Coming Along Just Fine

In harness but not yet at full stride, Reagan returns to the budget wars

His voice may have been a bit raspy, his gestures a tad stiff and tentative, but as he greeted Chinese President Li Xiannian on the sun-drenched South Lawn last week, Ronald Reagan inspired pride rather than pity. The welcoming ceremony was the President's first formal event since leaving Bethesda Naval Hospital, where he underwent major surgery for cancer. Standing at attention beside his guest while a Marine band played the American and Chinese national anthems, the 74-year-old Reagan gave credence to the reports of his splendid recuperation. Nonetheless, the ceremony was shortened to 15 minutes so that Reagan, who lost 7...

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