Leaders | From the archive

Now wake the brave

Photograph: AFP

Editor’s note (July 15th 2024): This piece was originally published in The Economist on April 4th 1981.

ON MONDAY AFTERNOON the 70-year-old leader of the free world made some brave, relaxed jokes while a bullet lay a few inches from his heart. The practical effect may be a proud surge of support and sympathy that could in the next few months enable President Reagan to push through the congress and the special-interest groups almost any policies he wants.

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