On Monday, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly began his famous segment, "Talking Points Memo," mentioning his weekend trip to the Reagan Ranch. Later in the week, O'Reilly mentioned it again in an interview with Ann Coulter. Today, he published a column on the visit. Here is an excerpt:
By Bill O'Reilly, Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Host of the O'Reilly Factor
Last week I ambled on up to the late Ronald Reagan's ranch high in the mountains of Santa Barbara County. Called Rancho del Cielo (Ranch in the Sky), it comprises 688 acres and one very small home. In fact, I was very surprised by how modest it is.
The Reagans purchased the property in 1974, shortly before the late president completed his second term as Governor of California. The story goes that Nancy Reagan was not thrilled because the property is so isolated and the house is actually tiny—six rooms, including a small master bedroom and kitchen, and no air conditioning. The Young America's Foundation has been kept the house exactly as it was when President Reagan died in 2004.
It is obvious that Ronald Reagan didn't care about amenities. He wanted to ride his horses, chop his wood and get in some alone time. My visit to the ranch confirmed that Mr. Reagan was a regular guy who valued basic things.
And that's why he defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.
It's eerie. That presidential election 32 years ago is strikingly similar to the one we have today: a Democrat incumbent having big trouble with the economy and Iran. Sound familiar?
Full column: *BillOReilly.com*
