Known affectionately as 'Dutch' (or the 'Gipper' after one of his movie roles), Ronald Reagan became the epitome of conservative politics in the United States. He was credited with having renewed the Republican Party, ended the Cold War, and begun a long period of economic prosperity. It is hard to overestimate the influence that Ronald Reagan has had on conservative politics in the United States.
By all reports Reagan was an endearing character. His wife described him as someone with 'absolutely no ego', who was 'happy in his own skin' and, therefore, did not feel he had to prove himself to anyone. His correspondence to fans, friends and family speak of a person with a kindly heart, a consideration of others' perspectives, a winsome way with words, as well as an ample supply of down-to-earth common sense.
The European, not to say British, perspective on Ronald Reagan is remarkably different. I still remember Spitting Image doing their worst on Reagan. Reagan was depicted in British culture as a bumbling idiot, with candy floss for brains, a big smile, good communication, the lights on but nobody home. All politicians face their fair share of detractors. Reagan received a particularly large dose of venom from the fangs of liberal critics. Perhaps it was his faith; Reagan clearly had a strong belief in God, though, as is often the case with such leading political figures, the exact boundaries of that faith were somewhat private.
