Reagan would have bypassed the Media and gone straight to the nation and said what was going on. (how many liberals would have just looooooved to euthanize Ronnie?) There would have been a national speech on how this one case had national implications on how we protect the helpless and voiceless.
Ronnie would have the senate and house leaders for a photoop and Ronnie would have generously given away all credit and praised them for the non-partisan nature of the emergency.
Of course Ron would not have a pelosi or lunatic judiciary built up over the clinton years. Back in the 80's "some" judges were still not from the DOJ hack pool. The 11th did not even exist until 1985.
The newspapers and media would have SCREAMED bloody murder, there would be no FNC, no internet, and certainly no FR. However, somehow Ronald Reagan would have communicated the day.
(and the NYT wold still be saying "why don't the french love us?")
I can easily imagine Reagan seizing the moment with a national address. If W tried this, would the networks would cut away from basketball? Guess we'll never know. Advice to the Bushes: Don't bother with condolences after Terri has passed.