Reagan's office deflects report of decline

[warrior1]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/05/reagan.health/index.html

CNN) -- A spokeswoman for former President Ronald Reagan Saturday downplayed news reports that his health is deteriorating.

In a statement, Joanne Drake, Reagan's chief of staff in Los Angeles, said: "He is 93 years old. He has had Alzheimer's disease for 10 years. There are plenty of rumors. When there is something significant to report, I will do so."

According to sources familiar with the situation, the White House has been told Reagan's death could happen in "weeks or months."

[last1standing]

1. Sounds like perfect timing.

October Surprise here we come.

[Cocoa]

2. this story stinks

it makes more sense that White House sources are making this up, than imagining that the Reagans are keeping the White House posted on Ronnie's condition. Nancy despises the Bushies, probably suspects that Poppy tried to kill her husband.

[Sean Reynolds]

3. He probably did.

[Tellurian]

5. yep, now that they've established their MO..

the extremes they would go to in their lust for power have no bounds..

I've never been a Reagan fan and thought Nancy was neurotic.
However, the Streisand movie revealed it wasn't neurosis at all.

Nancy suspected Bush was up to something and did all she could
to protect her husband from Bush's bloodless coup, the Iran/Contra scandal.
When Bush failed to get what he wanted, he then did the
unthinkable using Hinckly.

[regnaD kciN]

47. Huh?

Nancy suspected Bush was up to something and did all she could
to protect her husband from Bush's bloodless coup, the Iran/Contra scandal. When Bush failed to get what he wanted, he then did the
unthinkable using Hinckly.

That doesn't make any sense. The Hinckley assassination attempt was in 1981. Iran/Contra didn't break until six years later...anyway, why would Bush try to remove Reagan via impeachment in 1987 (which would likely mean the public would turn to the Democrats the next time they went to the polls) when all he had to do was wait another year and have Ronnie's backing for the '88 elections?

[TahitiNut]

28. Hinkley was Oswald redux, huh?

While I won't buy into it, I won't put it outside the bounds of possibility, either. The Busholinis have been near the center of extreme political corruption in this country for too many decades.

[crossroads]

38. I heard that one too...

:eyes:

[playahata1]

7. I agree.

If Ronnie is indeed slipping, Nancy and the rest of the family -- or someone close enough to the family, and trusted by the family -- will be the first to let you know about it.

[lancdem]

18. I said that in an earlier thread

I hate being so cynical, but that's what I've become after three-plus years of the Bush administration.

[AspenRose]

4. The desperation is nauseating.

Positively nauseating.

:puke:

I will give credit where credit is due, though; some DUers called it way back when....

[bluedog]

6. knew it

a big moan and groan and pity party.the news media eating this raw......they didn't wait for facts.just ran with what the WH told them..For the past few hours that was the headline.like the ghouls were on a death watch.....gasp!!

[stepnw1f]

8. His Health Will Hurt the Republican Base

...psychologically

[AspenRose]

9. Here's a "counter the hysteria" kick

:kick:

[deminflorida]

10. Kerry, really needs to delay his VP announcement until after

Reagan dies and the funeral is over....and I mean the day afer...

snatch the headlines right from under the GOP slobbering media...

and as far as MT. Rushmore is concerned a good Democratic solidarity...and if need be a Filibuster should be able to kill any of those sick ideas coming out of Congress.

[UrbScotty]

13. I've heard it's impossible to put another head on Rushmore

It would destroy Rushmore.

[boneygrey]

11. Supposedly

Mike Wallace talked to Nancy Reagan and she said "this is it".

[boneygrey]

12. From cbsnews.com

CBS News Correspondent Mike Walace says former first lady Nancy Reagan told him two of Mr. Reagan's children are at the Reagan home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles: Patty Davis and Ron Reagan Junior are on hand.

Wallace says Nancy Reagan told him Mr. Reagan's death could be imminent - perhaps his weekend.

