICULAR.
PARTICULAR. SO I HIT UPON THIS IDEA OF WHAT
SO I HIT UPON THIS IDEA OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ABOUT
OTHER PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HIM.
HIM. THE GOOD AND SOMETIMES THE BAD.
THE GOOD AND SOMETIMES THE BAD. >>YOU HAVE, AT LEAST I HAVE
>>YOU HAVE, AT LEAST I HAVE COUNTED 172 COLUMNS, ESSAYS OR
COUNTED 172 COLUMNS, ESSAYS OR PUBLICATIONS.
PUBLICATIONS. HAVE YOU EVER COUNTED THOSE?
HAVE YOU EVER COUNTED THOSE? >> NO.
>> NO. >> I HAVE THE LIST HERE, PETER!
>> I HAVE THE LIST HERE, PETER! >>(LAUGHING) AWFUL LOT OF THEM.
>>(LAUGHING) AWFUL LOT OF THEM. >>HOW DO YOU WRITE MECHANICALLY?
>>HOW DO YOU WRITE MECHANICALLY? >> I WRITE ON A COMPUTER AND
>> I WRITE ON A COMPUTER AND HAVE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.
HAVE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. I USED TO WRITE ON A TYPEWRITER.
I USED TO WRITE ON A TYPEWRITER. I HAD A SELECTRIC TYPEWRITER.
I HAD A SELECTRIC TYPEWRITER. BEFORE THAT, I HAD OLIVETTI
BEFORE THAT, I HAD OLIVETTI LIGHT WEIGHT FORTH TABLE.
LIGHT WEIGHT FORTH TABLE. I WORK ON A COMPUTER.
I WORK ON A COMPUTER. I WRITE PRETTY MUCH A COLUMN A
I WRITE PRETTY MUCH A COLUMN A WEEK FOR THE AMERICAN SPECTATORS
WEEK FOR THE AMERICAN SPECTATORS ONLINE ADDITION.
ONLINE ADDITION. FOR THESE COLUMNS AND ALL I HAVE
FOR THESE COLUMNS AND ALL I HAVE BEEN WRITING, I WRITE WITHIN A
BEEN WRITING, I WRITE WITHIN A SHORT -- I AM DEALING WITH A
SHORT -- I AM DEALING WITH A SHORT TIME FRAME.
SHORT TIME FRAME. I DON'T WRITE FOR MONTHLY
I DON'T WRITE FOR MONTHLY MAGAZINES FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE
MAGAZINES FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO THINK THROUGH WHAT
YOU HAVE TO THINK THROUGH WHAT IS STILL GOING TO BE CURRENT 30
IS STILL GOING TO BE CURRENT 30 DAYS, 45 DAYS FROM NOW.
DAYS, 45 DAYS FROM NOW. >>WHEN IT IS PUBLISHED?
>>WHEN IT IS PUBLISHED? >> YES, I HAVEN'T BEEN INTO THAT
>> YES, I HAVEN'T BEEN INTO THAT DISCIPLINE.
DISCIPLINE. SO I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO IT.
SO I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO IT. IF I SEE SOMETHING IN TODAY'S
IF I SEE SOMETHING IN TODAY'S NEWS THAT TRIGGERS SOME THOUGHTS
NEWS THAT TRIGGERS SOME THOUGHTS IN MY MIND OR PERHAPS BRINGS TO
IN MY MIND OR PERHAPS BRINGS TO FRUITION SOME THINGS THAT HAVE
FRUITION SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN FLOATING AROUND, I MAY SIT
BEEN FLOATING AROUND, I MAY SIT DOWN AFTER LUNCH, WORK FOR A
DOWN AFTER LUNCH, WORK FOR A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AND DO A
LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AND DO A COLUMN AND SEND IT TO THE
COLUMN AND SEND IT TO THE EDITOR.
EDITOR. IF I GET IT TO THEM BY MID
IF I GET IT TO THEM BY MID AFTERNOON, HE MAY WELL PUT IT ON
AFTERNOON, HE MAY WELL PUT IT ON TOMORROW'S ADDITION.
TOMORROW'S ADDITION. >>LET'S GO BACK TO THE
>>LET'S GO BACK TO THE MECHANICS, NOT SO THE PHYSICAL
MECHANICS, NOT SO THE PHYSICAL MECHANICS, BUT INTELLECTUAL
MECHANICS, BUT INTELLECTUAL MECHANICS, DISTINCTION FROM MOST
MECHANICS, DISTINCTION FROM MOST RECENT PUBLICATION BEING
RECENT PUBLICATION BEING "REAGAN'S ROOTS" AND THE COLUMN.
"REAGAN'S ROOTS" AND THE COLUMN. TOOK YOU A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME
TOOK YOU A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME TO WRITE "REAGAN'S ROOTS."
TO WRITE "REAGAN'S ROOTS." OR MAYBE NOT.
OR MAYBE NOT. >>NO.
>>NO. >>IT WAS EASY --
>>IT WAS EASY -- >>I DIDN'T SAY THAT.
>>I DIDN'T SAY THAT. (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO YOU
>>HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO YOU WRITE.
WRITE. >>I HAD DONE ALL MY RESEARCH
>>I HAD DONE ALL MY RESEARCH BEFORE I ACTUALLY WROTE A WORD.
