With Reagan The Inside Story

by Edwin Meese III

...offers historically valuable, and tantalizing, insights into the internal workings of the Reagan Administration and the Machiavellian world of Washington politics. A brisk and engrossing memoir. --Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Politics, History, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Presidents, Biography

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Edwin Meese III, the prominent conservative leader, thinker and elder statesman, continues a quarter-century formal association with The Heritage Foundation as the leading think tank’s Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow Emeritus.

In that capacity, Meese oversees special projects and acts as an ambassador for Heritage within the conservative movement.

Meese was chairman of Heritage’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies from its founding in 2001 until what he calls his “semi-retirement” on Feb. 1, 2013.

He joined Heritage in 1988 as the think tank's first Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow -- the only policy chair in the country to be officially named for the 40th president. His work focused on keeping President Reagan’s legacy of conservative principles alive in public debate and discourse.

The legal center now bears his name, in recognition of Meese’s contributions to the rule of law and the nation’s understanding of constitutional law. Its mission is to educate government officials, the media and the public about the Constitution and legal principles -- and how they affect public policy.

Perhaps best known as U.S. attorney general during Reagan’s second term, Meese’s service to the conservative icon stretched from the California governor’s mansion in 1966 to the White House in 1981 before he went to the Department of Justice four years later.

His Heritage “hats” kept Meese among the major conservative voices in national policy debates at an age when most men and women enjoyed quiet retirements.

In 2006, for example, Meese was named to the Iraq Study Group, a special presidential commission dedicated to examining the best resolutions for America's involvement in Iraq. In the past few years he wrote and spoke about constitutional topics ranging from religious liberty to the responsibility of Supreme Court justices.

Immediately after Reagan's death in 2004, and in the years since, Meese often agreed to major media appearances to discuss the lasting impact of his old friend, mentor and boss. He has summarized the Reagan legacy in three accomplishments: Reagan cut taxes and kept them low. He worked to defeat and end the Soviet Union and its worldwide push for communism. And he restored America's faith in itself after years of failure and "malaise."

"I admired him as a leader and cherish his friendship," Meese wrote in a 2004 essay for Heritage members and supporters. "Ronald Reagan had strong convictions. He was committed to the principles that had led to the founding of our nation. And he had the courage to follow his convictions against all odds."

Edwin Meese III was born Dec. 2, 1931, to Edwin Jr. and Leone Meese in Oakland, Calif. He graduated from Yale University in 1953 and holds a law degree from the University of California-Berkeley.

Meese spent much of his adult life working for Reagan, first after the former actor, sports announcer and athlete was elected as California’s governor in 1966 and then when he sought and won the presidency in 1980.

Reagan never forgot Meese's loyalty and hard work. During a press conference at which reporters questioned Meese's actions at the Justice Department, Reagan replied: "If Ed Meese is not a good man, there are no good men."

During the Reagan governorship, Meese served as executive assistant and chief of staff from 1969 through 1974 and as legal affairs secretary from 1967 through 1968. He previously was deputy district attorney in Alameda County, Calif.

From January 1981 to February 1985, Meese held the position of counsellor to the president -- the senior job on the White House staff -- and functioned as Reagan's chief policy adviser. In 1985, he received Government Executive magazine's annual award for excellence in management.

Meese served as the 75th attorney general of the United States from February 1985 to August 1988. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, he directed the Justice Department and led international efforts to

Reviews

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A view from the elbow of the Man who became president

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is invaluable to the student of Reagan, because it gives a personal view into the thinking of Ed Meese, a key figure of his administration. There were many valuable bits of information within that I was unaware of previously. But the book is so skewed that it is hard to take seriously at some points. For me, the main thing the book did for me was to confirm my picture of Meese as the chief clown in the clown car of true-blue Reaganites. Not to say that others such as James Baker and Mike Deaver weren't just as devoted, but they were willing to bust Reagan in the chops when he had it coming. It is because of less ideologically "pure" folks like these (as well as Reagan, of course), that the Reagan presidency was a success. For Meese, Reagan could do and did no wrong, and if anything went wrong in the administration, it was the fault of somebody who wasn't sufficiently devoted to the cause.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives the reader an up close view of one of the most pivotal figures of the Twentieth Century. Ed Meese had served Reagan during his term as governor of California, in his two presidential campaigns and during his eight years as President. On these pages we see the behind the scenes deliberations and discover the motivations that guided the events of those years. Meese, Reagan’s Attorney General is a strenuous advocate for his patron. He tries to convince the reader of the wisdom of the President’s actions and the success of his policies. The Reagan fan will gain a deeper understanding of the man and his era. The Reagan hater will probably view this work as a whitewash. I voted twice for Reagan and vote for this book.

[David Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

The true insider's look at the Reagan administration, which naturally assumes the bias of the writer. Fascinating look at relationships and inner workings.

[Benjamin]

Great insights into what went on in the upper levels of the Reagan administrations.