Regan was headed for a reckoning with Nancy Reagan. In January of 1987, the president was in the hospital recovering from a prostate operation. Regan was eager to schedule a presidential press conference as soon as possible. During a phone call with Reagan’s chief, Nancy objected—then finally relented, snapping: “Okay, have your damn press conference!” Regan replied, “You bet I will!” Then he slammed down the phone. When Baker heard about the incident, he knew Regan was finished. “He hung up on the first lady!” Baker recalls, still incredulous, thirty years later. “That’s not just a firing
...more
