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State of the Union [1982 and] 1983 (3)
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State of the Union [1982 and] 1983 (3)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Deaver, Michael
Folder Title: Staff Aims State of the Union [1982
and] 1983 (3)
Box: 57
To see more digitized collections
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Decision/Making/Information&
Intelligent alternatives
for today's decision makers
6803 Poplar Place, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia 22101, (703) 556-0001
MEMORANDUM
TO:
President Ronald Reagan
FROM:
Richard B. Wirthlin
DATE:
January 22, 1983
SUBJECT:
State of the Union - Fifth Draft 1/22/83
COPIES TO: Michael Deaver
Richard Darman
Aram Bakshian
The following comments might be of help to you, Mr. President,
as you put the polishing touches on your speech.
Length
If our target audience is the 80 to 100 million adult
Americans who will watch the speech on television and not just
the assembled Congressmen and guests, it is imperative that we
keep the length of the speech to no longer than thirty
minutes.
It seems to me you might want to tighten up:
The Introduction, pp. 1 - 2 (see comments on the
"Pace" below).
Keeping Faith with the Future, pp. 16 - 18.
Foreign Affairs, pp. 18 - 22. We do need to stress
our foreign policy successes and our drive toward
meaningful arms reductions but, should you review most
of our foreign initiatives in the detail of the draft,
the only thing you will accomplish will be to dilute
the impact of both this section and the speech
generally.
Decision/Making Information
President Ronald Reagan
January 22, 1983
Page Two
Pace
We must get into the substance of the speech more quickly.
Almost half of those who begin listening to the speech will
not be with us at the close. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the
audience will disappear after the first 20 minutes, with a
large proportion of those dropping out in the first 10 minutes
(i.e. after the first six pages). Hence, during that first
10-minute period, we must sound our major themes clearly and
concisely:
An unvarnished recognition that America is very
troubled because of its economic difficulties.
Our commitment to providing more Americans with jobs
sooner and to getting the economy moving again.
The success of resolving the social security issue
through a bi-partisan effort and the promise that such
a working arrangement -- which cuts across partisan
lines -- holds in resolving the major challenges not
yet met.
The high priority we give to pressing the initiative
for the reduction of nuclear weapons in the context of
an equitable and verifiable agreement with the
Soviets.
The importance of doing all of the above in a fashion
that will move us toward balancing the budget during
our planning period (1983-1988).
Tone
The entire tone of the speech must be realistic but hopeful.
Let us not trap ourselves by raising expectations too high
about the prospects and immediacy of economy recovery. It is
much better for us now to error just a little bit on the side
of being a bit too pessimistic.
Decision/Making/Information
President Ronald Reagan
January 23, 1983
Page Three
Some Specific Suggestions
We over-use the word comprehensive -- "Comprehensive Federal
Spending Freeze," "Comprehensive Employment Bill of 1983."
Can't we simply call the later the Employment Bill of 1983?
On page 16, first paragraph, rather than "eliminate unjust
discrimination on the basis of sex," it would be more forceful
to say "eliminate unjust discrimination against women."
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 21, 1983
NOTE FOR:
ARAM BAKSHIAN
SUBJECT:
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR STATE OF THE
UNION -- RE FAIR HOUSING
Jim Baker, Ed Meese, and the President have discussed the
following; and it is my understanding that they wish to
have this language included at some appropriate spot:
"The effective implementation of the Nation's Fair
Housing Laws is essential to insuring equal
opportunity for millions of Americans who have been
denied the full range of housing choices available to
their fellow citizens. I will propose legislation to
enhance and strengthen enforcement of the Fair
Housing Laws."
Din
Richard G. Darman
CC: Meese
Baker
Deaver
Gergen
American
1120 G St. N.W.
Society
For
Public
ASPA
Suite 500
Washington, D.C.
20005
Administration
(202) 393-7878
1. Lee Fritschler
President
Patricia S. Florestano
President-Elect
January 21, 1983
Keith F. Mulrooney
Executive Director
Council
The President
Valter C Anders
The White House
ana L Bagwell
Washington, D.C. 20500
vrone R Baines
arry Beckon
Dear Mr. President:
Charles F. Bonser
atrick J. Conklin
Anthony M. Corbisiero
When you deliver your State of the Union Address
tobert B. Denhardt
to the nation on the 25th, the many roles you have as
Miriam Ershkowitz
President -- Chief of State, Commander in Chief, Chief
Carl L Figliola
Patricia S. Florestano
Diplomat, Party Chief -- are melded together.
