Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for August 27, 1989
August 26, 1989
August 28, 1989
Transcript:
Baseball player: Looks like it's comin' at me in slow motion...guess I better start my swing. Merv: ...And with two away and two strikes, Franco has to be feeling the pressure, eh, Mr. President? Ronald Reagan: That's right, Merv...but when you think about it, Marv, what a source of pride he must be to other ball players with difficult names to pronounce. I remember when I was in Hollywood, Sam Goldwin used to tell a great story about that sort of thing! I myself, back when I was a lifeguard in Bureka, Illinois, I saw a movie in which there was a sheriff, no, no. A halfback, which was a funny thing because I was a pitcher, at Notre Dame before I did live radio. Merv: Excuse me, Mr. President... Ronald Reagan: I imagine this batter Pella probably never saw the movie, but what is it, Mike? Merv: Franco's no longer at bat, sir. He hit a home run. Ronald Reagan: A home run? Gosh! Okay, you say his name, and I'll do the sound effect! Merv: I'm afraid he's already in the showers, sir. Ronald Reagan: I can do shower rooms, too! Whooosh! Drip, drip! Snap! Ow!
I often wonder how things would have changed if his diagnosis had been made back in the early 80’s, if not earlier. I mean I realize that becoming or remaining President would have been out of the question but I wonder if the scrutiny would have been lessened.