To the Editor:

Fred I. Greenstein, the presidential historian at Princeton University, says Ronald Reagan was an above-average president (“Nowadays, a Candidate Can Seem Too Experienced,” Week in Review, March 18). I disagree.

After the nearly scandal-free Carter administration, the Reagan administration scandals involved top officials and harmed the country.

The Iran-contra scandal involved sales of weapons to Iran in violation of federal law to finance the contra rebels in Nicaragua, also in violation of federal law. Eleven administration officials were convicted, and Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger avoided trial only because President George H. W. Bush pardoned him.

President Reagan ignored the growing AIDS problem for at least four years, during which a more activist approach could have advanced research and saved many lives then and later. The Reagan presidency above average? I think not.

Joel Rubinstein
San Francisco, March 18, 2007

Note from KBJ: Joel Rubinstein may be the only person in the United States who has fond memories of the Carter presidency.