Reagan Photo Restoration

Last week, I posted about the bicentennial year of 1976. Included in that post was my remembering of attending the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. That was the convention where President Gerald Ford and former Governor Ronald Reagan went head-to-head. Ford eventually won the GOP nomination.

Included in the post was this photo that I took of Ronald and Nancy Reagan arriving at the Hilton Plaza Inn for a meeting during the convention:

As you can see, it is a bit faded from age.

J. D. Lees, who published G-FAN magazine, saw the post and did some restoration work on the photo and sent the final result. He did a great job on it. It looks as if I took the photo more recently rather than 50 years ago. 

Here's the photo after restoration:

Here's what he said he did:

Saw the pic of RR on your website and couldn't resist "improving" it (hope you agree). I'm far from an expert on photo editing, but I use a free software called GIMP that is available for download if you want it. (I switched years ago when Adobe started charging a monthly fee to use Photoshop.) My abilities are very limited, but if you copy a picture to your clipboard, then click on "File" in GIMP, there's an option "Create." Click on that and you can import the image from your clipboard as one of the options. That's how I captured the RR photo. Then you click on "Colors" and down a ways is "Auto." Click on that and choose "White balance." That's the only thing I did to your photo. The result is attached.

Yes, it came out great!

Remembering The 1976 Bicentennial Year

 

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 250 birthday of America. Officially, it is called the Semiquincentennial. 

It was only 50 years ago that we celebrated the Bicentennial (the above image was the official logo). I was at the "ripe old age" of 26 at the time.

My parents and I spent the 1976 July 4th weekend (July 4 fell on a Sunday) in Las Vegas, Nevada with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. On July 3, we went to the Stardust Hotel to see Lido de Paris.

According to Google's A.I. overview:

The Lido de Paris was a legendary French topless revue that ran for 32 years at the Stardust Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, debuting on the resort's opening day in 1958 and running until 1991. Produced by Donn Arden, it was a massive, high-tech production that helped cement the "showgirl" as an enduring icon of Las Vegas culture. 

It seemed a little odd (to me) at the time that I should be attending a topless show with my parents and relatives. But it was a good and entertaining show. 

On Sunday, July 4, we drove home from during the evening hours and we took in the fireworks displays of the desert towns and the suburbs of Los Angeles along the way during the drive. 

Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan arrive at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following month, I was in Kansas City, Missouri for the 1976 Republican National Convention. I was a Ronald Reagan delegate for California. The convention was held at the Kemper Arena. This was the convention in which President Gerald Ford won the GOP nomination over Reagan. 

Above, Kemper Arena, the venue of the 1976 GOP National Convention in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The California Delegation were housed at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. One day during convention week, I managed to take a snapshot of the Reagans arriving at the hotel for a meeting (above photo). 

It is amazing that I still vividly remember things from 50 years ago.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start off the week, we have Blue Oyster Cult and their 1976 hit, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" from their Agents of Fortune album. This song brings me back to the summer of 1976. It was released on May 4, 1976. It remained on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 20 weeks. It was rising on the charts when I went to the 1976 Republican National Convention in August. In reached number 12 in the U.S. and number 7 in Canada. 

From Wikipedia:

Blue Öyster Cult (/ˈɔɪ.stər/ OY-stər; sometimes abbreviated BÖC or BOC) is an American rock band formed on Long Island, New York, in the hamlet of Stony Brook, in 1967. The band has sold 25 million records worldwide, including 7 million in the United States. The band's fusion of hard rock with psychedelia, and penchant for occult, fantastical and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, had a major influence on heavy metal music. They developed a cult following and, while achieving mainstream hits like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (1976) and "Burnin' for You" (1981), their commercial success was limited. Both songs, and others such as "Godzilla" (1977), remain classic rock radio staples. The band were early adopters of the music video format, and their videos received heavy rotation on MTV in its early period.

Reagan Portrait Re-Framed and Matted

Last year, I had a photographic portrait of President Ronald Reagan matted and framed with my invitation to the White House as shown above. It now hangs in my living room.

The portrait was a thank-you gift from the Citizens for Reagan campaign in 1976. I served as an area chairman for the campaign in my congressional district that year. I also was a California Delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Above, in 1981, I had my collection of Reagan campaign memorabilia
 on display at the Hawthorne Library. The photo above shows me
 holding the portrait in its original matte and frame at the Library.
Photo by Mike Davis of the Daily Breeze.

The California Delegation to the 1980 Republican National Convention were invited to the White House in June 1982 for a reception. The convention was held in Detroit, Michigan. While President Reagan was mingling with the Delegation guests in the East Room, I had him sign my invitation. 

Above, the California Delegation reception in the East Room. President Reagan signing a delegate's invitation. I am in the background at left behind someone's white shoulder. White House photo.

I had the items framed and matted at Frame 'N Art in Gallup. 

UPDATE: 

Here I am at the presidential podium (before the seal was put on it) in the East Room of the White House.

Panama Violating Its Canal Treaty By Cozying Up To China

Above, the Panama Canal. Tripadvisor photo.

Panama president rules out talks with Trump over canal threat • Dec. 27, 2024, 1:54 AM ET (Voice of America English News)

In 1976, former Gov. Ronald Reagan made the Panama Canal a campaign issue during the year's GOP presidential primary campaign against President Gerald Ford. He charged that Ford and Sec. of State Henry Kissinger were about to turn over control of the canal to Panama. They didn't accomplish this.

Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan at the 1976 Republican National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

However, after Jimmy Carter beat Ford in the 1976 election, he turned it over to Panama.

Recently, two friends took a two-week cruise that included sailing through the canal. They learned that cruise ships have to pay around $200,000 to cross through the canal.

Now, it seems that Panama is giving control operations to China, in violation of the Panama Canal Treaties.

From the New York Post:

“Welcome to the United States Canal!” the once and future President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday, along with a photo of an American flag proudly fluttering over a narrow body of water.

Earlier in the day, Trump had told a crowd at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest rally that he would never allow the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway built by the United States over a century ago to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to fall into the “wrong hands.”

Trump made an economic argument along with his geopolitical one: “We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he told the audience as he denounced the increased fees billed to American shippers by the canal’s operators.

The waterway, originally an American possession, was given to Panama by President Jimmy Carter in two 1977 treaties that barely passed the two-thirds Senate majorities necessary for ratification.

The first treaty obliged Panama to operate the canal neutrally, with nondiscriminatory pricing, and allowed the United States to defend it from any threat that might interfere with its neutrality.

The second treaty transferred full control to Panama effective on Dec. 31, 1999, without superseding the first treaty’s broad provision allowing for US defense of this crucial military and economic asset.

Yet despite the assurances in these agreements, the sad truth is the Panama Canal is already in the “wrong hands”: China’s.

In 1996, Panama made a 25-year agreement to outsource management of the canal’s two entry ports — Cristóbal on the Atlantic side and Balboa on the Pacific — to a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong-based shipping firm.

To read more, go here. 

"The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" On PBS Friday

PBS American Masters will be airing "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" on Friday (9:00 PM on New Mexico PBS 5.1) evening. (Check your local listings.)

It takes a look at William F. Buckley Jr., one of the fathers of the modern conservative movement in American politics. This is one program that I am looking forward to seeing.

I have some of Buckley's books such as In The Jeweler's Eye, Quotations From Chairman Bill and Up From Liberalism. I was a regular viewer of his Firing Line television show and read National Review.

I remember seeing Buckley at the 1976 Republican National Convention as he took a "stroll" on the convention floor. I was a California Reagan delegate at that convention in Kansas City, Missouri. He received a great welcome from the delegates.

Here's the official trailer:

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

It is funny when a song is played, it takes one back to either a time or place (or both). Such is the case of the band Boston and their song, "More Than A Feeling" that came out in the summer of 1976. It was the time of the Bicentennial and the Republican presidential campaign battle between President Gerald Ford and former Gov. Ronald Reagan culminating in a raucous Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  This is the song that will start off this week.

According to Wikipedia:

Boston is an American rock band from namesake Boston, Massachusetts, that had its most commercial successes during the 1970s and '80s.

Wikipedia says the band is still active although it has gone through some personnel changes over the years. Lead vocalist Brad Delp passed away in 2007 from suicide.

