Communicator’s revolutionary ideas spread like wildfire, and the heart of that fire was at the Ranch THE WESTERN WHITE HOUSE where President Reagan gave weekly national radio addresses on vital issues. The weekly Presidential radio addresses originated from Ronald Reagan’s radio commentaries—sponsored by Young America’s Foundation—that he made from the Ranch subsequent to his governorship. He delivered a total of 42 Presidential addresses on Saturday mornings from 9:06 a.m. to 9:11 a.m—all from the Ranch patio or a single-wide trailer near the Secret Service building. Prior to beginning his weekly radio address on August 11, 1984, President Reagan quipped, “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I have signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” Purportedly, the President hadn’t realized that the microphone was live to a national audience. The world was also listening when President Reagan demanded freedom for millions of oppressed people living under communism, subsequently winning the Cold War without “firing a single shot.” Years later, Gorbachev visited the Ranch and President Reagan drove him around the trails in his famous blue Jeep. RANCHO DEL CIELO
President Reagan’s favorite ball cap was this navy blue “U.S. Mounted Secret Service” cap which he frequently wore while working at the Ranch.
The media were fascinated by the President’s life at the Western White House. Here the President and First Lady host the press corps at Rancho del Cielo.
President Reagan drives Mikhail Gorbachev around the Ranch property in the President’s famous blue Jeep—the Gipper.
“The More I Visit the Ranch. . .”
President Reagan records one of 42 radio addresses he delivered from Rancho del Cielo during his Presidency.
22
Young America’s Foundation • Libertas
Early on in Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Michael Deaver submitted a travel schedule to the President to review for the following months. President Reagan stopped his aide and noted the lack of upcoming visits to the Ranch on the schedule. According to Deaver, President Reagan then said, “Mike, I happen to think the more I visit that Ranch, the longer I’m going to live.” Deaver couldn’t argue, and President Reagan was off to the Ranch for the first time as President in February 1981. Freedom was secured, our economy grew, and our American spirit was rekindled over the course of his Presidency. The Western White House inspired President Reagan, and President Reagan inspired a nation and a world.