Ronald Reagan: Communicator
2023-12-03
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1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.
2Today we are talking about Ronald Reagan. He was president for two terms, and served from 1981 to 1989.
3Before that, he was the governor of California, worked as an actor and led a labor union.
4As president, Reagan is credited for changing the direction of the country.
5He tried to establish a feeling of confidence in the American people.
6Although not everyone profited equally from his policies, the president rarely suffered in public opinion polls.
7Reagan was called the "Great Communicator" because he was able to connect with many Americans, and to speak persuasively about conservative values.
8He is remembered warmly by many Republican Party politicians and voters especially.
9Ronald Reagan is often linked to California and the American West.
10But 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. Their marriage ended in divorce.
24Four years later, Reagan married another actress.
25Her name was Anne Robbins, but she was called Nancy Davis.
26They also had two children.
27As he was starting his second family, Reagan began another part of his career.
28He served as host of a popular television series about the American West.
29He also became president of a labor union, the Screen Actors Guild.
30It represented actors, announcers, and others working in the film and television industry.
31During that time, Reagan's political beliefs changed.
32He increasingly supported conservative ideas. During public appearances, he often spoke in support of business interests.
33He also expressed concern that the federal government was limiting Americans' freedom.
34The message was well-received by many Americans.
35Although the Democratic Party was in power for most of the 1960s, a number of Americans were becoming increasingly conservative.
36Reagan won national recognition in 1966 when he successfully ran for governor of California as a Republican.
37In 1970, voters re-elected him to the position.
38But Reagan had set his sights on the presidency.
39He sought the Republican nomination in both 1968 and 1976.
40Finally, in 1980, he won the office.
41By that time, he had already had several careers, as well as a long life.
42At age 69, he was the oldest person until then to be elected president.
43When Reagan took office, he made improving the U.S. economy his highest concern.
44One way to do that, he believed, was to reduce the influence of the federal government.
45He wanted especially to cut some of the government programs that former president Lyndon Johnson had put in place to help poor people.
46Reagan believed that cutting taxes - especially on big businesses - would help strengthen the economy, and in time help everyone.
47In a speech after taking office, Reagan noted that, "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."
48At first, the economy continued to struggle.
49But in a few years, Reagan's policies appeared to work.
50Unemployment dropped, the stock market rose, and many industries grew quickly.
51Americans often remember Reagan's presidency as a time of economic growth.
52Not everyone benefited equally, however.
53Reagan's critics observed that his policies largely helped people who were already wealthy.
54The divide between rich and middle-class Americans increased during Reagan's presidency.
55And Reagan did not reduce government spending in all areas.
56In fact, he sharply increased military spending.
57One result was a large national debt. Another result, Reagan's supporters say, was a quicker end to the Cold War.
58One of Reagan's major foreign policy goals was to end the stand-off with the Soviet Union.
59He believed that building up the U.S. military was the best way to pressure the Soviets to reach an agreement on arms control.
60Reagan also spoke out strongly against communism.
61In his second term, he famously appealed to the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall.
62For some, the wall was a sign of communism.
63Many historians say Reagan's policies worked.
64For sure, Reagan and Gorbachev improved relations between their countries.
65And in time, the Soviet leadership permitted the Berlin Wall to come down.
66In addition to the economy and the Cold War, Reagan is often remembered for his likable personality.
67He spoke easily with the public, often had a positive message about the country, and usually appeared cheerful.
68He won even more public approval after a man with mental problems tried to kill him.
69The bullets seriously injured several people nearby, and just missed Reagan's heart.
70Yet, shortly 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.
71Reagan's political image also survived a scandal known as Iran-Contra.
72In brief, Congress found that a number of government officials secretly sold U.S. weapons to Iran as part of a deal to free hostages.
73Then, the officials used some of the money to help rebels in Nicaragua.
74The actions violated congressional rules.
75They also challenged Reagan's promise that he had not traded weapons for hostages.
76The president apologized for any part he had played in the events.
77Polls showed that, in general, the American public accepted his apology and continued to trust him.
78Unlike most U.S. presidents, 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.
79Reagan retired to his home in California with his wife, Nancy.
80For several years, he wrote about his life and helped organize his presidential library.
81But in a few years, the former president announced that he suffered from Alzheimer's.
82The disease affects people's ability to think, remember, and express themselves.
83Soon, Reagan disappeared from public life. He died in 2004.
84But he is well-remembered as an able politician who could work effectively with many people.
85He is also remembered - by both supporters and critics - for being a powerful voice for conservative ideas and traditional values.
86His influence extended beyond his two terms.
87Later generations of leaders and voters called themselves Reagan Republicans.
88I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.
1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents. 2Today we are talking about Ronald Reagan. He was president for two terms, and served from 1981 to 1989. Before that, he was the governor of California, worked as an actor and led a labor union. 3As president, Reagan is credited for changing the direction of the country. He tried to establish a feeling of confidence in the American people. 4Although not everyone profited equally from his policies, the president rarely suffered in public opinion polls. Reagan was called the "Great Communicator" because he was able to connect with many Americans, and to speak persuasively about conservative values. 5He is remembered warmly by many Republican Party politicians and voters especially. 6Early life 7Ronald 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. 8His father sold shoes, and his mother mostly took care of Ronald and his older brother, Neil. The entire family supported the Democratic Party, especially President Franklin Roosevelt. 9While the boys were growing up, the Reagans did not have much money, and the father suffered from alcoholism. 10But Ronald was energetic and took part in many activities. 11He 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. 12He attended Eureka College in Illinois, and completed his studies in 1932. 13One of his first jobs out of college was as a sports announcer for a radio station. He had an appealing voice and a natural way of talking that was a good fit for radio. 14Reagan was also good-looking, and a dependable worker. In time, he was offered a chance to act in movies and moved to California. 15During his acting career, Reagan made more than 50 films. He also married actress Jane Wyman and had two children with her. But after several years, the relationship ended. Their marriage ended in divorce. 16Four years later, Reagan married another actress. Her name was Anne Robbins, but she was called Nancy Davis. They also had two children. 17As he was starting his second family, Reagan began another part of his career. He served as host of a popular television series about the American West. He also became president of a labor union, the Screen Actors Guild. It represented actors, announcers, and others working in the film and television industry. 18During that time, Reagan's political beliefs changed. He increasingly supported conservative ideas. During public appearances, he often spoke in support of business interests. He also expressed concern that the federal government was limiting Americans' freedom. 19The message was well-received by many Americans. Although the Democratic Party was in power for most of the 1960s, a number of Americans were becoming increasingly conservative. 20Reagan won national recognition in 1966 when he successfully ran for governor of California as a Republican. In 1970, voters re-elected him to the position. 21But Reagan had set his sights on the presidency. He sought the Republican nomination in both 1968 and 1976. 22Finally, in 1980, he won the office. By that time, he had already had several careers, as well as a long life. At age 69, he was the oldest person until then to be elected president. 23Presidency 24When Reagan took office, he made improving the U.S. economy his highest concern. One way to do that, he believed, was to reduce the influence of the federal government. 25He wanted especially to cut some of the government programs that former president Lyndon Johnson had put in place to help poor people. Reagan believed that cutting taxes - especially on big businesses - would help strengthen the economy, and in time help everyone. 26In a speech after taking office, Reagan noted that, "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." 27At first, the economy continued to struggle. But in a few years, Reagan's policies appeared to work. Unemployment dropped, the stock market rose, and many industries grew quickly. Americans often remember Reagan's presidency as a time of economic growth. 28Not everyone benefited equally, however. Reagan's critics observed that his policies largely helped people who were already wealthy. The divide between rich and middle-class Americans increased during Reagan's presidency. 29And Reagan did not reduce government spending in all areas. In fact, he sharply increased military spending. 30One result was a large national debt. Another result, Reagan's supporters say, was a quicker end to the Cold War. 31One of Reagan's major foreign policy goals was to end the stand-off with the Soviet Union. He believed that building up the U.S. military was the best way to pressure the Soviets to reach an agreement on arms control. 32Reagan also spoke out strongly against communism. In his second term, he famously appealed to the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall. For some, the wall was a sign of communism. 33Many historians say Reagan's policies worked. For sure, Reagan and Gorbachev improved relations between their countries. And in time, the Soviet leadership permitted the Berlin Wall to come down. 34Assassination attempt and Iran-Contra scandal 35In addition to the economy and the Cold War, Reagan is often remembered for his likable personality. He spoke easily with the public, often had a positive message about the country, and usually appeared cheerful. 36He won even more public approval after a man with mental problems tried to kill him. 37The bullets seriously injured several people nearby, and just missed Reagan's heart. 38Yet, shortly 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. 39Reagan'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. weapons to Iran as part of a deal to free hostages. Then, the officials used some of the money to help rebels in Nicaragua. 40The actions violated congressional rules. They also challenged Reagan's promise that he had not traded weapons for hostages. 41The 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. 42Unlike most U.S. presidents, 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. 43Legacy 44Reagan retired to his home in California with his wife, Nancy. For several years, he wrote about his life and helped organize his presidential library. 45But 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. 46Soon, Reagan disappeared from public life. He died in 2004. 47But 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. 48His influence extended beyond his two terms. Later generations of leaders and voters called themselves Reagan Republicans. 49I'm Kelly Jean Kelly. 50Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 51________________________________________________________________ 52See how well you understand this story by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video and choose the best answer. 53________________________________________________________________ 54Words in This Story 55confidence - n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something 56fit - adj. having the necessary skills 57divorce - n. the ending of a marriage by a legal process 58host - n. a person who talks to guests on a television or radio show 59benefit - v. to be useful or helpful to 60standoff - n. an argument or contest in which there is no winner 61positive - adj. hopeful or optimistic 62scandal - n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong 63challenge - v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal