Dana Rene Bowler / Star staff Nonfiction author and biographer Lou Cannon speaks before an audience of about 100 Friday at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.

According to the nation's most prolific biographer of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush's presidency won't pass "the Reagan test."

"That's a hard test to pass, and we don't think he did," said Lou Cannon, who spoke before an audience of about 100 Friday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

While Bush professes to emulate Reagan, after decades of interviewing and researching the nation's 40th president, Cannon said Bush won't have the same legacy, which he describes as a formidable shadow.

There are some similarities, like Bush's judicial appointments and tax policies, but Reagan would not have brought a war to Iraq, he said.

In the audience, members held copies of Cannon's latest book, which he co-wrote with his son, Carl: "Reagan's Disciple: George W. Bush's Troubled Quest for a Presidential Legacy."

"We're not Bush-bashers, but we're not admirers either," he said.

Cannon wrote five books on Reagan and worked for 26 years for The Washington Post, where he won many awards. He lives in Santa Barbara and has lectured frequently on the presidency, the media and California politics.

One of the biggest differences he sees between the two presidents is that Reagan surrounded himself with differing viewpoints from his advisers and Cabinet members, while Bush does not.

"George W. Bush for a lot of reasons has the same people around him," Cannon said.

"He values loyalty to a fault."

Bush does not have diversity in his Cabinet, he said, which affects his breadth and knowledge of foreign policy.

"Bush has been inadequate in selling his policies," Cannon said.

A man in the audience asked if Cannon thought Reagan would have sent troops to Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Cannon said he imagines Reagan would have sent a military response.

He then referred to military choices Sens. Barack Obama or John McCain would have to make when one of them is elected to the office.

"I don't see how President Obama or President McCain can avoid Afghanistan," he said.

Cannon noted that at the GOP presidential debates earlier this year in front of Reagan's Air Force One, the candidates mentioned Reagan over and over.

"It was like they were saying: Who can be the most Reagan?'"

On the net: http://www.reagansdisciple.com.