Rawhide Down_ The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan - Del Quentin Wilber [141]
“He was a performer”: Interview with Ron Reagan.
“Somebody ought to entertain”: Interview of President Reagan by author Mollie Dickenson in May 1985 that was tape-recorded by WHCA, RRPL.
in mid-March to 73 percent: Barry Sussman, “Shooting Gives Reagan Boost in Popularity,” WP, April 2, 1981, p. A1; “Public Approves of President Far More Than of His Policies,” WP, June 4, 1981, p. A12.
“what happened to Reagan”: David Broder, “End of a Dream,” WP, April 1, 1981, p. A21.
“politically untouchable”: Interview with David Broder.
“cemented a bond”: Interview with Lou Cannon.
By the time he left office: “Final Job Approval Rating for Recent Presidents,” Gallup website, www.gallup.com.
“When life gives you lemons”: Sue Anne Pressley, “When History, Destiny Converged,” WP, March 30, 2006, p. B1.
Before leaving GW: Interview with Tim McCarthy.
In 1985, after twenty-three years: Interview with Parr.
The Secret Service tried to deflect blame: Testimony of Secret Service director H. Stuart Knight before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, April 2, 1981. “What would we have done about it if notified? At a minimum, interview the gentleman,” Knight testified. Whether that would have stopped Hinckley is unclear. Colo, an experienced investigator, said that Hinckley would not have caused him much concern if he had interviewed him before the attack.
The Secret Service also repeatedly pointed out that the area behind the rope line had not been designated a press area by the White House. Such a decision would have required an agent to check identification of reporters and limit that area to cameramen and journalists, and Hinckley would never have been permitted to get so close. There is often a tug-of-war between the White House and the Secret Service over presidential security and access to the president.
the Secret Service did change: After the shooting, the service rarely let a president enter or exit a limousine in public view. Instead, agents pulled the president’s limousine into garages or into tents, preventing potential assassins from getting a shot at the president during such vulnerable moments. The Washington Hilton also changed—it constructed a concrete bunker–like garage outside of the VIP entrance to shield presidents and other dignitaries during their arrivals and departures.
In 2010, it had 3,500: Information provided by the Secret Service; Secret Service budget for salaries and expenses, Department of Homeland Security.
A few days later: Interview with Sullivan; copy of the letter Reagan sent to Sullivan.
occasional notes from Reagan: Interview with Giordano; copy of the note provided by Giordano.
Dr. Benjamin Aaron, Dr. David Gens: The Saving of the President; White House photo of meeting, RRPL.
$96 million: Monte Reel, “90 Feet and a World Away,” WP, August 21, 2002, p. B1.
In 1981, there were: Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, Committee on Energy and Commerce, April 7, 1981.
Today, there are more: Interview with Harry Teter.
Though his boyish looks: Author observation of Hinckley during 2008 court hearings.
One of his first acts: Interview with Ryan.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Abrams, Herbert L. “The President Has Been Shot”: Confusion, Disability, and the 25th Amendment in the Aftermath of the Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan. New York: W. W. Norton, 1992.
Allen, Richard V. Peace or Peaceful Coexistence? Chicago: American Bar Association, 1966.
Anderson, Martin. Revolution. Orlando, Fla.: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988.
Baker, James A., III, with Steve Fiffer. “Work Hard, Study … and Keep Out of Politics!”: Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006.
Barletta, John R., with Rochelle Schweizer. Riding with Reagan: From the White House to the Ranch. New York: Citadel Press, 2006.
Barrett, Laurence I. Gambling with History. New York: