Leave It to Deaver "Close Reagan aide dies." I remember him from high school. ~ John Fund

Michael Deaver, worked for Ronald Reagan for more than 20 years, was philosophical about being in Reagan's shadow. "My obit will probably say 'Close Reagan Aide Dies,' " he told the Los Angeles Times in 1988. "That doesn't bother me a bit. That's my life."

When Deaver, 69, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer, his obituaries indeed highlighted his longtime association with both Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Historian Douglas Brinkley, who edited the recently released "The Reagan Diaries," says Deaver's "exceedingly close" ties to the Reagans allowed him to "learn how to properly market" the president. "He became one of the greatest crafters of stage designs for a president."

.......The 30-minute show, "The Governor and the Students," was taped on a weekday after school, then sent to TV stations all over the state for them to air as they wished at no cost. During the program's last year, my civics teacher recommended me as a "panelist" on the show. After the first taping, Deaver pulled me over and asked if I would like to do it again. Flustered, I stuttered "Sure." I wound up appearing on a few more shows asking the governor questions.

Thus began my lifelong fascination with Ronald Reagan. Because the format was informal and low-pressure, he often got off some of his best one-liners and most insightful observations, and a book of the best quotes from the show was later published. "I am often asked what the difference between a small businessman and a big businessman is," he told us once. "My answer is that a big businessman is what a small businessman would be if only the government would get out of the way and leave him alone." ........

....... This spring, Deaver opined on the 2008 presidential field, telling London's Daily Telegraph that, as the paper put it, he saw "the same raw material in Fred Thompson as was perceived in Ronald Reagan." Deaver said of Thompson, "He is very popular in his party. He could change this whole thing and turn this primary system upside down."

This spring, Deaver opined on the 2008 presidential field, telling London's Daily Telegraph that, as the paper put it, he saw "the same raw material in Fred Thompson as was perceived in Ronald Reagan." Deaver said of Thompson, "He is very popular in his party. He could change this whole thing and turn this primary system upside down."

Verrrrrrrrry interesting. .

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.