Around New England

‘Mr. Green’ of Reagan Debate Fame Dies At 81

September 22, 2017

Jon Breen was a Nashua Telegraph editor moderating a debate between Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush just before the New Hampshire primary in 1980 when he entered the history books, albeit with a mangled version of his name. At one point Reagan wanted to argue that other Republican presidential candidates waiting offstage ought to be allowed to participate in the debate; Breen ordered the sound man to cut off Reagan’s microphone, leading Reagan to say, “I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green,” an act of perceived strength that helped propel Reagan to victory.