BEFORE I ACTUALLY WROTE A WORD. >>LET ME REPHRASE THE QUESTION,
>>LET ME REPHRASE THE QUESTION, FROM THE GESTATION OF THE IDEA
FROM THE GESTATION OF THE IDEA TO WRITE THE BOOK, TO THE DATE
TO WRITE THE BOOK, TO THE DATE YOU SENT THE FINAL MANUSCRIPT TO
YOU SENT THE FINAL MANUSCRIPT TO THE PUBLISHER.
THE PUBLISHER. >>FROM THE GESTATION, TEN AND A
>>FROM THE GESTATION, TEN AND A HALF TO 11 MONTHS.
HALF TO 11 MONTHS. >>THAT'S PRETTY QUICK.
>>THAT'S PRETTY QUICK. >>YEAH.
>>YEAH. ACTUAL WRITING WAS A LOT LESS
ACTUAL WRITING WAS A LOT LESS THAN THAT.
THAN THAT. >>BECAUSE YOU KNEW SO MUCH ABOUT
>>BECAUSE YOU KNEW SO MUCH ABOUT IT.
IT. >>WELL, BECAUSE I HAD THE
>>WELL, BECAUSE I HAD THE RESEARCH DONE.
RESEARCH DONE. IT WAS ALL -- IT WAS PRETTY MUCH
IT WAS ALL -- IT WAS PRETTY MUCH IN MY MIND.
IN MY MIND. >>GETTING BACK TO BOOKS FOR A
>>GETTING BACK TO BOOKS FOR A SECOND, YOUR BOOKS.
SECOND, YOUR BOOKS. MY FAVORITE IN THE SENSE IF IT
MY FAVORITE IN THE SENSE IF IT IS INCEPTION TO ITS APPLICATION
IS INCEPTION TO ITS APPLICATION NOW IS TALKING BACK TO THE
NOW IS TALKING BACK TO THE MEDIA.
MEDIA. REMEMBER THIS GUY?
REMEMBER THIS GUY? >> YEAH, I CERTAINLY DO.
>> YEAH, I CERTAINLY DO. >>THAT'S CRISIS MANAGEMENT.
>>THAT'S CRISIS MANAGEMENT. WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT?
WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT? >> THEY DIDN'T CALL IT THAT.
>> THEY DIDN'T CALL IT THAT. >>ISN'T IT CRISIS MANAGEMENT?
>>ISN'T IT CRISIS MANAGEMENT? >> YES, IT IS.
>> YES, IT IS. THIS IS A TIME WHEN --
THIS IS A TIME WHEN -- >>1986.
>>1986. >>1986, THE MEDIA HAD BEEN
>>1986, THE MEDIA HAD BEEN RIDING HIGH.
RIDING HIGH. THERE WERE LOTS OF NEW PEOPLE
THERE WERE LOTS OF NEW PEOPLE COME NOTHING JOURNALISM SCHOOLS.
COME NOTHING JOURNALISM SCHOOLS. AFTERWARD WARD AND BERN STEIN
AFTERWARD WARD AND BERN STEIN DID THEIR BOOK ABOUT WATER GATE,
DID THEIR BOOK ABOUT WATER GATE, THE JOURNALISM SCHOOLS HAD A
THE JOURNALISM SCHOOLS HAD A GREAT SURGE IN APPLICATIONS.
GREAT SURGE IN APPLICATIONS. THE NOTION WAS THAT NEWSPAPER
THE NOTION WAS THAT NEWSPAPER REPORTERS, REPORTERS BE
REPORTERS, REPORTERS BE GENERALLY, WAS A HIGHER CALLING
GENERALLY, WAS A HIGHER CALLING THAN EVER BEFORE.
THAN EVER BEFORE. THEY COULD DO NO WRONG.
THEY COULD DO NO WRONG. THE NOTION BEHIND THIS BOOK WAS
THE NOTION BEHIND THIS BOOK WAS THAT SORT OF SANELY NES WAS
THAT SORT OF SANELY NES WAS ABOUT TO WEAR OFF, AND A PUBLIC
ABOUT TO WEAR OFF, AND A PUBLIC FIGURE WHO HAD TO DEAL WITH THE
FIGURE WHO HAD TO DEAL WITH THE MEDIA SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD HIS
MEDIA SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD HIS OR HER OWN AND SO SHOULD A
OR HER OWN AND SO SHOULD A BUSINESS PERSON.
BUSINESS PERSON. >>LET ME CHARACTERIZE THAT NOW
>>LET ME CHARACTERIZE THAT NOW IN THIS CONTEXT OF THAT BOOK,
IN THIS CONTEXT OF THAT BOOK, THE UNI SATION ISSUE WAS
THE UNI SATION ISSUE WAS EXPRESSED IN THIS BOOK, AND THE
EXPRESSED IN THIS BOOK, AND THE PROBLEM, POTENTIAL RAZOR IN
PROBLEM, POTENTIAL RAZOR IN BALLPARK FRANKFURTERS.
BALLPARK FRANKFURTERS. >>OH, YES, THE RAZOR AB BALLPARK
>>OH, YES, THE RAZOR AB BALLPARK FRANKFURTER.
FRANKFURTER. >>WHAT IS SPENT ON TYLENOL
>>WHAT IS SPENT ON TYLENOL RECALL.
RECALL. >>YES, RECALL.