Lee Fritschler
Carol Gandy
There is one more hat on that rack -- Chief
Pamela Erickson Gervais
Executive Officer. We of the American Society for
Christine Gresham Gibbs
Public Administration hope and urge you to acknowledge
eigh E. Grosenick
Harold L. Grover
the importance of that role in your address.
Douglas Harman
lan L. Herd
This month is the 100th Anniversary of the Civil
Peter E. Herman
Service. In your Proclamation and Statement of January
Marc Holzer
10 you urged ceremonies and events to express
Carlos Jackson
ames C. Jaramillo
appreciation for the career professionals of
Sancy Keeley
government.
Esther C. Lawton
William G. Lewis
I enclose a draft paragraph for your State of the
Saomi B. Lynn
Union message. The wording is not important but the
Alan H. Magazine
Kenneth A. Maul
thought is. In a time of low morale and calls for
Sandra G. Munsey
sacrifice, please tell the nation in your own voice how
Chester A. Newland
much you as President and our country as a society owe
Eleanor F. Nunn
to your dedicated Military, Civil, Postal, and Foreign
Alex N. Pattakos
Service co-workers.
Bradley H Patterson. Jr.
Charles A. Pounian
ill T. Pylant
Respectfully yours,
Eileen Siedman
Sherry A. Suttles
Ted Tedesco
Patricia S. Thompson
a.Ltibell
Anita M.A Winkler
James L. Zimmerman
A. Lee Fritschler
President
Enclosure
April 16-19
44th National Conference on Public Administration
April
17
New
York,
N.Y.
A year ago from this rostrum I introduced you to a hero
who was seated in the galleries. It was Mr. Leonard Skutnik
who dove into icy waters to rescue the survivor of a plane
crash.
As I call tonight for special efforts and sacrifice
from those who work for government, I want to tell you that
they, too, deserve a nation's praise. In the past two years
as the general manager of the federal establishment, I have
grown to appreciate the heroes and near-heroes in our public
service -- men and women like Phil Habib in Lebanon, Paul
Nitze in Geneva, Jean Kirkpatrick at the UN, the rangers in
our parks and the postman who comes to our doors each day.
This year is the 100th Anniversary of our nation's
Civil Service. I salute them and acknowledge the positive
contributions of those in the Civil, Postal, Military and
Foreign Services.
They are indispensable in making ours a stable and
successful democracy.
Decision/Making/Information
Intelligent alternatives
for today's decision makers
6803 Poplar Place, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia 22101, (703) 556-0001
MEMO
TO:
Michael Deaver
FROM:
Richard B. Wirthlin
DATE:
January 21, 1983
SUBJECT:
State of the Union January 20th Draft
COPIES TO: Aram Bakshian
Richard Darman
I. Some General Comments
A. It is imperative that we keep the length of the speech to no
longer than thirty minutes if our target audience is the 80
to 100 adult Americans who will watch the speech on
television and not just the assembled Congressmen and
Cabinet.
B. We must get into the substance of the speech more quickly.
Almost half of those who begin listening to the speech will
not be with us at the close. Twenty-five (25%) of the
audience will disappear after the first 20 minutes, with a
large proportion of those dropping out in the first 10
minutes. Hence, during that first 10-minute period, we must
sound our major themes clearly and concisely:
An unvarnished recognition that America is very troubled
because of its economic difficulties.
Our commitment to providing more Americans with jobs
sooner and to getting the economy moving again.
The success of resolving the social security issue
through a bi-partisan effort and the promise that such
working arrangements -- which cut across partisan lines
-- hold in resolving the challenges not yet met.
Decision/Making/Information
A high priority we give to pressing the initiative for
reduction of nuclear weapons in the context of an
equitable and verifiable agreement with the Soviets.
The importance of doing all of the above in a fashion
that will move us toward balancing the budget during our
planning period (1983-1988).
C. The entire tone of the speech must be very realistic but
also hopeful. Let us not trap ourselves one more time in
the bind of raising expectations only to have those
expectations dashed later, or by appearing to be too
"Polyann-ish" about the prospects and immediacy of recovery.
It is much better for us to error just a little bit on the
side of being too pessimistic than being too optimistic.
D. The speech lacks emotional impact.
II. Some Specifics
A. I believe it is an excellent idea to build off the social
security successes to issue the call for bi-partisan
support. It is a strong and good theme we need to sound.
B. We must hammer again and again that there is no quick fix
for our economic recovery and that difficulties we are now
experiencing in the economic area have very deep and old
historical roots.
C. I believe we may be going too far when we say the "long
night of a beleaguered U.S. economy is now ending."
D. When we talk about economic renewal, there is no mention at
all in those principles about what we are doing to generate
jobs. Perhaps, because of policy, we need to finesse this a
little bit. If not, we need to talk about the action we are
suggesting.
E. When we discuss the trade initiatives, we should tie this to
what it will do to help farmers and small businessmen.
F. I believe we stress too much the promise of high-tech.
While we need to look to the future and hope, we gild the
lily excessively in that section of the speech.
G. The foreign affairs section should focus primarily on our
peace initiatives as articulated at Eureka College with the
progress we are hopefully going to secure in the Mideast.
We also should definitely use the State of the Union Address
to clarify and strengthen our case of the 0-0 option in
Europe.
Decision/Making Information
H. It is important to mention the initiatives we have taken and
will take to strengthen our bonds with our allies.
I. Of all of the constiuency issues that are most helpful to us
broad-brushed (aside from economic recovery and peace)
education stands at the top of the list. We discuss
education in a number of different places in the speech. I
believe we can strengthen the President's committment to
quality education by putting those pieces all together.
J. In reviewing what we have accomplished, curbing waste and
fraud and cutting burdensome regulation should be mentioned.
The above represents somewhat of a potpourri of suggestions but I
would be happy to discuss these with you or any one else as the speech
becomes solidified over the next day or so.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DAVID GERGEN
LARRY SPEAKES
FROM:
PETER ROUSSEL
PR
SUBJECT:
State of the Union -- Media
Plan
Plus a Few Other
Things
Knowing you are preparing the media plan for marketing of the
State of the Union and Budget, I offer the following for con-
sideration in that plan or for additional follow-up. Some of
this is repetitious, some perhaps not:
State of the Union/Budget
Schedule appropriate Presidential interviews following
the speech and budget release.
Wires -- AP, UPI, Reuters, AFP
Radio - - CBS, ABC, NBC (to equalize interview given the
independents)
TV -- CNN
Groups -- chains, newspapers
In addition to transmitting our message through these
outlets, numerous standing interview requests could be
fulfilled, particularly through the group sessions, and
most importantly, while being focused on one subject
thus maximizing impact.
Schedule surrogate spokesmen on ensuing morning, Sunday,
late evening, etc. shows.
* See additional item regarding surrogates.
Through Media Relations office, schedule briefings here
for editorial groups. On all upcoming trips, we should
also consider possibility of having the President and sur-
rogates meet with editorial writers, columnists, not only
from the city visited, but the region. Ideally, the
- 2 -
surrogates would both precede and follow the President's
appearance. Think there is much to be gained from this
approach and saves having to import large groups to
Washington.
Suggest that a representative cross-section of columnists
(not editorial writers) be brought in for a small group
session. These can have more impact than the newswriters
and certainly than editorial writers. A columnist, for
instance, such as Lynn Ashby of The Houston Post is the
most popular, widely read and quoted in the state. We
have done virtually nothing to involve these kind of
writers and now seems like a crucial time to do so.
Through the Media Relations office make absolutely certain
that all special interest groups are covered via mailings
of the speech, budget summaries, etc.
Similarly, make certain that not only Members but their
press secretaries get these mail outs so as to encourage
reprinting excerpts in their newsletters.
On a very selective basis, consider building on the base
established with the 5-minute radio program by following
during this crucial marketing period with a series of geo-
graphically/politically targeted call-ins to radio talk
shows around the country. This would provide a means for
taking his message directly to the people and being
responsive without filtering it through the media. These
shows have large audiences that generate discussions for
many days, even weeks following. Through these we could
generate the follow-up that may have been lacking in the
radio shows -- an interest beyond the day of broadcast.
Activate the Cabinet, sub-Cabinet, etc. in a surrogate
blitz making certain their efforts are concentrated in
areas of good media coverage.
*
(Frankly, I think we are not getting maximum impact
from our surrogate effort; e.g., we need to make the
press here more aware of what these surrogates are
doing -- mailings of their speeches via the RNC, etc.)
