Meese Edwin - Reagan: the inside story

Reagan

Copyright 1992 by Edwin Meese III

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, news paper, or broadcast.

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First e-book edition 2015; ISBN 978-1-62157-443-9

Originally published in hardcover, 1992, under the title With Reagan: The Inside Story; cataloging information below

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Meese, Edwin.

With Reagan: the inside story / Edwin Meese III.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I. Reagan, RonaldFriends and associates. 2. PresidentsUnited StatesStaff. 3. United StatesPolitics and govemment19811989. 4. Meese, Edwin. I. Title.

E877.2.M44 1992

973.927092-dc20

92-4222

CIP

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To my wife, URSULA, and to our children, MIKE and RAMONA, SCOTT, and DANA

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

T his book discusses Ronald Reagan and his presidency, and examines one of the most significant periods in the history of our country. As a participant in the Reagan administration, a fortunate place from which to observe that era, I am grateful to the many people with whom I had the privilege of serving, and especially to those who assisted me directly, both during that period and in the writing of this book.

First and foremost, the entire nation owes a debt of gratitude to the late William J. Casey. Without his timely entrance into the leadership of the Reagan campaign, the Reagan presidency might never have become a reality. Later, as director of central intelligence, he was a principal supporter and promulgator of the Reagan Doctrine, which resulted in the liberation of millions of people throughout the world. Bills post in the Reagan cabinet capped a lifetime of public service as lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, and leader. He was a good friend and a true patriot.

I wish also to acknowledge my gratitude to the other cabinet members, the sub-cabinet and agency leaders, and the many other appointees with whom I served and whom I am proud to call my friends. Our common bondour service to President Reaganis reflected in the Reagan Alumni Association, which continues to flourish.

Both in the White House and at the Department of Justice, I was blessed with very dedicated and highly effective members on my personal staff, men and women who gave me invaluable assistance and whom I consider part of my extended family. To all of them I express my heartfelt appreciation.

I also want to acknowledge my deep gratitude to the members of my FBI protective security detail and transportation team, who looked after me so diligently during my tour of duty as attorney general.

A special note of appreciation goes to the three ladies who served successively as my administrative assistants at the White House and at Justice: Florence (Randolph) Procunier, Marilee Melvin, and Cathie (Appleyard) Hurlburt. Their loyal and devoted service, and their ability to handle with skill a myriad of complex details and varying requirements, made an impossible job possible.

Throughout my government service and during the writing of this book, an essential source of strength for me has been the love, encouragement, and support of my wife, Ursula, and our children: our son Mike and his wife Ramona; our late son Scott; and our daughter Dana. It is to them that this book is dedicated.

The Heritage Foundation deserves great credit for its unique contribution to the success of the Reagan administration, and I extend my thanks for the cooperation and encouragement I have received in the development of this book. It has been a genuine pleasure to work with the fine people at Heritage, and I am particularly grateful for the friendship of its president, Ed Feulner, and its executive vice president, Phil Truluck.

My own staff at Heritage has been a tremendous help to me in many endeavors, including this book. I want to thank Cathie (Appleyard) Hurlburt, who made the transition with us from Justice to Heritage, serving as my administrative assistant until last July. I am also grateful to those who served as my research assistants: Julia (Warriner) Boles, Linda Matisans, Rob Schmults, and Jeanine Chase. Special thanks go to Karen (Keywood) Kohl, my research assistant and new administrative assistant, who spent long hours typing the manuscript and working on all the many details essential to the completion of this book. Without her invaluable assistance, this could never have been accomplished.

The National Archives and Records Administration has been of great help in facilitating my research and locating documents and photographs. This organization, which became an independent agency of the federal government during the Reagan presidency, is truly unique in preserving vital historical documents and information. I am particularly grateful to National Archivist Don Wilson, Assistant Archivist John Fawcett, Edith Prise, Douglas Thurman, and Mary Finch. Their professional skill, courtesy, and understanding were exceptional.

I greatly appreciate the encouragement and assistance in preparing this book of Ken Cribb and Brad Reynolds, my counsellors at Justice, and John Richardson and Mark Levin, who served as my chiefs of staff there. Ken and John were also with me at the White House. All of them have contributed valuable ideas and suggestions and have helped in many other ways.

My thanks also to Alfred Regnery and his publishing organization.

Als innovative approach to publishing and marketing as well as his constant support and gentle prodding, have been very important to me. I am also very grateful to Jennifer Reist, who has coordinated the many facets of publication with remarkable calm and understanding along the way. I am also grateful to Peter Hannaford, Lou Cordia, and Megan Brockey for their assistance.

Finally, I want to thank two people who made this book possible.

While I take full responsibility for its contents, and for whatever blame may arise, they have been invaluable partners in producing this volume. Patricia (Trish) Bozell has demonstrated remarkable skill and patience as my editor at Regnery Gateway. She has labored at all hours of the day and night in this endeavor and has been a most friendly and kind person to work with. My editorial teammate, Stan Evans, has combined a great memory for details with true journalistic skill as we worked together in the research and writing of this book. To both Trish and Stan I extend my deepest gratitude.