He came across as a folksy, affable man but he was the divorced and very remote father of estranged children. He was capable of some of the most calculating and coldest hearted policies any president has ever pursued.

I always felt he had trouble keeping reality separate from fantasy. I remember in one press conference he was asked by a reporter something like: Mr. President, in Lebanon (I think) why don't you do such and so? The president looked at him a moment and drawled, Well, you know- we did that in (in a movie he made) and you know what? It didn't work.

There was some gentle laughter but it didn't appear that anyone, including the president, was speaking in fun.

I agree that he could be charming- and it seems that charm is all that many Americans require from our leaders.