A Few Other Things for Consideration
We need to do a better job on marketing of speeches, ap-
pearances by senior White House staff members. Perhaps a
memorandum will remedy the problem. A recent case in
point was the Baker speech, which CNN would have carried
live had we alerted them. Also, when a prepared text is
used, we should make it available in the White House press
office.
- 3 -
Consider compiling an updated daily/weekly sheet of the
"designated hitters" on the various issues. This would
have the following purposes:
-- Being available to the press so they would know who
they are and thus cut down the number of phone calls.
-- Circulate within the White House so staff would know
where to forward errant press calls.
-- Emphasize to press and staff that this is a serious
policy being pursued in a serious manner.
Consider having Mrs. Reagan host a White House lunch for
an individual or couple from each state -- people to be
chosen by the Governor, Senator or Congressman -- who are
notable for some self-sacrifice during these difficult
times. This would associate Mrs. Reagan with "mainstream"
Americans who are also achievers and, in a sense, joined
with the President in the same battle. Also, would have
the effect of involving Governors, Senators and Congress-
men in a very positive way with the White House -- and
their constituents.
Draft and prepare a Presidential letter to all White House
staff, Republican officials, etc. thanking them for their
dedicated effort in the first two years, emphasizing the
accomplishments and urging them on to greater effort in
the years ahead. This morale boost to the troops in the
trenches could pay dividends in increased output and per-
haps is needed at this mid-term juncture. A re-charging
of the batteries of commitment.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 17, 1983
TO:
Aram Bakshian
FROM:
Michael Castine
Rob Mosbacher
SUBJECT: PSI References in the State of the Union Address
In our two previous memoranda on PSI references in the State
of the Union Address, we listed the following subjects in
which the PSI Program would play a role in the next two
years:
--
Assisting displaced workers in the short-term
by the creation of job search clubs modeled
after the Crucible Steel case.
--
Assisting displaced workers in the long-term
through the creation of a business-labor-education-
government partnership.
Assisting working parents (particularly women) by
encouraging the expansion of affordable quality
child care.
Finally, we also mentioned that the President's Task
Force on Private Sector Initiatives will be succeeded by
an Advisory Council on PSI, hopefully to be headed by
Governor William Milliken of Michigan.
What we neglected to mention was the importance of continuing
to "build partnerships" between the private sector and
government all across the country. We were reminded of
this by the heavy emphasis placed on public-private
partnerships by Governor Cuomo in his State-of-the-State
message in New York and Mayor Kathy Whitmire of Houston
in her State-of-the-City address last week.
In short, the President's PSI program is catching on and
he should reinforce that fact by using the "building
partnerships" buzz-words.
INSERT FOR STATE OF UNION OR OTHER ADDRESS ON MILITARY PAY FREEZE
We have made a good start in our program to restore the defenses
necessary to preserve peace with freedom. And we mean to con-
tinue that progress. At the same time, I recognize that these
are times of sacrifice for all Americans, and that I must ask all
Federal employees -- military and civilian -- to shoulder a share
of the burden by foregoing pay raises this in year. IA. Fiscal 84
RR
This is particularly difficult for me to ask in the case of our
armed forces. After many years of neglect and shamefully low
RUR
pay, we restored competitive pay to the military over the past
forthing
two years and we intend to continue that vital obligation next
?
year when economic conditions are again favorable. I very much
hope that all will recognize that this sacrifice which is asked
of all across the board is necessary to our economic recovery.
At the first opportunity I will want to make this loss up to our
troops.
RR
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 19, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR MICHAEL DEAVER
JIM BAKER
FROM:
DAVE GERGEN DJ
SUBJECT:
AP Story on State of Union
Mike, this is the product of our conversation with Jim
Gerstenzang that you arranged.
White House News Summary
Wednesday, January 18, 1983
STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE OF HOPE ALSO BID TO REGAIN LOST GROUND
by James Gerstenzang -- Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- At the heart of President Reagan's State of the Union speech a
week from tonight will be an attempt to clear up misunderstandings about his
economic program and, according to one aide, "re-establish himself as a central
figure."
As Reagan enters his third year in the presidency, and Democrats line up to
challenge him, the address becomes "a particularly important speech for him,"
says David R. Gergen, Reagan's Assistant for Communications.
Attempting to regain lost ground, Reagan will seek to "re-establish himself
as a central figure and as one who helps to set the agenda for the coming year,"
said Gergen.
Deputy Chief of Staff Michael K. Deaver said the speech offers "a chance
for him to once again talk about what we have achieved so far and what he hopes
to achieve in the next two years.
Reagan's aides, troubled by criticism that the Administration's budget and
tax cuts have hurt the poor and helped the rich, stress that the program is
"going to be fair in the way it treats people."
"You can't say too many times what it is we're trying to do," Deaver said.
"The economy is a very difficult subject and there are a lot of misunderstand-
ings. It's a difficult time for a lot of people and he wants to express that."
Reagan's most senior advisers began work on the speech late last year, and
then met with him for about 45 minutes on Dec. 23 to get his ideas on what the
speech should contain.
Last weekend, time was set aside for the President to sit down with drafts
proposed by speechwriter Aram Bakshian and others and start shaping them into
the speech he will deliver before a joint session of Congress and nationwide
television audience on Jan. 25.
On Sunday, Reagan invited some outsiders to the White House family quarters
for what Deaver decribed as a meeting "where he picks peoples brains."
On the guest list were Lee Iacocca, Chairman of the Chrysler Corp.;
columnist George Will; longtime Republican presidential adviser Bryce Harlow;
Secretary of State George Shultz, and conservative economist Irving Kristol.
The President's aides, in seeking suggestions from outsiders as well as
others in the White House and then coordinating them into one text, are trying
to avoid a problem that cropped up a year ago, when different groups prepared
competing versions of the same speech. "Hopefully, we've got everybody's
input," Deaver said.
White House News Summary
Wednesday, January 18, 1983
(continued)
If history is any guide, the speech will go through seven or eight drafts
before it is committed to a script in large, typewritten letters, from which the
President will read in the House of Representatives, with the help of an
electronic prompting device.
Aides will submit paragraphs from their areas of expertise, speechwriters
will smooth them out, and then the President will combine much of the material,
working with a yellow legal pad and felt-tip pen.
"He will, in effect, write out a great deal of this before it is over,"
said Gergen.
Although Reagan's standing has dropped in some polls, Deaver said that a
public opinion survey by Republican pollster Richard Wirthlin determined that
60 percent of those questioned "still think" Reagan's economic plan will work.
"They have faith. They want to believe," Deaver said.
Gergen added that positive signs from the housing and auto industry, as
well as falling interest rates, provide economic signals to which the President
can point as evidence of success, despite the 10.8 percent unemployment rate.
-end-
Deaver
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
WILLIAM P. CLARK /s/
SUBJECT:
State of the Union
I realize you must reduce the length of the excellent draft of
the State of the Union address forwarded to you January 16 by
Aram Bakshian, but have some suggestions for strengthening the
national security area of the speech to achieve a better overall
balance. Limiting this vital subject to four pages of 29, as
this draft does, may suggest that you are not serious about, or
attentive to, national security. It also misses the opportunity
to bring key issues to the Congress and public.
These are principal suggestions:
Reinforce your call on Congress to stay the course on
national defense.
Strengthen the section on arms control to reflect the
theme of your recent press statement: because of the
military rebuilding program you have put in place, we
now have leverage with the Soviets. START and INF nego-
tiations, which will reconvene in Geneva shortly after
your address, should be mentioned specifically. You
might want to draw attention to our negotiators by name
(Paul Nitze will have returned to Geneva, Ed Rowny could
be in the audience).
Add to the Middle East section by including a clearer
call for peace in the region and discussing Lebanon,
which is currently left out of the address.
DO not ignore the military pay freeze. Cap has provided
a proposed insert on this subject, which could be sub-
sumed in an overall discussion of federal pay. His
suggested wording is attached.
Pay more attention to our alliance partners, and mention
the importance of international trade to national security.
Expand the discussion of security assistance beyond the
Central America paragraph, which currently contains the
only mention of this key legislative item.
We made inputs on these subjects as the speech was being drafted,
and stand ready to assist you or the speechwriters further.
-2-
CC: Secretary Shultz
Secretary Weinberger
Jim Baker
David Gergen
Aram Bakshian
Attachment: As stated
INSERT FOR STATE OF UNION OR OTHER ADDRESS ON MILITARY PAY FREEZE
We have made a good start in our program to restore the defenses
necessary to preserve peace with freedom. And we mean to con-
tinue that progress. At the same time, I recognize that these
are times of sacrifice for all Americans, and that I must ask all
Federal employees -- military and civilian -- to shoulder a share
of the burden by foregoing pay raises this year.
This is particularly difficult for me to ask in the case of our
armed forces. After many years of neglect and shamefully low
pay, we restored competitive pay to the military over the past
two years and we intend to continue that vital obligation next
year when economic conditions are again favorable. I very much
hope that all will recognize that this sacrifice which is asked
of all across the board is necessary to our economic recovery.
At the first opportunity I will want to make this loss up to our
troops.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR MIKE DEAVER
FROM:
CRAIG L. FULLER
as
SUBJECT:
SOU Guest
We might consider having the President invite to the House
Gallery for the State of the Union address John Mooney,
Ordnance Man First Class, who wrote the letter the President is
quoting from in the State of the Union address (SOU draft
#1/Bakshian). I seem to remember that the networks reported on
how proud he and his family were that the President quoted from
the letter during a radio address.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 17, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR ARAM BAKSHIAN
FROM:
Jim Cicconi
ju
SUBJECT:
State of the Union Speech--Farm Foreclosures
Attached is some draft language on the subject of farm
foreclosures prepared at Dave Gergen's request.
It is important for the President to express concern over
this problem, which has gained increasing media attention.
There is general agreement that any type of moratorium on
foreclosures would be far too costly. Instead, the President
can point out some of the steps USDA has taken, and urge the
private sector (which makes the vast majority of farm loans)
to follow our example. This is, at heart, a populist
approach that should prevent the President from being blamed
whenever a private bank forecloses on a farmer.
This statement should be portrayed as "treating the symptoms"
in combination with our efforts to treat the main cause--low
prices (which the blended credit and PIK programs are aimed
at).
CC: James A. Baker III
Mike Deaver
Dave Gergen
Ed Harper
(In advance of mentioning PIK program, exports, etc.)
Current economic problems are also hurting America's
farmers. Low prices and high costs are causing some to face
the agonizing prospect of foreclosure and the loss of their
farms because they cannot keep up with their loan payments.
Our farmers, who feed this country and much of the world,
should not have to live in fear of losing everything they
have worked for. Last year, the Secretary of Agriculture
adopted a policy that will allow the Farmers Home Adminis-
tration to continue to finance those farmers who, through no
fault of their own, fall behind in their loan payments because
of current economic conditions. I have instructed the
Secretary to continue and expand these efforts, utilizing
other means at his disposal, including deferral and reschedul-
ing, to help FmHA borrowers on a case by case basis who might
otherwise be in danger of losing their farms.
Such policies, though, will apply only to farm loans which
are underwritten by the government: the vast majority of farm
loans are made by private creditors. I would urge them to
take similar steps, and exercise similar patience, to help
America's farmers through this difficult period.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 15, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR MICHAEL DEAVER
FROM:
ANTHONY R. DOLAN and
SUBJECT:
State of the Union Address
This is your call, of course. But I felt an absolute
responsibility to present ------------------------- as forcefully as possible --- my
reasons for believing the President should be given the
opportunity to read this draft.
1) THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH -- No one else's. It is
easily forgotten around here that the editing, drafting and
speaking style of Ronald Reagan are responsible for the
success of his public speeches -- it has little to do with
the resident geniuses on the writing, policy or
administrative staffs.
A speech process -- a chemistry -- has led to this success.
This chemistry works best when we take maximum advantage of
Ronald Reagan's writing skills, speaking talents and
unabashed intellect. Obviously, it would be ideal if the
President could look over all the excellent raw materials
available but this, of course, is impossible especially in
view of the incredible breadth of a State of the Union
message. So it is our job to give him a speech draft (as we
have in the past) that best summarizes all the excellent
material available.
This draft (like my draft for the tax cut speech of the
summer of '81, last year's State of the Union and the London
speech) represents the culmination of months of thought and
writing. The draft has been keyed to bringing in the best
available material and fashioning it within the context of
the President's past thoughts and statements.
Let me be specific. (a) The draft has the patriotic 1783
opening and then makes an appeal to national unity. (b) It
has a wealth of material about how far we have come in the
past 2 years -- it dwells on our success in the economic
area especially dealing with the inflation menace (the
number one concern of Americans only a few years ago). (c)
It has a great expanse of the material on powerful political
issues like waste and fraud, and crime. (d) It has an
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extremely strong ending. (None of this is duplicated or
even adequately represented in the shorter draft. Indeed,
in my view the shorter draft catches little of the pace or
cogency of this draft.)
