Reagan knew how to play the Washington game. He was very good at it, and that's why he was so accepted within the inner circles that rejected the likes of Jimmy Carter, who never knew how much he was being laughed at (and worked against) by DC insiders and the press.

The press loved Reagon. He smiled and nodded and had great speech writers, and yes, he knew how to deliver his lines.

As far as his Alzheimer's...we'll never know just when it began to affect him, but I'd be willing to eat my shoes if he weren't in some early stage of it while President. But again, he was well protected by those around him, especially Nancy, who was perfectly capable of ripping someone's throat out if they got too close to the truth.

Do I feel badly that he's dead? No. I'd be a hypocrite if I said otherwise. He was a dreadful President, and if he takes over God's job, I'm willing going to hell...xx..e