Denis,

That is not what they rated him on...there is an old saw about how the measure of a person can be gauged on how they treat a waitress when no one is looking. The pilots and crew were, in essense, tenured servants...the stories of his unmeasured time spent with them is telling, a measure of the man. A measure which, I think, tells much about his actions against a very determined foe.

What they admired, what I think you may want to read, is his personal diaries. Reagan wrote, wrote a lot.

What Reagan accomplished, what the MSM derided, is on the record.

MMDV, but that's why we are all here.:cool:

It's not just your story, SH. You know I respect you, but it seems like military people on this board always have these stories about how some conservative smiled at them once and therefore is a "man of the people" and how Clinton or some Democrat is rude....., it's just uncanny.

The truth is that some people have the "gift of gab", and by all accounts Reagan was one of them. If you want to talk g.o.g., the late Paul Wellstone was the all-time king of it, and coincidentally the best friend vets have ever had in congress. But he was also a liberal pinko, so you'll never hear those stories.

All true...but, in the cases I am referencing, it was hours and hours of interface, given freely by POTUS. They liked Bill, btw, hearty man well met.

But I appreciate your point of view. I would ask that you read some of what Reagan wrote in his diaries. It's not Twain, but few are.

It doesn't make the stories any less true. Reliance on the MSM for information regarding political figures leaves one with a leftward skewed view. Over the years, I have met quite a few of those you refer to...and IMHO...the stories from conservatives that are posted here are much more accurate. Perhaps, in many cases...these meeting are why the "conservatives" you speak of...are so conservative. They have actually had some interaction with these folks and know the truth.
It is sort of like polling CA lefties about whether we should have troops in Iraq...or the troops themselves. Strange that the last ones many would believe are the ones who were actually there.
I agree with SH...read some of RR's writings before you make light of his intellect.

That is somewhat true, but brings me to the following point.

All of this talk makes me more fearful for America because it demonstrates how the culture of the "leader" has permeated the thinking of most of you. Concern over whether "the leader" speaks civilly to "lesser beings", concern over manners, and other imperial trappings are a very bad sign for America.

It should be the opposite. A president should be awestruck if one of "us" speaks to him, treats him as human, and doesn't tell him to sit down and shut up.

reminds me of that quote from "V for Ventetta"

something to the effect of: People should not fear their government... the government should fear their people.

Pat,

That is exactly how they felt Reagan treated them...and that was my point: No imperial trappings, no hubris, just a well saddled man amid other men.

They also say much the same of Barb Bush, except the saddle part.

I realize what you're saying, but what I'm getting at was the setting it occured in as well; Marine One or Air Force One.