>>YES, RECALL. >>BACK THEN IN 1986, YOU PUT
>>BACK THEN IN 1986, YOU PUT TOGETHER AIL CALL IT CLIFF NOTES
TOGETHER AIL CALL IT CLIFF NOTES ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT.
ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT. THAT'S NOT DENIGRATING IT, IT IS
THAT'S NOT DENIGRATING IT, IT IS SUGGESTING THAT'S THE WAY IT
SUGGESTING THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
SHOULD BE. >>THAT'S EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS.
>>THAT'S EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS. >>INCLUDING HOW DO YOU DRESS?
>>INCLUDING HOW DO YOU DRESS? >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. HOW DO YOU DRESS, HOW DO YOU
HOW DO YOU DRESS, HOW DO YOU APPEAR.
APPEAR. ONE OF THE POINT I MADE WAS
ONE OF THE POINT I MADE WAS THAT -- TO ANYBODY READING ING
THAT -- TO ANYBODY READING ING THIS I WOULD SAY YOU KNOW YOUR
THIS I WOULD SAY YOU KNOW YOUR OWN FIELD VERY WELL, AND ALMOST
OWN FIELD VERY WELL, AND ALMOST EVERY FIELD OF ENDEAVOR HAS ITS
EVERY FIELD OF ENDEAVOR HAS ITS OWN JARGON, OTHERWISE, VERY
OWN JARGON, OTHERWISE, VERY AWKWARD TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR
AWKWARD TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PEERS.
PEERS. YOU KNOW SO MANY THINGS BEING OF
YOU KNOW SO MANY THINGS BEING OF THIS YOU USE SHORTHAND.
THIS YOU USE SHORTHAND. >>CONCRETE WORDS.
>>CONCRETE WORDS. >>YEAH.
>>YEAH. I SAID AVOID JARGON BECAUSE THE
I SAID AVOID JARGON BECAUSE THE AUDIENCE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE
AUDIENCE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE JARGON.
JARGON. I GAVE ILLUSTRATION OF THAT.
I GAVE ILLUSTRATION OF THAT. >>LET ME EXPRESS AN ATTITUDEMENT
>>LET ME EXPRESS AN ATTITUDEMENT LET ME OVER STATE IT, BUT
LET ME OVER STATE IT, BUT NONETHELESS CHALLENGE IT, THE
NONETHELESS CHALLENGE IT, THE MEDIA P SO FAR AS INTERVIEWING
MEDIA P SO FAR AS INTERVIEWING ANYONE, IS AN ADVERSARY.
ANYONE, IS AN ADVERSARY. >>UH-HUH.
>>UH-HUH. UNTIL WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT
UNTIL WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT REPORTER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND,
REPORTER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND, TAKE YOU O OUT FOR AER BOSH THEY
TAKE YOU O OUT FOR AER BOSH THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND TOUCH POINTS.
ARE TRYING TO FIND TOUCH POINTS. THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SOUND
THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SOUND SOUND BITES.
SOUND BITES. >>ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
>>ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. >>THAT'S WHAT THEY GET PAID FOR.
>>THAT'S WHAT THEY GET PAID FOR. >>THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAID FOR.
>>THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAID FOR. >>WHILE THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY,
>>WHILE THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY, AND CERTAINLY WE WANT FREE THROW
AND CERTAINLY WE WANT FREE THROW OF INFORMATION, NONETHELESS, THE
OF INFORMATION, NONETHELESS, THE RECOGNITION IS JOURNALISTS TEND
RECOGNITION IS JOURNALISTS TEND TO BE ADVERSARIAL.
TO BE ADVERSARIAL. >>THAT'S WHAT I SAID TO MY
>>THAT'S WHAT I SAID TO MY READER.
READER. THAT'S BACK IN '86.
THAT'S BACK IN '86. >>YES.
>>YES. >>NOW, TURNING BACK TO PETER,
>>NOW, TURNING BACK TO PETER, WHY POLITICS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS?
WHY POLITICS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS? >> WELL, I SUPPOSE I HAD IMPULSE
>> WELL, I SUPPOSE I HAD IMPULSE AS A MUCH YOUNGER MAN TO BECOME
AS A MUCH YOUNGER MAN TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PUBLIC
INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PUBLIC PROCESS OF MAKING THE WORLD A
PROCESS OF MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, I GUESS.
BETTER PLACE, I GUESS. YOUNG IDEALISTIC MAN.
YOUNG IDEALISTIC MAN. ADLAI STEVENSON.
ADLAI STEVENSON. >>THAT'S RIGHT.
>>THAT'S RIGHT. HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL
HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE I SUPPORTED.
CANDIDATE I SUPPORTED. I WAS A DEMOCRAT THEN.
I WAS A DEMOCRAT THEN. >> YOU WERE ON THE STUDENT
>> YOU WERE ON THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER?
NEWSPAPER? >> I WAS "DAILY CAL" IN BERKLEY.
>> I WAS "DAILY CAL" IN BERKLEY. I WAS ON THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS,
I WAS ON THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT I WASN'T REALLY VERY
BUT I WASN'T REALLY VERY POLITICAL.