Ronald Reagan's March 31, 1976 Televised Address

Above, Ronald and Nancy Reagan during the 1976 Republican National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1976 presidential primary campaign, former Governor Ronald Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination for president.

During the campaign, the Reagan campaign floundered as it had not won a single primary until the North Carolina primary in March.

Following that win, Citizens for Reagan purchased a half hour of airtime for Reagan to address the American people on March 31, 1976. The North Carolina primary win and the address of March 31 gave the Reagan campaign a much-needed shot-in-the-arm and he went on to win most of the state primaries thereafter.

At the 1976 Republican National Convention at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, I was a California Reagan delegate. During the balloting,  Ford won with 1187 votes to 1070 votes for Reagan. He later lost to Jimmy Carter during the general election. 

Above, Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I came upon Reagan's March 31 televised address on YouTube. This was the first time I watched it since 1976, even though I did make an audio recording during the broadcast.

The address by Reagan in many respects applies today with what we're going through with Biden and the Democrats, especially with current problems with Russia, energy and the economy.

Here is the video of that address:

Arnold Steinberg At The Nixon Library

Above, Arnold Steinberg.

One advantage (or disadvantage, depending upon how one looks at it) to being around politics for over 40 years is that one meets many personalities in different political campaigns besides being a part of and witnessing history.

Back in 1976, I was working for the Reagan campaign during the primaries (and was a California Reagan delegate) and then helped in the Robert K. Dornan campaign against Gary Familian.

The campaign director for the Dornan campaign was Arnold ("Arnie" as we called him) Steinberg.

Above, Youth for Dornan members meets with the candidate in 1976. I am at the far left.

Tomorrow, Steinberg will be speaking on his new book, "Whiplash: JFK To Donald Trump, A Political Odyssey" at the Richard Nixon Library & Museum.

Here's what the Nixon Foundation says about Steinberg's lecture:

In this engaging and provocative political memoir, Arnold Steinberg provides an insider’s look into the often widely misunderstood history and nature of political conservatism in American politics, ever since its initial stirrings in the 1950s down to why today’s Generation X has begun to turn against big government and political correctness. His Nixon Library presentation will feature commentary about President Nixon’s political career including the opening to China, aide to Israel during the Yom Kippur War, the end of the military draft, and Civil Rights programs. 

Steinberg, a strategist and analyst, wrote two classic graduate textbooks on politics and media. He is a veteran of hundreds of national, state, and local political campaigns, including U.S. Senator James L. Buckley of New York. Over several decades, he has been widely published in magazines, newspapers and online. Sternberg has been interviewed for many publications and has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs. He started in broadcasting as a student panelist for Fred Friendly’s Public Broadcasting Laboratory, the precursor for national public television.

If it weren't for the distance and the headcold I am finally getting over, I would go to this event.

For more information, go here. 

Kemper Arena Now

Above, Kemper Arena today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 1976, I was a California Delegate for former Governor Ronald Reagan at the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The contenders for the Republican presidential nomination were President Gerald R. Ford and Reagan.

Above, the Reagans arrive at the Hilton Plaza Inn during the
1976 Republican National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The convention was held at Kemper Arena. This was the first GOP national convention I attended as a member of the California Delegation. I later attended the 1980 and 1984 GOP national conventions as a member of the California Delegation.

Ultimately, President Ford won the nomination against Reagan, but went on to lose the general election against Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter.

During my return trip from Metropolis, Illinois this month, the route I took had me in Kansas City, Missouri. While there, I decided to stop and take a look at Kemper Arena. This was my first visit to Kansas City, Missouri since 1976.

1979, the arena's roof collapsed due to a design flaw and structural failure. The arena was repaired and reopened within a year. Fortunately, nobody was killed. Recently, it was proposed to tear down the underused arena, but those plans have been withdrawn.

The arena still looks the same to me, 40 years later and after the 1979 roof collapse.

An Inconvenience

Above, The Beast at Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little mishap occurred yesterday in St. Louis.

After I had gotten off the freeway downtown, I had to swerve a to the left. In my way was a traffic island. Normally, curbs are rounded, but this one had a sharp corner.

Well, that sharp corner sliced my driver's side front tire and rear driver's side outside tire. Both were torn up beyond repair. I had to get new tires.

