The Presidency by Hugh Sidey: Keeping the Nation Mesmerized

Rarely has a President so dominated the national stage as Ronald Reagan has this summer, in both controversy and success. He has Washington spooked. His supporters point to the surging economy. His adversaries cannot forget the 11 million unemployed and gleefully fan the case of the "pilfered" White House papers. In fact, almost everybody interested in the public business seems to have a singular obsession with this fumbling, amiable, enigmatic exactor.

Any President is the constant center of attention. But a Washington visitor on the Fourth of July weekend would have thought...

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