Libertas: What was it like to serve as a senior advisor in the Reagan Administration? —————————————————————
Donatelli: Working in the White House can be demanding and tense. To survive, you have to have a strong belief in your boss and feel that he is making a real difference for our country. We never had any doubt that President Reagan was a consequential leader. President Reagan was really the same in private as he appeared in public— friendly, cheerful, and someone who had a way of putting all visitors to the White House totally at ease. These qualities also served him well when he lobbied Congress on behalf of his major programs. Unlike our current President, who loves giving speeches and appearing on TV, Ronald Reagan worked closely with Congress to ensure adoption of his agenda. Libertas: What advice do you have for young conservatives who may, one day, want to work in high-level government positions? —————————————————————
the right time, make the jump to public service either as an elected official or as an appointee in the executive branch. Always think about what you can do to spread the conservative message.
“We never had any doubt
Libertas: What are some lessons you think we can learn from this last election cycle?
that President
—————————————————————
Reagan was a
Donatelli: Obama has been revolutionary in his ability to use technology to identify and turn out the Left in record numbers. Conservatives must close the technology gap if we are going to do better in the future. Hispanics and single women are two groups I would also single out for special attention.
consequential leader.”
Donatelli: Establish the basics. Get an education, find a profession, and then go into government. Get involved in public affairs in your community. Most importantly, understand the conservative philosophy and how you can best spread the word. You can work on behalf of conservatism in many ways no matter your occupation or station in life. At
Libertas: What do you think conservatives can learn from the Left’s success in winning over young people to their cause? —————————————————————
Donatelli: The Left has won the youth vote since 1988. Young people tend to be more idealistic and susceptible to utopian rhetoric like Obama’s.
Donatelli, who also serves as chairman of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors, interviews Vice President Dick Cheney at the Reagan Ranch Center during Young America’s Foundation’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth. Young America’s Foundation | Libertas | Winter 2013
40712_YAF_01-18,27-44.indd 33
33
2/11/13 9:26 AM