Rohrabacher's Run-In With Reagan

As the campfire that is the President Ronald Reagan centennial heats up (Reagan was born on February 6, 1911), more and more stories from people who had worked with the Gipper are rising to the surface.

At the Pacific Research Institute’s Reagan Centennial Celebration at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach this week, among the guests were Reagan administration economic adviser and economist Art Laffer and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, both of whom shared Reagan stories.

Rohrabacher, currently a California Congressman and formerly a White House speechwriter during the Reagan Administration, recalled when, in 1966, he spent the night on the back lawn of Reagan’s Pacific Palisades home, hoping to speak with the candidate for governor. Somewhere around 7 a.m. Nancy Reagan tried to usher the camper away, preferring that he meet with the campaign manager at a later date.

Rohrabacher gave up on his quest. Somewhat dejected, he turned and made the long walk down the Reagans' lengthy Palisades driveway, sleeping bag in hand.

That's when Ronald Reagan came running after him. He told Rohrabacher, “If you can spend a night on my back lawn I can spend a few minutes with you.”

Rohrabacher smiled to those in attendance inside the hotel ballroom.

“That is when Ronald Reagan captured my heart,” he said.