RONALD REAGAN
Thanking supporter Phil Regan for information about someone, Governor Reagan notes that he has "tucked away that little longhand piece like an acorn in a tree, for when and if it is needed."
Typed Letter signed: "Ron" as Governor of California, 1 page, 7¼x10½. Sacramento, 1968 January 16. On gubernatorial letterhead to Phil Regan, Pasadena, California. In full: "Just a line to say thanks so much. I have tucked that little longhand piece away like an acorn in a tree, for when and if it is needed. Strangely enough it goes along with some other information on the same individual that came my way some time ago. Sincerely". Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) had two careers: actor and politician. His first movie was Love is on the Air (1937) and his 53rd and last film was The Killers (1964). He was President of the Screen Actors Guild. In 1965, he wrote his autobiography, Where's the Rest of Me?, a line from his role as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942). He hosted TV's Death Valley Days. During the failed Presidential campaign of Senator Barry Goldwater (1964), Reagan, a former Democrat, emerged as an eloquent spokesman for Goldwater and for the conservative cause. Elected Governor of California in 1966, he was reelected in 1970. Reagan began his campaign for the presidency and narrowly lost the 1976 Republican nomination to Gerald Ford. He was elected President in 1980 and was reelected in 1984. While Reagan was never without his critics, he had two undisputed achievements as President: moving the conservative message and program to the center of American politics; and helping to set in motion the collapse of the Soviet system which he had called "the evil empire." After leaving office in 1989, he wrote his second autobiography, An American Life. His final years were a valiant struggle against the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. Actor and singer Phil Regan (1906-1996) appeared in film musicals for Republic and Monogram in the 1930s and forties. He was among the first to endorse Ronald Reagan's gubernatorial bid in 1966. Regan served prison time for bribery in connection with a Santa Barbara real estate scheme. His wife, Josephine (Dwyer) died in 1994. What was the personal information conveyed from Regan to Reagan about an un-named individual, and "tucked way"? Dirt on an opponent to be used only "when and if needed"? News of support from an unexpected source? Or something wholly apolitical? An interesting piece, in any case. Normal mailing folds. Lightly creased. Lightly toned along top edge. Otherwise, fine condition.