Child of alcoholic father, Reagan developed an early gift for storytelling and acting. He was a first-rate radio announcer of Chicago Cubs games, ordinarily relying on a ticker for the details, but in 1934, Reagan improvised the play-by-play during the ninth inning of a scoreless Cubs? versus Cardinals game when the wire went dead. He had a successful career in Hollywood as a second-rank leading man, as his face and body were as handsome as his voice. There he acquired the nickname "the Gipper," which he retained the rest of his life.
Ronald Reagan began his political life as a staunch [New Deal]? / Franklin D. Roosevelt supporter. He gradually became a staunch anti-Communist. His political career started through the presidency of the [Screen Actors Guild]? (SAG). He gained political stature through radio broadcasts and speaking tours sponsored by the General Electric company. He was elected governor of California and attempted to gain the Republican presidential nomination in 1976 over the incumbent Gerald Ford. After his defeat at the [Republican Convention]?he want on to be elected president in 1980 and 1984. During his presidency, Reagan survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. Like most successful politicians, he had great stage presence, great instincts for how to come across to people and make them like him.
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Debate continues as to his impact in:
He was the first divorced person to be elected president.
During his administration, there was a major scandal and investigation of what came to be known as the Iran-Contra Affair.
Reagan currently suffers from Alzheimers disease.
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