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On Jan. 20, 1981, Michael Deaver, a political aide, peered into a bedroom in Blair House, across from the White House, and said to the man still abed, “It’s 8 o’clock. You’re going to be inaugurated as president in a few hours.” From beneath the blankets, Ronald Reagan said, “Do I have to?” Some are so eager to be inaugurated in 2017 that the 2016 campaign has begun 28 months before the 1.4 percent of Americans who live in Iowa and New Hampshire express themselves. It is, therefore, not too soon to get a head start on being dismayed. Consider two...

Over the weekend, Michael Deaver, the PR strategist and campaign manager known best for his work for Ronald Reagan passed away. John Fund has a nice tribute in today's OpinionJournal that focuses on Deaver's innovative work, beginning during the time Reagan was governor of California. When Reagan became president, Deaver continued to innovate, arranging such cinematic settings as the famous "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" moment and finding out ways to get around the endemic liberal bias inherent in most of the elite press corps.Where is that innovative spirit today within the conservative movement?Sure, people like Karl Rove and...

Reagan adviser Michael Deaver dies By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL, Associated Press Writer 6 minutes ago Michael K. Deaver, one Ronald Reagan's closest advisers during in the White House and the director of the president's picturesque and symbolic public appearances, died Saturday. He was 69. Deaver, who had pancreatic cancer, died at his home in Bethesda, Md., according to a statement from the Deaver family that was issued by Edelman, the public relations firm he served as vice chairman. Deaver was celebrated and scorned as an expert at media manipulation for focusing on how the president looked as much as what...

Let Bush Be Bush By Michael A. Ledeen Posted: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 ARTICLES New York Sun   Publication Date: December 17, 2003 As the Reagan years pass further back into time, both his enemies and his admirers are straining mightily to write the history the way they want it to have happened. In the process, those eight years are taking on almost mythical characteristics. The 'phobes see an ideologically driven administration almost psychotically obsessed with defeating communism; the 'philes see a simpatico human being who understood America perfectly and used American strengths to bring down the Soviet empire. It...

Book Details The Real Ronald Reagan Ex-Staffer Michael K. Deaver Releases 'A Different Drummer' POSTED: 6:43 p.m. EDT June 11, 2003 WASHINGTON -- Former President Ronald Reagan wrote a poignant farewell letter to the American people in 1994 after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he said. "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead." So it is left to others to tell us what the nation's 40th president was really like, on and off stage. For an intimate look...