I contacted Auto Club for a tow, but my premium RV coverage covers tows on a reimbursement basis. Plus, I would have had to pay an additional $130/hour (for 3 hours they said) for a shop-to-shop tow.

Luckily, I found a local tire dealer who does remote tire repair/replacement for RVs. The tires and all cost me almost $500. That put a major crimp in my pocket money and checking account. That left me with a bit over $350. Well, it could have been worse. As it was, it was just tires.

So, I contacted my bank and asked for an emergency money transfer from my investment account to my checking account. At first, they said the earliest I would have the money is Tuesday. Then "maybe" Monday. Then, I was contacted by the main customer service department and arrangments are being made for a transfer to be completed, hopefully, today. Until it does, I don't have enough money on hand for fuel to get home. So, I am sitting tight in Kansas.

Luckily, I have enough food provisions to last me a week. I went shopping in Springfield, Illinois and stocked up on food. I spent last night in a rest area to save some cash. But, I still need to be able to fill up my water tank other things. I found a nice RV park in Topeka, Kansas, the Deer Creek Valley RV Park. With my AAA or Good Sam discount, the night's stay is only $39.60. If necessary, I can stay here to Monday.

Soon after I registered, I made use of their hot showers.

This is just an inconvenience and the net effect is that my vacation will just be extended a few more days before I can begin heading into Colorado and, later, Arizona and have fun again.

Above, Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missiouri. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading to Topeka, I took a drive to Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, the site of the 1976 Republican National Convention, the first convention I attended. That was the contest between President Gerald Ford and Gov. Ronald Reagan. I was a California Reagan Delegate. The place looked pretty much the same.


UPDATE: I heard from the bank and the earliest I can get the transfer completed is on Monday. It is because today is the Veteran's Day holiday. That's okay, I am comfortable where I'm at.

1976: When Reagan Almost Won

Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan arrive for a meeting at the Hilton Plaza Hotel during the
1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you think this year's GOP presidential primary contest has been contentious, take a look back at the 1976 Republican National Convention. It is hard to believe that was 40 years ago.

It was my first national convention. I attended as a Ronald Reagan delegate from California at the ripe old age of 22. I also attended the next two Republican national conventions, but the 1976 one was the most exciting.

The Daily Signal has posted an article on the 1976 Republican National Convention.

They begin it with:

The magic number needed to capture the Republican presidential nomination in 1976 was 1,130 delegates, and Ronald Reagan was oh so close as the national convention prepared to convene. 

After losing six straight primaries to President Gerald Ford early in the year, Reagan had come roaring back, attacking Ford for his weak foreign policy and deficit spending and winning the crucial North Carolina primary with help from Sen. Jesse Helms. Reagan achieved a political resurrection and posed the most serious challenge to an incumbent Republican president since 1912 when Theodore Roosevelt had taken on William Howard Taft.

To read more, go here. 

10th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan's Death

Above, Ronald and Nancy Reagan at LAX after returning to Los Angeles following
 the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago today, the fortieth President of the United States, Ronald Reagan died from complications (pneumonia) of Alzheimer's Disease at his Bel Air home in California. He was 93.

It is hard to believe that ten years have passed.  It was a Saturday and I was watching television when the bulletin of Reagan's passing came on. I put a blank tape into the VCR so the bulletins can be recorded.

Reagan endured the disease for about ten years before passing. The news of his death brought back many memories. They included attending many of his speeches while he was governor of California; working in his 1976, 1980 and 1984 campaigns for president; serving as  a California delegate to the 1976 and 1980 Republican National Conventions and as an alternate California delegate at the 1984 Republican National Convention; meeting him at the opening of the headquarters of his Citizens for the Republic political action committee; and going to a White House reception with fellow members of the California Delegation in June 1982.

I have a collection of photographs and negatives of Reagan that I took over those years. I am debating whether to pass them on to my daughter or donate them to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. I haven't made up my mind on that as yet.

During the days that followed Reagan's death, the outpouring of affection by ordinary citizens was a testiment to the fact that despite the best efforts by the liberal media to downgrade his presidency, the people weren't fooled. They knew then (as they know now) who had their best interests at heart. That is underscored when people compare Reagan's economic policies and foreign policy achievements to those of the current White House occupant's.

