Nofziger

the long version

Nofziger is the memoir of one of the most remarkable figures in Republican politics, Lyn Nofziger. Reporter, press secretary for Ronald Reagan's first run for office, official in the Nixon White House and the Reagan presidency, Nofziger has packed several lifetimes of political excitement into three-and-a-half decades. A bit rumpled but always with a twinkle in his eye, he sports a Mickey Mouse tie for all occasions to show that he doesn't take himself too seriously in a world where many people often do - the world of politics. Nofziger's dry, blunt sense of humor is one of the best in the business. His keen eye for the political process, clear political philosophy, and straight-forward attitude with all who know him have earned him the respect of political leaders, grass roots workers, and journalists across the entire political spectrum. Nofziger began his career not as a political activist, but as a reporter with the Copley Newspapers in California. Later, in the Sixties, as Copley's chief Washington correspondent he covered the Nixon and Goldwater campaigns. By 1966 he had been recruited to be press secretary in Reagan's successful California gubernatorial campaign and then communications director in the governor's office. From Sacramento, he went to the Nixon White House, the Republican National Committee and, after Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 nomination campaign, the Ford-Dole presidential ticket. In 1980, as part of the winning team, his long-held hope for a Reagan presidency came true. Although Nofziger is a political memoir, he includes personal stories about Ronald Reagan. Nofziger's knowledge about Reagan's political campaigns and his administration gives insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the 40th president and those around him. Nofziger also explores his relationships with many other major political figures, including Richard Nixon, James Baker, Edwin Meese, and Nancy Reagan. After leaving the Reagan White House, Nofziger tried his hand at Washington lobbying resulting in his indictment, trial, conviction, and subsequent vindication on charges of violating federal ethics laws. He deals candidly with his trial proceedings, their effect on his personal life, and the special prosecutor statute and what it has done to American justice. Reading Nofziger is like sitting down and kicking back with Lyn himself. As irreverent and outspoken as ever, he explores his long career in politics with the leading figures of our time and the men and women who covered them in the news media. If you like politics - no matter which side you take - you will love Nofziger.