The Greatest Communicator What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life

by Wirthlin, Dick; Hall, Wynton C.

• ISBN13: 9780471705093
• ISBN10: 0471705098
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-07
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

" This is not a book about what I did for Ronald Reagan, but about what he did for the world. . . . Those of us who were at Reagan' s side from the beginning will tell you that he gave us more than we ever imagined. We will tell you that our lives are forever better for having worked in his shadow. And we will mean it." - Dick Wirthlin Ronald Reagan was a man of tremendous vision, strong moral character, and unwavering patriotism. The public outpouring of love and admiration at his passing shows just how beloved America' s fortieth president was. The legacy he leaves behind was built over many long years of personal and professional ups and downs. And while speechwriters, chiefs of staff, and media advisors came and went during his political career, Dick Wirthlin- the strategic genius behind Reagan' s greatest victories- was there with Reagan through it all. Reagan once told a reporter, " When Dick Wirthlin speaks, I listen!" Now, Wirthlin speaks f Reagan one more time in The Greatest Communicator, a heartfelt personal reminiscence of the man Wirthlin respected and admired without reservation. He shares candid stories of Reagan no one else can tell, drawing on treasured memories of their many private moments and shared experiences, as well as an immense trove of files and notes. From his first meeting with Governor Reagan in the fall of 1968, Wirthlin could see that this man was different. Some politicians love policy; Ronald Reagan loved people. Wirthlin was impressed by Reagan' s warmth, his lack of pretense, his humble spirit, and, above all, his desire to build a strong and secure base for America' s future. Here, Wirthlin reveals how Reagan forged a special relationship with the American people through his greatest gift: the extraordinary ability to communicate both publicly and privately, changing lives- and indeed, the w

Author Biography

DICK WIRTHLIN was Ronald Reagan&#8217;s chief strategist and pollster from 1968 to 1988, including his 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns. He is founder of Wirthlin Worldwide, an international strategic opinion research and consulting firm he created in 1969. Wirthlin has appeared on virtually every news television program, including FOX News, Larry King Live, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Good Morning America, and others. <p> WYNTON C. HALL is an award-winning presidential scholar and speechwriter. His published work has appeared in <i>The New York Times, USA Today</i>, and <i>The Washington Times</i>.

Table of Contents

Prologue: "Great" versus "Greatest" Communicators.

"Chapter One. The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship.Meeting Ronald Reagan, 1968."

"Chapter Two. ""I Shall Rise and Fight Again. The 1976 Presidential Run."

"Chapter Three. ""Are You Better Off...?""The 1980 Landslide."

"Chapter Four. ""Do You Know What I Really Want to be Remembered For?"" The White House, 1980-1984."

"Chapter Five. ""You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet!"" The 1984 Landslide."

"Chapter Six. The Best and Worst of Times.The White House, 1984-1988."

Chapter Seven. The Seven Things That Made. Ronald Reagan Great.