President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime

President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime, by Lou Cannon

This review will discuss Lou Cannon's biography of Ronald Reagan, President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime. The discussion will examine Cannon's interpretation of Reagan's presidency and character. It will also examine Cannon's interpretation of Reagan's life in view of Cannon's own relationship to Ronald Reagan. The review will also critique the book as a historical study of the Reagan administration.

The Role of a Lifetime is Cannon's third book dealing with the life of Ronald Reagan; the first two dealt in more detail with Reagan's early life and his terms as Governor of California. This book, however, focuses upon Reagan's two terms as President of the United States, including events from his earlier years in order to explain certain facets of Reagan's character. The book is very detailed and, in many ways, too long; Cannon quite often repeats themes and events covered in early parts of the book, probably to remind readers of his earlier points. In addition, much of the book describes the personalities of the many individuals who comprised the Reagan administration; while interesting and certainly relevant from a historical point of view, these descriptions often detract from the stated main theme of the work: Ronald Reagan. If Cannon's purpose was to write a history of the Reagan administration, he very nearly defeated it by trying to focus equally on Reagan and his staff. Long accounts of events during

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vital for the president. Thus Reagan approached the presidency as an acting role; how his actions and decisions were perceived was more important than their substance. His personal comments reflected this approach; at the end of his second term, he said that the two most important things for an actor, to be honest in what he's doing and to be in touch with his audience, also apply to a politician (37-38). While aware of his leadership role, Reagan paid little attention to the other important role of the president: generating policy. Cannon makes it clear that Reagan let his subordinates formulate policy; he would then approve these policies without examining, or even understanding, them. His only contribution was to provide very general policy outlines: stimulate the economy by lowering taxes, reduce government domestic spending, and strengthen the military. Most of the decision-making was in the hands of the important members of his staff, especially, James Baker, Michael Deaver, and Edwin Meese during his first term. While all modern presidents must rely upon their staff for the decision-making process, Reagan was hobbled by his lack of knowledge in many areas and his credulity (184-85). When the triumvirate of Baker,

Category: Government - P