Phil Brennan, NewsMax.com
Monday, June 7, 2004

Powell explained how, instead of parading America's might before a visiting Mikail Gorbachev, the president wanted to take the Soviet leader to his ranch or to an automobile factory to show him "the goodness of America, how America works, and he wanted that same sort of system to ultimately persuade the Soviet Union that it should move in that direction,"

But that was not possible, Powell explained, even though Gorbachev tried to restructure and reform the Soviet Union. "But it couldn't be restructured," Powell said. "It had to be taken apart because communism was a failed ideology."

And he added, "Reagan knew that."

The cold war ended without a shot being fired, and Poweel told CNN that, "one of the reasons for that is we remained strong. ...And so showed the Soviet Union that, look, we are prepared to do what it takes, spend whatever is necessary so that America is strong, but we want to use this strength for peace, not to attack you, not to threaten you. Now that you know we're strong and you can't defeat us, let's work on a way forward where we can help you, where we can help the Soviet Union."

Powell cited another example of Reagan's optimism by recalling a conversation with the president when there was a lot of concern about how much the Japanese were investing in the United States.

Some people were suggesting the U.S ought to do something about the Japanese, who were buying golf courses, buildings, and all of our real estate and whatnot, and were saying we ought to do something about it.

But Reagan smiled and said, "No, we're not going to do anything about it. I am glad they know a good investment when they see one. I'm so proud people think America is such a good investment that they're sending their money here."

Said Powell: "You know, that just blew us away. His optimism."

Editor's note: