In this way I feel he is direct precursor to George W. - someone who appears to act according to the wishes of others without much too offer intellectually by himself. Someone who appears above responsibility and is devoted to the point of blindness to a pet opponent (whether Russia then or Iraq now).

Reagan demonstrated that the U.S. President can be nothing more than a talking head and if that's a sign of greatness then, yes, Reagan was great. However reducing the Presidency to a symbolic position with others making the decisions (remember George "I am in charge!" Schultz), reduicing the position to where the President can take occassional nods at meetings, instead of an active involvement certainly disqualifies Reagan as a great President.

But as a person his charm and charisma were unquestioned, his humor cutting and self-effacing, and it is this person we shall miss. Ronald Reagan the person.