The Nancy Reagan I knew: Ed Rollins

With the passing of Nancy Reagan, the Reagan era has ended. The former first lady was more responsible for it than any other individual — including President Reagan. There would not have been a Reagan presidency without her, and it would not have been so successful without her role as his most important and constant adviser. There might not have been a Reagan legacy if she had not cultivated it and promoted it until she was no longer physically able. She was class personified and had great political instincts, maybe even better than his. As he told me once, he would not be president without her encouragement and guidance.

After Reagan lost the nomination to President Ford by 117 delegates at the 1976 Republican National Convention, he told me he had no desire to run again. Nancy felt differently and convinced him that for the good of the country, he had to try again. In 1984, she didn't want him to run for re-election. She felt they had accomplished all they had set out to do, and she worried every moment that something as terrifying as the attempt on his life, which he barely survived, could occur again. Once the decision was made to compete for a second term, she told me that they wanted a campaign they could be proud of. They got one, but it was their magnificent effort to bring Americans together and make them proud of this great country that unified us all and won 49 states.

The president never uttered a negative word about his opponent. That’s certainly an example that could be followed today by all who want to grab the Reagan legacy but have participated in campaign behavior that he would find appalling.

She was classy and beautiful. He was handsome, secure and confident. She was insecure and always on the lookout for danger. He was a conservative ideologue. She supported his concepts but was more than willing to look at other ideas. He was the ultimate loner, confident in his core beliefs. She was always reaching out to old friends and supporters. The telephone was her instrument of outreach, and she spent many hours daily on it feeling the pulse and opinions of people she trusted. He used the phone only when someone put a call list together for people to thank or persuade. Many of us on the White House staff dreaded her constant calls, not because she berated you but because she always asked the tough questions. And you knew that those questions were important and needed to be answered and acted upon.

Everyone who worked for President Reagan loved him and would do anything for him. We all had great affection and respect for Mrs. Reagan, and maybe a little fear, too! She was his protector. He was her rock, but she was the guardian. And loyalty to her man was the ultimate requirement. He was forgiving to many who opposed him or betrayed him in the 1976 battle. She remembered them all, and was often frustrated by Ronnie holding no grudges.

But together, they were a team. An unbeatable team. He loved her, listened to her and trusted her above all others. She loved him right back and gave him the best advice anyone could. She was the longest-serving adviser and told him what he needed to hear, not always what he wanted to hear.

I was behind them once coming out of the West Wing as they walked to the living quarters. They were in a rather heated discussion about something, and I watched him turn to her saying, "Nancy, I heard you the first time, I heard you the second time, I don't want to hear it a third time."

I was a little embarrassed to be overhearing this discussion and even though I was 10 yards back, I knew I was where I shouldn't be. I then was amazed to see him put his arm around her waist and as they walked to the residence elevator, she reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I don't know what the discussion was about, but I'd bet real money she won the debate.

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She was an extraordinary first lady who made a giant impact with her causes such as "Just Say No" to drugs and her efforts on behalf of breast cancer and AIDS. She knew more about AIDS than anyone else in the administration because of her relationships with people in Hollywood. The administration was accused of being insensitive, but she certainly wasn't, and she pushed it hard.

The painful experience of sharing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease was the Reagans' greatest battle together and an inspiration to a nation. Her final roles as the lonely caretaker of the man who was her life and, after his death, the carrier of the Reagan torch, served this country well.

Mrs. Reagan's long and remarkable life was one of glory, adulation, defeat, humility and suffering. But at all times, she was a role model and an inspiration to this nation. Rest in peace, Mrs. Reagan, with your beloved Ronnie. You have inspired us, and we will always be grateful for your contributions.

Ed Rollins is a former White House assistant to President Reagan and managed his 1984 reelection campaign. He was inducted into the American Association of Political Consultants hall of fame in 2011.

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