Ronald Reagan: Communicator

01VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.

02Today we are talking about Ronald Reagan.

03He was president for two terms and served from 1981 to 1989.

04Before that, he was the governor of California, worked as an actor, and led a labor union.

05As president, Reagan is credited for changing the direction of the country.

06He tried to establish a feeling of confidence in the American people.

07Although not everyone profited equally from his policies, the president rarely suffered in public opinion polls.

08Reagan was called the Great Communicator because he was able to connect with many Americans and to speak persuasively about conservative values.

09He is remembered warmly by many Republican Party politicians and voters especially.

10Ronald Reagan is often linked to California and the American West, but he was born and raised in Illinois, in the center of the United States.

11His father sold shoes, and his mother mostly took care of Ronald and his older brother, Neil.

12The entire family supported the Democratic Party, especially President Franklin Roosevelt.

13While the boys were growing up, the Reagans did not have much money, and the father suffered from alcoholism.

14But Ronald was energetic and took part in many activities.

15He played football and basketball, ran on the track team, swam, acted in plays, led student groups, wrote for school newspapers and yearbooks, and worked several jobs to help pay for his education and support his parents.

16He attended Eureka College in Illinois and completed his studies in 1932.

17One of his first jobs out of college was as a sports announcer for a radio station.

18He had an appealing voice and a natural way of talking that was a good fit for radio.

19Reagan was also good-looking and a dependable worker.

20In time, he was offered a chance to act in movies and moved to California.

21During his acting career, Reagan made more than 50 films.

22He also married actress Jane Wyman and had two children with her.

23But after several years, the relationship ended.

24Their marriage ended in divorce.

25Four years later, Reagan married another actress.

26Her name was Ann Robbins, but she was called Nancy Davis.

27They also had two children.

28As he was starting his second family, Reagan began another part of his career.

29He served as host of a popular television series about the American West.

30He also became president of a labor union, the Screen Actors Guild.

31It represented actors, announcers, and others working in the film and television industry.

32During that time, Reagan's political beliefs changed.

33He increasingly supported conservative ideas.

34During public appearances, he often spoke in support of business interests.

35He also expressed concern that the federal government was limiting Americans' freedom.

36The message was well-received by many Americans.

37Although the Democratic Party was in power for most of the 1960s, a number of Americans were becoming increasingly conservative.

38Reagan won national recognition in 1966, when he successfully ran for governor of California as a Republican.

39In 1970, voters re-elected him to the position.

40But Reagan had set his sights on the presidency.

41He sought the Republican nomination in both 1968 and 1976.

42Finally, in 1980, he won the office.

43By that time, he had already had several careers, as well as a long life.

44At age 69, he was the oldest person until then to be elected president.

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57Shortly after he was shot The President joked with his wife And with his doctors Opinion polls showed that the recovered President Was more popular than ever Reagan's political image also survived a scandal Known as Iran-Contra In brief, Congress found that a number of government officials Secretly sold U.S.

58weapons to Iran As part of a deal to free hostages Then, the officials used some of the money To help rebels in Nicaragua The actions violated congressional rules They also challenged Reagan's promise That he had not traded weapons for hostages The President apologized for any part he had played in the events Polls showed that, in general, the American public accepted his apology And continued to trust him Unlike most U.S.

59presidents, who lose public support during their terms Reagan finished his time in office as he had taken it With the support of more than half of Americans Reagan retired to his home in California with his wife, Nancy For several years, he wrote about his life And helped organize his presidential library But in a few years, the former president announced that he suffered from Alzheimer's The disease affects people's ability to think, remember, and express themselves Soon, Reagan disappeared from public life He died in 2004 But he is well-remembered as an able politician Who could work effectively with many people He is also remembered, by both supporters and critics For being a powerful voice for conservative ideas and traditional values His influence extended beyond his two terms Later generations of leaders and voters Called themselves Reagan Republicans I'm Kelli Jean Kelley He's a great man He's a great man He's a great man