James A. Leach: “Americans often measure history in Presidential cycles. When we look at the individuals who have served in the White…”

“Americans often measure history in Presidential cycles. When we look at the individuals who have served in the White House it is the conjunction of character and circumstance that defines and demarcates administrations. It would be misguided to suggest that any individual ``won'' the Cold War, but it was Ronald Reagan's inspiration--``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall''--that symbolized American resolve. He gave hope to those oppressed and he gave voice to those who stood tall. Communism imploded, largely on his watch. Domestically, President Reagan articulated the values of the frontier. ``Government is not the solution, it is the problem,'' he said in his first inaugural address. But he was not a ``no government'' ideologue. While his administration contrasted in many ways with the social activism of Franklin Roosevelt, he did not favor undoing the New Deal. ``How can we love our country and not love our countrymen?'' he asked, ``and loving them not reach out a hand when they fall?''”