Reagan's years shine brighter to people as they endure the failings of the current administration. America can sure use another Reagan to clean up the mess this country's now in.

Just like in 1980.

Jane Barnett, Former L.A. County GOP Chair, Passes Away

The Northridge-Chatsworth Patch reported today that Jane Barnett, former chairperson of the Los Angeles County Republican Party passed away this morning.

They wrote:

Former Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, Jane Barnett, passed away this morning at approximately 8:00am. 

Jane Barnett had an extensive political career.  She was, most recently, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County from 2009 - 2011.   

Prior to that she was a candidate for the 43rd Assembly District in Los Angeles County and she was chair of the 43rd Assembly District Republican Central Committee. 

She also served as the First Vice President of the Glendale-Burbank Republican Club and was a member of several Republican Women Federated clubs.

I knew Jane back in the 1970s when I was chairman of the Young Republicans of El Camino College and first V.P. of the Los Angeles County Young Republicans. I got along fine with Jane, but we (those of us of the conservative faction of the California Young Republicans) had some political differences with her husband Lou back in those days, especially when former Gov. Ronald Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford for the 1976 GOP presidential nomination (in which he did all he could to prevent a Reagan endorsement from the California Young Republicans and disruptions at L.A. County YR meetings) and when he led a splinter group in the Los Angeles County Young Republicans. That rift lasted years.

According to my sources, the cause of death was cancer. Condolences go out to the Barnett family.

To read more, go here.

GOP National Conventions

The Republican National Convention will be held next week (Monday-Thursday) in Tampa, Florida.

It appears that the tropical storm/hurricane will just skirt Tampa. So things should go well, one hopes.

Above, Ronald and Nancy Reagan arrive at the Hilton Plaza Inn during the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Each time the GOP National Convention is held, it reminds me of the times I was a California Delegate for Ronald Reagan.  Do I miss going?  You bet!

My first was in 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri when Reagan challenged President Gerald R. Ford for the nomination. Reagan barely lost, but it was a memorable convention (it was probably the last time a presidential nomination came down to the wire at a national convention).

My next national convention was in 1980 in Detroit, Michigan. Reagan won the nomination before the convention, so all there was to do is go through the formalities and nominate a vice-presidential candidate. Reagan decided on George Herbert Walker Bush.

Above, a welcome home rally after the 1980 GOP National Convention at LAX for the Reagans. Flanking them are Johnny Grant and Hugh O'Brien.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As we were just across the Detroit River from Windsor, Canada, we rented a car and drove under the river into Windsor. We toured Fort Malden while there.

We also toured the General Motors X-car assembly plant. What I saw there made me decide not to buy an American car. Two weeks later, I bought a Toyota pick-up truck.

My last national convention (as a member of the California Delegation) was in Dallas, Texas in 1984. This was to re-nominate Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. While there, I attended a bar-b-que at the H. L. Hunt Estate (in 112 degree heat) and went over to Dealey Plaza, where President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

My daughter Amber and I did go to San Diego for the 1996 Republican National Convention. We didn't get any passes for the convention itself, but managed to get some souvenir campaign buttons.

Next week's GOP National Convention will be Florida's first since the 1972 Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Miami.

It will be fun to watch.

Captain Rowdy and B-1 Bob

Above, Frank (left) and Armand chatting with Robert K. Dornan.

A lot of memories of times spent with Frank Lunney came to the surface today following the news of his passing. Hopefully, Frank's friends in the world of stand-up comedy can organize a benefit show or two to provide Frank's son Gage with a scholarship fund. But I digress.

One memory that surfaced was when Frank and I took part in a photo-shoot for congressional candidate Robert K. Dornan.

I first met Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney while working for the Los Angeles Times in Redondo Beach.

We hit it off as friends as we both had a similar sense of humor and shared the same conservative political beliefs.

It was the late summer of 1976 and I had previously returned from the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. I attended as a California Ronald Reagan Delegate. Unfortunately, Reagan lost the GOP nomination by a whisker to President Gerald Ford.

