Doris Kearns Goodwin On Reagans: 'He Was Better When She Was There'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said the love between Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan stands out throughout presidential history as the strongest bond between any first lady and commander-in-chief she's ever encountered.
"It was the most passionate love affair I think I've ever read about, in terms of a president and a first lady," Goodwin told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens.
More: Regional Notables Reflect On Life Of Former First Lady Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan died Sunday in California from congestive heart failure at the age of 94.
Goodwin, who lives in Concord, Mass., noted that the former first lady saw her duty as supporting her husband and protecting his image, and attributed a large part of his political success to her.
"He was better when she was there," Goodwin said. "He could not have become, I think, governor or president without her."
Nancy Reagan, Goodwin pointed out, supported her husband through many of his toughest times, and was influential to the politics of the era.
"Certainly she had influences that we can point to politically, having a moderating influence on the hard-liners leading to the reproachment of the Soviet Union, helping him to publicly apologize for Iran-Contra, helping his preparation for the second debate, changing his inner circle," said Goodwin.
At first, Goodwin said, Nancy Reagan was not compelled to have a cause in office--probably because she always considered her 'cause' to be her husband.
"It was only, I think, after some of the criticism of that first year, when she redecorated the White House and bought some expensive china in the midst of a recession, that they began talking about the need for a makeover," said Goodwin.
It was then that her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign became her signature cause, but Goodwin said her main focus was always her devotion to her 'Ronnie.'
"She gave him a continual joy," said Goodwin. "I mean, he said, 'I more than love you, I'm not whole without you.'"
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
