The Great Communicator - Ronald Reagan Quiz

Answer: I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.

Other quotes on an economic theme, from Ronald Reagan include: "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his"; "We do not have a trillion dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough. We have a trillion dollar debt because we spend too much." (Address to the National Association of Realtors, 28 March 1982); and, "A friend of mine was asked to a costume ball a short time ago.

He slapped some egg on his face and went as a liberal economist." (11 February 1988)

Answer: Above all we must realise that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

The given quote was from Reagan's first Inaugural Address in January 1981. Reagan's son Michael said, "Ronald Reagan was the eternal optimist, an optimism that grew from love of country, love of freedom, and love of God". Reagan once said, jokingly, prior to a radio broadcast, "My fellow Americans. I'm pleased to announce that I've signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union. We begin bombing in five minutes". Explaining why he kept a jar of jelly beans for important meetings, Reagan said, "You can tell a lot about a fella's character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful." Reagan also said "I have been described as an undying optimist, always seeing a glass half full when some see it as half empty. And, yes, it is true - I always see the sunny side of life. And that's not just because I've been blessed by achieving so many of my dreams. My optimism comes not just from my strong faith in God, but from my strong and enduring faith in man."

Answer: Walter Mondale

Ronald Reagan said this during a 1984 Presidential debate with Walter Mondale.

Answer: The Soviet Union

Many credit Reagan with winning the 'Cold War', while others say the collapse of communism was due to the economic crisis in the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev's failure. Reagan once said, "How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."

Answer: Clint Eastwood

Ronald Reagan said this upon hearing about Clint Eastwood's bid to become Mayor of Carmel. Reagan also said, "How can a president not be an actor?" when asked, "How could an actor become president?" and, "What does an actor know about politics?" in criticism of Ed Asner for opposing America's foreign policy.

Answer: An aircraft carrier

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) was named in March 2001, one of very few United States naval ships named after a living former President. In February 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. And, Reagan once said, "I'm afraid I can't use a mule. I have several hundred up on Capitol Hill" when he refused a gift of a mule.

Answer: Mike Reagan

After delivering a prep school address, Reagan was purported to have had said the following, "My name is Ronald Reagan. What's yours?" The individual replied, "I'm your son, Mike," to which Reagan gave the given quote, "Oh, I didn't recognise you."

Answer: Longest living American President

Reagan held the record for the longest living American President, the previous record was 90 years and 247 days, held by John Adams. Reagan was 93 years and 119 days when he died on 5 June 2004. Reagan was also the oldest elected President at the age of 69 years and 349 days. He once said, "Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, you coast for awhile, you have a hell of a closing."

President Gerald Ford beat his record when he died in 2007. He was 93 years and five months old, a mere month older than Reagan when he died. Jimmy Carter subsequently passed this record, and reached his 97th birthday in October 2021.

Answer: Never had any interest in politics or anything else.

The complete quote was, "As a matter of fact, Nancy never had any interest in politics or anything else when we got married." In August 1984, Reagan made the following speech; "The poet called Miss Liberty's torch, 'the lamp beside the golden door.' Well, that was the entrance to America, and it still is . . . . .

The glistening hope of that lamp is still ours. Every promise, every opportunity is still golden in this land. And through that golden door our children can walk into tomorrow with the knowledge that no one can be denied the promise that is America.

Her heart is full; her torch is still golden, her future bright. She has arms big enough to comfort and strong enough to support, for the strength in her arms is the strength of her people.

She will carry on in the eighties unafraid, unashamed, and unsurpassed. In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America's is." And, in 1986 Reagan was quoted in 'Fortune' as saying, "Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere." Reagan also said about his beloved wife; "Nancy, in front of all your friends here today, let me say, thank you for all you do. Thank you for your love. And thank you for just being you."

Answer: Facts are stubborn things

In an attempt to quote John Adams, who had said, "Facts are stubborn things" Reagan made this gaffe. But, in a final salute, Reagan said most prophetically in 1992; "Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding your steps and opportunity's arm steadying your way."