Ronald Reagan, fortieth President, as Governor of California

1 page (8 7/8 x 6 in.; 227 x 152 mm) on notepaper, [Sacramento, 26 February 1968], to Maytor McKinley, Los Angeles, neatly ruled through in red and with filing date "2–26–68."

The Forbes Collection (Christie's New York, 27 March 2002, lot 201)

1 page (8 7/8 x 6 in.; 227 x 152 mm) on notepaper, [Sacramento, 26 February 1968], to Maytor McKinley, Los Angeles, neatly ruled through in red and with filing date "2–26–68."
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

GOVERNOR REAGAN STATES THAT HE WILL NOT "PRESENT MYSELF AS A CANDIDATE" FOR THE PRESIDENCY: "THAT JOB SHOULD SEEK THE MAN."

In early 1968, the main contenders for the Republican presidential nomination were Richard Nixon, George Romney, and Nelson Rockefeller. Party conservatives and Reagan confidants began to position the recently elected governor as "favorite son" candidate, ready to step in should Nixon's campaign falter. In this letter to an early supporter, Reagan disavows his intention of seeking the presidency: 

"I very much appreciate your good opinion and am greatly honored as I’ve told you before that you should think of me in connection with that other office.  However I do not believe I should present myself as a candidate nor will I.  To be honest I’ve always believed no man should.  That job should seek the man."

Ironically, as Nixon gained in the delegate count and seemed assured of first-ballot victory, Reagan became more enamored of the idea of running for president.  On the eve of the Republican convention in Miami Beach, Reagan declared himself an active candidate for the party’s presidential nomination.  By then, however, Nixon had the nomination all sewn up, and Reagan’s only remaining option was to stride to the podium and urge the convention to "declare itself unanimously and unitedly behind the candidate Richard Nixon as the next President of the United States." 

Despite the ineffectiveness of his 1968 shadow candidacy, that campaign did help bring Reagan to national prominence and make him a more formidable candidate in 1976 and 1980.