Reel

Tape 654 Part 2 Edited compilation of speeches made by Ronald Reagan during his Presidency.

Jan 25, 1988 Ronald Reagan Address Before a Joint Session of Congress on the State of the Union. "When we first met here seven years ago, many of us for the first time, it was with the hope of beginning something new for America. We meet her tonight, in this historic chamber, to continue that work. If anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say let's leave that to history. We're not finished yet." applause. "Tonight then, we're strong, prosperous, at peace and we are free. This is the State of our Union. And if we will work together, this year, I believe we can give a future President and a future Congress, the chance to make that prosperity, that peace, that freedom, not just the state of our Union, but the state of our world."

May 17, 1988 Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Reporters. A reporter asks Ronald Reagan if he denies using astrology to help scheduling presidential events. Popular belief in pseudoscience. Reporter, "Do you deny that either you or Mrs. Reagan used astrology on any occasion during your time here at the White House to help set the schedule for trips or the signing of the INF treaty. I must say this goes against what a lot of aids are telling us, sir." Reagan, "Well. I'm only going to tell you one thing. And that is, after I had been shot, which was quite a traumatic experience for my wife. And though I was confident that I was going to be alright, other people can't know that. A friend, now she was getting a great many calls from friends, and a friend called and said that he'd known what I was going to do that day and so forth because, he mentioned someone who had said that all the signs were bad and everything else. And Nancy was, well it was a trauma that didn't go away easily. And when suddenly things of the same kind, just for a short period there, when I was booked for something of the same kind as the accident occurred, why she would ask, what does it look like now. And no changes were ever made on the basis of whether I did or did not conduct this." Reporter, "What about the changes to the signing of the INF treaty?" Reagan, "No, it wasn't. Nothing of that kind was going on. This was all, once again smoke and mirrors."

May 11, 1988 Remarks at the Annual Republican Congressional Fundraising Dinner. Ronald Reagan says he's going to work hard to make VP George Bush the next president of the United States. "If I may, I'd like to take just a moment to talk about my future plans. In doing so, I'll break a silence I've maintained for some time with regard to the Presidential candidates. I'm going to work as hard as I can to make Vice President George Bush, the next President of the United States." Applause. People stand and cheer. LS of GEORGE BUSH and BARBARA BUSH walking onstage to join hands with the Ron and NANCY Reagan, red white and blue balloons falling about them.

May 31, 1988, Ronald Reagan visits Moscow, Russia for Summit Meeting: MS/TLSs of Reagan and MIKHAIL GORBACHEV (and entourage) touring the streets of Moscow.

June 2, 1988 Remarks Following the Soviet-United States Summit Meeting in Moscow. Mikhail and RAISA Gorbachev wishing Nancy and Ron Reagan well in their future endeavors. Gorbachev, "I wish you a good journey back home, Mr. President and Mrs. Reagan. To you and to all members of the US delegation, I wish good health. Good bye." They shake hands. Reagan assumes podium, thanks them tenderly. "Mr. General Secretary and Mrs. Gorbachev, this is an emotional moment for Mrs. Reagan and me. We have been truly moved by the warmth and the generous hospitality we've received from all of our Soviet hosts during this brief visit. But most especially from the two of you."

June 3, 1988, London, England. Remarks to Members of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. Ronald Reagan praises Gorbachev before praising British PM MARGARET THATCHER. "Imagine the President of the United States and the General Secretary of the Soviet Union walking together in Red Square, talking about a grown personal friendship and meeting together average citizens, realizing how much our people have in common. It was a special moment." "So let me discharge my first official duty here today. Prime Minister, the achievements of the Moscow Summit, as well as the Geneva and Washington Summits, say much about your valor and strength and by virtue of the office you hold, that of the British people. So let me say simply at this hour in history, Prime Minister, the entire world salutes you and your gallant people and gallant nation."

