Barbara Walters Disagrees With Ron Reagan’s Claims About Father’s Alzheimer’s

Video

by Alex Alvarez | 9:38 am, January 19th, 2011

» 29 comments

Barbara Walters has chimed in regarding Ron Reagan‘s much talked about new memoir – My Father at 100 – in which he claims, among other things, that his father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s began while he was still in office.

Walters acted as moderator of the 1984 debate between Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale and Ronald Reagan – which falls within the time frame Ron Jr. gave for the beginning of his father’s disease – and interviewed the President several times. On yesterday’s episode of The View, she shared why it is that she thinks Ron Jr. is full of… so many jelly beans:

Ron, Jr.’s half-brother Michael said this is not true. This didn’t happen. I’m going to say something that I probably saw more of President Reagan in those years than either of his sons. He was not really close to them. And I did interview after interview. I didn’t see any signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s or whatever until after he left office. Now, this morning, Ron Reagan, who is a very pleasant fellow and I like him a lot, was on ‘GMA’ and he said – he sort of disputed what he said. He said I didn’t say that. I said exactly the opposite. I did not see symptoms of dementia or anything like that when he was in office. I wasn’t thinking, ‘Gee I’m seeing signs of Alzheimer’s here.’ So his half-brother says he said all of this because he’s trying to sell books.

The young Reagan has received quite a bit of backlash for his claims, both from others close to the late President during the 80s, his brother Michael Reagan (whom, despite Walters’ description, is more aptly described as Ron’s adopted brother, not half-brother), and the folks at Good Morning America. Not to mention more than a few Mediaite commenters.

Watch video from yesterday’s The View:

h/t Daily Caller

Alzheimer's, Barbara Walters, Michael Reagan, Ron Reagan, Ronald Reagan, The View

notsofast

Shortly after hearing Walters’ comments, Ron Jr. released a statement that Walters has had Alzheimer’s disease since she began The View.
kathrynelspeth

As someone whose father recently passed away after a 10 year fight with Alzheimer’s, I think Barbara Walters should perhaps do a bit more consulting with medical professionals before commenting on things like this. We still don’t understand everything about Alzheimer’s. The disease can begin manifestation years before the symptoms we know as Alzheimer’s begin showing outwardly. Patients with Alzheimer’s in the beginning will sometimes be masters at covering up the symptoms only they can see in the beginning. Dementia is not the only sign of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s just one of the symptoms.
Color Me Badd

Barbara is paid by Disney to defend their hero. We must believe that a reporter was closer to Ronald Reagan than his own son. Thank you Barbara for not hiding who pays you. I hope you are paid well.
Color Me Badd

BadWolf said:
As someone whose father recently passed away after a 10 year fight with Alzheimer’s, I think Barbara Walters should perhaps do a bit more consulting with medical professionals before commenting on things like this. We still don’t understand everything about Alzheimer’s. The disease can begin manifestation years before the symptoms we know as Alzheimer’s begin showing outwardly. Patients with Alzheimer’s in the beginning will sometimes be masters at covering up the symptoms only they can see in the beginning. Dementia is not the only sign of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s just one of the symptoms.

Just understand that she takes orders from Disney and she does their bidding, she and ABC are hoping there aren’t people like you and me who would question Barbara’s “expert opinion” on Reagan, she wants us to believe that she was closer to the President than their own sons. Okay Barbara you did your job and did it well I am sure a lot of people believe you, I don’t.
skyfet

I don’t agree with Ron’s action. Even if they are true, you shouldn’t talk negatively about the dead, not alone your own Father.
The Real Royal King

I have to say, I wish it were a discussion we weren’t having. But, if we are having it, we ought to make it a learning experience. Unfortunately, we seem to have too many people content to wallow in ignorance.
Grammie

BadWolf said:
The disease can begin manifestation years before the symptoms

I can’t even imagine how difficult that must have been for your family.

What is the difference between “manisfestation” as opposed to “symptoms”?

I don’t undrstand exactly what you mean.

Thanks.
Color Me Badd

I hope Barbara apologizes to the Reagan family.
The Count

AH AH AH AH AH !
notsofast

Color Me Badd said:
I hope Barbara apologizes to the Reagan family.

I hope you apologize to mankind, son.
Dave Richards

Color Me Badd said:
Just understand that she takes orders from Disney and she does their bidding, she and ABC are hoping there aren’t people like you and me who would question Barbara’s “expert opinion” on Reagan, she wants us to believe that she was closer to the President than their own sons. Okay Barbara you did your job and did it well I am sure a lot of people believe you, I don’t.

A completely ignorant statement.
nice_thought

notsofast says:
January 19, 2011 at 11:34 am (Quote)
4 0
Color Me Badd said:
I hope Barbara apologizes to the Reagan family.
I hope you apologize to mankind, son.

What’s up with your “son” trick? Did your pregnant wife bitch-slapped you and left and since then u see your son on everyone’s face or u think talking like a redneck makes u look cool? Either way get a haircut and brush your teeth often, son.
notsofast

nice_thought said:
nice_thought says:
January 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm nice_thought(Quote)

Go back to your sewer, libby. And take your flies with ya!
nice_thought

Aww, u mad nutso? What happened , u forgot to take the pills this morning. I think too much tainted tea is rotting your brain. Son
The Lantern of Truth

KING/SARAHP. back again . How I long to be just one of the hens on this heavenly show ! One day , perhaps .
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bobby-Levit/1048771827 Bobby Levit

Color me Badd
is the user name of Ron Reagan Jr
& the picture is him in drag
Color Me Badd

Bobby Levit said:
Color me Badd
is the user name of Ron Reagan Jr
& the picture is him in drag

bingo!
notsofast

nice_thought said:
What’s up with your “son” trick?

