Replies

As for Robinson being the "haircut boy," I say no way. Here's the big clue to haircut boy: he wrote two good speeches, one in 1982 and one in 1988. If you go to the Reagan library archives at the University of Texas, you will find online a listing of the boxes that contain speech drafts for all of Reagan's speeches. It lists the speechwriter's name in parentheses after each speech. So basically this allows you to figure out who worked on the speechwriting staff in each year (there was a lot of turn-around in that department), which speeches they wrote (more difficult ones obviously take precedence above the standard "Rose Garden Rubbish" speeches that the president has to give for this or that boring thing obligatory ceremony. So after doing a little sleuthing and some educated guessing, I think I've figured out who Haircut Boy is.

I don't think it's Robinson because:

A) He didn't work on the president's speechwriting staff in 1982. He was still working for the Vice President at that time.

B) Peggy seems to be on friendly terms with Peter Robinson. A few years ago, Peter guest hosted the "Hugh Hewitt" radio show and he invited Peggy to come on the show. They had a very friendly chat.

C) Robinson worked on a lot of speeches. I don't think he was lazy like "Haircut Boy" is described.

D) Robinson is a frequent poster to National Review's "The Corner," and he seems like such a charming guy. I just find it very hard to believe he is the person Peggy attacks with such vitriol.

So, here's my theory on who the mysterious "Haircut Boy" is: Anthony Dolan. Why? Because:

A) He worked for Reagan from 1982 to 1988.

B) He wrote a few decent speeches in 1982. Then wrote practically nothing for a long time until he appears again in 1988 as the writer of Reagan's '88 State of the Union address.

C) He wrote a book about Reagan and the Cold War

D) Dolan took over Ben Elliott's job, which could very well mean that he back-stabbed Elliott to get the job. If I recall correctly, Peggy mentions in "What I Saw At the Revolution" that Elliott was on the way out. And without him around to back up her work, she leave too.

Also, it should be noted that "Haircut Boy" couldn't have been Dick Darman because Darman was Elliott's boss.

I'm glad to hear your evidence. Based on what I've seen and read from him, he doesn't seem to deserve much criticism from Peggy.

Thanks so much for your detective work. I feel better knowing it was not Robinson. I had heard him with Laura Ingraham and he seemed like a decent guy.

Do you have any idea on the Hack?