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From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today.

Americana: 31/01/2011

31/01/2011

BBC World Service - Americana, 31/01/2011

The politics and personalities of US presidents

An insider guide to the people and the stories shaping America today. Matt Frei looks at the politics and personalities of US presidents.

Next week would be the 100th birthday of former President and Republican favourite Ronald Reagan. His son Ron Reagan shares his name but grew up to become quite different from his father. He talks about life inside the home of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and about what it was like to grow up in the shadow of the actor, turned governor, turned President of the United States.

President Ronald Reagan was a champion of America’s small business economy. Today, more than half of all Americans either own, or work for, a small business. Butch and Rita McNinch own Dutch Diner in President Reagan’s hometown. They talk about the challenges of, and value in, operating a small business in Tampico, Illinois.  

This month is the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s Presidential inauguration. The Washington D.C. arts centre which carry’s his name is celebrating that anniversary though a series of special concerts remembering JFK’s legacy. The Kennedy Center’s Music Director Christoph Eschenbach and Hollywood film star Richard Dreyfuss share their impressions of the work and the man. 

Some claim that the legacies of both Presidents Reagan and Kennedy have grown larger than life. It might be hard for some to imagine the beginning stages of such careers but for Herman Cain, the beginning is the most exciting part. Cain is an underdog Republican (Tea Party) candidate. He talks to Americana about his hopes to lead the nation as the 45th President of the United States.

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