I use the word “son” in reply to to puerile, sophomoric, brain damaged and soporific posters, son.

And son, suck a nut and say good night, Gracie!

bawahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
M Colins

Color Me Badd said:
I hope Barbara apologizes to the Reagan family.

For what? For defending Reagan against the self serving “recollections” of a son? Considering Walters is a journalist travelling in the same circles as the POTUS and Reagans children were already grown and leading thier own lives, its certainly not implausible that Walters did see the President more than his own sons during that time period.

And for CMB Walters is doing the bidding of Disney who somehow have a stake in how Reagan is remembered? Seriously? Put down the doobie please.
nice_thought

I use the word “son” in reply to to puerile, sophomoric, brain damaged and soporific posters, son.

What? You are making fun of trig now?
notsofast

nice_thought said:
I use the word “son” in reply to to puerile, sophomoric, brain damaged and soporific posters, son.

What? You are making fun of trig now?

I only make fun of Geometry, SON!
Grammie

nice_thought said:
What? You are making fun of trig now?

You are a real puke!
Karol

I have known Barbara Walters for more than 40 years, meeting her when she came to Tucson with the Today show. I spent several weeks with her as she researched Tucson. She is the smartest, most honest, open individual I have ever met. She is by far the hardest worker I have ever met. At that time she edited her own film – often until 2 or 3 in the morning. She probably saw Ronald Reagan more frequently than his son did.

The transition to ABC was hard as the men on the show were inconsiderate of her and apparently jealous of her talent but she persevered. Actually, one of them was just plain mean.

She has risen to new heights since then as well she should with her hard work and talent. She deserves nothing but praise.
nice_thought

notsofast says:
January 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm (Quote)
1 0
nice_thought said:
I use the word “son” in reply to to puerile, sophomoric, brain damaged and soporific posters, son.
What? You are making fun of trig now?
I only make fun of Geometry, SON!

That was actually smart and funny. ;)
ImNotBlue

Color Me Badd said:
Barbara is paid by Disney to defend their hero. We must believe that a reporter was closer to Ronald Reagan than his own son. Thank you Barbara for not hiding who pays you. I hope you are paid well.

Color Me Badd said:
I hope Barbara apologizes to the Reagan family.

So, you believe the word of Ron Jr., over that of his wife, his other son, the foundation they run, all available medical evidence, and all available journalistic evidence? One person which said exactly what you wanted him to say (because the left has always hated Reagan, even more so now that he’s looked upon so fondly), and that’s enough?

I guess it doesn’t take much, does it?
X-3

BadWolf said:
As someone whose father recently passed away after a 10 year fight with Alzheimer’s

I am TRULY sorry for your loss. That Ron Reagan opined his father “may” have suffered from Alzheimer’s is a comment based on his unqualified opinion. Ms. Walters certainly had more contact with Mr. Reagan than did his son, and she had the benefit of contact with people who were with him every day. Given that Ms. Walters is not known for covering up for anyone on anything, I think her assessment may be the more correct.
Pokerdude777

I think Barbara should put her foot down and tell the other 3 that….. ” Look, you all have had too much damn coffee, do not talk until someone else stops talking”, When all of the hens try to talk at once ( which is half the show ) nobody understands anything anybody said…. make them hold up there hand and wait to be called on by Barbara before speaking, like we did in school…..jesus freakin christ. Yak, yak, yak, yak, yak, yak
pasquale55

Barbara Walters needs to search her own memory a little more thoroughly.

In one interview with President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan, Barbara Walters asked him a question which had to do with describing his relationship with his father. It was an informational question, not particularly probing.

Reagan stared at Barbara Walters with his wonderful smile. Several seconds passed in silence.

Barbara Walters turned to Mrs. Reagan and said words to the effect of : “He doesn’t really know what I’m talking about, does he?”

Mrs. Reagan’s reply was, “No he doesn’t understand that.” She then turned to her husband who was still smiling benignly and said to him, “Don’t worry, honey, I’ll explain it to you later.”

I was stunned, of course. This happened maybe in 1986 or so, into his second term as I recall. Does anyone remember this? The wording of my quotes is obviously not accurate, but it’s pretty darn close. I remember thinking at the time he was suffering from early stages of dementia. I’m not — so no jokes, please. I’m just passing this along as a piece of information that I recall. If anyone else recalls it, log in.
Alric_IV

There is a very famous incident in which Nancy Reagan fed her husband an answer at a press conference. The way she did it suggested that it wasn’t something surprising for him or her, that it was something she’d done before. When news broke that he had Alzheimer’s, that incident made sense. They were probably holding the Administration together, just trying to get through those last couple of years, before his condition worsened and became obvious. You can exist a long time with the disease before it becomes obvious. Only those around you constantly will know of it. I doubt Walters was around the Ronald Reagan more than his son. For some reason, people don’t want to admit the possibility, but his condition became too critical too fast for his deterioration NOT to have begun during his presidency. In its earliest stages, those closest to him would be able to hide it.

It’s a terrible disease, and I wish the government would form a Manhattan Project. It’s a disabling disease and costs us billions. We’d be saving money in the long run. I fear it, myself. There is no good thing that Reagan — and later Charlton Heston — had to go out like that, but at least it brought the disease to national attention. It’s now part of the dialogue and social consciousness.