libertas fall 2010

InsIde: • Celebrate Reagan 100• senator Jim deMint Reflects on His Reagan Ranch Visit

Vol. 31 • No. 2Fall 2010

November3,2010

DearFriend,

Massivecitizeninvolvement,ledbythe“TeaParty”Movement,changedpublicpolicydramaticallyin2010.Todate,thisincreasedpublicactivismmostlyaimstothwartthemassiveexpansionoftheFederalgovernment.

Thesenewlyactivatedcitizensoftenremarkthatthe2010elections“arethemostimportantinourlifetime.”Perhaps.Yet,IsuspectallfutureelectionsandpublicpolicydebateswillbecomemuchmoreimportanttotheaverageAmericanwhetherwelikeitornot.Why?Governmentnowcontrolssomuchmoreofourlives.TheObamaAdministrationhastakenoveryourcarcompany,yourhealthcare,thewholestudentloanbusiness,andevenseekstodecideyoursalary.Obama’sdrivingmindsetassumesbiggovernmentknowsbest,especiallywhengovernmentisdrivenbyenvyandcovetingtheincomeofsuccessfulwageearnersandinvestors.Americansnowhavelessfreedomtomaketheirowndecisionsabouttheirownlives.PoliticiansinWashingtonwillmakemoredecisionsforyou.Thisensuresgreaterdivisivenessanddissatisfaction.

Yet,ifanyonethinksthistrendbeganinWashingtonin2008,orwillbereversedbyoneelection,theyaremistaken.BarackObama’sownexperiencerevealswhereWashington’srulersgettheirarrogance,ideology,andmethods:inourschools.BarackObamaadoptedthecorebeliefsofmoderndaysocialistswhileastudentatColumbiaandHarvardandasalecturerattheUniversityofChicago.

Obama’slatestSupremeCourtselection,ElenaKagan,isagreatexampleofthenewelitefollowingObamafromacademiaintogovernment.Kaganprovedherreliabilityasatotalitarian-in-trainingbeginningwithhersocialistwritingsatPrincetonandlaterasanadministratoratHarvard.KagandutifullyfoughttopreventHarvardLawstudentsfromdecidingwhetherornottomeetwithmilitaryrecruitersoncampus.Sherippeddownflyersthatexposeddisagreementwithherdecision.KaganwasaperfectselectionforObama’ssolicitorgeneralwhen,inherveryfirstcasebeforetheSupremeCourt,shesoughttocriminalizeafilmcriticalofHillaryClinton.

Yousee,ourschoolstodayaredominatedbyleftists,likeObamaandKagan,eventhoughthoseschoolsarefundedbyaverageAmericans.BythetimethesecollegeadministratorsgettoWashington,theyarewelltrainedintramplingontherightsofthosewhomighthaveanotherpointofview!

OurschoolsarethebreedinggroundsforWashington’snewrulers.Thecollegecampusisaplacewhereconservativethoughtisn’twelcome,thefacultytenuresystemfreezesoutalternativeviewpoints,freespeechisstifled,racialpreferencesdeterminehiringandstudentrecruitment,andmembersofthemilitaryaretreatedassecond-classcitizens.Mostconservativesaresubmissive,marginalized,orkeptoffcampusinthefirstplace.Littlewonder,then,thatPresidentObamaspeaksonacollegecampusonceeverytwelvedays.Itistheoneplaceheissuretofindpoliticallycorrectaccomplicesreadytosuppressanyopposition.

NoreformwillbesafeinWashingtonaslongasourschoolsremainhostiletofreedom’scause.Aslongassocialistscontrolourchildrenandtheireducations,freedomwillremaininjeopardy.

Sincerely,

RonRobinson President

Ron RobinsonFoundation President

Young America’s Foundation Board Of Directors

Ron Robinson President of the BoardRonald Pearson Vice President of the BoardFrank Donatelli Secretary and Treasurer of the BoardT. Kenneth Cribb, Jr.Wynton C. HallThomas L. PhillipsPeter SchweizerJames B. TaylorKirby Wilbur

Reagan Ranch Board Of Governors

Frank Donatelli ChairmanJudge William Clark Co-ChairmanEdwin Meese Co-ChairmanGovernor George AllenJohn BarlettaDr. Suzanne BeckerLisa M. BuestrinRobert CumminsBecky Norton DunlopRobert Giuffra, Jr.Timothy S. GoegleinAmbassador Patricia L. HerboldEric & Nicole HoplinMarty IrvingHarold KnapheideAl & Bette MooreGovernor Bill OwensDoug & Pat PerryThomas PhillipsDr. Robert RuheFred & Ruth SacherLee ShannonCraig ShirleyOwen & Bernadette Casey SmithDavid E. “Gene” Waddell

National Journalism Center Board Of Governors

Thomas Phillips ChairmanAlex X. Mooney Executive DirectorPeter BarnesKellyanne ConwayTerry EastlandDavid GraceyRich LowryMatt RobinsonTom Winter

LibertasFall 2010

Libertas,apublicationofYoungAmerica’sFoundation,highlightstheprograms,events,students,staff,andsupportersoftheFoundation.YoumaycontactLibertasandYoungAmerica’sFoundationbywritingto:YoungAmerica’sFoundation,NationalHeadquarters,110EldenStreet,Herndon,Virginia20170;calling800-USA-1776;orvisitinghttp://www.yaf.org.

Publisher: Ron Robinson; Editor: Jessica Jensen; Publication Design: Jonathan Briggs.Thisdocumentandallhereincontents,images,stories,graphics,anddesign,falluntoCopyright©2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010YoungAmerica’sFoundation,unlessotherwisenoted.Allrightsreserved.AnyuseofLibertas’contentwithoutthewrittenpermissionofYoungAmerica’sFoundationisprohibited.

C O N T E N T SPhillips, Reagan, and Rohrabacher Headline Reagan Ranch High School ConferenceMore than 200 participants enjoy a jam-packed weekend of pro-freedom speakers and ideas.By Roger Custer, Conference Director

President George W. Bush Shares White House Stories with Students Young America’s Foundation sponsors the 43rd President’s address at Harding University.By Jessica Jensen, Editor

Alumni Profile: Marc Thiessen’s Powerful AdviceFoundation alumnus, Presidential speechwriter, and best-selling author Marc Thiessen shares how he got his start in the Conservative Movement and advice for today’s students.By Roger Custer, Conference Director

Celebrate Reagan 100!Help Young America’s Foundation celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth in 2011 by securing Freedom’s Future today!By Kate Obenshain, Vice President

Williams, Schweikart, Folsom, Buchanan, and Others Teach Freedom to the Next GenerationHigh school students travel to Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania and are energized to fight for freedom.By Lauren Scirocco, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

The Art of Rhetoric Taught by Goldberg, DeMint, Thiessen, and OthersYoung leaders gather on Capitol Hill to learn how to communicate more effectively to advance their ideas through words and wisdom.By Lauren Scirocco, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

An Unforgettable Cruise: Normandy on D-Day and Thatcher in LondonParticipants in Young America’s Foundation’s 2010 European cruise visit the beaches of Normandy and meet with Lady Margaret Thatcher. By Nicole Hoplin, Director of Foundation Relations

John Stossel, Steve Forbes, and Mitt Romney Engage Business StudentsThe Foundation’s new Free Enterprise Lecture Series teaches future business leaders about the benefits of free enterprise and dangers of socialism.By Patrick X. Coyle, Vice President

Steve Moore on Ronald Reagan’s Successful Economic PoliciesThe Wall Street Journal’s senior economics writer discusses what he learned from Ronald Reagan and the importance of reaching campus audiences today. By Paul Conner, National Journalism Center Intern

Senator DeMint Reflects on a Day at the Reagan RanchLearn what this conservative United States Senator discovered during a trip to his hero’s home.By Senator Jim DeMint, South Carolina

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Also in this Issue: Join the Celebrations of Ronald Reagan’s 100th Birthday!• AttendaReaganRanchGetawayWeekendandVisitthePlaceThatMeanttheMosttoPresidentReagan–page 32 •VisitRonaldReagan’sAncestralHomelandandCruisetheEmeraldIsleswithYoungAmerica’sFoundation–inside back cover

On the Cover:YoungAmerica’sFoundationstudentactivistsfromtheUniversityofCalifornia–SantaBarbara(fromlefttoright)KennyDiaz,LeaUebelhart,NickWest,AshleyWillits,andKristinTilladvancefreedomontheircampus.(CoverimagedesignedbyTaraFrench.)

