Ronald Reagan was a funny man.
While he was often criticized for not working hard enough as President, he actually had a very strong work ethic. He worked long hours trying to communicate effectively.
And one of Reagan’s strongest communication skills was his clever use of humor. This is well-demonstrated by his legacy of effective and funny Ronald Reagan jokes and quotes.
He joked with foreign leaders, the press, and ordinary citizens. Reagan often used wit and his innate sense of humor to prove a point. He used humor and jokes to connect with the American public and take on his political opponents, both American and foreign.
With the media, he took more than a few sly jabs. To a reporter, he once said, “It’s my job to solve all the country’s problems, and it’s your job to make sure no one finds out about it.” And he could get away without sounding mean due to his easygoing manner and tongue-in-cheek delivery.
When running for office, Reagan used humor shrewdly. For example, during a 1984 presidential debate with Walter Mondale, he said “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” Mondale had to laugh along with the joke.
After the failed attempt on his life in 1981, he wisecracked with his doctors, “I hope you are all Republicans.” To his wife Nancy, he jested, “Honey, I forgot to duck.”
Reagan also used self-deprecating humor frequently. When he took criticism for nodding off at the White House during the day, he poked fun at himself by saying, “I’ve given my aides instructions that if trouble breaks out in any of the world’s hot spots, they should wake me up immediately — even if I’m in a Cabinet meeting.”
Here are several more funny Ronald Reagan jokes and quotes to brighten your day:
“I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon.”
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
And regarding Clint Eastwood’s run for mayor of Carmel: “What makes him think a middle-aged actor, who’s played with a chimp, could have a future in politics?”
“Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.”
If you love Ronald Reagan — or just love to laugh — and want to keep Reagan’s spirit alive, check out these Ronald Reagan quotes and jokes.
Laughter was Reagan’s way to create a special bond between himself and his audience. There’s a lot we can learn from Reagan’s great sense of humor.
Editor’s Note: For a limited time, Newsmax is making a CD of Ronald Reagan’s Greatest Laughs available for just $1. Go here now to find these funny Ronald Reagan quotes and jokes.
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