POLITICAL. BUT ONE DAY IN 1952 IT WAS, I
BUT ONE DAY IN 1952 IT WAS, I WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE BY
WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE BY THEM, STEVENSON WAS GOING TO
THEM, STEVENSON WAS GOING TO COME AND SPEAK AT THE
COME AND SPEAK AT THE UNIVERSITY, A CAMPAIGN SWING, I
UNIVERSITY, A CAMPAIGN SWING, I THINK, AND HE WAS SPEAKING AT
THINK, AND HE WAS SPEAKING AT ONE OF THE ENTRY POINTS OF THE
ONE OF THE ENTRY POINTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
UNIVERSITY. IT WASN'T A FORMAL INVITATION TO
IT WASN'T A FORMAL INVITATION TO SPEAK ON THE CAMPUS.
SPEAK ON THE CAMPUS. I WENT DOWN IN THE RAIN AND
I WENT DOWN IN THE RAIN AND LISTENED TO HIM, AND I THOUGHT
LISTENED TO HIM, AND I THOUGHT BEING ENGLISH MAJOR --
BEING ENGLISH MAJOR -- >>THIS GUY WAS ARTICULATE!
>>THIS GUY WAS ARTICULATE! >>I SAID ANYBODY WHO CAN SPEAK
>>I SAID ANYBODY WHO CAN SPEAK ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAT WELL OUGHT
ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAT WELL OUGHT TO BE PRESIDENT.
TO BE PRESIDENT. >>IT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID, BUT
>>IT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID, BUT HOW HE SAID IT!
HOW HE SAID IT! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>HOW HE SAID IT.
>>HOW HE SAID IT. >>THERE PERHAPS MAYBE SOMETHING
>>THERE PERHAPS MAYBE SOMETHING TO THAT TODAY.
TO THAT TODAY. >>FOUR YEARS LATER, I WAS STILL
>>FOUR YEARS LATER, I WAS STILL QUITE TAKEN BY WHAT HE SAID, AND
QUITE TAKEN BY WHAT HE SAID, AND I VOTED FOR HIM.
I VOTED FOR HIM. A COUPLE YEARS AFTER THAT IS
A COUPLE YEARS AFTER THAT IS CORRECT I WAS BACK -- I WAS IN
CORRECT I WAS BACK -- I WAS IN THE ARMY AT THAT TIME, AND I WAS
THE ARMY AT THAT TIME, AND I WAS BACK IN THE CIVILIAN LIFE
BACK IN THE CIVILIAN LIFE WORKING FOR SMALL ADVERTISING
WORKING FOR SMALL ADVERTISING AGENCY.
AGENCY. I WAS ABLE TO BUY A LITTLE PIECE
I WAS ABLE TO BUY A LITTLE PIECE OF IT, HELPING MAKE A PAYROLL, I
OF IT, HELPING MAKE A PAYROLL, I SOON BECAME A REPUBLICAN.
SOON BECAME A REPUBLICAN. THIS MAN, HE WAS A WELL-LIKED
THIS MAN, HE WAS A WELL-LIKED MUNICIPAL JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA,
MUNICIPAL JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. HE CAME TO ME ONE DAY, I THINK I
HE CAME TO ME ONE DAY, I THINK I MET HIM ONCE, BUT HE KNEW MY
MET HIM ONCE, BUT HE KNEW MY SENIOR PARTNER, THE WOMAN WHO
SENIOR PARTNER, THE WOMAN WHO HAD STARTED THE AGENT SICK AND
HAD STARTED THE AGENT SICK AND SHE HAD RETIRED A YEAR OR SO
SHE HAD RETIRED A YEAR OR SO EARLIER.
EARLIER. SO I WAS RUNNING THIS SMALL
SO I WAS RUNNING THIS SMALL ADVERTISING AGENCY.
ADVERTISING AGENCY. HE CAME TO SEE ME AND HE SAID "I
HE CAME TO SEE ME AND HE SAID "I AM GOING TO RUN FOR THE NEXT
AM GOING TO RUN FOR THE NEXT LEVEL COURT, SUPERIOR COURT,
LEVEL COURT, SUPERIOR COURT, COUNTY COURT, AND I DIDN'T
COUNTY COURT, AND I DIDN'T EXPECT TO HAVE OPPOSITION, AT
EXPECT TO HAVE OPPOSITION, AT THE LAST MINUTE, ANOTHER JUDGES
THE LAST MINUTE, ANOTHER JUDGES IS GOING WITH ME, AND THIS IS A
IS GOING WITH ME, AND THIS IS A BIG UNION TOWN, AND HE IS
BIG UNION TOWN, AND HE IS SUPPORTED BY THE UNIONS.
SUPPORTED BY THE UNIONS. " HE SAID "YOU HAVE TO HELP ME."
" HE SAID "YOU HAVE TO HELP ME." I SAID, "WELL, JUDGE, I MADE A
I SAID, "WELL, JUDGE, I MADE A PACT WITH OUR MUTUAL FRIEND, MY
PACT WITH OUR MUTUAL FRIEND, MY FORMER PARTNER, MY SENIOR
FORMER PARTNER, MY SENIOR PARTNER, SHE MADE ME PROMISE
PARTNER, SHE MADE ME PROMISE THAT WE WOULD NEVER TAKE ON ANY
THAT WE WOULD NEVER TAKE ON ANY POLITICAL EM ACCOUNTS" I SAID TO
POLITICAL EM ACCOUNTS" I SAID TO TO HIM, AND HE SAID "WELL, YOU
TO HIM, AND HE SAID "WELL, YOU HAVE TO MAKE EXCEPTION.
HAVE TO MAKE EXCEPTION. >>AND YOU MADE HIM INTO AN
>>AND YOU MADE HIM INTO AN EISENHOWER.
EISENHOWER. >>WE TOOK HIM TO LUNCH ONE DAY
>>WE TOOK HIM TO LUNCH ONE DAY ARC I HAD A YOUNG WRITER, A
ARC I HAD A YOUNG WRITER, A WOMAN WRITER, MY THEN PARTNER
WOMAN WRITER, MY THEN PARTNER WAS A CREATIVE DIRECT OR, WE HAD
WAS A CREATIVE DIRECT OR, WE HAD A YOUNG WRITER.
A YOUNG WRITER. WE HAD THIS LUNCH, AND MY
WE HAD THIS LUNCH, AND MY PARTNER WAS A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER.
PARTNER WAS A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER. HE SNAPPED A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHS
HE SNAPPED A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS JUDGE AS HE WAS SPEAK.
OF THIS JUDGE AS HE WAS SPEAK. SHE TOOK DOWN EVERYTHING HE HAD
SHE TOOK DOWN EVERYTHING HE HAD TO SAY.
TO SAY. SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW, HE IS KIND
SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW, HE IS KIND OF ICE EN HOUR-ESQUE".
OF ICE EN HOUR-ESQUE". >>AND THAT WAS THE TICKET.
>>AND THAT WAS THE TICKET. >>HE WON THE RACE!
>>HE WON THE RACE! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>WHAT HAPPENED SNICKS SIX
>>WHAT HAPPENED SNICKS SIX MONTHS AFTER HE WON THE RACE.
MONTHS AFTER HE WON THE RACE. >>DIED.
>>DIED. >>SO THE OPPORTUNITY WENT UP IN
>>SO THE OPPORTUNITY WENT UP IN A PUFF OF SMOKE.
A PUFF OF SMOKE. >>PUFF OF SMOKE.
>>PUFF OF SMOKE. BUT HE GOT HAD HIS WISH.
BUT HE GOT HAD HIS WISH. WAS THAT THE MAGIC MOMENT WHEN
WAS THAT THE MAGIC MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED THIS IS WHAT YOU
YOU DECIDED THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO FOR A LIVING.
WANTED TO DO FOR A LIVING. AND THAT WAS A PREDICATE WHAT
AND THAT WAS A PREDICATE WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO FOR DAYTIME JOB
YOU WANTED TO DO FOR DAYTIME JOB CAREER, IS THAT RIGHT?
CAREER, IS THAT RIGHT? >> YEAH.
>> YEAH. IT WAS A MOMENT ALL RIGHT, BUT
IT WAS A MOMENT ALL RIGHT, BUT IT WASN'T I WANTED TO MAKE MY
IT WASN'T I WANTED TO MAKE MY LIVING IN POLITICS.
LIVING IN POLITICS. >>WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN, PETER?
>>WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN, PETER? >> WELL, SEVERAL YEARS LATER, I
>> WELL, SEVERAL YEARS LATER, I THEN BECAME ACTIVE IN POLITICS.
THEN BECAME ACTIVE IN POLITICS. I WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE
I WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE REPUBLICAN COUNTY CENTRAL
REPUBLICAN COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO FILL A VACANCY.
COMMITTEE TO FILL A VACANCY. AND I FOUND MYSELF IMMERSED IN
AND I FOUND MYSELF IMMERSED IN THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I FOUND MYSELF BEING A VOLUNTEER
I FOUND MYSELF BEING A VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN OR THEN
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN OR THEN I ACTUALLY WAS PAID TO MANAGE A
I ACTUALLY WAS PAID TO MANAGE A CAMPAIGN, THROUGH MY COMPANY.
CAMPAIGN, THROUGH MY COMPANY. I KIND OF BACKED INTO ALL OF
I KIND OF BACKED INTO ALL OF THAT.
THAT. I FINALLY DECIDED THAT ALL THIS
I FINALLY DECIDED THAT ALL THIS ACTIVITY I WAS INVOLVED IN HAD
ACTIVITY I WAS INVOLVED IN HAD TO END UP IN RUNNING FOR OFFICE
TO END UP IN RUNNING FOR OFFICE AT SOME POINT.
AT SOME POINT. SO THE PROCESS WENT FORWARD AND
SO THE PROCESS WENT FORWARD AND BY 1972, I BECAME A
BY 1972, I BECAME A CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE.
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE. I HAD -- I HAD FOUR OPPONENTS IN
I HAD -- I HAD FOUR OPPONENTS IN THE PRIMARY, AND I HAD TO WIN
THE PRIMARY, AND I HAD TO WIN THAT FIRST.
THAT FIRST. THEN I FACED OFF AGAINST THE
THEN I FACED OFF AGAINST THE FIRST -- HE WAS FIRST TERM
FIRST -- HE WAS FIRST TERM INCUMBENT.
INCUMBENT. I THOUGHT GIVEN THE FACT WE
I THOUGHT GIVEN THE FACT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEITHER
DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEITHER NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS, THE
NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS, THE DEMOCRATS HAD, IT WAS
DEMOCRATS HAD, IT WAS POTENTIALLY WINNABLE.
POTENTIALLY WINNABLE. 20 YEARS LATER WHEN HE HAD
20 YEARS LATER WHEN HE HAD FORGOTTEN WHERE HE CAME FROM,
FORGOTTEN WHERE HE CAME FROM, (LAUGHING), I DECIDED TO MAKE
(LAUGHING), I DECIDED TO MAKE THAT.
THAT. >>DID YOU --
>>DID YOU -- >>I DIDN'T BEAT HIM.
>>I DIDN'T BEAT HIM. SO I CAME CLOSE, BUT I DIDN'T
SO I CAME CLOSE, BUT I DIDN'T BEAT HIM.
BEAT HIM. IN A WAY, I GOT THAT OUT OF MY
IN A WAY, I GOT THAT OUT OF MY SYSTEM AT THAT POINT.
SYSTEM AT THAT POINT. >>I'D LIKE TO VISIT ABOUT THE
>>I'D LIKE TO VISIT ABOUT THE BOOK "REAGAN'S ROOTS," MOST
BOOK "REAGAN'S ROOTS," MOST RECENT PUBLICATION.
RECENT PUBLICATION. EDWIN MEICE CHARACTERIZED YOU A
EDWIN MEICE CHARACTERIZED YOU A AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT
AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS PERSON.
THIS PERSON. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS MAN THAT
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS MAN THAT SETS HIM APART.
SETS HIM APART. >>HIS PRESENCE, HIS OVER ALL
>>HIS PRESENCE, HIS OVER ALL PRESENCE IN PUBLIC LIFE WAS
PRESENCE IN PUBLIC LIFE WAS REALLY WHAT MADE HIM ~L
REALLY WHAT MADE HIM ~L SUFFICIENTLY POPULAR TO SUCCEED
SUFFICIENTLY POPULAR TO SUCCEED AT POLICY THRUSTS AND
AT POLICY THRUSTS AND INITIATIVES THAT HE WANTED THE
INITIATIVES THAT HE WANTED THE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT.
PEOPLE TO ACCEPT. HE WAS SEEN, I THINK, AS VERY
HE WAS SEEN, I THINK, AS VERY MUCH A MAN OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
MUCH A MAN OF THE PEOPLE IN THE SENSE OF REGULAR ORDINARY
SENSE OF REGULAR ORDINARY PEOPLE.
PEOPLE. I SAY THAT ALL COMES OUT OF
I SAY THAT ALL COMES OUT OF HIS -- THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS
HIS -- THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS CHARACTER AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE
CHARACTER AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF HIS BIRTH AND GROWING UP.
OF HIS BIRTH AND GROWING UP. BECAUSE THE VALUES THAT HE TOOK
BECAUSE THE VALUES THAT HE TOOK ON, HE NEVER LOST. THEY ALL
ON, HE NEVER LOST. THEY ALL CAME FROM HERE IN THE MIDWEST,
CAME FROM HERE IN THE MIDWEST, IN PARTICULAR IN ILLINOIS.
IN PARTICULAR IN ILLINOIS. BACK IN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF
BACK IN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
AGO I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA GIVING A TALK, IN THEIR
VIRGINIA GIVING A TALK, IN THEIR FORUM SERIES ON THE TOPIC OF
FORUM SERIES ON THE TOPIC OF PRESIDENT REAGAN'S STRATEGY FOR
PRESIDENT REAGAN'S STRATEGY FOR BRINGING THE WORLD WAR TO
BRINGING THE WORLD WAR TO SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. WHEN THE TALK WAS OVER, THE HOST
WHEN THE TALK WAS OVER, THE HOST INVITED THE AUDIENCE TO ASK
INVITED THE AUDIENCE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
QUESTIONS. I EXPECTED THEY WOULD BE ABOUT
I EXPECTED THEY WOULD BE ABOUT THAT TOPIC.
THAT TOPIC. INSTEAD THE FIRST MAN WHO GOT UP
INSTEAD THE FIRST MAN WHO GOT UP SAID, "CAN YOU TELL US THE
SAID, "CAN YOU TELL US THE SOURCES OF RONALD REAGAN'S
SOURCES OF RONALD REAGAN'S CHARACTER."
CHARACTER." >>ONE WORD YOU RESPOND?
>>ONE WORD YOU RESPOND? >> I DID.
>> I DID. I THOUGHT FOR A FEW MOMENT, AND
I THOUGHT FOR A FEW MOMENT, AND I SAID, YES, ILLINOIS" ALL THE
I SAID, YES, ILLINOIS" ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS WE ASSOCIATE
CHARACTERISTICS WE ASSOCIATE WITH HIM, SELF RELIANCE,
WITH HIM, SELF RELIANCE, CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM, TOLERANCE,
CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM, TOLERANCE, LOYALTY, GOOD HUMOR,
LOYALTY, GOOD HUMOR, DETERMINATION, REFERENCE FOR
DETERMINATION, REFERENCE FOR GOD, ALL OF THESE THINGS, HE GOT
GOD, ALL OF THESE THINGS, HE GOT FROM HIS FOREBEARERS, FROM HIS
FROM HIS FOREBEARERS, FROM HIS TEACHERS, COACHES, ATHLETIC AND
TEACHERS, COACHES, ATHLETIC AND DRAMATIC, FROM THE CLERGY.
DRAMATIC, FROM THE CLERGY. HE GOT THEM FROM THE
HE GOT THEM FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS YOUTH, AND
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS YOUTH, AND MOST OF ALL FROM HIS PARENTS.
MOST OF ALL FROM HIS PARENTS. >>I WANT TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST
>>I WANT TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THIS MAN WITH THESE ILLINOIS
THIS MAN WITH THESE ILLINOIS CHARACTERISTICS WORKING,
CHARACTERISTICS WORKING, LEARNING, SPEAK, AND WRITING.
LEARNING, SPEAK, AND WRITING. >> UH-HUH.
>> UH-HUH. >>TO THE OTHER PRESIDENTS I HAD
>>TO THE OTHER PRESIDENTS I HAD MENTIONED.
MENTIONED. LET'S TALK ABOUT WASHINGTON AND
LET'S TALK ABOUT WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN.
LINCOLN. GREAT COMMUNICATORS.
GREAT COMMUNICATORS. >>OH, YES.
>>OH, YES. >>OF A SIMILAR BACKGROUND.
>>OF A SIMILAR BACKGROUND. >>YES, WASHINGTON'S
>>YES, WASHINGTON'S COMMUNICATION WORKED A LITTLE
COMMUNICATION WORKED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
DIFFERENTLY. EFFECTIVENESS WORKED THROUGH HIS
EFFECTIVENESS WORKED THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP IN THE WAR, AND
LEADERSHIP IN THE WAR, AND BECOMING THOUGHT OF DEMI-GOD BY
BECOMING THOUGHT OF DEMI-GOD BY HIS CITIZENS.
HIS CITIZENS. IT WASN'T SO MUCH DECLARATIONS
IT WASN'T SO MUCH DECLARATIONS IN SPEAKING, BUT HE CERTAINLY
IN SPEAKING, BUT HE CERTAINLY COMMUNICATED WASHINGTON WAS A
COMMUNICATED WASHINGTON WAS A TALL MAN FOR HIS AGE.
TALL MAN FOR HIS AGE. THE PERIOD IN WHICH HE LIVED, HE
THE PERIOD IN WHICH HE LIVED, HE WAS VERY TALL.
WAS VERY TALL. HE HAD A VERY COMMANDING
HE HAD A VERY COMMANDING PHYSICAL PRESENCE.
PHYSICAL PRESENCE. THEN HE LED HIS COUNTRY IN A
THEN HE LED HIS COUNTRY IN A SUCCESSFUL WAR.
SUCCESSFUL WAR. SO IT WAS HIS WAY OF
SO IT WAS HIS WAY OF DEMONSTRATING HIS PRESENCE THAT
DEMONSTRATING HIS PRESENCE THAT KEPT BRINGING LEADERSHIP ROLES
KEPT BRINGING LEADERSHIP ROLES TO HIM AND KEPT THRUSTING HIM TO
TO HIM AND KEPT THRUSTING HIM TO THE FLOOR.
THE FLOOR. LINCOLN'S, OF COURSE, YOU WELL
LINCOLN'S, OF COURSE, YOU WELL KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS THERE.
KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS THERE. WITH A CERTAIN BASIC ELOQUENCE
WITH A CERTAIN BASIC ELOQUENCE TO THIS MAN, HE ONLY HAD TO SAY
TO THIS MAN, HE ONLY HAD TO SAY A FEW WORDS, AND THEY WERE
A FEW WORDS, AND THEY WERE MEMORABLE.
MEMORABLE. REAGAN HAD A WAY OF
REAGAN HAD A WAY OF COMMUNICATING THAT SEEMED TO
COMMUNICATING THAT SEEMED TO RESONATE VERY MUCH WITH A GREAT
RESONATE VERY MUCH WITH A GREAT MANY PEOPLE, ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO
MANY PEOPLE, ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T THINK THAT THE FOLKS IN
DIDN'T THINK THAT THE FOLKS IN POLITICS WERE REGULAR FOLKS.
POLITICS WERE REGULAR FOLKS. >>OR TRUSTWORTHY.
>>OR TRUSTWORTHY. >>OR TRUSTWORTHY.
>>OR TRUSTWORTHY. HE CERTAINLY INSPIRED TRUST.
HE CERTAINLY INSPIRED TRUST. WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT HOW THIS OR
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT HOW THIS OR THAT PRESIDENT IS GOING TO HAVE
THAT PRESIDENT IS GOING TO HAVE A SPEECH TONIGHT AND GO TO THE
A SPEECH TONIGHT AND GO TO THE PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND MOST
PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND MOST CASES THERE IS NOT AN AWFUL LOT
CASES THERE IS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF REACTION TO IT.
OF REACTION TO IT. BUT IN REAGAN'S CASE, HE COULD
BUT IN REAGAN'S CASE, HE COULD SWAY AN ISSUE WHEN HE DID THAT.
SWAY AN ISSUE WHEN HE DID THAT. >>SO HE KNEW HOW TO COMMUNICATE.
>>SO HE KNEW HOW TO COMMUNICATE. HE KNEW HOW TO COMMAND RATHER
HE KNEW HOW TO COMMAND RATHER THAN LEAD.
THAN LEAD. >> UH-HUH.
>> UH-HUH. I AM GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU,
I AM GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU, AND YOU BELIEVE THAT.
AND YOU BELIEVE THAT. BUT, YET, EVERYTHING SUGGESTS
BUT, YET, EVERYTHING SUGGESTS THAT HIS SKILLS WITH HIS FAMILY,
THAT HIS SKILLS WITH HIS FAMILY, HIS CHILDREN DIDN'T RISE TO THAT
HIS CHILDREN DIDN'T RISE TO THAT LEVEL.