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas4

I N B R I E F

Morethan10,000activists—6,000ofwhomwerestudents—attendedthe37thannualConservativePoliticalActionConference(CPAC)inWashington,D.C.,tohearfromleadersoftheConservativeMovement,includingNewtGingrich,GovernorTimPawlenty,FoxNews’sGlennBeck,andmorethan150others. Duringtheconference,YoungAmerica’sFoundation—sponsorofCPACalongwithHuman Events,theNRA,andtheAmericanConservativeUnion—heldseveraleventsforstudents,includingaprivatebriefingwithCongressmenDarrellIssaandMikePencewhichwasorganizedwiththehelpofFoundationVicePresidentRonPearson. TheFoundationalsohostedthe16thannualThomas Phillips Student Luncheon,sponsoredbytheFoundation’sNationalJournalismCenterChairmanandEaglePublishingChairmanTomPhillips. Theprogramfeaturedbest-sellingauthor,Foundationalumnus,andformerchiefspeechwriterforPresidentGeorgeW.BushMarcThiessenwhodiscussedthemesfromhisnewbook,Courting Disaster. (See alumni profile on page 14.) TheFoundation’sexclusivestudenteventsconcludedwithasold-outreceptionfor400youngleadersfeaturingbest-sellingauthorandpopularFoundationcampusspeakerAnnCoulter. OntheCPACmainstage,FoundationleadersRonRobinson,JasonMattera,KateObenshain,RogerCuster,andPatrickCoylespokeduringtheweekendabouttheFoundation’seffortstoreachyoungpeoplethroughourconferences,lectures,andReaganRanchprograms.FoundationDirectorKirbyWilburalsoemceedtheannualRonaldReaganBanquetfeaturingCongressmanJ.C.Watts. Anotherpanelfeaturedtwo-minuteactivistsuccessstoriesfromFoundationstudentleadersandalumniKatiePoedtke,ChadCiocci,AlyssaCordova,BrianHackett,EvanGassman,DannyLaub,JanieAbel,andothers.C-SPAN,reaching100millionhomes,airedthispanelandhasbroadcastatotalof78conferencesegments.

Thiessen, Mattera, Robinson, Gingrich, and Others Headline CPAC 2010

Congressman Mike Pence takes questions from the standing-room-only audience at a special student briefing hosted by Young America’s Foundation during the 37th annual CPAC.

Best-selling author and National Journalism Center alumna Ann Coulter signs copies of her poster for students attending a Foundation reception at CPAC.

Foundation activist (and now program officer) Evan Gassman’s speech at CPAC is broadcast on C-SPAN, reaching 100 million homes nationwide.

Young leaders enjoy the Foundation’s annual Thomas Phillips Student Luncheon featuring best-selling author and Foundation alumnus Marc Thiessen.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas 5

I N B R I E F

Michelle Malkin and Ben Stein Headline Reagan Ranch Roundtables

RecentWendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable luncheonsattheReaganRanchCenter featuredauthor,blogger,andFoxNewscontributorMichelleMalkinaswellasauthorandactorBenStein.Infrontofacrowdof270students,supporters,andcommunitymembers,MalkinheraldedtheReaganRanchCenterasa“strongoasisandsanctuaryforright-mindedpeopleinSantaBarbara”andsaidthatthepeopleinvolvedwithYoungAmerica’sFoundationgaveher“hopeforthefuture.”Lookingtowardthefuture,Malkinemphasizedthatitis“importanttounderscorethefoundingprinciplesofaconstitutionally-limitedgovernmentandamoraldefenseofcapitalism.”SheaddedthatwemustsendpeopletoWashingtonwhocanarticulatetheseconservativeprinciplesaswellasRonaldReagandid.SubsequentRoundtablespeakerBenStein’slight-heartedspeakingstylecontrastedhisweightymessageandcharacteristicmonotone.Amidstjokesandhumorousanecdotes,Stein

admittedthatthecurrentadministration’spolicies“scare[him]todeath.”TheheartofStein’smessagewasoneofinspirationfortheaudienceofstudentsandsupporters.Heemphasizedtheimportanceoffreedom.Thefreedomwetakeforgranted,Steinsaid,is“justaflickeringcandleintheenormousstormofhumanhistory.”HealsocreditedthebraveryofourmilitaryformakingthisrarefreedompossibleandencouragedtheaudiencetovisitWalterReedArmyMedicalCenterandArlingtonNationalCemeterytosee,first-hand,thesacrificesmadeforthesakeoffreedom.“Thegoalisfreedom,”Steinremindedtheaudience.“Everythingelsegoodwillcomeifwejustgivepeoplefreedom.” ForinformationaboutupcomingReaganRanchRoundtables,visitwww.yaf.orgorcalltheReaganRanchCenterat888-USA-1776.

Actor and author Ben Stein enlightens students and community members during the monthly Wendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable luncheon at the Reagan Ranch Center.

Best-selling author Michelle Malkin shares her thoughts on the importance of limited government and free enterprise with the Reagan Ranch Roundtable audience.

Michelle Malkin signs copies of her latest book, Culture of Corruption, for luncheon attendees.

American and European Students Learn How to Advance Freedom

YoungAmerica’sFoundationhostedstudentsfromtheUnitedStatesandEuropeforaspecialprogramattheReaganRanchCenterentitledAdvancing Freedom in the New Era of Socialism.Theseminarparticipantslearnedhowtospreadpro-freedomideasintheircountriesandontheircampuses.JohnMantia,astudentatFordhamUniversitysaid,“ThisseminarenergizesseriousstudentslikenothingIhaveeverbeento.Theconfidenceithasgivenme,Iamsurewillbenefitmanyothers.”TheseminarincludedremarksfromAndrewBreitbart,founderofBigGovernment.com,whogavearousingtalkonconservatismandnewmedia.Later,SallyPipesofthePacificResearchInstituteaddresseddangersofthegovernmenttakeoverofourhealthcare.AnnMcElhinneythenofferedthefirstoftwotalksontheactivesocialisminenvironmentalandgreenefforts.StudentsalsoviewedMine Your Own Business,adocumentaryproducedbyMcElhinneyandPhelimMcAleer.BusinessmanandMinnesotaCongressman(from2001to2007)Mark

Kennedysharedhisadviceonhowtobuildcoalitionstotackleproblemssuchasthegrowingnationaldebt. TheparticipantsjoinedsupportersforthemonthlyReaganRanchRoundtablefeaturingactorandauthorBenSteinbeforetravelingtoRanchodelCieloforatourofRonaldReagan’sbelovedranchhome. ThedaywrappedupwithaspeechbyPresidentReagan’sson,MichaelReagan,whosharedmanyofthelifelessonshelearnedfromhisfather. ThefinaldayoftheseminarincludedremarksbytheReaganLegacyFoundation’sLarryGreenfield,whodiscussedthechallengesthattheConservativeMovementwillhavetoaddressinthefuture.WyntonHall,author,Foundationdirector,andvisitingfellowattheHooverInstitution,focusedontheeffectiveuseofdigitalmediaandrhetoricinadvancingtheconservativemessage. ThisseminarwasmadepossiblebythegenerosityofArthurandMonicaPetersen,PeggyBrandon,SteveandJeanCrossland,BradandGloriaCulbertson,RayandBarbaraCullin,DorothyDoumakes,DianaDwyer,AlexEbneth,MarilynHenze,UrveKiik,BillandTJLocker,ArlineMiller,CarlaTrent,andAlWoodill.


I N B R I E F

Michael Reagan shares insights about his father, Ronald Reagan, with students gathered at the Reagan Ranch Center.

(Above) Michael Reagan meets with American and European students participating in a special Reagan Ranch Center seminar, Advancing Freedom in the New Era of Socialism.

(Left) Students gather in the Reagan Ranch Center’s classrooms to gain the knowledge and inspiration necessary to promote freedom on their campuses and in their countries.


Inhisbook,Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People,RichDeVos,co-founderofAmway,owneroftheOrlandoMagic,andauthorwrote,

I discovered that a visit to the Reagan Ranch is an inspiring reflection of President Reagan’s American spirit and character of rugged individualism, idealism, and hard work…President Reagan recognized that if you reward your ‘can do’ people properly, they will produce more and more, which helps to take care of the ‘can’t do’ people by providing jobs…We need to encourage and support the person with ambition who takes the risks and is willing to work hard to start the type of small business that creates so many of our jobs today. It’s amazing what a little encouragement can do.

EntrepreneursRichandHelenDeVos,inanactofgenerosityandforesight,decidedtosupporttheReaganRanch,aplacethatmeantsomuchtooneoftheirheroes,RonaldReagan,withagiftof$10milliontosponsortheReaganRanchHomeAcre.Onthe29thanniversaryofRonaldReagan’sEconomicRecoveryTaxAct,YoungAmerica’sFoundationcelebratedthededicationoftheRanchhomeacreandtheimportantlegislationthatencouragedbusinessesand“candopeople,”includingAmwayledbyMr.DeVos,tobuildjobsandjumpstartthelargestpeacetimeeconomicexpansioninournation’shistory. YoungAmerica’sFoundationhostedRawhideCircleandPresident’sClubmembersattheReaganRanchtomarkthisspecialoccasionandtohearfromMr.DeVos,atrueleaderinfreeenterpriseandagenerousphilanthropist. VicePresidentandReaganRanchDirectorAndrewCoffinwelcomedgueststoRanchoDelCieloandreflectedonthe1981taxcuts,

whichweresignedattheRanch,asoneofthemanywaysPresidentReagansupportedfreeenterpriseandlimitedgovernment. PresidentRonRobinsonofferedtheinvocationfollowedbythePledgeofAllegiancefromReaganRanchBoardofGovernorsmemberandPresidentReagan’sSecretServiceagent,JohnBarletta.VicePresidentKateObenshainpresentedHelenDeVoswithabouquetofflowers,thankingherforhercompassionandgenerositytothenumerouscausesshesupports.Vice

PresidentRichardKimblethenintroducedthefeaturedspeaker,RichDeVos. Inhisaddress,Mr.DeVosconveyedwhatmotivatedhisinvolvementwithYoungAmerica’sFoundation.Hesaid,“IbelievedinwhatPresidentReaganstoodfor,anditwasgettingtobeinshortcommodity.”StressingtheimportanceofrememberingandpromotingReagan’svaluesthroughYoungAmerica’sFoundation,heremarkedthatPresidentRonaldReagan’slastingaccomplishmentswillnotbeforgotten. Afterhumorousandlight-heartedjokesregardingthecurrentadministration,Mr.DeVoshighlightedthemoresombercontrastbetweenPresidentReaganandPresidentObama’sguidingphilosophies.Followinglunch,ReaganRanchBoardofGovernorsChairmanFrankDonatellipresidedoverthededicationoftheRanchhomeacre,unveilingaplaquededicatedtoMr.andMrs.DeVosingratefulacknowledgementoftheirgenerousgifttoYoungAmerica’sFoundation.

Members of the Foundation’s Reagan Ranch Board of Governors and team honor Rich and Helen DeVos for their gift to sponsor the Reagan Ranch Home Acre. (Pictured from left: Richard Kimble, Tim Goeglein, Ambassador Patricia Herbold, Ron Robinson, Helen and Rich DeVos, Frank Donatelli, Tom Phillips, Nicole and Eric Hoplin, Kate Obenshain, and John Barletta.)

Richard and Helen DeVos Honored at Tax Cut Anniversary Celebration


More than 200 participants, including students from 52 schools in 19 states, enjoyed a jam-packed weekend of pro-freedom speakers and ideas at the fourth annual Reagan Ranch High School Conference in Santa

Barbara, California. During the conference, Young America’s Foundation also launched our sixth annual list of “Top Conservative Colleges,” (see page 12) with representatives from seven of the colleges headlining the program’s opening banquet. The college presidents and leaders discussed the advantages of attending a conservative college. Foundation Vice President Andrew Coffin led a panel discussion with Dr. Richard Jewell from Grove City College, Dr. Jerry Davis from College of the Ozarks, Dr. Gary Quinlivan from Saint Vincent College, Dr. Graham Walker from Patrick Henry College, Dr. Jim Carr from Harding University, Charles McKinney from Thomas More College, and Jon Daly from Thomas Aquinas College. The conference continued with a talk from President Reagan’s son, author Michael Reagan. A discussion of the religious views of the Founding Fathers followed, led by Foundation Director and Washington State Director of Americans for Prosperity Kirby Wilbur. John Barletta, President Reagan’s close friend and Secret Service agent, also shared memorable stories about his time with the President at the Ranch.

The students visited Rancho del Cielo to learn more about the life and principles of Ronald Reagan, and it made an impact. Laura Andrews from Leesburg, Virginia, wrote, “I loved seeing and touring the Ranch. It is amazingly beautiful, and I learned so much about the modesty with which Reagan lived. Visiting the Ranch meant a lot because for someone who wasn’t even alive when Reagan was President; it really helped me understand him and his values and morals.” Islam scholar and best-selling author Robert Spencer also spoke about the importance of knowing our enemy in radical Islam. He compared the threat posed by radical Islam today to the Cold War and the battle against communism. The conference included Hillsdale College professor and author Dr. Burt Folsom’s rousing criticism of Roosevelt’s New Deal, based on his new book, New Deal or Raw Deal?, and a discussion based on Folsom’s earlier book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. He was followed by Dr. Laura Freberg, a professor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who addressed the discrimination conservative students face on campus and how

continued on page 10

Folsom, Reagan, Rohrabacher, Conservative College Leaders, and Others Energize Audience at the Reagan Ranch High School ConferenceBy RogeR CusteR, ConfeRenCe DiReCtoR

Dr. Burt Folsom, a regular member of the Foundation’s conference faculty, delivers an energizing address based on his latest book, New Deal or Raw Deal?

Actor and author Joseph Phillips emphasizes the importance of standing up for one’s conservative values and principles.


Reagan Ranch High School Conference attendee Christian Turner from Colorado Springs, Colorado, engages in the question and answer session with a leading conservative speaker.

Dr. Jerry Davis from the College of the Ozarks (right) speaks during a panel discussion featuring representatives from seven of the Foundation’s “Top Conservative Colleges.” Pictured from left: Charles McKinney, Thomas More College; Jon Daly, Thomas Aquinas College; Dr. Gary Quinlivan, Saint Vincent College; Dr. Graham Walker, Patrick Henry College; Dr. Jim Carr, Harding University; and Dr. Richard Jewell, Grove City College.


conservative young people can actively advance their values and ideas at their schools. Actor and author Joseph Phillips emphasized the importance of standing up for conservative values. Phillips also noted that our nation’s founding principles are what define him as an American—not the color of his skin.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California addressed the conference during a luncheon which was combined with the monthly Reagan Ranch Roundtable for Foundation supporters and community members. The event was organized with the help of Foundation Vice President Ron Pearson. Congressman Rohrabacher recounted his involvement with Reagan’s early

Student Grace Olson from Danville, California, introduces herself at the Reagan Ranch High School Conference.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher delivers a motivating speech for students and Foundation supporters in the David Louis Bartlett Outreach Center at the Reagan Ranch Center.

Foundation Director Kirby Wilbur offers

thought-provoking

insights about the faith of

our Founding Fathers.

High school students from 52 schools and 19 states explore Ronald Reagan’s ranch, Rancho del Cielo, during the fourth annual Reagan Ranch High School Conference.


efforts and his time as a speechwriter in the White House. The conference concluded with activism advice from Foundation Vice President Patrick X. Coyle. Young America’s Foundation thanks the Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation for sponsoring this program for the third consecutive year. The young attendees, many participating

in their first conservative event, returned home excited about the new ideas they learned and the friends they made. “I have had an amazing experience at this conference,” said Brendan Madigan of Baltimore, Maryland. “From learning about conservative colleges to visiting the Reagan Ranch, I surely will never forget my time here.”

Young America’s Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle educates the young audience on how they can advance their conservative ideas on their campuses and beyond.

Sean Pringle from Pismo

Beach, California, meets with

retired Secret Service agent and President

Reagan’s close friend, John

Barletta.

Robert Spencer, best-selling author and director of Jihad Watch, warns of the enemy we face in radical Islam.

Madeline Foy from Wisconsin visits the Reagan Ranch and greets Jet, an American Quarter Horse, now residing at Rancho del Cielo.

Emma Langston, Bailey Austerman, Kristen Dennis, and Avery Smith enjoy a tour of President Reagan’s adobe ranch home, stopping by a closet which

still houses some of the President’s clothing and cowboy hats.


The 2009-2010 Top Conservative Colleges List

Y oungAmerica’sFoundationispleasedtorecommendthenation’stopconservativecollegestoprospectivestudentswithoursixthannual“TopConservativeColleges”list.TheFoundationpublishesthiseach

yearasaresourceforparentsandstudentsseekingconservativeoptionsinhighereducation. The2009-2010“TopConservativeColleges”listincludes:

• ChristendomCollege• CollegeoftheOzarks• FranciscanUniversity• GroveCityCollege• HardingUniversity• HillsdaleCollege• TheKing’sCollege• LibertyUniversity• PatrickHenryCollege• RegentUniversity• SaintVincentCollege• ThomasAquinasCollege• ThomasMoreCollege• WisconsinLutheranCollege

Institutionsselectedforthislistproclaim,throughtheirmissionsandprograms,adedicationtodiscovering,maintaining,andstrengtheningtheconservativevaluesoftheirstudents.Thesecollegesofferanalternativetotheliberalstatusquo

becausetheyallowandencourageconservativestudentstoexploreconservativeideasandauthors. Commentingonthelist,whichwasalsofeaturedonFoxnews.com (see below),YoungAmerica’sFoundation

PresidentRonRobinsonexplained,“Giventheliberalbiasinhighereducationtoday,itiscriticalthatwemaketheserecommendations.Wewantconservativestudentsandparentstobewellinformedbeforetheymakethisimportantdecision.” Theseschoolsoffercourseworkandscholarshipinconservativethoughtandemphasizeprinciplesincludingsmallergovernment,astrongnationaldefense,freeenterprise,andtraditionalvalues.Furthermore,theyavoidtrendsinhighereducationbycontinuingtostudyWesternCivilizationinsteadofstrayingtowardthestudyofMarxism,feminism,sexuality,postmodernism,andotherdistractionsthatdonotgivestudentsacompleteunderstandingofourcountry,culture,andFoundingprinciples.

Thecompletelistwithinformationoneachcollegeandwhyitwasselectedcanbefoundathttp://www.yaf.org/topconservativecolleges.aspx.

Young America’s Foundation features Thomas More College among the displays of the “Top Conservative Colleges” recognized at the Reagan Ranch High School Conference.


President George W. Bush speaks to more than 4,000 attendees during a speech sponsored by Young America’s Foundation at Harding University in Arkansas.

Morethan4,000studentsandcommunitymembersgatheredatHardingUniversitytohearfromPresidentGeorgeW.BushduringaspeechsponsoredbyYoung

America’sFoundation. PresidentBushdiscussedthedifficultdecisionshehadtomakeduringhisPresidency,admittingthemostdifficultwastomoveforwardwiththetroopsurgeinIraqwhenothersencouragedhimtopulltroopsout. “Ijustcouldn’tdoitingoodconscience...Ibelievedwecouldsucceed.Iknewitlookedhopeless.ButIbelievedit...Anditworked.Andit’sgoingtowork,”notedthe43rdPresidentoftheUnitedStates. Duringhis45-minuteaddress,PresidentBushalsoofferedadvicetothestudentaudience,saying,“Ifyoudon’tknowanything,don’tbeafraidtoask.Surroundyourselfwithpeopleyoucantrust,andcreateanenvironmentinwhichthey’rewillingandencouragedtogiveyouastraight-upopinion.” YoungAmerica’sFoundationhasalongestablishedpartnershipwithHardingUniversity.Since1993,theFoundationhasassisted—throughfinancialorlogisticalsupport—theAmericanStudiesInstituteinbringingconservativespeakerstocampus. Throughthispartnership,HardingstudentshaveheardfromFoundation

speakersincludingBenStein,SeanHannity,WalterWilliams,DineshD’Souza,JimDobson,GeneralTommyFranks,SteveForbes,andothers. TheFoundationalsorecognizedHardingUniversityasoneofthetopconservativeschoolsinthenation(see related story on page 12),andtheschool’sAmericanStudies

InstituteregularlysendsitsstudentstoYoungAmerica’sFoundation’sconferencesandseminars.

Harding University President David Burks introduces President George W. Bush to the students and community members attending the President’s speech.

Foundation Sponsors President George W. Bush at Harding UniversityBy Jessica Jensen, Editor


From Student Activist to White House Speechwriter –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——By Roger Custer, Conference Director

theSovietMissiontotheUnitedNationsinNewYorkCityprotestingthemartiallawcrackdownontheSolidaritymovement,”recallsThiessen.“IwantedtobeinvolvedinthestruggleforhumanfreedomforaslongasIcanremember.”Thiessendidnotwasteanytimegettinginvolvedinfreedom’scause,becomingacampusactivistatVassarCollegeduringtheReaganyearsandattendingYoungAmerica’s

FoundationNationalConservativeStudentConferenceinthemid-1980s.“WhenIwenttoVassar,”saysThiessen,“nooneassignedmetoreadFriedmanorHayekorRussellKirk.ItwasonlythroughYoungAmerica’sFoundationandotherconservativestudentorganizationsthatIwasexposedtotheseideas.” ThelackofconservativeideasmotivatedThiessentobecomeeditoroftheVassar Spectator,theconservativealternativenewspaperoncampus.Throughthatrole,hebecameacquaintedwithWilliamF.BuckleyJr.andlaterinternedintheReaganWhiteHouse. Shortlyaftercollege,thepassionforfreedomcontinuedtoburnforThiessen,andhecametoWashingtontoworkintheConservativeMovement.HejoinedapublicaffairsfirmandthenbecamespokesmanforthelegendarySenatorJesseHelms.Theaspiringyoungmanthen

AthunderousapplauseandstandingovationgreetedMarcThiessenupontheconclusionofhisluncheon

remarks.StudentsattendingtheannualThomas Phillips Student Luncheonduringthe2010CPACinWashington,D.C.,enjoyedaremarkablespeechabouttopicsnevertaughtontheircampuses(see related story on page four).Thebest-sellingauthorandrecentWhiteHousespeechwriterdiscussedhisbook,Courting Disaster,andthereasonsforusinginterrogationmethodstokeepourcountrysafeandwinthewaronterror.ButexactlywhoisMarcThiessen,andhowdidhearriveatthatpoint? MarcThiessenstartedhisjourneyasayoungman,visitinghismotherinPolandwhenthecountrywasoppressedbySovietrulebehindtheIronCurtain. “Iremembermarchinginfrontof

A l u m N I S p o t l I g h t

“When i went to Vassar,” says thiessen, “no one assigned me to read friedman or Hayek or Russell Kirk. it was only through young America’s foundation and other conservative student organizations that i was exposed to these ideas.”

workedforDefenseSecretaryDonaldRumsfeldasaspeechwriteratthePentagon.ThatexperiencepreparedhimtojointhespeechwritingteamofPresidentGeorgeW.Bush,andin2008,hewasnamedthePresident’schiefspeechwriter. Inthatrole,ThiessenwastaskedwithwritingaspeechacknowledginganddefendingtheCIA’sinterrogationprogram.Asaresult,hewasgivenspecialaccesstoclassifiedmaterialsincludingtechniques,intelligence,names,andotherdetailsthatkepttheU.S.safefromterroristattacks.HealsohadpersonalcontactwiththeinterrogatorswhowerewithKhalidSheikhMohammedandotherhigh-profilealQaedaterroristswhentheyfinallyrevealedvaluableinformation. Thiessenreports,“ThoseofuswhohadaccesstotheintelligencecouldnotrespondtotheliesspreadbytheLeftbecausetheanswerswereclassified…

Best-selling author and Foundation alumnus Marc Thiessen headlines the annual Thomas Phillips Student Luncheon at CPAC in Washington, D.C.


Thetruthisthatthesemenarenottorturersbutheroeswhostoppedthenext9/11.” InexplainingwhyhewroteCourting Disaster, Thiessensays,“Ispokeupforthesementocleartheirnames,torestorethegoodnameofourcountry,andtowarnAmericansthatweareinperilofanotherterroristattackwithoutthis[interrogation]capability.” Alongwithhissuccessfulcareer,thisprominentWashingtoninsideralsohasayoungfamily.Hemethiswife,Pam,whenshewasalegislativeaidetothen-SenatorJohnAshcroft,andhewasworkingforSenatorHelms.Theynowhavefourchildren,includingfour-year-oldtwingirls.“MyfamilyisthegreatestblessingGodhasbestowedonme,”saysThiessen. Today,thisFoundationalumnusisacolumnistfortheWashington Post

Then-Presidential speechwriter Marc Thiessen offers remarks to young leaders attending the special briefing at the White House during the 2008 National Conservative Student Conference.

Marc Thiessen signs copies of his best-selling book, Courting Disaster, for student attendees at the 2010 CPAC.

andavisitingfellowattheAmericanEnterpriseInstitute.HisadviceforYoungAmerica’sFoundationstudentsandalumni:“Read,read,read.ThestrengthofourMovementliesinideas.Beahappywarrior,andproceedwithconfidence.”

—————————————————Are you an alumnus of Young America’s Foundation’s programs? Be sure to register with our alumni network to receive Foundation updates, event invitations, and more. For more information visit http://www.yaf.org/Alumni.aspx or call 800-USA-1776.


Ontheeveofthe100thanniversaryofPresidentReagan’sbirth,atimetocelebratethe

achievementsofoneofthegreatest,mostbelovedPresidentsinournation’shistory,Freedomisontheprecipice.

WearewitnessinganunprecedentedattemptbyleftistsinpowertobringaboutthecompletereversaloftheReaganRevolution.EverythingRonaldReaganfoughtforhasbeenrejectedbythemostliberaladministrationwe’veseeninournation’shistory.Theirgoal:toeradicatePresidentReagan’sideasandlastingaccomplishmentsandweavesocialismintotheveryfabricofourAmericansociety.

WeatYoungAmerica’sFoundationarenotabouttositbackandletthathappen,andReagan100,ourcelebrationofPresidentReagan’s100thbirthday,istheperfect

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s Birth

By K Ate oBensHAin, ViCe PResiDent

opportunitytobringaboutaresurgenceofPresidentReagan’svision—andtoinstillthatvisioninthenextgeneration.

WeknowthatinthebattleforFreedom’sFutureinourcountry,youngpeopleare

thebattleground.Theleftistsinpowerarepursuingthiskeygroupwithundisguisedintensity,andtheyhave

beenverysuccessfulintheirefforts.

BarackObamaunderstandstheimportanceofyoungpeopleinestablishingamovement.Heregularly—withmoreintensitythananyPresidentbefore—goestocampusestoinculcateyoungpeoplewithhissocialistideology.Onaverage,he’svisitedonecampusevery12dayssincetakingoffice.

LikeObama,PresidentReaganunderstoodtheimportanceofreachingandinspiringyoungpeople.He


said,“Thereisaflickeringsparkinallofusthatifstruckatjusttherightage,willlightuptherestofourlives.”

HealsounderstoodthatFreedomitselfisnevermorethanonegenerationawayfromextinction.Attheendofhisadministration,heknew,eventhoughFreedomwasonceagainflourishing,itcouldbefleeting.Hesaid,“Ourspiritisback,butwehaven’treinstitutionalizedit.We’vegottodoabetterjobofgettingacrossthatAmericaisfreedom—freedomofspeech,freedomofreligion,freedomofenterprise.Andfreedomisspecialandrare.It’sfragileanditneedsprotection.”

MostcollegestudentstodaywerenotalivewhenRonaldReaganwasPresident.TheydonotrememberhowheandhispoliciesrestoredAmerica’seconomicvibrancyandherpositionintheworld.Together,wemustinspirethisnextgenerationwithanunderstandingofjusthowsignificantPresidentReagan’ssuccesseswere,howheachievedthem,andhowrelevantthoselessonsaretoday.

DuringReagan100,YoungAmerica’sFoundation’smission,inpartnershipwithoursupporters,isclear:BringPresidentReagan’sidealsandvisiontolifeforthenextgeneration,andreinstitutionalizeFreedomthoughtheReaganRanch,theReaganRanchCenter,andtheprogramsofYoungAmerica’sFoundation,sothatitwillneveragaingiveway.Rather,Freedomwillbefirmlyestablishedasthebeaconbywhichourcountryanditsfutureareguided.

WewillachievethismissionthroughaseriesofcelebrationsanddynamicprogramsforyoungpeopleandnewleadersthatfocusspecificallyonbringingPresidentReagan’svisiontolife.WewillaccomplishourgoalsbyraisingsignificantresourcestoensurethattheReaganRanch,theReaganRanchCenter,andYoungAmerica’sFoundationarecentralforcesforpermanentlyreestablishingFreedom’sFutureinourcountry.

Duringhislifetime,weknewRonaldReaganwouldbeFreedom’sdefender.Nowthatheisgone,defendingFreedomfallstous,andweatYoungAmerica’sFoundationareready.

