Free Republic

Washington, D.C. PETER LANSING was talking about greatness and Ronald Reagan, but was having a little trouble finding all the right words as he stood outside the U.S. Capitol one evening last week. "I want to pay my respects to a great man, probably the greatest president in my life," said Lansing, an electrical engineer. At 46, Lansing has now lived through parts of 10 presidential administrations, including Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. But as he waited to walk by Reagan's flag-draped coffin in the Capitol rotunda, he insisted Reagan was far above everyone else. Why? What is the...

When Harry Truman left office, few could have predicted that 50 years later, his reputation would soar into the stratosphere. In 1953, Truman's approval ratings hovered in the 20s, the Korean War had bogged down, and labor unrest and soaring inflation dogged his reputation. Now, however, Truman is a beloved, folksy figure who, it is said, saved America from communist aggression and expanded civil rights and health care to millions nationwide. So, it is fair to ask: What will be the future of Ronald Reagan? It is unlikely to look as rosy as it has over the last week. Reagan's...