Patti O'Connor Roberts
1974 Office of the Governor

It was 1974 and I was a newly minted "grown-up" embarking on my chosen career in conservative politics. I had just been hired to work in Governor Reagan's Washington, DC office & my first assignment was to spend a week in Sacramento getting to know all the staff people that I would be dealing with on the phone. I was warmly welcomed by everyone & it was even suggested that I sit in and observe the Governor's weekly Cabinet lunch. I assumed this meant slipping in a side door and hiding unobtrusively in a corner. Not so. The Governor looked over in my direction and patted the seat next to him! Somehow I made it over to the table without stumbling or throwing up... both of which I thought were distinct possibilities. He was utterly charming and r eally did put me somewhat at ease. (My hands were shaking so badly I couldn't even lift the fork to my mouth & he was kind enough to pretend he didn't notice.) It was certainly the most thrilling moment in my young political life. The luncheon/meeting went on for several hours and I remember being so struck by the depth of RR's knowledge of the most obscure state issues that were discussed. This was a man who had really done his homework! I left the meeting a little bit star-struck, completely charmed & with a new appreciation for how foolish it would be to underestimate this man's grasp of the issues.