Following the convention, I devoted my time working in the Paul Bannai (for re-election to the state Assembly) and Robert K. Dornan's campaign for congress against Gary Familian.  I was 2nd V.P. of the Los Angeles County Young Republicans at the time, so I, at least, had some official party standing (to a degree).

The Dornan Campaign set up a "Youths For Dornan" campaign group and a photo session to publicize the organization was scheduled.  I enlisted Frank into the group (it didn't take much persuasion as Frank was a Dornan fan anyway) to take part in the campaign and photo shoot.

We met at Dornan's campaign headquarters to do the shoot.  The accompanying two photos are from the photo session.  I was 22 at the time and Frank was 18.

Above, the Dornan youth supporters with their candidate.

We both had a great time talking with like-minded college age conservatives. Bob Dornan was known as a "firebrand" long before running for congress, but on a personal level, he was very easy to get along with. He also has a keen sense of humor and a great story-teller. Frank enjoyed hanging with Dornan.

Dornan went on to win the seat in Congress. When President Jimmy Carter (who defeated Ford in the 1976 general election) decided to kill the B-1 bomber program, Dornan led the outrage over the action ("They're breaking out the vodka bottles in the Kremlin!"). He gained the nickname of "B-1 Bob."

The B-1 program was revived by President Ronald Reagan after he defeated Carter in 1980.

The only bumper sticker I recall ever being on Frank's car was a Dornan sticker.

I'll probably come up with more Frank Lunney stories in the days ahead.

The Good Ol' Days

Above, Ronald Reagan at the 1976 Republican National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year's GOP primary season is different for me.

In past election cycles, I've always had a clear favorite candidate. This year I don't, although all of the Republican contenders would be light years better than the Marxist incumbent in the White House.

This year also brings me back to days of yesteryear when Ronald Reagan was running and I was heavily into political activism.

At the "ripe old age" of 22, I was a California area chairman in my congressional distict (the Hawthorne-Lawndale-Gardena area of Los Angeles County) for Reagan when he ran against President Gerald Ford. I was also a Reagan delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

Although Reagan lost the nomination to Ford, I still wouldn't trade that experience for anything. After the convention, as we were being bused to the airport for our flight home, we passed a business that had a sign that read, "Goodbye, Republicans. You blew it!" Sure enough, Ford lost to Jimmy Carter in the general election.


Right, actor Michael Landon with Ronald Reagan at the 1980 California Primary Victory Party at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 1980, I again was the area chairman for Reagan as well as a delegate to the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan. That year, it was plainly obvious that Carter was an incompetent president (much like Obama this year) and that he should be defeated.

Thankfully, Reagan won the GOP nomination and general election.




In 1984, I served as the area chairman for Reagan's re-election campaign and served as an alternate delegate to the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas.


Above, a "welcome home" rally was held for Ronald and Nancy Reagan at Los Angeles International Airport following the 1980 GOP National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that year, I ended up getting married and had a daughter (now age 25). That pretty much ended my years of hardcore political activism. But I remain somewhat involved here and there. Once it gets into your blood, it's hard to completely quit.

It will be interesting to see how this year's campaign turns out. This country is at the crossroads. Will it return to being the country that we grew up with or will it be permanently transformed into a socialist mess if Obama wins re-election?

Reagan Bumperstickers

For something to do, I was going through some of my political collection and came upon a bunch of Ronald Reagan presidential campaign bumper stickers. (It is amazing what stuff one accumulates over the years!)

Back in 1976, when Reagan ran against President Gerald Ford for the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, I was an area chairman for the Citizens For Reagan campaign. Once the primary campaign was over, I served as a California Reagan delegate to the national convention.

Right, actor Michael Landon joins former Governor Reagan at a private reception on the night of the 1980 California Primary at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 1980 and 1984, I also served as a Reagan campaign area chairman and attended the 1980 GOP National Convention in Detroit, Michigan as a California delegate. I also attended the 1984 GOP National Convention as a Reagan California alternate delegate in Dallas, Texas.

In those roles, I received shipments of campaign materials from the national campaign headquarters. These are some of the "leftovers." I am going by memory (which may be a little faulty) on what years and when they were used.

Repubican groups and individuals independent of the official Reagan campaigns would also produce bumperstickers.