LEVEL. >>WELL, THERE IS SOMETHING TO
>>WELL, THERE IS SOMETHING TO THAT.
THAT. HE WAS A VERY PUBLIC MAN MOST OF
HE WAS A VERY PUBLIC MAN MOST OF HIS LIFE.
HIS LIFE. ~L YET, I THINK GOING BACK TO
~L YET, I THINK GOING BACK TO THE TIME WHEN HE HAD THE
THE TIME WHEN HE HAD THE ALCOHOLIC FATHER, HE KEPT A LOT
ALCOHOLIC FATHER, HE KEPT A LOT OF THINGS VERY MUCH TO HIMSELF,
OF THINGS VERY MUCH TO HIMSELF, HIS PRIVATE FEELINGS HE KEPT TO
HIS PRIVATE FEELINGS HE KEPT TO HIMSELF.
HIMSELF. HE WAS A VERY PRIVATE MAN AS
HE WAS A VERY PRIVATE MAN AS WELL AS BEING A VERY PUBLIC MAN.
WELL AS BEING A VERY PUBLIC MAN. IS THAT INCONSISTENT.
IS THAT INCONSISTENT. >>NOT NECESSARILY, GIVEN THE
>>NOT NECESSARILY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS LIFE, IT
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS LIFE, IT ISN'T.
ISN'T. I WAS READING IN HIS SON, RONALD
I WAS READING IN HIS SON, RONALD REAGAN'S BOOK TODAY, NOT JUNIOR
REAGAN'S BOOK TODAY, NOT JUNIOR BECAUSE HE HAS A DIFFERENT
BECAUSE HE HAS A DIFFERENT MIDDLE NAME, BUT IN THERE HE
MIDDLE NAME, BUT IN THERE HE RECOUNTS TIMES AS A BOY HOW MUCH
RECOUNTS TIMES AS A BOY HOW MUCH HE TREASURED GOING HORSEBACK
HE TREASURED GOING HORSEBACK RIDING WITH HIS DAD, SWIMMING
RIDING WITH HIS DAD, SWIMMING WITH HIS DAD, DOING ALL THESE
WITH HIS DAD, DOING ALL THESE OUTDOOR AND ATHLETIC THINGS.
OUTDOOR AND ATHLETIC THINGS. THEY REALLY BONDED VERY WELL.
THEY REALLY BONDED VERY WELL. I THINK AS TIME WENT ON AND THE
I THINK AS TIME WENT ON AND THE FATHER WENT HIGHER AND HIGHER IN
FATHER WENT HIGHER AND HIGHER IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND POLITICS,
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND POLITICS, THERE WAS LESS OF THAT PERSON TO
THERE WAS LESS OF THAT PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT THAN THEY HAD HAD
PERSON CONTACT THAN THEY HAD HAD WHEN BOTH HE AND HIS SISTER WERE
WHEN BOTH HE AND HIS SISTER WERE YOUNGER.
YOUNGER. THERE WAS A LOT OF THAT WHEN
THERE WAS A LOT OF THAT WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG.
THEY WERE YOUNG. I THINK THEY FELT THE LOSS AS
I THINK THEY FELT THE LOSS AS THEY GOT A LITTLE OLDER BECAUSE
THEY GOT A LITTLE OLDER BECAUSE IT COINCIDED WITH HIS MOVING
IT COINCIDED WITH HIS MOVING HIGHER AND HIGHER.
HIGHER AND HIGHER. IT WASN'T HE WASN'T TRYING, IT
IT WASN'T HE WASN'T TRYING, IT IS JUST THERE WERE FEWER AND
IS JUST THERE WERE FEWER AND FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THAT
FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THAT PRIVATE TIME BETWEEN THEM OR THE
PRIVATE TIME BETWEEN THEM OR THE PRIVATE BONDING AS HE WOULD SAY.
PRIVATE BONDING AS HE WOULD SAY. >>DID YOU VIEW HIM AS A FRIEND?
>>DID YOU VIEW HIM AS A FRIEND? >> OH, YES, I CERTAINLY DID.
>> OH, YES, I CERTAINLY DID. >>CLOSE?
>>CLOSE? >> AS CLOSE AS ONE COULD GET.
>> AS CLOSE AS ONE COULD GET. >>ONE FINAL QUESTION, PETER,
>>ONE FINAL QUESTION, PETER, WHAT IS NEXT FOR PETER?
WHAT IS NEXT FOR PETER? >> WELL, I HOPE TO DO A BOOK
>> WELL, I HOPE TO DO A BOOK CALLED "POLK'S PRIZE" HOW
CALLED "POLK'S PRIZE" HOW PRESIDENT JAMES POLK, OUR 12TH
PRESIDENT JAMES POLK, OUR 12TH PRESIDENT ACQUIRED A COMPLETED
PRESIDENT ACQUIRED A COMPLETED MANIFEST DESTINY BY ACQUIRING
MANIFEST DESTINY BY ACQUIRING CALIFORNIA AND THE INTERIOR
CALIFORNIA AND THE INTERIOR WEST.
WEST. >> THIS HAS BEEN MY POLICE CHIEF
>> THIS HAS BEEN MY POLICE CHIEF LEDGE.
LEDGE. >>THANK YOU.
>>THANK YOU. MY PLEASURE.
MY PLEASURE. >>