Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Barbara Walters disputes Ron Reagan’s book claims about father’s mental state
Daily Caller ^ | 1/18/11 | Jeff Poor

Posted on 01/18/2011 3:49:59 PM PST by markomalley

In Ron Reagan Jr.’s new book, “My Father at 100,” he says his father, President Ronald Reagan, exhibited signs of mental lapse during the end of his first term in office. And although Ron Reagan has since backtracked from some of those claims, there is still the question – did President Ronald Reagan show signs of mental deterioration while in office?

According to Barbara Walters, the answer is no. Walters was the moderator of the 1984 presidential debate between then-Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale and Reagan, which is where Ron Reagan alleged his father first showed signs of Alzheimer’s.

“The 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan is coming up and his son has a new book, ‘My Father at 100,’ where he claims in the book that his father showed signs of Alzheimer’s during his first term in office – specifically mentions the 1984 presidential debate with Democrat Walter Mondale, where Ron, Jr. writes that his father looked lost and bewildered,” Walters said on ABC’s Tuesday broadcast of “The View.” “Well, as it happens, I was a moderator of that debate. It was in 1984. It was an hour and 40 minutes. That’s a long time. And maybe he stumbled over one answer or so forth. But I don’t remember — an hour and 40 minutes to answer questions and to answer questions from a panel, and he was with it.”

Those allegations have sparked a family feud between Ron Reagan and President Reagan’s adopted son Michael Reagan. (The two brothers haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on politics.) But according to Walters neither son was particularly close to the president during those years. She also claimed she spent more time with President Ronald Reagan than either son and  always witnessed Reagan being of sound mind.

“Ron, Jr.’s half-brother Michael said this is not true. This didn’t happen,” she continued. “I’m going to say something that I probably saw more of President Reagan in those years than either of his sons. He was not really close to them. And I did interview after interview. I didn’t see any signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s or whatever until after he left office. Now, this morning, Ron Reagan, who is a very pleasant fellow and I like him a lot, was on ‘GMA’ and he said – he sort of disputed what he said. He said I didn’t say that. I said exactly the opposite. I did not see symptoms of dementia or anything like that when he was in office. I wasn’t thinking, ‘Gee I’m seeing signs of Alzheimer’s here.’ So his half-brother says he said all of this because he’s trying to sell books.”


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: ballerina; notajunior; ronaldprescottreagan
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

1 posted on 01/18/2011 3:50:00 PM PST by markomalley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: markomalley

In her old age baba wawa is showing signs of intelligence.


2 posted on 01/18/2011 3:53:01 PM PST by Carley (IDEOLOGY TRUMPS FACTS IN THE LEFT'S QUEST FOR POWER)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

(((Baba Wawa))) defends Sarah Palin and then she defends Ronnie.


3 posted on 01/18/2011 3:53:31 PM PST by steelyourfaith (ObamaCare Death Panels: a Final Solution to the looming Social Security crisis ?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Joy Behar seems awfully quiet these days since the Tucson shootings, doesn’t she?


4 posted on 01/18/2011 3:55:03 PM PST by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

There’s a point I hadn’t considered: The person who should be most outraged by Ronlet’s claims is Mondale, with whom the allegedly demented Ronald, Sr. wiped the floor in that debate.


5 posted on 01/18/2011 3:55:18 PM PST by Hunton Peck (I am required to warn you that this metaphor is registered as a deadly weapon in 32 states.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Interesting. I wouldn’t listen to what either Ron Jr or Michael have to say about their father. Both of them have too much personal baggage to be reliable sources.


6 posted on 01/18/2011 3:55:35 PM PST by Huck (The GOP symbol should be the platypus; they speak in platitudes and they act like pussies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
During Reagan's term in office Ron Reagan Jr was a total spoiled brat-like pain in the ass to the President, who treated him with utmost consideration. His Diary details many efforts by the President to accommodate his son, often giving a sigh of exasperation in the account.
7 posted on 01/18/2011 3:57:57 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Carley
In her old age baba wawa is showing signs of intelligence.

Nope, she's just confused in her old age and mixing up her people and her convictions.

8 posted on 01/18/2011 3:58:20 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Carley

Maybe she just keeps forgetting the party line.


9 posted on 01/18/2011 3:59:20 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Islam is the religion of Satan and Mohammed was his minion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
He said I didn’t say that. I said exactly the opposite. I did not see symptoms of dementia or anything like that when he was in office. I wasn’t thinking, ‘Gee I’m seeing signs of Alzheimer’s here.’

That lying liberal....I saw an interview where he said just that.

10 posted on 01/18/2011 4:03:37 PM PST by YellowRoseofTx (Evil is not the opposite of God; it's the absence of God)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
She also claimed she spent more time with President Ronald Reagan than either son and always witnessed Reagan being of sound mind

I believe that is the truth and I respect her for her honesty.............Finally someone from the MSM tells the truth.

11 posted on 01/18/2011 4:03:49 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (The only thing Super Glue is good for is gluing your fingers together.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Blood of Tyrants

It’s possible they are not sending her the party line of the day or maybe she has forgotten how to access her e-mail.


12 posted on 01/18/2011 4:04:48 PM PST by magslinger (Samuel Colt, feminist. Making women equal to men for over 150 years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Dumbass libs can't control themselves; they must speak out. Barbarawawa is no different, however, in this case, it's a good thing. There is meltdown at Ronny P's house tonite. LOL Hey Ronny P, "just cinch it up a little tighter". BWAAAAAAHHHHAAHAHAHAHHAHA!
13 posted on 01/18/2011 4:09:40 PM PST by Outlaw Woman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Article author is an idiot.

Stopped reading after “In Ron Reagan Jr.’s”....

He’s not a Junior.

Son: Ron Prescott Reagan
Dad: Ron Wilson Reagan

Middle names different. Thus, Ron P is not a junior in any sense of the word, literal or figurative.


14 posted on 01/18/2011 4:13:04 PM PST by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

He’s not a Junior. Scroll up.


15 posted on 01/18/2011 4:13:45 PM PST by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: EGPWS

She said she felt sorry for Sarah being attacked so unfairly.

Maybe she wants to go out as being remembered as a true journalist, not just a wackjob on the view.


16 posted on 01/18/2011 4:15:27 PM PST by Carley (IDEOLOGY TRUMPS FACTS IN THE LEFT'S QUEST FOR POWER)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: steelyourfaith

“(((Baba Wawa))) defends Sarah Palin and then she defends Ronnie.”

Clearly dementia. Or a deathwish within the “MSM Community.”

Baba may find herself off the “A” list pretty soon.


17 posted on 01/18/2011 4:19:54 PM PST by EDINVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Carley

I think you’re right. Walters has witnessed the deterioration of journalism over her career. She would want to be remembered as a true journalist.


18 posted on 01/18/2011 4:20:27 PM PST by Padams
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Huck
Interesting. I wouldn’t listen to what either Ron Jr or Michael have to say about their father. Both of them have too much personal baggage to be reliable sources.

Yes, but Michael doesn't have an odd shaped head like his brother Denny Dimwit.


19 posted on 01/18/2011 4:21:31 PM PST by csmusaret (Q: How do they say incompetent failure in Kenya? A: Barack Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Thank goodness Barbara stepped up to the plate and defended this great man.

Nancy needs to 1)speak up and set the record straight and 2)give her spoiled and misguided poor-excuse-for-a-son a long overdue public reprimand since he is too old now for a long-overdue spanking.

Ronald Reagan had two wonderful children, and they were NOT Ron and Patti!

20 posted on 01/18/2011 4:24:03 PM PST by Swede Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson