well, I say this for Ronnie....he told us directly and specifically, as Gov. what he would do if elected. As Gov. of California and in weekly radio broadcasts for 2-3 years, he swore he'd stop this, enforce that..etc...all those things noted above. He also oversaw the dismantling of programs in places like EPA that had taken years to build up, and which have never recovered. EPA's auspicious beginnings were ground under Reagan's heel. I suppose there is something to be said for THAT sort of 'honesty'.

As noted, he did accomplish a bit of disarmament by schmoozing Gorbachev, but it might well have gone better with someone else. I simply could NOT swallow all the "I forgot....I was out of the loop" etc. about Iran-Contra.

...??does anyone else remember him replying to a question about being elected so late in life and subject to the infirmities of aging..." If I feel myself getting senile, I'll be sure & tell you?"?...... he was only 8-9 years late in making the announcement....