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Huntingdon College | Political Science | Courses |
PSC 305: Presidency and Congress.
Student Notes on videos,
Compiled by Dr. Jeremy Lewis |
Revised 4 April 2006; click Reload or Refresh for latest version.
PBS, "The Real Life of Ron Reagan".
CBS, "WATERGATE: SECRET STORY".

PBS, "The Real Life of Ron Reagan".
Themes of documentary.
By Jeremy Lewis.
Reagan shows the value of an entertainment career as preparation for politics in the media age.
Conservative Californians found in Reagan an excellent front man whose campaign abilities transcended his limited governing experience.
He was the first president to be a product of campaign handlers and image makers, though he also had a clear ideology and a strong managerial style of orderly delegation.
He also shows the weaknesses, in understanding public policy and doing his homework, of someone with limited experience in elective office.
His lack of interest in foreign policy would lead him into trouble from 1984-86 when international difficulties needed a more attentive president.

Reagan's Early Life: 1930s and 1940s.
By Jeremy Lewis.

Reagan in early life faced insecurity from frequent moves, poverty in the Great Depression, and from an alcoholic father.
As a young man he saved [at least 77] lives in the local swimming place on the river.
In Eureka college he played in dramas and learned neoclassical economics.
His warm voice brought him early success in a Des Moines radio station as a sports announcer.
When Hollywood boomed he found success as a leading "B" movie actor, playing amiable yet strong characters.
He was a director's dream, easy to work with -- a quality much loved by his political handlers.
He made one more serious film, "King's Row"; in wartime he made propaganda or morale-raising movies in which he played military heroes.
His first marriage to a serious actress Jane Wyman, fell apart -- he would transcend this difficulty be become the first divorced president.
As president of the Screen Actor's Guild he developed political skills during a period of tension between McCarthyites and liberals over fears of communism.  (He was also accused of creating backroom deals with a studio.)
"B" movies declined in the 1950s, television rose in popularity and Reagan's film career waned.
 
 

The 1950s, 1960s, Governorship, 1970s, and early presidency.
By Dan McGraw, 2002.

-Reagan remarried to Nancy who was more willing to be in a supportive role
-1954 he became host of GE television show
-his voice and personality was used to appeal to the public
-Reagan was sent on a tour ment to keep the regional VPs off the show but turned it into more of a political campaign
-he was liked for his ability to read the audience and he was thought to be the ideal male at the time
-he was fired from the GE show and hosted a series of conservative propaganda movies against "big government"
[1964 Reagan introduced Goldwater for President at the Republican Convention, making his mark.
Reagan then attracted prominent California businessmen to support him as a candidate.]
-1966 announced he was running for gov. of CA
-he was rediculed for being a spokesman and actor
-his campaign manager had to teach him the basic workings of the government
-was elected gov. of CA
-while in office he was kept up to date by one page memos from his staff...he would read the one page and act as though he had
been following the situation all along
-he preached tax cuts and cuts to education but actually raised both
-he announced he was running for the nomination for the presidency but was beaten by Nixon
-1976 was his first real run ....Ford won the nomination
-1980 at 69 yrs old he tried again
-Reagan stole Carter's notes before their debate and knew every word Carter was going to say and how to rebutle
-he won the presidency and became the 40th president of the United States
-once again he focused on tax cuts but left the lagistics to someone else
-he was shot on his left side shortly after giving a speach
-his remarkable recovery made it hard to redicule him
-82-83 depression set in and his approval rating was a low 35%
-reagan started to focus on military spending
-he proposed the idea of "Star Wars" an anti-missle defense system
-Reagan was not at all involved in forgein affairs
-he left most of the military decesions to his staff
-he enjoyed the benefits of an economic surge after the short depression
-84 was re-elected though lacked key men from his last four years
-the keys losses made his second four years much less successful
... continued ...
Ron Reagan: -foreign policy
Carly Nichols
       the president wanted the contra's support
        contra's were illegal at the time
        Reagan gave the contra's millions of US dollars  and arms
        Reagan wanted to keep communism out of Central America
        The public challenged his honesty and the president denied that the US traded arms in return for hostages
         Oliver North and Poindexter took the fall for Reagan and were convicted of illegal allocation of funds
         -Reagan rebounded by signing a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Gorbechev
           Reagan did not think of himself as a politician but as an ex-actor


video, CBS, "WATERGATE: SECRET STORY".
2002 notes, edited by Lewis.
  • Burglary itself:
  • Origins of Plumbers' unit:
  • Purposes in campaign tricks:
  • the cover up...
  • Investigation
  • Obstruction
  • the hearings -- and the courts ...
  • Executive Privilege claim:
  • who is deep throat?
  • Outcomes?


    • CBS, WATERGATE, first half
    by ??, 2004.  Raw notes.


    Watergate Video, second half
    By Ryan Rice, 2004