"As the age of television progresses the Reagans will be the rule, not the exception. To be perfect for television is all a President has to be these days"

Gore Vidal's quote is a commentary on the altering nature of politics in the age of television. He recommends that the Reagans, with their polished and telegenic image, are the new requirement for political leaders. In this era, it is no longer essential for a President to have a deep understanding of policy or a long history of civil service; all that is required is to be perfect for television. Vidal's quote suggests that the concentrate on image over compound has actually ended up being the norm in politics, which the Reagans are the exemplars of this brand-new trend. This quote is a caution that the public must watch out for political leaders who are more interested in their image than their policies.