Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Kim Johnson ReportingRichard Wirthlin of Holladay is one of many who will be traveling to the nation's capitol for Reagan's funeral services on Friday. Wirthlin, a former LDS general authority and founder of Wirthlin Worldwide, wrote the road map that got Reagan to the White House.
Richard Wirthlin: "Among the journalists and political afficianados, it's known as the black book. And there it is, it's the campaign strategy that formed the structure for the campaign."
Wirthlin, along with a couple of BYU political science professors, wrote it in a motel room just off the BYU campus. It was the strategic blueprint of a campaign that would change Reagan's title from Governor to President.
In fact, Wirthlin was the first person to tell Reagan, early on election day he was going to win. But he says he first had to convince Nancy to get her husband out of the shower to tell him he was going to win the presidency by a landslide.
Richard Wirthlin: "He said to me, ‘Dick, let's wait until the vote is fully counted.’ I said, ‘Fine Governor, just thought you'd like to know Mr. President."
Wirthlin, who earned a Ph D from UC Berkeley, had conducted polling for Reagan during his gubernatorial campaign in California. He says at first he thought Reagan was too conservative, and he was skeptical of the actor turned politician. But Wirthlin says after a short time, he became convinced Reagan was an unusual and talented man with substance to match his charm.
Richard Wirthlin: "You can persuade by reason, but if you want someone to vote for you, or to support a cause, you have to tap into emotions and values, and Reagan did that intuitively. We didn't have to block it out for him."
Wirthlin remembers Reagan as a very open, forgiving man.
Richard Wirthlin: "It was hard for Reagan to dislike anyone for a long time, which I think is a testimony to the man and his character."
Wirthlin says he was on a plane with Reagan and Mike Deaver when he became aware that Reagan was also a God-fearing man who believed in prayer.
Richard Wirthlin: “As the plane taxied out to the runway I noticed Ronald Reagan was bent over with his face in his hands. I said to Mike, "Is the governor ill?" And he smiled and said, ‘He's praying.’"
Wirthlin says as President, Reagan brought an end to the cold war and bolstered the economy, but says his greatest legacy is that he instilled hope and optimism in Americans when they needed it.
Wirthlin is writing a book about his 36-year friendship with President Reagan. He can't say yet though when it will be out.
