Chris Matthews Remembers Tip O'Neil, Ronald Reagan, and Political Compromise

From 1980 to 1986, Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill waged a principled war of political ideals with President Reagan. The two men made compromises that shaped America’s future and became one of history’s most celebrated political pairings—and they remain a prime example of how ideological opposites can get things done. Chris Matthews was a top aide to Tip O’Neill, and in his book Tip and the Gipper, Matthews tells how the two leaders fought over the major issues of the day—welfare, taxes, covert military operations, and Social Security—but found their way to agreements that reformed taxes, saved Social Security, and brought peace to Northern Ireland.