Weknowthatourmissionisbold,butsowasPresidentReagan’s.Freedom’sFutureandPresidentReagan’svisionareworthyofourboldness,courage,andoursteadydetermination—anddependantonoursuccess.Welookforwardtoworkingwithyou,asweapproachReagan100,toachieveit.——————————————————————————For more information on how you can support our Reagan 100 efforts, please call 800-USA-1776.


hilemanyhighschoolstudentsspendtheirsummersbyapoolorplayingvideogames,

theyoungleadersattendingYoungAmerica’sFoundation’ssummerhighschoolprogramsreceivedahealthydoseofconservativeideasattwoseparateconferencesheldinWashington,D.C.,andGroveCity,Pennsylvania.

Morethan100highschoolstudentsfromacrossthecountrykickedofftheirsummervacationsbyattendingtheFoundation’s13thannualGratiaHoughtonRinehartNationalHighSchoolLeadershipConferenceoutsideofWashington,D.C.Thethree-dayprogramenabledsomeofthecountry’sbrightestconservativeyouthstointeractwithlike-mindedpeersand

hearfromtopconservativeleaders. TheconferencecommencedwithatriptoGettysburg,Pennsylvania,whereFoundationDirectorKirbyWilburprovidedtheyoungconservativeswithadetailedaccountoftheBattleofGettysburg.AlyssaReinickeofElCajon,California,noted,“IwishallstudentscouldattendtheGettysburgtour.Mr.Wilburknowssomuchabout

Williams, Folsom, Buchanan, Moore,and schweikart Headline High school Conferences in Washington, d.C., and Pennsylvania

Williams, Folsom, Buchanan, Moore,and schweikart Headline High school Conferences in Washington, d.C., and Pennsylvania

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By LAuRen sCiRoCCo, sARAH t. HeRmAnn inteRn sCHoLAR


Gettysburg;youalmostfeellikeyouwerethereduringthebattle.” ThestudentsenjoyedtheopeningdinnerbanquetfeaturingCongressmanJimJordanofOhiowhogavehisopin-iononthethreemainchallengesfacingAmerica:terrorism,theever-expandingnationaldebt,and“thevaluesdebate.” SeniorEditorofNational ReviewRameshPonnurudeliveredan

engagingspeechonthenegativeaspectsofdiversity,tolerance,andmulticulturalism,whileVicePresidentofFocusontheFamilyandReaganRanchBoardofGovernorsmemberTimGoegleinprovidedadviceonpublicserviceandencouragedthestudentstotakeaction. AmericanCausePresidentBayBuchanangaveamotivationalspeech

onstandingupfortherightsofunbornchildren.KristenGawlikofCloster,NewJersey,said,“BayBuchananreallyinspiredmetodowhateveritisIcanpossiblydointhepro-lifemovement.” KirbyWilburdiscussedtheimpor-tanceofJudeo-ChristianvaluesduringthefoundingofAmerica,andYoungAmerica’sFoundationVicePresidentKateObenshaintaughtstudentsabout

leadershipandtheFoundingFathers. YoungAmerica’sFoundationalumnusandHuman EventsEditorJasonMatteraprovidedanentertaining,in-depthperspectiveonhowliberalsbrainwashedyoungpeopleduringthe2008Presidentialelection. AlwayspopularHillsdaleCollegeprofessorBurtFolsomtaughttheyoungleadersaboutthehistoryof

entrepreneurshipintheUnitedStatesandalsodiscussedthefailuresofPresidentRoosevelt’sNewDeal. AnotherYoungAmerica’sFoundationalumnus,CitizensUnitedFoundationPresidentDaveBossie,offeredafirst-handaccountofhisgroup’sSupremeCourtcase,Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. ClareBootheLucePolicyInstitute

PresidentMichelleEastondiscussedthefolliesoffeminismandtheimportanceofpromotingconservativewomen.YoungAmerica’sFoundationVicePresidentPatrickCoyleequippedthestudentswithideasonhowtosuccessfullyspreadtheconservativemessageattheirschools. YoungBritons’FoundationDevelopmentDirectorMarkClarkeinformedthestudentsofthefailed

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liberalpoliciesinBritainwhichhaveledtotheexpansionoftheBritishgovernmentandthedeclineofindividualandpropertyrights. Best-sellingauthorRebeccaHagelinaddressedtheharshrealityofthemoraldeclineinAmericaandwhatyoungpeoplecandotorebuildthemoralfoundationofthecountry. Duringthelastnightofthe

13th annual Gratia Houghton Rinehart National High School Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C. 1) National Review’s senior editor, Ramesh Ponnuru, engages the high school audience in a discussion about the consequences of multiculturalism. 2) Rebecca Hagelin, author of 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, discusses what today’s youth can do to advance traditional values in our nation. 3) Obama Zombies, the best-selling book written by Foundation alumnus and Human Events Editor Jason Mattera, is the topic of Mattera’s address at the Gratia Houghton Rinehart National High School Leadership Conference. 4) Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio shares his thoughts on the major challenges facing our nation today. 5) Foundation alumnus and Citizens United Foundation President Dave Bossie reports on his organization’s Supreme Court case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. 6) High school conference students receive pocket-sized copies of the United States Constitution provided by Young America’s Foundation’s supporters. 7) Lauren Clark from Mesa, Arizona, participates in the question and answer session during the National High School Leadership Conference. 8) Conference attendees enjoy a sunset tour of the national monuments in Washington, D.C. 9) Focus on the Family Vice President Tim Goeglein encourages the high school audience to get involved in public service and advance their ideas in their communities. 10) Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar Caroline Rushing introduces a conference speaker during the three-day program.

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conference,studentsenjoyedatourofWashington,D.C.,whereKirbyWilburdiscussedtheimportanceofmanyofthenationalmonuments.Asagroup,studentssangthe“NationalAnthem”onthestepsoftheLincolnMemorialtoshowtheirpatriotism.TheywerequicklytoldtostopbyU.S.ParkPolice,butcontinuedon,nonetheless. Thestudentsreturnedhome

inspiredtoadvancefreedomintheircommunitiesandspreadtheideastheylearnedatthisannualconference. StudentEmilyCumminsfromMinnesotanoted,“Thisconferencehasreallyhelpedmegrowasayoungconservative.Beingsurroundedbylike-mindedpeoplemyagehasbeenveryinspiring…Myconservativebeliefshavebeenstrengthenedinthesepastfewdays.”


fewweekslater,anothergroupofhighschoolstudentsenjoyedasimilarFoundationprogram

atGroveCityCollegeinGroveCity,Pennsylvania,madepossiblewithagenerousgiftfromtheIreneE.WitkowskiAgrawalFoundation. TheNortheastConservativeHighSchoolConference,alsodrawingstudentsandsupportersfromacrossthe

country,beganwithadinnerbanquetfeaturingthepresidentofGroveCityCollege,Dr.RichardJewell,whodiscussedtherichhistoryoftheschoolandwhystudentswouldbenefitfromattendingtheinstitution—namedoneofthe2010“TopConservativeColleges”byYoungAmerica’sFoundation. Thefollowingday,Dr.BurtFolsom—whoalsoaddressedthehighschool

gatheringafewweeksearlier—discussedAmericancapitalismandthedestructiveconsequencesofFDR’sNewDeal. Best-sellingauthor,historian,andprofessorDr.LarrySchweikartentertainedandeducatedattendeeswithhispresentationbasedonhisbook,48 Liberal Lies About American History.EntrepreneurandlocalradiotalkshowhostGlenMeakemspokeof

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Northeast Conservative High School Conference 1) Foundation Vice President and frequent Fox News guest Kate Obenshain delivers an energetic speech on the need for true leadership. 2) Laurel Recsetar from Phoenix, Arizona, participates in the speaker question and answer session at the Northeast Conservative High School Conference. 3) Students attending the conference at Grove City College enjoy a late-night breakout session where they discuss current events and other hot topics with Foundation team members. 4) Grove City College Professor Dr. Paul Kengor—author of several books including The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism—shares the true dangers of socialism. 5) Professor and economist Dr. Walter Williams, a regular presence at Foundation programs, discusses the fundamental importance of the free market. 6) High school students from around the country meet like-minded friends and hear from leading conservative speakers at the 2010 Northeast Conservative High School Conference in Pennsylvania. 7) Dominic Morell from Grand Island, New York, learns how he can advance his values and ideas at his high school and in his community. 8) Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholars Kiana Dunn and Giovanni Tomasi welcome high school conference participants to Grove City College. 9) Foundation Director and regular conference faculty member Kirby Wilbur offers a true American history lesson not taught in most high school classrooms. 10) Grove City College President Richard Jewell welcomes conference participants to his campus—one of the Foundation’s 2010 “Top Conservative Colleges.”


theimportanceofanentrepreneurialspiritinAmericanbusiness. Distinguishedeconomist,author,andprofessorDr.WalterWilliamsandbest-sellingauthor JonahGoldbergheadlinedtwodinnerbanquetsforthestudentaudienceandlocalFoundationsupporters. OtherspeakersincludedKirbyWilbur,FoundationVicePresidents

KateObenshainandPatrickCoyle,GroveCityprofessorDr.JeffHerbener,GroveCityprofessorandauthorDr.PaulKengor,andCarnegieMellonUniversityprofessorandauthorDr.KironSkinner. AfterattendingtheNortheastConservativeHighSchoolConference,OliviaMartinofSandyLake,Pennsylvania,said,“Priortothis

conference,Iwasjustaconservativeteen.Now,however,Iamaninformed,articulate,impassionedconservativewhoisreadytostandupforwhatshebelievesin.IknowIwillmakeadifference!”—————————————————FormoreinformationaboutYoungAmerica’sFoundation’supcominghighschoolandcollegeprograms,visitwww.yaf.orgorcall800-USA-1776.

