Craig Shirley, a Washington public affairs executive and author of two books on President Reagan, says the former president's son has no evidence to base his allegation that his father was afflicted by Alzheimer's Disease as early as his first term in the White House.

"Ronald Reagan deeply loved his son, Ronald Prescott and indeed all of his children. He demonstrated that love in countless ways throughout his life. If one reads President Reagan's diaries from 1981 until 1989, they would discover a man completely in control of his own destiny," Shirley said in a statement issued today.

"Biographers of President Reagan and his presidency are legion and while some may dispute his policies or decisions, not one credible individual has ever brought up anything or suggested anything other than a physically and mentally vigorous man.

"The body of evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of President Reagan. From doctors to aides to hundreds of others who were in close contact with Ronald Reagan day-by-day during his presidency, there was never any report or suggestion or hint or accusation or rumor of Alzheimer's.

"In the heat of the 1980 campaign, Reagan issued a statement saying that if he was ever diagnosed with any intellectual limitations, he would resign the presidency. No limitations were ever found or even contemplated in his historic and consequential term of office."

Ronald Reagan Jr. has a new book that is being released to coincide with the Feb. 6 centennial of his father's birth. The Alzheimer's charge is not new, but appears to be part of the son's attempt to sell more books about his famous father, according to AllahPundit at Hot Air.

Shirley's books focus on Reagan's 1976 and 1980 campaigns for the White House.