Nov 16, 1988: Ron & Nancy welcome PM Margaret Thatcher to the White House. Informal Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. MS Margaret Thatcher discussing the end of Reagan's administrative term, praising him and his efforts. "They're mixed obviously. I'm so pleased to see him and have the chance of thanking him, everything he's done for freedom in the world. But of course I'm sad that I'll not sit in this position, with him sitting in that chair again. Because we knew one another before he was the President and before I was the Prime Minister, and we had the same political dreams and the same ways of achieving them. And we were both just recalling a moment ago, I remember a time Governor Reagan came to see me in my room in the House of Commons when I was leader of the opposition. So, there are lots of times to recall. But I think the nicest thing of all, its a very different world now and a very much better one. And a very much more hopeful one then it was then." Zoom out to MS of her and Reagan sitting in White House, talking with reporters, Reagan reciprocates the feeling. "There are some things she says about the state of the world, she has played a major role in bringing those things about, and these improvements. And when you stop to think today that the unity we have with the united allies in NATO. I don't think very much of the world can remember when more than four decades of peace have followed as a result of that." Thatcher, " That was staunch and consistent leadership. The President staked out the ground on which he wished to fight, he stood on that ground and he fought and he won."

Aug 15, 1988 Ronald Reagan Remarks at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. "This office is not mine to give, only you the people can do that. But I love America too much, and care too much about where we will be in the next few years, I care that we give custody of this office to someone who will build on our changes not retreat to the past. Someone who will continue the change all of us fought for, to preserve what we have and not risk losing it all. America needs George Bush and Barbara Bush as First Lady." Applause. "There's still a lot of brush to clear out at the ranch, fences that need repair and horses to ride. But I want you to know that if the fires ever dim, I'll leave my phone number and address behind, just in case you need a foot soldier." Applause. "Just let me know, I'll be there, as long as words don't leave me. And as long as this sweet country strives to be special during its shining moment on earth." "I'm ready to volunteer a little advice now and then, offer a pointer or two on strategy, if asked. I'll help keep the facts straight or just stand back and cheer. But George, just one personal request, go out there and win one for the Gipper." Reagan smiles and the crowd roars with applause. C/As delegates standing and applauding, some holding Bush '88 placards.

Nov 7, 1988, Remarks at a Republican Campaign Rally in San Diego, California. Reagan speaks at a Bush rally in San Diego, invokes the memory of his parents. Campaigning for George Bush. "So now we come to the end of this last campaign. And I just hope that Nelly and Jack are looking down on us right now, and nodding their heads and saying their kid did them proud. And I hope that some day your children and grandchildren will tell of the time that a certain President came to town at the ends of a long journey and asked their parents and grandparents to join him in setting America on the course to the new millennium and that a century of peace, prosperity, opportunity and hope had followed."

Dec 7, 1988, NYC: Ronald Reagan, GEORGE BUSH & MIKHAIL GORBACHEV pose by New York Harbor for press opportunity, the Statue of Liberty in BG.

Jan 11, 1989 Farewell Address to the Nation. Reagan's last as President. Intercut with footage of Ron and NANCY Reagan leaving the White House, GEORGE BUSH and BARBARA BUSH sending them off; Ron salutes from Presidential helicopter Marine One which then takes off. "My fellow Americans. This is the 34th time I'll speak to you from the Oval Office and the last. We've been together eight years now, and soon it'll be time for me to go. But before I do, I wanted to share some thoughts, some of which I've been saving for a long time. It's been the honor of my life to be your president. So many of you have written the past few weeks to say thanks, but I could say as much to you. Nancy and I are grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve." "They called it the Reagan revolution. Well, I'll accept that, but for me it always seemed more like the great rediscovery, a rediscovery of our values and our common sense." "And in all of that time I won a nickname, "The Great Communicator." But I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation, from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in principles that have guided us for two centuries." "And in all of that time I won a nickname, "The Great Communicator." But I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation--from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in principles that have guided us for two centuries." "We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger. We made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all. And so, good-bye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."

DO NOT USE End Credits.