Nancy Reagan news stories on Newser

Jane Fonda Set to Play Nancy Reagan

Matt Cantor — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:32:05 CDT

Jane Fonda, whose liberal views made her a scourge of the political right during the Vietnam War era, will play Nancy Reagan in an upcoming movie. The Butler chronicles the life of longtime White House butler Eugene Allen. Forest Whitaker is nearing a deal to play Allen, who worked under...

Noonan on Reagan and Kennedy: 'Grace Met Grace'

Jane Yager — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:53:11 CDT

Peggy Noonan recounts the unlikely friendship of the Kennedys and the Reagans and the time "grace met grace"—when President Reagan ventured to Ted's house in 1985 to make a speech honoring JFK and raise money for his new library. "A friendship that had already begun deepened," writes Noonan in...

Byrd: Rename Health Bill for Kennedy

Harry Kimball — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:38:15 CDT

Senator Robert Byrd wants his colleagues to honor Ted Kennedy by renaming health care legislation in his honor, Politico reports. “As a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling,” said Byrd, 92, himself in poor health. "My heart and soul weeps at...

Reagan Statue Unveiled on Hill

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:52:21 CDT

An overjoyed and teary-eyed Nancy Reagan watched with delight as a bronze statue of her beloved late husband Ronald Reagan was unveiled at the US Capitol today. Reagan-era policymakers also looked on in the Capitol's Rotunda as blue cloth was pulled to reveal a 7-foot statue that casts the 40th...

Nancy to Obama: 'Oh, You're a Lefty!'

John Johnson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:03:57 CDT

No snubs today. Nancy Reagan even got a kiss on the cheek from President Obama as she appeared with him at the White House, reports ABC News. With the smiling former first lady by his side, Obama set up a commission to plan the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth in...

Nancy Reagan: 'I See Ronnie'

Kevin Spak — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:20:29 CDT

Nancy Reagan sees dead people. In an interview with Vanity Fair to be published this week, the former first lady talks about her relationship with the Obamas and Bushes, her time in Washington, and her husband’s ghost. “It sounds strange but…I see Ronnie,” she says. “At nighttime, if I wake...

London OKs 10-Ft. Bronze Reagan Statue

Harry Kimball — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:07:12 CDT

London officials have overcome their distaste for an American artist and approved a 10-foot, bronze statue of President Reagan, the Independent reports. The Westminster City Council also waived a rule delaying statues for 10 years after a figure's death; Reagan died 5 years ago. Nancy Reagan and former PM Margaret...

Nancy Reagan Lauds Obama on Stem-Cell Ban

Nick McMaster — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:18:50 CDT

Barack Obama lifted the Bush administration’s ban on stem-cell research today amid criticism from congressional Republicans but admiration from one Nancy Reagan, Politico reports. Lifting the ban “will now make it possible for scientists to move forward,” the former first lady said in a statement. “I urge researchers to do...

Obama Sorry for Reagan 'Seance' Joke

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:33:00 CST

President-elect Obama called Nancy Reagan today to apologize for joking that she held seances in the White House, the AP reports. At a news conference in Chicago, Obama said he had spoken with all the living presidents as he prepares to take office in January. Then he smiled and said,...