[SmithPatterson]

Unfortunately..I have to agree with Sam the Sham. Reagan was a great president but not a great father. He could have stricter with his children in that "Hollywood environment." His daughter, Patty, should grow up. If you saw the way she had her hair and wearing a short dress during her father's funeral, it struck many of us that she is nothing but an "aging hippie." Ron, the ballerina, acts like he doesn't have much in the way of substance. Thank God, Michael, turned out to be a great conservative!

[4everontheRight]

I think his children are really a reflection of the time they were born in. Both Michael and Maureen (born in the 40's) were stable children. Ron Prescott and Patti were born in the 50's and grew up in the 60's when CA was running wild with free love and free whatever! I don't think people realized the effect all of this would have on their children until it had taken hold!
Plus, I believe Nancy was so involved and so in love with RR that her children took a back seat. I don't fault her for it, it is just something I don't think many of us have in our lifetimes. Maybe you can only give that kind of love to one, not 3.
Ron Prescott is so filled with anger that his dad didn't kiss his lily white a$$ every day, he gets revenge every time he appears anywhere. By just being himself, it sickens most people who admired his dad.

[jpl]

Reagan was a great president but not a great father.

Only two out of the four turned out bad. Sometimes in this world kids turn out bad despite the parents' best efforts.

[Al Simmons]

Don't forget that the late Maureen reagan was also a staunch conservative and did her father proud. Its the SECOND batch that turned out weird.

My guess is that RWR was so busy with his political career that he didn't give as much time to the latter two as he should have - then again, they are children of the 60s, when rebellion became the swanky thing to do. To be fair to RWR and Nancy, this has probably more to do with how they turned out than any of RWR's failings as a father.

Feel sorry for Patty in particular - she's wasted her life - no kids, no contribution. At 50 a couple of years ago she fessed up that she should have sought a man "like my Dad". But by then, (family wise), it was too late. And she was cute as a youngster, too. Knew that marriage to that Yoga instructor would not work.