Quote

Reaganism as a political movement has enormous resources behind it and it seeks - through stagecraft and through a tremendous level of effort toward propaganda - to present an image of Reagan that is so much larger-than-life that it sort of blinds us all, and keeps us all in a warm, happy, nostalgic state, thinking of a man who can do no wrong.

Several things about Reagan are unusual in a public man. He was not a typical politician at all, but a private man in public life.

President Reagan was the quintessential Happy Warrior, and no one loves, respects, and admires Reagan more than I do.

Everything is about looking for happiness and God. That was a sentiment shared by my dear friend Ronald Reagan.

President Reagan is now at rest. We mourn his passing, but we are grateful for the gifts he gave us: a safer world, strong economic base, and a renewed belief in America's greatness.

I feel bound to respect Ronald Reagan, as every American should - not least because he chose a career of public service when he could have made a lot more money doing something else, and not least because he took genuine risks for peace.

Ronald Reagan's vision of smaller government, less taxes, and a strong national defense has led to a prosperous America. As president, he rebuilt our military and reinvigorated our confidence in ourselves.

Throughout his life, Ronald Reagan believed America is capable of great things and its people could and would lead the way if left unburdened by taxation and regulation.

As his vice president for eight years, I learned more from Ronald Reagan than from anyone I encountered in all my years of public life.

What we can borrow from Ronald Reagan... is that great sense of optimism. He led by building on the strengths of America, not running America down.