Ronald Wilson Reagan
“Dutch” –born in Tampico, Illinois
Eureka College
Actor (1937-65) -made 54 films
WWII Involvement-made over 400 training films
“Win one for the Gipper”
Reagan and Jane Wyman
Only US President to be Divorced
Reagan and Nancy Davis
GE TV Host
• Most watched TV show in 1954
• Most recognized man in the US in 1958
California Governor
1967 – 1975
(2 terms)
1980 Campaign
“Are you better off than you were 4
years ago?”
“There he goes
again.”
Carter and the Economy
"A recession is when your neighbor loses
his job. A depression is when you lose
yours. And recovery is when Jimmy
Carter loses his."
1980 CampaignCarter v. Reagan
The Great Communicator
The Teflon President
Assassination Attempt March 30, 1981
Washington HiltonWashington, D.C.
Henry Ford Museum
Bullet Mark
Only US President Shot and Lived
• Lost 3 pints of blood– 5 minutes from death
• “I hope they’re all Republicans”
• “Forgetting to duck”
• Back to work in 12 days
Jodie Foster
John Hinckley, Jr.
Age and Health Issues
Age69 years, 349 days
Health IssuesSurgery (1981)
Colon Surgery (1985)
Prostate Surgery (1987)
Age and the 1984 Campaign
“I’m not going to exploit for political purposes my opponents youth
and inexperience”
5673
End of Presidency Approval Rating
65%
Alzheimer’s
Disease
Age: 83
Nov 1994
Speech
Died: June 5, 2004