[NautiNurse]

He was more inward than he seemed. And much tougher. The stricken fields of American and world politics are littered with those who did not anticipate the steel behind his smile.

I recall an old SNL skit where Reagan was snoozing during a routine meeting/photo op session. As soon as the meeting was over, Reagan leaps out of his chair, pulls down the world map, and begins the real strategy session.

[Steely Tom]

I recall an old SNL skit where Reagan was snoozing during a routine meeting/photo op session. As soon as the meeting was over, Reagan leaps out of his chair, pulls down the world map, and begins the real strategy session.

Is that the one where, in response to a question from someone in his cabinet about "how will we handle Tip O'Neill," RR says "O'Neill? Hell, we'll just flat-out buy him!" Then he's interrupted by his phone. He picks up the receiver, says "what? who? King Abdallah? Put him on!" and instantly starts talking in Arabic.

(steely)