[Cooley Hurd]

15. Link here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/05/national/main621238.shtml

[KittyWampus]

26. Well, Perhaps They Took Out His Feeding Tube

and had family on hand for that.

Usually takes a day or two til body finally gives way.

[displacedtexan]

37. How will the fundamentalist Christians react to that?

Removing the feeding tube would be considered euthanasia to many of them.

[LTR]

48. Living will

It often calls for not being kept alive by mechanical means.

My grandfather was a devout Catholic, and we disconnected his tubes when it became apparent that he would not make it back. Without the machines, he wouldn't have survived anyway. It had to be done.

This is different than assisted suicide.

[boneygrey]

14. Rumor now

is that he has pneumonia

[Cooley Hurd]

16. That wouldn't take "weeks or months" to kill him...

Why would they say "weeks or months" if he's been stricken w/ pneumonia?:shrug:

[boneygrey]

19. Very good point

At that age I would think it would be quicker.

[Cooley Hurd]

20. My guess is that the weeks or months comment was made by...

...a very flustered aide who's been badgered for the last 24 hrs. I would believe Mike Wallace before any aide.

[boneygrey]

21. Me too

[crossroads]

39. Repukes can't help it...they *always* lie!

:shrug:

[eyesroll]

17. Why does a 93-year-old man who can't even recognize his wife

have a "chief of staff?" So is Joanne Drake his nurse, housekeeper, spokesperson, someone who was promised a job and can legally have one (since the rules covering post-presidential life and what the taxpayer will cover probably don't have a provision for incapacitation)?

[leftofthedial]

24. don't forget diaper changer

let one go for the gipper

[saigon68]

46. At least he got his DAPER CHANGED more than twice a day

Unlike the huddled masses treated like Cattle at public holding pens

[flpeach]

22. He has passed away

no link yet

By the way, on edit, I still see nothing on CNN or NYT. So I'm not believing it yet . . . . I read someone heard it on the radio.

[Cooley Hurd]

23. Where did you hear this?

Nothing on CNN yet...

[flpeach]

25. I apologize to all . . .

Someone posted REAGAN DEAD and said he heard it on the radio, no link yet. I should have waited until there was confirmation.

It must not be true . . .

[Cooley Hurd]

27. No apology needed...

That thread's already been locked...:hi:

[question everything]

34. The link

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=1&u=/ap/20040605/ap_on_re_us/reagan_obit

[TahitiNut]

29. It'll be at 6 on 6/6 ... obviously.

Sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month... 6-6-6. Ronald Dubya Reagan ... forgets to breathe.

[Cooley Hurd]

31. Oh, now that would be WAY too weird!

:scared:

[troublemaker]

42. 18th hour, actually. But in California it's the 15th hour...

and 1+5=6. And he was 93... 9-3=6 and he was the antichrist, which has ten letters... okay, wait a minute... no.... but if you divide the denominator by "bonzo"... no that's still not right....

[Snazzy]

30. Bedtime....

for Bonzo.

(How it all started)

[TahitiNut]

32. Is that Bonzo Bush?

... the monkey's uncle?

[Ernesto]

33. Lies to the end...... "weeks or months"

He died today, Saturday afternoon.

[Lakerstan]

36. Agreed, Ernesto

Spin, Spin, Spin.

[colonel odis]

35. oh, the freepers are squawling and bawling.

feel bad for his kids. always tough to lose your father, no matter who he is.

[jdj]

40. May God have mercy on his soul.

He's gonna need it. 25,000 people died from AIDS in this country before he even uttered the word AIDS at a public appearance.

25,000. Dead.

Hope his karma was waiting for him the minute he passed.

[troublemaker]

41. Send this to the PR hall of fame. File under "D'Oh!"

[Nlighten1]

43. No kidding...

This is the ultimate "oops"

[dbt]

44. A Kick For Irony.

Pugs couldn't keep the old boy alive until October, I spose.

:freak:
dbt

[VolcanoJen]

45. Irony kick appreciated!! Why can't they ever tell the damned truth?

:eyes: