Reagan Son Claims Dad Had Alzheimer's as President

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That's they key point. Look at the shattered economy and our position of military weakness when he came in. And look at the revitalized economy and position of military strength when he left office.
He surrounded himself with capable advisors, and prevented communism from gaining another foothold in Latin America, while defeating the greatest threat to America we have ever known, the Soviet Empire.
If he had Alzheimer's, I shudder to think what the current guy has.

Rick Alaska of IL 11:41AM January 27, 2011

Ron Reagan Jr. is just trying to sell books, period. Cause some stir and hopefully the book will sell. Like most of the left arguments, never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Do not waste time on Ron Jr's book, buy Michael Reagan's book instead.
Just a question AJ from Georgia - Did not Pres. Reagan win on ideas and policies, in a landslide? Yes he was a great orator though he had conviction and was straight with the people. This current Pres. appears to be only a good orator and can not win the nation with his policies. Ever see of the fees Clinton is getting from the big bad corporate America?
History will show Ronald Reagan was the greatest modern day president this country has had. There is no arguing that fact no matter what the schools teach.

TT of CT 5:06AM January 20, 2011

There is no secret that Ron Reagan is a useless liberal who disgraced the memory of his father who was the greatest President of moderm time since John Kennedy. Ronald Reagan was by far a better speaker and did not mumbled on his last days as President during speaches like Obama does almost half his age. To say he had the symptoms during his Presidency was a joke. Obama is the one that has it since he has no idea what country he works for or who he should stand for. For surely he does not act as an American President. Perhaps he also forgot where his real birth certificate is from. As far I am concerned the real son of Ronald Reagan is Michael Reagan who made his adopted father very proud. This Ron Reagan is a piece of trash insulting his father and all us conservatives that respect his legacy. Maybe Michael Moore will have a movie starting the liberal Ron? All liberals have no respect and for money and fame they will sell their own mothers.

Minchia Di Mano of IL 3:50AM January 19, 2011

Frankly, I agree that Ron Reagan should not make negative public comments about his father or publish them. It's my understanding that all he said was that his father displayed signs now known to be attributable to Alzheimer’s disease reinforced by his personal observations. I know because my mother died from the disease two years ago. It's also obvious to many Americans that during his presidency, something was "not all there" about Ronald Reagan. He rarely gave press conferences and when he did, he often deferred questions to his subordinates for answers, something not done prior to or since by recent past or our current president. I defy any of you to name one who has.
However, like President Reagan's son, George W. Bush stated in a televised interview that his favorite president, the one he patterned his presidency after is Ronald Reagan. Surly, a complement for Reagan, but it sounds like a slap in the face to George H. W. Bush to me. I believe G. W. should have enough respect and appreciation for his father to lie if that is how he really felt about Reagan and not make such reference on national TV. But that's "W" for you and only my personal opinion. I would not have said that publicly.
Now, back on topic, I remember hearing quotes by Reagan during a national sales meeting held by a large industrial worldwide corporate giant where I was employed during the 80’s. I found these positive references to Reaganomics by top level executives who were supposedly very capable individuals incredible. I won't trash Ronald Reagan. However, it's a fact that he was a "B" level actor at best, changed party affiliation from Democrat to Republican to further his budding GE/Westinghouse speaking and later political career, because his acting career was in decline. But I do admire his tenacity for seeking the presidency and winning after three attempts.
I do criticize him for after leaving office accepting corporate money for doing little or nothing and housing unlike President Carter who continues to provide service not only to our country but to the world at large. Let's face facts. Reagan was a “great communicator”. With a script he had an ability to connect with members of his base and many other Americans. He should be awarded an Oscar for his performance as President of the United States, the best role of his acting career. However, attributing god like stature him, as many do, is a bit absurd. He does deserve our respect for having served as President of the United States, whether you agree with his policies or not. You guessed it, I don’t.

AJ of GA 2:11AM January 19, 2011

Wow, this kid is really really sick. I mean come on are you that hard up for money? Sheesh, what a louse of a kid. I hope I never had kids like you that live. My god your a terrible person. Not that I'd expect much good out of you. Your history has always been to bring anything and everything about your father down. Sorry you had such a crappy relationship with him but maybe if you tried to be more like the person you claim to be you wouldn't bad mouth or trash someone that's dead.

Bob Villia of FL 8:21PM January 18, 2011

Have you ever wondered what ended up on the cutting room floor and was thus eliminated from the interview? I suggest you wait to read the book instead of hearing/seeing things taken out of context. I read a publisher's copy last month and there's much more he wrote/said. Don't you understand how the media - even 20/20 works?
They can't even get his name right. Ronald Prescott Reagan is NOT Ron Reagan JR> Never was, never will be because his dad didn't want a JR. Middle name is from a college friend of our beloved president.

Connie of IL 4:26PM January 18, 2011

Can you say back "peddling?"
HA!!! Take that you libs.
And did you notice the majority of the interview was dedicated to Ronnie's brain and not Ronnie the man.
The Libs are no longer interested in TuTu boy anymore.

Melly of NY 4:06PM January 18, 2011

Reagan declined appreciably during his last term and was showing obvious signs of his disease to those close to him, but don't ever expect confirmation from Nancy as she was and will be his protector until she dies, and she forcefully hid any trace of his disease from the media and demanded the same of the staff. Everything was so planned and rehearsed with Reagan("what are my lines?"), that he appeared pretty normal to most. But, any insider well knew the sad truth.

bobbobwhite of CA 3:24PM January 18, 2011

I have to say, your dad fulfilled his destiny in life. Everyone has a destiny here on this earth and we never know what that may be or where life will take us.
The destiny Ron Jr is fulfilling is to belittle and negate his father's destiny, when he clearly was put here for better things. My father was not a good father. But having said that, I don't negate the good things he did while on this earth and start saying bad things about him now that he is gone.
I feel my destiny is to help my kids become successful in life and not dwell on the fact that my childhood didn't live up to my expectations.
Ron, a piece of advice, fulfill your own destiny, don't try to tarnish any of your father's.
One other thing, whether he did have alzheimer's or not, has no bearing on how he did his job as President, he had a huge amount of people around him able to step in and help because they loved your father probably more than you did as they haven't written any books about his alzheimers....... Think about that!
Nancy, you have my sympathy for having such a crappy kid(adult)!

Dina Vandewalle of WI 9:03AM January 18, 2011

After my Mom's passing...I had recall of incidents that clearly showed she had Alzheimers...nothing like "smack you in the face incidents" but the beginning slow incidents which I didn't take to heart as anything but getting older. And then after joining an Alzheimer family group I began to see more clearly as I understood the symptoms.
I stand in sympathy with Ron Reagan, Jr. who is being "called" on his recollections by his brother Michael. Being that his Father was President at the time..I'm sure Michael Reagan is upset that his presidency is being blemished. But it's not..there was a time when his wife Nancy admitted later on that she was prompting him during a speech...not inferring ...but trying to help him remember.
I hope the brothers can put this behind them. I'm sure their Father wouldn't want a feud.

Lois Harvan of IL 7:38AM January 18, 2011