Duberstein was once a “shut confidant” and adviser to Reagan, serving within the White Area firstly of the Republican President’s first time period in workplace and within the homestretch of his 2nd time period.
He first joined the management as a congressional liaison in 1981, serving to push Reagan’s tax cuts and finances proposal via Congress.
He resigned in 1983 and joined a lobbying company, most effective to be known as again to the White Area in 1987, when Reagan’s approval scores have been at an rock bottom following the Iran-Contra scandal.
This time, he returned to the Oval Place of job as deputy leader of personnel as a part of a brand new staff that incorporated Howard Baker as leader of personnel and Colin Powell as nationwide safety adviser.
“Ronald Reagan, moderately than being a lame duck, a digital lifeless duck for the final two years, made up our minds to wash area, get recent voices,” Duberstein instructed CNN in an interview in 2014. “We helped him rebuild the ones final two years. So in many ways, the final two years have been an important two years. Strategic hands talks and a treaty with the Soviet Union.”
Duberstein later succeeded Baker as leader of personnel, in July 1988, and helped the Reagans transition out of the White Area and go back to personal lifestyles in the ones ultimate months.
When Reagan left the White Area on January 20, 1989, leaving the keys to his successor and vp George H.W. Bush, Duberstein departed Washington with Reagan on Air Pressure One again to California.
“Ken was once a champion of the insurance policies and ideas of Ronald Reagan and successfully served his management in a couple of roles,” Fred Ryan, chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Basis and Institute, stated in a commentary. “He’ll be ignored by way of all folks who had the danger to paintings with him.”
James Baker, the longtime Republican Birthday celebration grandee who additionally served as one in every of Reagan’s chiefs of personnel, described Duberstein on Thursday as a “consummate Washington insider, person who skillfully operated on the intersection politics and public coverage.”
“Tirelessly pragmatic, he diligently helped President Reagan push his schedule via a Area managed by way of Democrats,” persisted Baker, who additionally stated, “The united states has misplaced a perfect patriot.”
He extensively utilized his insider wisdom of Washington, operating as a expert at the TV display “The West Wing.”
The sooner a part of his govt occupation was once spent operating for the Common Services and products Management within the Seventies and later the Division of Hard work all over the Ford management. He additionally interned for Republican Sen. Jacob Javits of New York.
Duberstein was once maximum lately chairman and CEO of The Duberstein Staff, a strategic making plans and consulting corporate.
He’s survived by way of his spouse, Jacquelyn, and 4 youngsters.
This tale has been up to date to incorporate further response.
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny contributed to this file.