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A groupofup-and-comingyoungconservativeleadershadtheuniqueopportunitytoparticipateinanintensetrainingsessiontoenhance

theirrhetoricskillsandpreparefortheirlife-longinvolvementintheConservativeMovement.ThroughagenerousgiftandthevisionofFoundationsupporterCaesarArredondo,YoungAmerica’sFoundationhostedourMastering Conservative Rhetoric SeminarinWashington,D.C. Theeventwascoordinatedbyauthor,speechwriter,andFoundationDirectorWyntonHallwhodiscussedthesignificanceofrhetoricandtaughttheattendeeshowtoincorporateeffectivespeechwritingtechniquesintotheirpresentations.Hallalsohostedaseminarsessionentitled,“MasteringDigitalCommunications,”wherehetaughttheimportanceofusing21stcenturytechnologyto“defineyourbrand.” PresidentBush’stopspeechwriter,Foundationalumnus,andNew York

Young Leaders Learn the Art of Rhetoric on Capitol Hill

DeMint, Fund, Thiessen, and Others Inspire Students and Professionals

By Lauren Scirocco, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

Times bestsellingauthor MarcThiessen(see related story on page 14)providedattendeeswithinsightonthespeechwritingprocess.Healsodiscussedhisbook,Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe and How Barack

Obama Is Inviting the Next Attack. PresidentoftheAmericanCauseBayBuchanandiscussedhowtocommunicateprinciple-basedsolutionsondomesticpolicyandentitlements

effectively.Ms.Buchanantoldthegrouptoalwaysrespecttheargumentsoftheothersideandlearnthefactsnecessarytobackuptheirbeliefs. PresidentialrhetoricalexpertDr.MartinMedhurstguidedtheyoungleadersthroughthehistoryofmodernPresidentialspeeches,taughtthetenprinciplesofconservativePresidents,anddiscussedtheoriginsofconservativerhetoric.

Thegroupalsoenjoyedaspecialbreakfast—organizedwiththehelpofFoundationVicePresidentRonPearson—attheU.S.CapitolVisitorsCenterwithSenatorJimDeMintwhoofferedhisinsightsonthedangersoftheU.S.deficitandhowtogetAmericabackontherighttrack.Duringadinnerbanquet, New York Times best-sellingauthorJonahGoldbergspokeonhisbook,Liberal

Fascism,andalsogaveadviceonhowtousehumortowinconservativearguments.Inaddition,Wall Street JournalcolumnistandFoundationalumnusJohnFundremindedtheattendeesthattheyhavemorepowertoinfluencemediathananyothergeneration. EachparticipantusedtheinformationtheylearnedthroughouttherhetoricseminartogivepreparedremarkswhichwerethencritiquedbyMr.HallandDr.Medhurst. Afterattendingtheprogram,WesSilerfromtheUniversityofVirginiawrote,“Theseminarwasfourofthemostproductivedaysofmylife.Ihaveneverbeforeexperiencedsuchintensivetraining,leadershipdevelopment,andconservativeeducationpackedintooneweekwithsomeofthemostdynamicandinspiringconservativeprofessionals.Ifeelmorepreparedtoarticulatemyconservativebeliefswithhumor,wit,andconviction.” YoungAmerica’sFoundationthanksMr.Arredondoformakingthisinspiringprogrampossibleandadvancingfreedomforgenerationstocome!

Senator Jim DeMint offers his thoughts on defeating Obama’s socialist policies for young leaders at Young America’s Foundation’s Mastering Conservative Rhetoric Seminar on Capitol Hill.

Young professionals and students learn how to effectively communicate their ideas to their peers and in their communities.

“the seminar was four of the most productive days of my life.”— Wes Siler, University of Virginia


Normandy on D-Day and Thatcher in London:An Unforgettable Cruise

Normandy on D-Day and Thatcher in London:An Unforgettable Cruise

By NiCoLe HopLiN, DiReCtoR of fouNDatioN ReLatioNS

nJune6,2010,ournationmarkedthe66thanniversaryofD-DayandmournedthebravesoldierswholosttheirlivesprotectingfreedomduringthatfatefulWorldWarIIbattle.Onthe40thanniversaryofthoseNormandylandings,RonaldReaganvisitedOmahaBeachandthesurroundingareastomarkthatoccasion,saying,“ThesearetheboysofPointeduHoc.

Thesearethemenwhotookthecliffs.Thesearethechampionswhohelpedfreeacontinent.Andthesearetheheroeswhohelpedendawar…” ParticipantsinYoungAmerica’sFoundation’s2010EuropeancruiserememberedtheanniversaryofD-DayontheactualbeachesofNormandy.Theyplacedwhiteflowersatthebaseofthetombsofthosesoldierswhovaliantlysacrificedforourcountryandfreedom’sfuture. TravelersalsosawthefamousPointeDuHoc,whereaplaquenowmarksRonaldReagan’s1984visit:

And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top. And in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. continued on page 27

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On the 66th anniversary of D-Day, troops dress in period uniforms to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives at Pointe du Hoc.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 2nd Battalion scale the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.

The Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument, with its 30-acre battlefield site, sits atop the cliffs as they look today.

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twasamovingday,tobesure,butitwouldbeoneamongmanystirringmemoriesmadeonthisspecialcruise.Themorethan100participantsvisited

historicsitesinSpain,Portugal,France,andEngland.Together,theyconversedaboutcurrentevents,sharedideasforconservativevictories,strategizedonhowbesttoreachyoungpeople,enjoyeddiscussingRonaldReaganandtheideasoffreedom,andrekindledanddevelopedfriendshipswitholdandnewfriendsalike. Thedistinguishedspeakersonboardthecruiseincluded75thU.S.AttorneyGeneralEdMeeseandhiswife,Ursula;HillsdaleCollegehistorianandfreeenterpriseexpertBurtFolsomandhiswife,Anita(see sidebar on page 28);National Revieweditor-at-largeandauthorJohnO’Sullivan;columnistandauthorTonyBlankley;FoundationPresidentRonRobinsonandhiswife,ClareBootheLucePolicyInstitutePresidentMichelleEaston;FoundationVicePresidentsRichardKimbleandAndrewCoffin;andReaganRanchBoardofGovernorsmemberEricHoplin. Duringeducationalsessionsonthecruise,theyeachprovidedremarksontopicsrangingfromcurrenteventsintheU.K.toRonaldReagan’sfightagainstcommunismtothestateoftheConservativeMovementtoday. Afterelevendaysatsea,thetravelersreachedLondon.There,LadyMargaretThatcherspentaneveninggreetingtheparticipantsduringaformalreceptionatthefamedSimpsons-in-the-StrandrestaurantinLondon. SupportersoftheReaganRanchhavelongfollowedtherelationshipbetweenPresidentReaganandPrimeMinisterThatcher.WearesofortunatetohaveLady

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President Reagan meets with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher outside the Oval Office on August 17, 1987.

1) More than 100 supporters of Young America’s Foundation and the Reagan Ranch spend eleven days at sea on board the Silver Cloud. 2) Eric and Nicole Hoplin stand near the monument where Ronald Reagan gave his famous “Pointe du Hoc” speech in 1984. 3) Attorney General Ed Meese

addresses a “session-at-sea” during the annual cruise program. 4) On D-Day, Reagan Ranch Board of Governors member Gene Waddell walks among the marble crosses marking each life

lost during the Normandy invasion. 5) From left to right: Gene Waddell, Lynda Davis, Betsy Coffin, and Leah and Bob Traut gather at a dinner featuring Member of the European Parliament

Daniel Hannan. 6) From left to right: Donn Dears, D.J. D’Ewart, Larry and Rosemarie Helminiak, and Don Dick enjoy the company of like-minded friends at dinner one evening at sea. 7) Tony

Blankley and his wife, Lynda Davis, take a break from a shore tour in Cadiz, Spain. 8) Lady Margaret Thatcher meets with members of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors and Young America’s Foundation’s leadership team. From left to right: Nicole and Eric Hoplin, Michelle

Easton, Betsy and Andrew Coffin, Ron Robinson, Richard Kimble, Lady Thatcher, Diane Kimble, Gene and Barbara Waddell, and Bette and Al Moore.

