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Remembering Reagan

Ex-president's legacy is tied to future of America, scholars say

By Matt Dulin
The Daily Cougar

UH scholars who have studied President Ronald Reagan's legacy and professors who have worked within it agree that when Reagan died Saturday, America lost a leader who infected an anxious nation with optimism and set the mold for the modern American president.

"He was a man of conviction, a leading man who was a leader," UH political science professor Peter Roussel, who was deputy press secretary for Reagan, said. 

Reagan was sworn into office Jan. 20, 1981, when he pledged to America he would defeat its two most formidable foes: a failing economy and the Soviet Union. 

UH political science professor John Sloan said Reagan forged his legacy on both pillars of the optimistic message.

"His major accomplishment was negotiating the end of the Cold War," Sloan said. "Everyone thought the end would come in a nuclear exchange in which millions would be killed, incinerated."

That day never came, in large part because of Reagan's skill in negotiations with Soviet Premier Mikael Gorbachev.

"People forget that Reagan was used to negotiating; he was president of the Screen Actors Guild," Sloan said.

Reagan was the man to deal communism its coup de grâce partly because he was in the right place at the right time, Sloan said. But Roussel argued that Reagan was also the right man for the job.

"Reagan was a smart guy. When he took office people thought, ‘Oh my God, this actor is president.' They thought he was going to be Bozo the Clown or something," Roussel said. "He brought an end to the Cold War without a single shot fired. That's not an easy task."

Roussel recalled from his days as Reagan's deputy press secretary the media's ofsten harsh treatment of the president, a former actor and sports announcer.

"I've never seen anyone in politics who let things roll off their back like Reagan," Roussel said. "The man had a serenity about him, a geniality, a warm manner, that almost made it seem he was a pushover. But he was anything but when it came to his convictions; just ask the Russians."

Sloan contended that the "Great Communicator," who championed the so-called "Reagan revolution" in Republican politics, never retired from acting.

"He was never an ex-actor. He had the best PR people in the political business backing him up, and excellent speechwriters. With that, he was able to express optimism, not anxiety," Sloan said.

Roussel said Reagan was media-savvy, but he was successful because he believed firmly in what he championed.

Indeed, Reagan is remembered today for standing behind his decisions, even if they were unpopular at the time. 

To battle an economy facing low growth and spiraling inflation, Reagan's tax reform lowered taxes and flattened tax brackets. 

He preferred market, not governmental, reforms to address economic woes. The changes seem to have worked: After a small recession in 1982, the United States enjoyed a healthy economic boom.

Reagan will be buried Friday, but Sloan and Roussel said his legacy is bound to the future of America.

"He restored a respect for America and re-instilled pride in the country. Ronald Reagan's was truly a star-spangled presidency," Roussel said.
 

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