Posted on 06/06/2004 1:15:47 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
THE most startling thing about Ronald Reagan, when you were in his presence, was just how big a man he was — even at the age of 77, as he was when I found myself privileged to work as one of his speechwriters during the last six months of his world-altering presidency.
Even in 1988, 24 years after his final appearance as an actor, you could easily see what it was that the legendary Warner Brothers casting director Max Arnow had seen when a 25-year-old sportscaster named Dutch Reagan traveled from Iowa to Hollywood for a screen test 52 years earlier. At 77, Reagan was still tall and barrel-chested, and still conveyed an effortless sense of physical authority.
A different man with the same physique might have spent his life intimidating people. Reagan didn't intimidate. Instead, he led, and he convinced others to follow his lead.
I was in his presence only five times during my six months as a speechwriter, and these were not working sessions. But, my God, he was easy to write for — because there was no doubt what he stood for, what he believed and how he wanted to express himself.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
As Rush said, greatness does not need to be introduced, defined, or publicized. It speaks for itself. When you're in the presence of a great person, even the silence is its own testimony. Something to keep in mind over the next several days as the country prepares to pay its final respects to a beloved President.
People followed him because he made it clear his purpose was to clear the way for them to be the best, do their best
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