and that, too, offered an interesting counterpoint to nancy reagan because nancy reagan and gorbachev did not get along and all. so it was quite a bit different. sir. >> the comment i was waiting for you to talk about was the rhymes with which comment. could you put that in context? >> i certainly could. you know, i just ran out of time. i'm sorry. i did have it here. the comment that this gentleman is referring to came about in 1984. it was mr. bush running for reelection as vice president. he had a debate with geraldine ferraro, the democratic nominee for vice presidents. in the debate ferrara said that he had no idea when normal people were going through because his wealth and so it is him from normal life. so mrs. bush was on the campaign trail, the campaign airplane the next day. she was talking to reporters. she was obviously really unhappy about that comment. she said, well, you know, geraldine ferraro and her husband, they probably have more money than george bush. they could probably buy and sell george bush. then she said, and i can say with that woman is, but it rhymes with

and ronald reagan there was no one in their lives but nancy and ronald reagan. they love each other that much even to this day. and i was at the reagan library i overheard nancy reagan talking to jerry pryor because jerry parr came with me and i heard her say thank us for giving me my life back. this is 30 years later. she comes into the er. reagan caesar and says, honey, i forgot to duck. cracks a joke. i have to tell you, i am shot and that the chest tube in my site and by the way the chest of the doctors tell me is extremely painful. i'm not sure i'm cracking a joke. this guy is cracking a joke. he gets will than to surgery, emergency surgery to remove the bullet by the way. he sees the three top advisers and says who is minding the store? he gives wilton to surgery, right at that moment he pops his elbow upon the operating table and takes off the oxygen masten says i hope you are all republican. [laughter] lies back down. these words got out of the public and what did the public think? well you know, he is a tough guy kind of, older but a

by the time someone is as powerful as oprah winfrey or liank sinatra or nancy reagan il try a and get behind that mythologies and gave me such ase gift. it did take four years to do this book i had to interview over 850 to get the story that e was fabulous. she was born poor in a racistcit state, she's become one of the most powerful below the icons of our century. wi the gs a gift to be able to write her life story.

or nancy reagan they already have legions of publicists who have been telling their story along time and i tried to get behind that pathology. to a better reality. >> what is your next topic? >> guest: i don't know. i am open for suggestions. after doing oprah winfrey, she was a biographer's dream. she gave me such a gift. it did take four years to do this book and i had to interview 850 people to get the story. it was a fabulous story. she was born or in a racist state. she has become one of the most powerful, beloved icon of our century. with the gift to be able to write their life story, i don't know how to top it right now. >> host: kitty kelley, oprah:autobiography earliest book. daniel rasmussen discusses his book "american uprising" at the second annual gaithersburg book festival at gaithersburg, merriman. >> gaithersburg proudly supports arts and culture and we are pleased to bring this event free of charge thanks to the support of our generous sponsors. a couple quick announcements. for the consideration of everyone here please silence any devices that make any noise. your f

. >> well known author kitty kelley has written about frank sinatra, nancy reagan, the bush family among other topics and now oprah. kitty kelley, does oprah have a role in the political world? >> oh, no question. being probably one of the most powerful women not just in our country, but globally, she has immense power. because she's a communicator, and she influences millions and millions of people. just ask president obama. [laughter]

nancy reagan said she would not under any circumstances -- >> do you think the obamas will?is a man that -- that -- he would do it out of respect, i think, but i don't think it would be a major issue. certainly -- i remember we all hoped they were going to come to the wedding but there was never this question, would he bow? i think he'll respect the queen. >> they have a warm personal relationship. remember the -- the back pat by michelle obama and the queen and queen reciprocated by putting her arm around her waist. it was a big deal at the time. they do have a special dynamic. >> always a special relationship. let's not forget, two-fold, the business is not just personal. there are serious foreign policy issues that have to be discussed. but today is the fun day. president obama is very popular in europe. he's also -- he's on course for an election next year, which he should win, hopefully, many people would say hopefully. so i think yesterday in ireland was a fantastic day for him. he certainly secured the irish vote yesterday. and today americans love visits to britain.