1976

Above, the official Citizens For Reagan bumpersticker for the 1976 primary campaign.

1980

Above, several bumperstickers were issued during the 1980 primpary campaign. The bottom one may be from the 1984 general campaign (didn't I say I was going by memory?).

Above, more from the 1980 primary campaign.

Above, the top sticker is definitely from the 1980 general election campaign. The one in the middle was a metallic sticker produced by the Young Overseas Americans for Reagan and Friends, an "independent voluntary work group." They were based in New Mexico. The sticker was printed in Hong Kong.

Above, these are from the 1980 general election campaign.

1984

Above, this 1984 Reagan-Bush sticker is the the large one issued by the campaign. It is longer than the scanner bed so some of the image's edges were cut off.

Above, this 1984 Reagan-Bush sticker is the smaller of the two and was able to fit within the scanner bed.

Above, the top two stickers were produced in 1984 by an organization called Freedom's Ring. The bottom one was produced by the California Republican Party.

30 Years Ago: Shots Fired

Above, a photo taken by a White House photographer at a reception for the California Delegation in June 1982. I am in the background at left. Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy is in the powder blue suit at right. McCarthy took a bullet in the assassination attempt on President Reagan.

30 years ago today, I was working as a claims adjuster at United Pacific/Reliance Insurance Companies. I was working at my desk when one of the company's underwriters approached and said, "President Reagan has been shot!"

It was a stunning moment and I felt as if the color from my face drained away.

It was well-known at the company that I was a Ronald Reagan California delegate at the 1976 and 1980 Republican National Conventions. In fact, the company news magazine, The Gryphon, carried the story with photos (of co-worker Arleigh Kerr and me) about the 1980 GOP national convention.

I don't remember if we were allowed to leave early due to the anxiety the country was feeling over the assassination attempt. I do recall that a collective sigh of relief came when we were told that President Reagan would fully recover from his wound.

A day or so later, I was interviewed by the Gardena Valley News about the assassination attempt. I stated that the silver lining in this is that Reagan's economic program would have a better chance of being passed by a sympathetic congress. I was right.

A little over a year later, I was invited to a White House reception for the 1980 California Delegation. My hotel was a few blocks away from the Washington Hilton, the scene of the assassination attempt. I took the Hilton's airport shuttle from Dulles International Airport to the Hilton and then walked to my hotel. The scene at the Hilton looked the same as it did a year ago. I took a few photos.

At the reception the next day, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy (who took a bullet during the attempt) was present. Many attendees thanked him for his heroism.

Reagan's eldest son, Michael posted an article on that day 30 years ago. To read it, go here.

Remembering Lyn Nofziger

It is hard to believe it is almost five years (March 27, 2006) since Ronald Reagan aide Lyn Nofziger passed away.

Matt Lewis & The News posted a tribute to Nofziger today in commemoration.

In it, Lewis wrote:

Nofziger, the rumpled old reporter turned Reagan aide, was the man who addressed the press – and kept Americans calm – after the assassination attempt on President Reagan (Reagan’s press secretary, James Brady, was shot in the attempt).

I remember those times. I also sent Nofziger a letter thanking him for the job he did during those hectic hours following the shooting of President Reagan. Somewhere in my file cabinet, I have the reply letter from Nofziger (on White House stationery) thanking me for mine.

Lewis posted a collection (or, "greatest hits" as Lewis called them) of Nofziger's quotes in his article.

There is one Nofziger "greatest hit" that I witnessed and remember with fondness.

It happened during the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri when former Governor Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford for the GOP presidential nomination. Every morning during the convention, the California Delegation (I was a California Delegate at age 22) would hold a delegation meeting for strategy and information from the officials of the Citizens For Reagan campaign as we were the home delegation for Reagan.

Above, Ronald Reagan with the California Delegation at the 1976 Republican National Convention. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At one meeting, Nofziger was addressing the delegation and during the question and answer portion, he was asked, "What should our demeanor be towards the Ford people?"

Without missing a beat, Nofziger replied, "Da meaner, da better!" The whole delegation broke out in laughter.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/03/25/lyn-nofziger-a-reagan-aide-remembered/#ixzz1HeeIb7a7