I think it should be the President's decision to choose how
much or how little -- what combinations, what mix ---- of
these rhetorical and thematic points he wishes to have in
his speech. He is the best judge, only he can take the
broad view, only his is the comprehensive look. A State of
the Union message is critical to defining a presidency.
Only the President can provide that definition and he should
have the maximum anount of material to choose from.
I was somewhat shocked by Dick Darman's suggestion that if
we do not pare down the President's options and restrict
them to what appears to be a narrow field we "have failed as
a staff." Far to the contrary, presenting only a few
options based on the feelings of six or seven people -- none
of whom were elected and most of whom have no responsibility
or expertise in these areas -- is a disservice to the
President and the country.
This draft takes a different course, it attempts to collect
Ronald Reagan's thoughts on the State of the Union as
expressed during the past year as well as present the views
of a wide range of people within the Administration. I
think we owe it to him and to the country to take advantage
of his judgement, his good sense and his intellect and let
him be the judge of what material should be included or
excluded.
2) A GENERAL RULE -- We work in the biggest fishbowl in the
world, sooner or later our actions -- e.g. the range of
options we make available to the President -- are the stuff
of history. I don't think we can be criticized for giving
the President too much in the way of choices. And I think
we have a grave responsibility to assure the public that we
are doing all we can to let the President see as may
reasonable points of view as possible.
3) THE TRACK RECORD -- This process -- that of preparing a
lengthy but cogent first draft which offers the President a
wide range of choices -- is essentially the same process
that we have followed in the past. I believe the President
would strongly prefer this option. I cite just one example.
When the President learned that I had written a draft for
the London speech (despite strong attempts by some of the
staff to discourage such an undertaking), he asked to see
it. He had extremely kind words for this draft at his radio
speech the following day and he repeated those words to Dick
Wirthlin the subsequent day. As you know, he decided to use
that draft for his London speech. The draft was overly long
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but the President seemed pleased not dismayed at the
opportunity to see that much material.
As you also know, this same procedure of preparing a long
draft was followed in the tax cut draft of '81 and last
year's State of the Union speech with excellent results.
Frankly, as with the London speech, I was perplexed at being
left out of the State of the Union process this year.
Especially in view of the fact I was the only writer on the
staff who had, in this Administration or any other, been
responsible for taking a prior State of the Union message
through the process.
Here I think I should provide a word of background. When
Dave Gergen did call me shortly before Christmas to tell me
a decision had not been made on who the writer (s) would be,
he did say a two or three-track approach and a "conservative
draft" would be useful. As you know, the draft I prepared
during Christmas week and that you intercepted over New
Year's weekend (sent to the President instead of Judge Clark
"eyes only") was never intended for him. I had hoped,
however, that the existence of a draft would be called to
your attention and that eventually the President might have
a look at it early on. I sent in several memos to this
effect; Dave indicated that he felt the drafts would go to
the President within a week. At that point, the other draft
has still not been produced and my draft was turned over to
be used in part of that process. I cite all of this to
suggest that whatever the intentions behind these events,
there has been a great deal of maneuvering and the original
force and direction of my Christmas draft has been lost in
the shorter draft.
4) FINAL POINT -- Mike you have often said that your first
loyalty is to Ronald Reagan. It is that loyalty that I am
appealing to now. This is a critically important moment for
this Presidency. We have had good results with a certain
speech process in the past and I think changing it now would
be unwise.
It can do little harm and possibly an enormous amount of
good to let the President see the broad range of material
available to him in this draft.
Like any White House, we have seen develop on our staff
those who think their guidance and counsel is responsible
for the President's success. The perception is growing that
intoxicated by the nearness of power, some have simply lost
touch with reality and seem to believe in a spoon-fed
presidency, a presidency where a few people control the
access, limit the agenda and attempt to predetermine the
outcome of presidential decisions. I think Ronald Reagan is
a patient man but one nonetheless who eventually does draw
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the line at this kind of thing. I think you also know that
it is Ronald Reagan who, in crisis after crisis, has made
his around. staff look good. It has rarely been the other way
We need to resist all of these unfortunate tendencies. I
think showing the President this draft would assist in this
goal. But more important, by giving him a wide range of
options and a speech text that carries his nuance and idiom,
we would be cutting down on the tremendous burden he has to
carry.