The Reagan Diaries

Ronald Reagan, Douglas Brinkley

• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9780061751943
• Topic: Historia
• Subtopic: Historia de Norteamérica

#1 New York Times Bestseller "Reading these diaries, Americans will find it easier to understand how Reagan did what he did for so long... They paint a portrait of a president who was engaged by his job and had a healthy perspective on power."
—Jon Meacham, Newsweek

During his two terms as the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary in which he recorded his innermost thoughts and observations on the extraordinary, the historic, and the routine occurrences of his presidency. To read these diaries—now compiled into one volume by noted historian Douglas Brinkley and filled with Reagan's trademark wit, sharp intelligence, and humor—is to gain a unique understanding of one of our nation's most fascinating leaders.

CHAPTER 1

1981

1981

The Inaugural (Jan. 20) was an emotional experience but then the very next day it was “down to work.” The first few days were long and hard—daily Cabinet meetings interspersed with sessions with Congressional leaders regarding our ec. plan.

Monday, January 26

A meeting on terrorism with heads of F.B.I.—S.S.—C.I.A. Sec’s of St., Defense & others. Have ordered they be given back their ability to function. Next a Cabinet meeting on the deal with Iran. We just may not implement some of the Carter executive orders on grounds they violate our own laws. Hostages will arrive in country tomorrow. It seems some of them had some tough questions for Carter in Germany as to why they were there so long and why they were there to begin with. Rest of day meeting committee chairmen & Sens. on raising the debt ceiling.

Tuesday, January 27

Ceremony on S. Lawn to welcome hostages home. Thousands of people in attendance. Met the familys earlier. Now we had in addition the familys of the 8 men who lost their lives in the rescue attempt. One couple lost their only son. His widow was also here. I’ve had a lump in my throat all day.—Evening 1st white tie reception for the diplomatic corps.

Wednesday, January 28

Visit by P.M. Seaga of Jamaica, his wife & members of his admin. Our 1st state luncheon. He won a terrific election victory over a Cuban backed procommunist.

I think we can help him & gradually take back the Caribbean which was becoming a “Red” lake.

Thursday, January 29

Nancy had a great triumph with committee which rides herd on White House (to preserve its history). They were enthusiastic about what she has already done to upgrade the 2nd & 3rd floors.

[Received cable from Mike Mansfield, U.S. ambassador to Japan.]

Friday, January 30

More meeting with Cong. leaders on trying to get debt ceiling lifted. If don’t we’ll be out of money by Feb. 18. Cong. recessing from 5th to 12th. Must get passage of bill by Fri. the 5th.

Short day in office—left for 1st weekend in Camp David. It was great to be in a house with the knowledge you could just open a door and take a walk outdoors if you wanted.

Saturday, January 31

Had a before lunch walk (it was cold). Spent afternoon in front of fire reading intelligence reports & Briefing papers for visit by Pres. Chun (Korea). We have definite evidence Nicaragua transferring hundreds of tons of arms from Cuba to El Salvador. P.M. ran a movie—“Tribute”—Jack Lemmon. He is truly a great performer.

[Sunday, February 1: took walk; returned to W.H.]

Monday, February 2

What’s getting to be routine—full day in Oval office.

Tuesday, February 3

The arrival of Pres. Chun, his wife & staff. These meetings through an interpreter which can become a strain. Good meetings though—assured him we would not withdraw our troops from Korea

Wednesday, February 4

Cabinet discussion of grain embargo. I’ve always felt it hurt our farmers worse than it hurt Soviets. Many of our allies?? filled the gap & supplied Soviet. But now—how do we lift it without sending wrong message to Soviets? We need to take a new look at whole matter of strategy. Trade was supposed to make Soviets moderate, instead it has allowed them to build armaments instead of consumer products. Their socialism is an ec. failure. Wouldn’t we be doing more for their people if we let their system fail instead of constantly bailing it out?

[Compliment from Weinberger on cabinet meeting.]

Thursday, February 5

[President’s prayer breakfast; meetings with Boy Scouts and high school students.]

Lots of phone calls—Sen. Robt. Byrd (D) is playing games with bill to raise debt ceiling. Has held vote over til tomorrow.

Friday, February 6

My birthday. Nancy, Tip O’Neil, Paul Laxalt, Tom Evans & Cong. Wright from Texas surprised me (all duly recorded by Cap. Press Corps) with a beautiful cake. Tip gave me a tie & the flag which flew over the Cap. on Jan. 20. We wheeled the cake into another room where it was cut up by about 200 of our staff.

That afternoon received a great present—our own Sens. who had held out on debt. ceiling turned around and we carried the day.

[Surprise birthday party with California friends.]P.S. During day discovered my Ambas. appts. were processed by State Dept. They take forever. I want Bill Wilson cleared by them before 26th so he can meet Pope (he’s to be Ambas. to Vatican) in Alaska. Told Penn James to tell the guy at State that was advising him to get off his A-- & do it.

[Saturday, February 7: photo sessions and dinner party.]

Sunday, February 8

Thank you letters for gifts we found on 2nd floor Fri. night. It took entire Sat. morning to open. Just had a call from Al Haig. I had asked that we quietly have Swiss […] tell Iranians if they did not free Mrs. Dryer (Am. woman they had charged with being a spy & imprisoned) we might find it difficult to implement the terms of the Carter hostage agreement. Mrs. Dryer is coming home. She was turned over to the Swiss. Word […] is that last 2 weeks of hostage negotiations were completely dominated by Iranian fear they’d have to negotiate with our admin. I couldn’t be happier.

Monday, February 9

Started the day learning Mrs. Dryer did not leave Iran—some snafu with paper work. Hopefully tomorrow.

[Meetings on timing of tax cuts, and with groups of state legislators; signed citation for Vietnam veterans.]

Tuesday, February 10

This was a day. I was wired for sound. David Brinkley is doing “a day in my life” for TV showing Fri. His cameras catch me in every meeting etc. and I turn on the sound for those things suitable & turn it off for balance of meetings. Began with Brkfst. with labor leaders who supported me in campaign; Teamsters, Merchant Marine, Marine engineers & Air Controllers.

[Meetings on economy with governors and with labor leaders, including Lane Kirkland of the AFL-CIO and Douglas Fraser of the UAW.]

An early hurried dinner then to Kennedy Center for Harlem Ballet. This group represents effort of one man (Mitchell) to take kids off the streets of Harlem & make something of them and he has. They are really good and it was an enjoyable evening. Cong. Tom Evans & his wife, Cong. Rangel & wife whose district includes Harlem, the Bushes etc. We discovered some of the niceties that go with this job. At intermission in the room behind the Presidential box we found a W.H. usher on hand serving snacks & drinks. Went back stage & met the dancers. Found out no other Pres. had even gone to one of their performances.

Came home to the news that Mike was being charged with fraud in connection with his “gas a hol” business. I suspect this is plain pol. and aimed at me.

Wednesday, February 11

High spot a Nat. Security Council meeting. We have absolute proof of Soviet & Cuban activity in delivering arms to rebels in El Salvador—Also their worldwide propaganda campaign which has succeeded in raising riots & demonstrations in Europe & the U.S.

Intelligence reports say Castro is very worried about me. I’m very worried that we can’t come up with something to justify his worrying.

[Thursday, February 12: meeting with cabinet regarding economic program; dinner with the Bushes. Friday, February 13: left for Camp David.]

Saturday, February 14

Slept in—took a morning walk then spent the afternoon with desk work. We had both sneaked out & bought valentines for each other & believe it or not we did surprise each other. Ran a movie & had Dan Ruge & the others who have to go with us over for it. It was a comedy (Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton & Lilli Tomlin) “Nine To Five.” Funny—but one scene made me mad. A truly funny scene if the 3 gals had played getting drunk but no they had to get stoned on pot. It was an endorsement of Pot smoking for any young person who sees the picture.

Sunday, February 15

I was at Camp David but I was indoors all day writing my speech for Wed. nite in Cong. Nancy spent the day interior decorating—very well I might add in the other cabins “Dogwood”—“Birch” etc. Finished speech by bedtime.

Monday, February 16

Walked to cabins to help Nancy with more picture hanging—an early lunch & back to Wash. A meeting regarding the speech—a few minor changes. Dinner here with Tip & Mrs. O’Neill—Ed, Jim B. & Susan & the Friedersdorf’s.

[Several of the guests arrived late.]

It was a nice evening but maybe Tip & I told too many Irish stories.

Tuesday, February 17

Met with Congressmen & Sens. on grain embargo. Those from farm states want it lifted. I explained we’d made no decision but while I was against the embargo we had to worry about making a concession to the Soviets without some Quid Pro Quo. It might send a wrong message.

Tip had last word & it was a good one. He told me I was Pres. and had to think of all the states. The gist was—was lifting the embargo good for the U.S. and our security vis-a vis the Soviets.

Wednesday, February 18

This was the big night—the speech to Cong. on our ec. plan. I’ve seen Presidents over the years enter the House chamber without ever thinking I would one day be doing it. The reception was more than I’d anticipated—most of it of course from one side of the aisle. Still it was a thrill and something I’ll long remember.

[Initial telegrams favored the speech. Thursday, February 19: met with editors from all over the U.S.; left for California. Friday, February 20–Sunday, February 22: vacation at ranch; returned to Washington. Monday, February 23: speech at National Governors Conference. Tuesday, February 24: ceremony at Pentagon; state dinner for governors.]

Wednesday, February 25

A cocktail reception for the 14 Cong’men. & wives who 1st came out for me and campaigned enthusiastically. Then an evening of trying to catch up with paper work. Maybe our drive to reduce govt. paper work should begin with us.

Thursday, February 26

P.M. Margaret Thatcher arrived. A most impressive ceremony on So. Lawn—review of troops etc. We had a private meeting in Oval office. she is as firm as ever re the Soviets and for reduction of govt. Expressed regret that she tried to reduce govt. spending a step at a time & was defeated in each attempt. Said she should have done it our way—an entire package—all or nothing.

[State dinner.]

Friday, February 27

P.M. getting great press. Went up to the hill and was literally an advocate for our ec. program. Some of the Sen’s. tried to give her a bad time. She put them down firmly & with typical British courtesy.

Dinner at British Embassy—truly a warm & beautiful occasion. I believe a real friendship exists between the P.M. her family & us—certainly we feel that way & I’m sure they do.

Saturday, February 28

Saw the Thatchers off at 11 AM after coffee together. Mexican Ambassador brought message from Pres. Lopez Portillo to Dick Allen & Jim Baker. The Pres. is willing to go forward (with Venezuela) in trying to negotiate an end to El Salvador problem. I’m all for it. A call in evening reported a boat load of Haitians approaching our shores. I’m all for opening the door to refugees from totalitarianism but this is more complicated. These are just people who believe they can have a better life here. They are in fact illegal aliens. We’ll have to deport them but it’s a long & complicated business due to our own laws.

Had the W...