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ThatcherwithusstilltoremindusoftheimportanceofRonaldReagan’saccomplishments.AsshenotedduringthePresident’smemorialservicein2004,“Weherestillmoveintwilight.ButwehaveonebeacontoguideusthatRonaldReaganneverhad.Wehavehisexample.” HavingtheopportunitytothankThatcherforherroleinexpandingfreedomwasarareoccasion.“Itwascertainlyaveryspecialmoment.Wewerehonoredtobeabletomeetherinperson,”saidonesupporteroftheexperience. ConservativeMemberoftheEuropeanParliamentDanielHannankeynotedthedinnerbanquetfollowingtheThatcherreceptionatSimpsons.HisrivetingremarksaboutthelossofpersonallibertyintheU.K.anditsdisastrousconsequencesforetellAmerica’sfutureifwecontinueonourcurrentpathofincreasingregulationandencroachinggovernment. AlsojoiningthetravelersfordinnerinLondonwereMembersofParliamentConorBurnsandChrisKelly,YoungBritons’FoundationChiefExecutiveDonalBlaney,formermemberoftheScottishParliamentBrianMonteith,andmemberoftheBoardofTrusteesfortheInstituteofEconomicAffairsLindaWhetstone. YoungAmerica’sFoundationisplanningtocommemorateRonaldReagan’s100thbirthdayin2011withacruisetotheEmeraldIsles.(See information on page 35.)TheCrystalCruisewilltakeplaceJuly22toAugust2,2011,andincludesspeakerssuchaseconomistDr.WalterWilliams,ReaganbiographerStevenHayward,and75thU.S.AttorneyGeneralEdMeese.Tojointhenextcruise,calloremailNicoleHoplinat800-USA-1776ornhoplin@yaf.orgforadetailedbrochure.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas28 Young America’s Foundation • Libertas 29

Fromfirsttolast,whatatremendoustwoweeks!Barcelonawasabeautifulbeginning,andcruisingontheblueMediterranean

waspurepleasure.Enjoyingthesceneryandthelecturesonboardwithlike-mindedtravelersintheYoungAmerica’sFoundationgroupenhancedtheexperiencetremendously.ExploringSpainandthenPortugalgaveusopportunitiestovisithistoricalsitesthatwehavetaughtaboutmanytimes. WhataprivilegetocommemoratetheNormandylandingsbywalkingonOmahaBeachonthe66thanniversaryofD-Day.TheAmericancemeterynearOmahaBeachwasasolemnreminderofthepriceoffreedomandthedebtweowetothosewhopaidit. AndcappingoffthetripwasourreceptioninLondonwithLadyMargaretThatcher.Anunforgettablenight!

“A Tremendous Two Weeks!”“A Tremendous Two Weeks!”B y B u R t A n D A n i t A f o L s o m

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1) Lady Thatcher greets Bette and Al Moore during a reception in her honor at the famed Simpsons-in-the-Strand restaurant. 2) Member of European Parliament Daniel Hannan gives an inspirational speech about the greatness of America and the need to protect liberty. 3) Hillsdale Professor Dr. Burt Folsom, Bob Bourcier, Ken Kalbfell, and Donn Dears socialize during the reception with Lady Thatcher. 4) Barbara Cameron and Hillsdale College’s director of the free market forum, Anita Folsom, enjoy a new friendship during an evening reception.

Lady Thatcher with Anita Folsom

Lady Thatcher with Burt Folsom

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas28 Young America’s Foundation • Libertas 29

New Lecture Series Brings Free Enterprise to America’s Business Schools

By Patrick X. Coyle, Vice President

I ntheshorttimePresidentObamahasbeeninpower,thegovernmenthastakenoverorhasastakeintheautoindustry,studentloans,health

care,andourfinancialinstitutions.TheRussianCommunistpaperPRAVDAhadaneye-openingarticleabouttheadministration’spolicies,noting,“MarxwouldbeproudofwhatObamaisdoingintheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.” ThechairmanoftheBusinessRoundtable,anassociationoftopCEOsthathasbeenclosetotheObamaadministration,recentlyaccusedthePresidentandhisalliesinCongressofcreatingan“increasinglyhostileenvironmentforinvestmentandjobcreation.” IvanG.Seidenburg,CEOofVerizonCommunications,echoedthissentiment,noting,“Byreachingintovirtuallyeverysectorofeconomiclife,governmentisinjectinguncertaintyintothemarketplaceandmakingithardertoraisecapitalandcreatenewbusinesses.” GivenourPresident’sregularnegativitytowardbigbusinessandfreemarketideas,itisnotsurprisingthattoday’sstudentsareskepticaloftheideasoflimitedgovernmentandfreeenterprise.ARasmussensurveyshowedthat33percentofyoungpeopleprefersocialismovercapitalism,and30percentareundecided! Tostopthisdisturbingtrend,YoungAmerica’sFoundation,throughthegeneroussupportoftheRichardandBarbaraGabyFoundation,haslaunchedtheFreeEnterpriseLectureSeriestointroducestudentsatAmerica’sleadingbusinessschoolstoprominententrepreneursandfreemarketexperts. Thesespeakerssharetheirexpertise

Greatness.EverymajormediaoutletinAtlanta,includingtheAtlanta Journal-Constitution,coveredtheprogram.SteveForbesalsospokeforthelectureseriesatFordhamUniversity.Speakingtoacrowdof1,000students,

Forbesexplainedthathewrotehislatestbook,How Capitalism Will Save Us, becausecapitalismhasbeenattacked,misunderstood,andevendefinedasimmoral.“OneoftheworstthingsthatCongresshaseverdoneisdefineeconomicsastheallocationofscarceresources,”Forbestoldtheyoungaudience.“Thathasdismalsciencewrittenalloverit.It’snotabouttheallocation

ofscarceresources.Infreemarkets,it’saboutthecreationofresourcesandaboutturningscarcityintoabundance.”JohnStossel,hostoftheFoxBusinessNetworkshowStossel, promotedAmerica’sfreeenterprisesystemduringhislectureatTheGeorgeWashingtonUniversity.Thebest-sellingauthornoted,“TheFoundershaditright…weneedlimitedgovernment.Capitalismhasliftedmorepeopleoutofthe

mudthanmostsystems.Capitalismiswin-win,butpeopledon’tseethat.”——————————————————— YoungAmerica’sFoundationthankstheGabyFoundationforitscontinuedsupportandformakingtheFreeEnterpriseLectureSeriespossible.Tobringafreemarketspeakertoyourcampusorbusinessschool,[email protected].

andpromotethefreemarketsystemasacatalystforeconomicsolutionstocommonsocialproblems. TheWall Street Journal’s StephenMoore (see related story on page 30) launchedthelectureseriesbyspeakingatUNC—ChapelHill’sKenan-FlaglerBusinessSchool.MooreaddressedtheObamaadministration’sfailuretoeffectivelysolvetheeconomiccrisisandhowPresidentReaganimprovedtheeconomybyloweringtaxrates.

UNCactivist,JohnEick,wroteafterwards,“Mr.MooredeliveredrelevantandinformativelecturesaboutthehistoryoftheUnitedStates’economyandwhatneedstobedonetoimprovethecurrenteconomicsituation.” GovernorMittRomney headlinedthelectureserieswithaspeechto1,200atEmoryUniversity.Hediscussedhiscareerinbusinessaswellashislatestbook,No Apology: The Case for American

Steve Forbes promotes free market ideas at Fordham University.

John Stossel shares the importance of free enterprise with a capacity crowd at The George Washington University.

Governor Mitt Romney inspires business school students at Emory University.


ThedeskinStephenMoore’sofficeispiledhighwithfadingcopiesoftheWall Street Journal andafewstrayeditionsofPOLITICOandNewsmax.Threeabstractpaintingshangonthewallbehindhis

computermonitor,whereheintentlystudiesunemploymentstatisticsreleasedbytheDepartmentofLaboronahotafternooninlatesummer.(UnemploymentamongyoungpeoplethisyearisthehighestonrecordsincetheBureauofLaborStatisticsbegantrackingsuchfiguresin1948.) Bythelooksofit,Mooreisabusyman.HeisamemberoftheeditorialboardandasenioreconomicswriterattheWall Street Journal,andjustbeforehissit-downforaninterviewwithLibertas,hewasattheFoxNewsstudiosrecordinganinterviewaboutthestateofthejobmarket.Mooreisalsotheauthorofsixbooks,includingEnd of Prosperity—abookhecalls“agreathistoryofthelast40years.” Withallhisresponsibilities,MoorefindstimetospeakseveraltimesayearoncollegecampusesthroughYoungAmerica’sFoundation’sFreeEnterpriseLectureSeries(see related story on page 29). “Ithinkit’sencouragingtoseesomanyconservativesoncollegecampuses,”MooresaidfromhisofficeindowntownWashington,D.C.“WhenIwenttocollegeattheUniversityofIllinoisintheearly’80s,therewasalotofapathy,andconservativeswerelikeendangeredspecies.Now,we’reseeingaresurgenceofconservatism.” MoorespokeattheUniversityofNorthCarolina-Chapel

Hill’sbusinessschoolearlierthisyearandatRiponCollegeinWisconsininlatespring.MooreisalsoaregularspeakerattheFoundation’scollegeandhighschoolconferenceseachsummerandfrequentlyaddressestheNationalJournalismCenter’sinternshipclasses. PriortohisworkattheJournal,MooreservedintheReaganadministrationasresearchdirectorforPresidentReagan’sCommissionforPrivatization. “Ididn’treallyappreciatehowgreatapresidentReaganwasuntillongafter,”Mooresaid.“Themoretimegoesby,themoreyourealizewhatagreathistoricalfigurehewas.WhenIworkedwithhiminthe’80s,itdidn’tseemlikeabigdeal,butnow,it’soneofthethingsI’mmostproudof.” “[Reagan]believedinthepowerofmarketsandthepowerofcompetition,”Moorecontinued.“Healsohadaboundlessoptimismthatthroughhardworkandperseverance,wecanallgetahead.” In2006and2008,Mr.MoorecelebratedPresidentReagan’slastingaccomplishmentsasthefeaturedspeaker

An Interview with the

Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Moore–––

By Paul Conner, National Journalism Center Intern

The Wall Street Journal’s senior economics writer, Stephen Moore, addresses National Journalism Center (NJC) interns at the NJC office in the National Press Building.

