EFL from MRC
As President, Ronald Reagan defeated Soviet communism, rejuvenated the U.S. economy and invigorated the American spirit. But only an hour after his death on Saturday â and less than 15 minutes into their live coverage â CBS jarringly focused on a bit of anti-Reagan minutia: complaints he âcashed inâ after leaving office. âTheir California retirement home, a $2.5 million hilltop ranch house in exclusive Bel-Air, was a gift from wealthy friends,â reporter Jerry Bowen reminded viewers in a pre-taped story played about 5pm EDT. âThe Reagans paid them back, but the appearance of impropriety lingered.â
âIt was a trip to Japan in October of 1989 that provoked the most stinging comments,â Bowen continued. âFor two 20-minute speeches and a few public appearances, Mr. Reagan was paid $2 million by a Japanese conglomerate.â CBSâs jab was a rude interruption in a weekend of coverage that generally recalled President Reagan as a towering conservative leader who left behind a freer and more prosperous world.
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