The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  George S. came into the Oval Office for a regular visit. He touched on several items including trips he feels he must make & state visits here by P.M. Shamir (Israel) & Pres. Mubarak of Egypt.

  It was a light day & I gave the Dr a pint of blood to hold for my operation January 4th.

  Late afternoon Stu Spencer dropped by with Mike Deaver. They are good friends & honestly want to help me but I can’t agree with their recommendation—that the answer to my Iran problem is to fire my people—top staff & even Cabinet.

  Thursday, December 18

  Marine Reservists came by for annual “Toys For Tots” drive. They brought 7 Tots with them. Then to the Situation Room for a briefing & decision on replying to a covert sounding that we should contact Dobrynin re a possible meeting (secret) of someone on our side about a possible arms deal. Lunch with the V.P. then a meeting with our people on Welfare reform. This was a group of individuals including Governor Tom Kean on how to reform Welfare to make it less of a disincentive. It should be designed to get people off Welfare.

  [Economic Policy Council meeting on increasing competitiveness; greeted delegation from Yeshiva University and received honorary degree; attended reception for speech-writing department.]

  Word on Bill Casey—several hours of surgery & it looks like his brain tumor is malignant.

  Tonite 8:15—Staff party here at W.H.—receiving line & entertainment. A magic night—a magician who baffled even the most sophisticated among us. I confess I have no idea how he did what he did.

  Friday, December 19

  Met with Senior advisors in Situation Room—re a third party message that Gorbachev (possibly) but Dobrynin definitely want a secret rep. of ours to come to Moscow. We argued about it but between Xmas & New Years Paul Nitze & Perle will go & return.

  Met with Joint Chiefs of Staff—our quarterly meeting. They have concerns about our policy of striving for zero—zero on ballistic missiles. I believe I reassured them of my belief that conventional weapons must be involved or we’ll hand the Soviets a margin of superiority.

  [Met with Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) on trade legislation; regular meeting with Shultz; photo with president of Veterans of Foreign Wars.]

  Then a hush, hush meeting in the Map Room with Senator Durenberger—Chairman of Intel. Committee investigating Iran mess. I think they are about ready to go public & their finding will be that I didn’t cover anything up.

  Then off to Camp David—Thank Heaven.

  [Saturday, December 20: radiocast; photo session with members of Camp David military force; homework.]

  Sunday, December 21

  Finished homework & back to W.H. Called Barbara Walters about info she provided—re an interview with a principal (Iranian) in the Iran situation. It’s believed a hit squad is tagging him. Thanks to him I know a little bit more about the money deal in the situation—but still not who did what etc.

  Monday, December 22

  Have to begin thinking of possible Dir. for CIA. The prognosis on Bill Casey is not too good. Will now have to have radiation in addition to chemotherapy. If we must—our U.N. Ambas. Vernon Walters might be a very good choice.

  [Paid holiday visit to W.H. switchboard operators; signed proclamation for National Day of Prayer (May 7, 1987); issues-briefing lunch on possible plan for Catastrophic Illness insurance, commented, “It isn’t an easy idea. Heads of private insurance have been of little help”; received silver menorah from American Friends of the Lubavitch, a Jewish religious order; photo session with employees of motor pool; received pictures from Charlie Wick of Ronald Reagan Museum in Rome, Italy; interviewed by biographer Edmund Morris.]

  Tuesday, December 23

  Well Fred Fielding can’t do the job we asked him about—checking through all the documents having to do with the Iran case. He is on a case for a client. We think we’ll get our Ambas. of NATO who is coming home anyway.

  [Photo session with departing congressman; addressed Small Business Conference, noted, “I had a few lines about Iran. It’ll be interesting to see what the press does with it”; watched on TV the return of the around-the-world flight of the Voyager.]

  In the afternoon a Domestic Policy Council meeting. Subject was Secretary Otis Bowen’s plan for catastrophic illness insurance. It’s my decision to make—I’ve got a lot of studying to do.

  We had another smaller meeting on the “Quad Commission’s” report on executive salary raise at top levels. There is widespread belief that politically I should reject it because of the sizable increase for only the top 3,000 or so of govt. including members of Cong. & Judges. Frankly I think we should have the raise—present salaries are so out of line with the private sector.

  Finished day with taping session—including taping my Sat. radio show because I’ll be on way to Cali. Saturday. Really ended the day when after dinner we opened our Xmas presents. We go out to dinner at the Wicks Xmas Eve—that’s become traditional. We have people in for dinner Xmas nite so our tradition—the 2 of us—do package opening 2 nites before Xmas.

  Wednesday, December 24

  Not a very Christmassy weather—drab & raining. Don R. called 9 A.M.—Ambas. Abshire has agreed to do the counseling job in W.H. re Iran. That’s good news.

  At 11:15 A.M. I went to the Oval Office made Xmas phone calls—one for each branch of the service to our enlisted men & women selected by the particular service. They ranged all around the world—a couple were in bases over the date line so it was already Xmas day.

  3 P.M. Dick & family arrived. Learned that out in Cali. 3 of the Wick kids plus Ron & Doria are going to Mid-night Mass tonite. I couldn’t be happier—I’ve worried for years about Ron deciding he’s an agnostic.

  The Wicks party was—as always a wonderful, warm part of the Holiday. Xmas Eve with & at the Wicks has become our institution—a tradition for all of us. Highlight this time was a homemade video tape featuring Ron & Doria & the Wick kids who are in California. They all did a humorous skit with Ron as MC. Dick was this years Santa Claus.

  Thursday, December 25

  Merry Christmas! It was a happy day—gift exchanging with the family—phone calls from everyone but Patti & Paul, Moon & Bess. Early evening Deavers, Wicks & Nancy Reynolds & son Mike joined us for dinner & that was a happy event. Early to bed.

  Friday, December 26

  Saw Dick, Patti, Geoff & Ann plus Ann’s boyfriend Jon on their way. Jon & Ann got engaged while they were here. I made a call to NATO Ambas. Dave Abshire who is going to be our NSC advisor. Then downstairs for a haircut. Back up to packing for our trip to Palm Springs which begins tomorrow morning.

  Saturday, December 27

  Wash. in the A.M. & beddy bye in Calif. We’re off for our traditional visit to the Annenbergs’ for New Years. Tonite we’ll dine with Ron & Doria at the Century Plaza. Received word this A.M. the Soviets have said “no” to an exchange of TV New Years greetings. I was to have taped a New Years greeting to the Soviet people & Gorbachev would have done the same of Americans. They’ve said “Nyet.”

  I’m wrong about Ron & Doria—that’s tomorrow nite.

  Sunday, December 28

  A quiet day at the hotel, then a nice evening with Ron & Doria for dinner. Earlier he had come over for a meeting with Maureen & Dennis—subject again was Iran & why don’t I display anger etc.—fire someone. I think I’m doing it right.

  Monday, December 29

  Late morning went downstairs & presented Service Medals to crew of the Voyager Richard Rutan, Jeana Yeager & Burt Rutan who designed & built the plane. A fair sized audience—many of them ground crew etc. Then back upstairs to get some allergy tests—Dr. Bookman. Then I taped a New Years greeting for Voice of America—to be beamed to Russia. It was the greeting we’d wanted to exchange with Gorbachev. Found out later—Russia radio then ran it—with several points edited out.

  2:40 in the afternoon went down to the helicopter & on to LAX (airport) & A.F.1 to Palm Spring. Visited with Lee & Walter at Sunnyland. Then dinner—just the
4 of us & watched the evening news. CBS ran the medal presentation & declared I did it to divert attention from Iran.

  [Tuesday, December 30: played golf, with inconsistent shots considered “as usual”; dinner with friends.]

  Wednesday, December 31

  Golf again—Sec. Geo. S. & I played Charlie Price & Bill Smith. With 4 holes to go we were 3 down. I won 2 games for us & George won 2 & finished winners 1 up.

  Then it was the big New Years Eve Dinner Dance at Sunnyland. A whole room full of long time friends—much nostalgia and a lot of fun. Happy New Year!

  PHOTOGRAPHIC INSERT-II

  July 5, 1984—President Reagan working aboard Air Force One during a trip to Alabama.

  October 29, 1984—Signing autographs for Cub Scouts before departing on Air Force One during a trip to Parkersburg, West Virginia.

  August 22, 1984—President and Mrs. Reagan with Vice President and Mrs. Bush waving to the delegates at the 1984 Republican National Convention via satellite from their hotel suite in Dallas, Texas.

  November 3, 1984—Outside John Wayne’s home during a trip to Iowa.

  October 29, 1984—Speaking at a Reagan-Bush 1984 campaign rally at Parkersburg High School Field House in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

  December 24, 1984—With the first lady and their dog Lucky, on Christmas Eve in the White House residence.

  January 19, 1985—Building a snowman in the White House Rose Garden with Cameron Reagan, Michael Reagan, and Ashley Reagan.

  March 17, 1985—The president and Mrs. Reagan with Prime Minister and Mrs. Brian Mulroney at a dinner at the Château Frontenac Hotel, Québec City, during the Shamrock Summit in Canada.

  November 19, 1985—Greeting General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the USSR at Villa Fleur d’Eau during their first meeting at the Geneva Summit.

  November 26, 1985—As part of her anti-drug crusade, Mrs. Reagan attended a “Just Say No” rally with children in Oakland, California.

  January 28, 1986—In the Oval Office study watching the television replay of the space shuttle Challenger explosion.

  February 7, 1986—With the first lady, Jimmy Stewart, and Gloria Stewart at a private birthday party in honor of the president’s seventy-fifth birthday at the White House.

  April 8, 1986—Mrs. Reagan and Rex, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, on the South Lawn of the White House.

  April 13, 1986—President Reagan hosted Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone of Japan and Secretary of State George Shultz for a meeting at Camp David, Maryland, during the prime minister’s visit to the United States.

  November 15, 1986—Greeting Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom before their meetings at Camp David, Maryland.

  July 4, 1986—The president and first lady during the ceremony observing the centennial of the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, New York.

  November 30, 1986—Riding his horse, El Alamein, at Rancho del Cielo.

  March 9, 1987—With his oldest daughter, Maureen Reagan, after a luncheon meeting with Republican National Committee leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House.

  December 30, 1986—Playing his annual golf game at the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage, California.

  March 13, 1987—Flanked by Secretary of State George Shultz (left) and Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger (right), during a meeting in the Cabinet Room.

  May 10, 1987—President Reagan participated in the Bob Hope Salute to the United States Air Force 40th Anniversary celebration in North Carolina.

  June 12, 1987—Delivering his famous “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall” speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany.

  October 7, 1987—Listening to a session of the Organization of American States through an interpreter’s headset at the OAS Building in Washington, D.C.

  September 10, 1987—Talking with Pope John Paul II at Vizcaya Museum in Miami, Florida, during the Holy Father’s trip to the United States.

  December 31, 1987—Dancing with Mrs. Reagan at the annual New Year’s Eve party at Sunnylands, the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage, California.

  January 25, 1988—Addressing a joint session of Congress on the state of the union. The president is holding just a portion of the national budget, which was a focus of his speech.

  March 29, 1988—President Reagan listens intently to a national security briefing in the Oval Office.

  March 30, 1988—On the White House colonnade during an interview for a film documentary, The Reagan Years.

  June 20, 1988—The annual “class photo” at the G-7 Economic Summit in Toronto, Canada. From left to right: Jacques Delors, Ciriaco de Mita, Margaret Thatcher, President Reagan, Brian Mulroney, François Mitterrand, Helmut Kohl, Noboru Takeshita.

  October 13, 1988—Speaking to reporters after a bill-signing ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House.

  May 31, 1988—With General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev touring Red Square, with St. Basil’s Cathedral behind, during the Moscow Summit, USSR.

  October 24, 1988—Speaking at a White House ceremony on the South Lawn to welcome home U.S. Olympic team members who competed in Seoul, Korea.

  November 9, 1988—President Reagan waves to the White House staff who gathered in the Rose Garden the day after the presidential election.

  November 10, 1988—Congratulating President-Elect George Bush in the Oval Office just two days after the election.

  November 16, 1988—President and Mrs. Reagan posed with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Denis Thatcher of the United Kingdom at the last state dinner hosted by the Reagans at the White House.

  December 6, 1988—Ronald Reagan alone in the Oval Office during his last two months as president of the United States.

  January 20, 1989—Following the inaugural ceremonies, President Reagan salutes the troops and the nation as he boards Marine One with Mrs. Reagan at the U.S. Capitol for the trip home to California following eight years in the White House.

  CHAPTER 7

  1987

  Thursday, January 1

  No Golf—got up late watched some of Rose Parade—as usual it topped itself. The floats were sensational. In the afternoon after a big luncheon—watched the Rose Bowl game. Mich vs. Ariz St. Mich. Started out as if to go all the way—then came unglued as Ariz. began to convert. Ariz. St. won.

  That night—a nice dinner—again our same circle of friends. During all those days at Sunny Land I was getting memos & papers requiring some work. Holland called off it’s proposed assault on Suriname in which they’d asked us for transportation. Don R. called on what we’re going to do about submitting commissions report recommending big pay raises for Congress, Judges & top exec’s. I think we’ll have to hold back or cut back on amount recommended—because of deficit. Truth is the recommended increases make sense.

  [Friday, January 2: returned to Washington; was interviewed live during halftime of Fiesta Bowl football game.]

  Saturday, January 3

  Don R. & Peter Wallison & his assistant came up. We settled on course to take with regard to the Quad Commissions recommended pay raises. Also put together some sequence of events on the Iran affair by comparing our memories.

  Then some desk work. A call from Billy Graham & also from Henry Kissinger.

  Watched Redskins beat Chicago Bears.

  Sunday, January 4

  Off to the hospital for check up—today. Tomorrow the operation.*

  Sometimes I think the check up is worse than the operation. I swallow about a gallon & a half of Golightly. Then there is the exam.

  Monday, January 5

  Operation day. My 1st spinal. Was unprepared for the feeling of total numbness from the waist to my toes. Closed the day with a CAT-SCAN. During day got some paperwork & phone call. Report—a complete clean bill of health.

  Tuesday, January 6

  The day & night stretch out when you are hitched to an intravenous plus an ongoing irrigation of the bladder.

  [Wednesday, January 7: medical tubes removed
; met with Regan and Frank Carlucci; pain eased up during day. Thursday, January 8: returned to W.H.; some improvement in condition.]

  Friday, January 9

  Don R. & Frank C. both came over. Frank is taking hold of NSC in great fashion. Last nights TV news NBC featured excerpts of the Sen. Committee on Iran. The whole report was leaked to them but they used selected lines unfavorable to me. Today Abshire & Frank met with the press to straighten out the record.

  We have a problem bordering on blackmail. I want Dennis Patrick to be new Director of FCC. Sen. Packwood is dead set on a young lady & threatens us with all out opposition on our agenda if we don’t take his choice. I will not be blackmailed. Speaking of such things the Soviets are demanding that we not have Perle (Dept. of Defense) as member of our team in a scheduled arms meeting in Geneva. Well they are not going to dictate who we send—Perle stays. My Dr team from Mayo Clinic came by twice—at noon & later 4:30. They are pleased as all get out with my recovery.

  Saturday, January 10

  Don R. is talking with Bill Casey’s Dr’s about our idea of telling Bill we want to replace him at CIA but then when he’s up to it we’ll put him in a Cabinet level position at the W.H.

  [Called Congressman Silvio Conte (D-MA), diagnosed with prostate cancer; doctors visited W.H. residence, said president’s recovery was good; watched PBS show on postwar conservative movement. Sunday, January 11: met with Dr. John Hutton (president’s personal physician); said farewell to doctors from Mayo Clinic; desk work; watched football game.]