N A t I o N A l J o u R N A l I S m C E N t E R


attheReaganRanchCenterandRanchodelCieloontheanniversaryofthesigningof1981taxcuts—legislationsignedbyPresidentReaganatRanchodelCielo. “TheReaganRanchisalandmarktocommemoratetheseideas,”Mooresaid.“Thisiswherethe1981EconomicRecoveryActtaxcutwassignedintolaw—thusunleashing25yearsofprosperityandjobs.” MoorehasalsobeenanoutspokencriticofPresidentObama’seconomicpolicies,callingtheaccumulateddebt“fiscalchildabuse”and“disgusting.” “It’sahardworldoutthere,andBarackObamaisnotmakingitanyeasierbydestroyingjobsanddestroyingourfuture,”Mooresaid.“Ithinkthe$3trilliondebtthatwe’verungupunderPresidentObamaisacrimeagainstfuturegenerations.” Today’syoungpeoplearekeenlyawareoftheeconomicuncertaintyfacingtheirgenerationandournation,andStephenMoore’sdedicationtoreachingstudentswiththeimportanceoffreemarketprinciplesisneedednowmorethanever.

OfStephenMoore’saddressatTheGeorgeWashingtonUniversity,FoundationstudentactivistGiovanniTomasinoted,“Heofferedexcellentinsightintothecurrenteconomiccrisis.AtatimewhentheLeftdistortsfreemarketlogictoforceasocialistagendauponoursociety,Mr.Mooreeloquentlyanddefinitivelydisprovedleftistlieswithpurefactsandreason.Hisinsightintothecurrentstateofoureconomyisamustforanyindividualwhoseekstotrulyunderstandthefinancialcrisis.”——————————————————————————Paul Conner is a senior at North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina. He participated in the National Journalism Center’s 2010 summer program where he interned at The Daily Caller in Washington, D.C.——————————————————————————TobringStephenMooretoyourcampus,contactPatrickX.Coyleatpcoyle@yaf.orgorcall800-USA-1776.FormoreinformationabouttheNationalJournalismCenter,call202-628-1490.

(Clockwise from top left) Stephen Moore delivers an energetic speech for the National Journalism Center interns and NJC Academic Director Dr. Stephen Bird (pictured right). The Wall Street Journal writer highlights the importance of the free market for Young America’s Foundation conference attendees. Moore headlines the Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act at the Reagan Ranch Center. Moore signs copies of his latest book, End of Prosperity, for students attending the Foundation’s National High School Leadership Conference.

All-inclusive weekend price: $2,163 per couple (excluding airline travel)Space is Limited (Five couple limit per weekend)

Ronald Reagan’s100th Birthday celebrate

in the place that meant the most to him

2011 marks the 100th anniversary of President Reagan’s birth. To join the nationwide celebration commemorating his 100th birthday, Young America’s Foundation President Ron Robinson and his wife, Michelle Easton, will host a series of exclusive weekend getaways at Ronald Reagan’s beloved ranch in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.

You’ll be one of a very select group of people who have spent time at the Ranch, including Margaret Thatcher, Ed Meese, George H. W. Bush, Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and, of course, Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

Your Reagan 100 Retreat Weekend will be an experience you will never forget!

Accommodations:Your getaway weekend includes luxurious accommodations at the stunning, oceanfront Biltmore Four Seasons Resort. This classic West Coast resort blends the glory of historic California with the Four Seasons’ finest service in the heart of the “American Riviera.” During the Reagan Presidency, the senior White House staff and Cabinet secretaries stayed at the Biltmore.

Reagan Ranch Visit:The centerpiece outing of this exclusive weekend is our VIP private visit to Ronald Reagan’s Rancho del Cielo. You will visit the small adobe home, still fully furnished just as the Reagans left it, as well as the guest house and tack barn. Your day at the Ranch will also include a gourmet lunch on the lawn just outside the main house. You’ll dine alongside Lake Lucky, under the shade of the willow trees that Ronald Reagan planted himself.

Santa Barbara Sites:A trolley tour will take you along quaint streets to some of the must-see historic sites of the city, including the 19th century Santa Barbara Mission. For dining, a special treat is planned in the heart of Santa Barbara. As a guest in the private dining room of the Wine Cask, Santa Barbara’s most highly acclaimed restaurant, you’ll enjoy a five-course menu featuring the chef ’s custom creations made with regional ingredients.

“From the First day we saw it, rancho del cielo cast a spell over us. no place beFore or since has ever given nancy and me the joy and serenity it does.” – ronald reagan

When you arrive in Santa Barbara, your every need will be met based on an all-inclusive price including:

• Complimentary transportation to the Biltmore Four Seasons Resort (from Santa Barbara airport)

• Reagan Ranch Roundtable Luncheon featuring a notable conservative leader

• Two-night, five-star accommodations at the historic, oceanfront Biltmore Four Seasons Resort

• VIP visit experience at Ronald Reagan’s “Western White House,” Rancho del Cielo

• Behind-the-scenes tour of the new Reagan Ranch Center and Exhibit Gallery

• All meals including two luncheons, two receptions, two dinners, and a full breakfast

• Trolley tour of historic, downtown Santa Barbara including the 19th Century Santa Barbara Mission

Reagan 100 Retreat Weekend Dates:February 18 to 20 • March 11 to 13

August 12 to 14 • September 16 to 18 • October 21 to 23

All-inclusive weekend price: $2,163 per couple (excluding airline travel)Space is Limited (Five couple limit per weekend)

Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

reserve your space today. Please call Jason Barbour at (336)286-1701.

R e a g a n 1 0 0 R e t r e a t W e e k e n d ItineraryFriday

Reagan Ranch Roundtable Luncheon (past speakers at the Reagan Ranch Center have included Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senator Jim DeMint, actor Ben Stein, best-selling author Michelle Malkin, and others)Reception and dinner (Biltmore Four Seasons Resort)

SaturdayBreakfast (Biltmore Four Seasons Resort)Tour of the Reagan Ranch CenterExclusive visit to and luncheon at the Reagan RanchTrolley tour of historic Santa BarbaraReception and dinner (Wine Cask)

•

•

•••••

“I would rate the weekend as a ‘10 ’…it was truly a memorable occasion.” – John and Janet Beck, Mequon, Wisconsin

Senator Jim DeMint motivates students and supporters at a special breakfast at the Reagan Ranch Center.


nmymind,Ronald Reaganwasalwaysagreat President,butaftervisiting theReaganRanch,Iknowhewouldhavebeenagreatfriend,too. IneverhadthechancetomeetRonaldReaganinperson.IcametoWashingtonyearsafterhelefttheWhiteHouse.Bythattime,hewasmoreofaniconthanarealperson.IknewhimasthemanwhowontheColdWaranddefeatedcommunism.Hisphotowasinhomes,offices,andmuseumsallaroundthecountry.Hewasalegend. Itwasn’tuntilIwalkedthesamedustypathshewalkedandsteppedinsidehishomethatIrealizedhewasalsoaregularguy. Eventhoughhewastheleaderofthemostpowerfulnationintheworld,hepreferredtodochoreshimselfratherthancallingonahandymantodoitforhim.Helaidthestonepatio,piecebypiece,outsidehishome.Hechoppedupusedtelephonepolestobuildfencesaroundtheproperty.Ratherthanpurchasingaking-sizedbedforhisandNancy’sbedroom,hepushedtwosmall,twin-sizedbedstogetherandboundthemwithplasticties. IfyouwalkdownahorsetrailthatprovidesastrikingviewofthedistantPacificOcean,you’llseeanoldrockwherethePresidentcarvedhisandNancy’sinitialsinsideaheart.

Meeting Ronald ReaganMeeting Ronald ReaganB y s e n A t o R J i m D e m i n t

ii Themoststrikingthingaboutvisiting

theReaganRanch,however,isthesenseonegetswithhowcomfortableRonaldReaganwaswith

himself.Formanypeople,especiallythosewhoachievegreatrecognitionandfame,it’saveryhardthingtobealone.They’reconstantlyseekingapproval,praise,andconsultationfromothers.NotRonaldReagan. Whenhehadtomakeatoughdecision,heoftenretreatedtohisRanchodelCielo—“TheRanchintheHeavens”—tothink.It’swherehetalkedtoGod.Heoncesaid,“Ridingononeofthetree-linedtrails,orgazingupatthewesternskies,well,there’snobetterwayIknowoftosortoutaproblem.” TheRanchiswhereRonaldReaganbecamerealtome.BeforeIcametoSantaBarbara,IknewmanythingsaboutReagan’spoliticallifebutlittleabouthowmuchhelovedGod,hisfamily,andthisbeautifulnation. RonaldReaganwasalwaysamanIwantedtoknow.Aftervisitinghisranch—nowprotectedandpreservedbyYoungAmerica’sFoundation—IfeellikeIdo.

Senator DeMint is inspired by his journey to Ronald Reagan’s

Rancho del Cielo.

Students and supporters line up to meet with Senator DeMint and receive copies of his book, Saving Freedom, at a Foundation event at the Reagan Ranch Center.

Meeting Ronald Reagan

Dr. Walter Williams Steven F. Hayward Attorney General Edwin Meese III

Ron Robinson Michelle Easton

ChildrenfromtheSantaBarbaraareavisittheFoundation’s9/11: Never ForgetdisplayorganizedbystudentsfromtheUniversityofCalifornia–SantaBarbaratorememberthosemurderedbyradical

jihadistsnineyearsago.Picturedfromleft:PeterCoffin,MayaOrtiz,LizaCoffin,RubyKilpper,MaggieCoffin,andVictorOrtiz.

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