Bruce Weinrod
1968 Chairman of Students for Reagan

RECOLLECTIONS OF RONALD REAGAN

At the 1964 Republican National Convention, which I attended as a Goldwater supporter, I recall shaking hands with Reagan who was in a receiving line at a Goldwater event. I still recall how he looked straight at me, said a few words and had the ability to make me, a very young man, feel that he sincerely was interested in me as a person.

I recall watching Reagan give " The Speech" during the latter stage of the 1964 Presidential campaign. I recall also thinking to myself this guy should be running instead of Barry he had the ability to convey similar views but in a manner much more likely to gain popular support. I also recall, as a part-time employee of the Republican National Committee, watching hundreds of bags with donations to the Goldwater campaign arriving at the RNC as a response to Reagan's appeals for donations to the campaign.

In 1967, I worked as Lee Edward's .research assistant for his book on Ronald Reagan it was the very first biography of Reagan., As I delved into Reagan's past and read almost all of his public remarks, I came to the certain conviction that he was not just an actor reading 3 x 5 cards, as had been alleged, but without doubt was an extremely intelligent and thoughtful individual, who had developed a solid philosophical framework for his policy views over an extended period of time.

In early 1968 I was asked by David Jones to head up a national youth organization to provide support for a Reagan candidacy for President. Students for Reagan, as it was called, provided information and materials to people around the US backing Reagan for President. We also organized rallies for Reagan appearances, and we sent out copies of Reagan's 1967 debate with Bobby Kennedy in which, even Kennedy associates acknowledged, Reagan defeated Kennedy decisively. Although he wasn't an official candidate during the 1968 primary season, he received a substantial vote in a number of the primaries. He clearly was a special political force of nature.

Bill Rusher and Clif White were overall coordinators of the Reagan effort, and I also worked closely with Randy Teague and Mike Thompson. We organized several hundred young volunteers who came to Miami Beach for the 1968 GOP National Convention. Many people do not realize that Reagan actually announced his candidacy for President at the Convention. I was pleased to be in the room when he made his announcement. Also, as many do not realize, he actually came very close to gaining the GOP nomination in 1968, but his time was yet to come.

Subsequently, in my capacity as Director of Foreign Policy and Defense Studies at the Heritage Foundation, I was fortunate to participate in a number of meetings with Ronald Reagan while he was President. He always conveyed a clear sense of direction and principle on key policy issues, such as dealing with the Soviet Union.

I was also fortunate to have been able to visit President Reagan at his Los Angeles post-Presidential office in Century City. We discussed the historic nature of his achievements as President, including especially establishing the policies that led to the collapse of the Soviet empire. This is the legacy that must be assured its place as histories of the 20th century are written.