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Assassination Attempt - 03/30/1981 (2)
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Assassination Attempt - 03/30/1981 (2)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Williamson, Richard S.: Files
Folder Title: Assassination Attempt
3/30/1981 [2 of 3]
Box: CFOA 46
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
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection: WILLIAMSON, RICHARD S.: Files
Archivist: kdb/srj
File Folder: Assassination Attempt March 30, 1981 [2]
Date: 6/23/98
CFOA 46
DOCUMENT
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
NO. AND TYPE
1. notes
typed. 1p., partial
n.d.
06
LCB 1/4/01
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act (44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National security classified information [(a)(1) of the PRA].
F-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA].
P-2 Relating to appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA].
F-2 Release could disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA].
FOIA].
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information
F-3 Release would violate a Federal statue [(b)(3) of the FOIA].
[(a)(4) of the PRAJ.
F-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and his advisors, or
[(b)(4) of the FOIA].
between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA].
F-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(a)(6) of
FOIA].
the PRA].
F-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of
the FOIA}.
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
F-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions
[(b)(8) of the FOIA].
F-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells ((b)(9) of
the FOIA].
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection: WILLIAMSON, RICHARD S.: Files
Archivist: kdb/srj
File Folder: Assassination Attempt March 30, 1981 [2]
Date: 6/23/98
CFOA 46
DOCUMENT
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
NO. AND TYPE
1. notes
typed. 1p., partial
n.d.
P6
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National security classified information [(a)(1) of the PRA].
F-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA].
P-2 Relating to appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA].
F-2 Release could disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency ((b)(2) of the
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRAJ.
FOIA].
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information
F-3 Release would violate a Federal statue [(b)(3) of the FOIA].
[(a)(4) of the PRA].
F-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and his advisors, or
[(b)(4) of the FOIA].
between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA].
F-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(a)(6) of
FOIA].
the PRA].
F-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes ((b)(7) of
the FOIA].
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
F-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions
[(b)(8) of the FOIA].
F-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells ((b)(9) of
the FOIA].
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
LARRY SPEAKES
April 1, 1981
12:13 P.M. EST
MR. SPEAKES: Good afternoon. First of all, I want to
let you know that I spoke with Sarah Brady this morning from the
hospital. Sarah, is, of course, very encouraged by the reports on
Jim. She specifically wanted to say that she had numerous calls
from Jim's friends in the media and that she wanted you to know
that she deeply appreciates these telephone calls. She has, of course,
not been able to get back to anyone at the present time. But she
hopes to soon. She just specifically wanted to call and let you
know that she appreciates it.
I transmitted to her that your feelings were that most
of these calls were certainly not for news but from friends of
Jim who wanted to know about his situation and express your feelings
for Jim through Sarah.
I just talked to Dr. Ruge at the hospital. The President
has just awaken from a nap and the situation is as we announced it
in the medical statement this morning. We anticipate having another
medical statement this afternoon, probably around 3:00. These
statements, as you know, follow the doctors' rounds in visiting
the President and that explains the fluid time as to when they
release him.
&
What do you mean the doctors' rounds?
MR. SPEAKES: When the doctor visits the patient.
I
You mean Ruge or others?
MR. SPEAKES: Others and Ruge. We are now handing
out the personnel announcements, presidential appointments -- Kie-
ran
O'Doherty to be Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission
and the the President plans to designate him as Chairman; Warren
T. Lindquist to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the New
Community Development Corporation, and, once the appointment is
effective, he will become General Manager and Chief Executive
Officer; Fred J. Villella to be Deputy Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency; William R. Gianelli to be Assistnat
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; Lawrence J. Korb to be
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower Reserve and Reserve Affairs
and Logistics; Shelby T. Brewer to be Assistant Secretary of Energy,
Nuclear Energy. These had been earlier signed by the President.
These are not the ones that he signed today which are now going
through our normal paperwork procedure. And I don't anticipate
having them today. The President --
I
Larry, how many is he signing today, do you know?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I'll have to check that figure.
Q
Could we take a look at his signature?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, we'll let you do that.
MORE
#50-4/1
- 2 -
Q
This was right before he was shot?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q
Last week, in other words, late last week?
Q
The Executive Order as well?
MR. SPEAKES: They will come in today. The President
today, this morning, about 7:15 signed an Executive Order amending
the generalized system of preferences. And the paper's coming out
on that. This is a matter of trade and it will -- questions should
be directed to the Trade Representative's Office, 395-3406, who
can answer them better than we can.
Pool assignments for tomorrow: Newsweek writer, Time
photographer, Sheridan radio correspondent, Detroit News, ABC,
AP and UPI writer.
The Vice President's schedule, which you've seen,
luncheon with Director Casey at noon. At 2:00, National Security
Council meeting in the Cabinet Room, 5:00 meeting with Dr.
Garret Fitzgerald, and at 6:30 a reception, and at 8:00 a performance
at the National Theatre.
Q
Were all of these the President's appointments?
MR. SPEAKES: No, only the National Security Council
meeting was.
Q
Larry, apart from signing the Executive Order
and the personnel appointments and the legislation yesterday, what
other Presidential businesshas he been able to conduct?
MR. SPEAKES: Why don't you -- I'll come back to that,
Bill, if you'll let me tick through a few things here and remind me
that you have a question pending.
Q
Okay.
MR. SPEAKES: Tomorrow, the Vice President's schedule,
and this is only part of it, and we'll have a detailed one, of
course, later, it includes a 1:00 Cabinet meeting, a 2:30 meeting
with the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, a 3:00 meeting with
GOP members of the House, Ways and Means Committee. Of that number,
the Cabinet meeting and the GOP House members were Presidential
meetings that were scheduled. Now, some details --
Ω
The meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister was
not a Presidential --
MR. SPEAKES: Was not a Presidential -- He had planned
to see the Vice President. Okay, the President -- then this is
details on the hospital and it's in excrutiating detail.
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#50-4/1
- 3 -
Q Good.
MR. SPEAKES: A private room at the hospital, measures 11 feet
by four inches, by 16 feet by 7 inches. The cost is --
Q How high? To the ceiling.
MR. SPEAKES: High enough for a man to stand up. The cost
is $234.
I Who pays for that?
MR. SPEAKES: Wait a minute.
I He pays his own bill?
MR. SPEAKES: The President has insurance. It is not the
government insurance but I think it's previous policy he owned from
California. Also, it's my understanding that he is insured in the
military as Commander-in-Chief.
I
Okay. But what is his California insurance? Is it
Blue Cross Blue Sheid?
I
Is it private?
MR. SPEAKES: It could be left over it could be part of
his duties as Governor.
I
So, you don't know whether it's a private policy or
some other public --
MR. SPEAKES: I can check. I hope not.
O
And he is paying all of his hospital bills, personally?
MR. SPEAKES: I would assume his insurance will. I don't
know.
I Well, which policy? His private policy or the military
insurance? Which will pay?
I
Why do you assume that?
MR. SPEAKES: I just assume that --
Ω
My assumption is that as President and Commander -in-
Chief he gets free medical service and all of that.
Q Do you have a breakdown of the other costs? The cost
of the operation? Anesthesia? Emergency room treatment?
MR.SPEAKES: No.
Ω Question?
MR. SPEAKES: Repeat it, Sam.
I
Do you have a breakdown of the other costs? The cost
of the operation, the emergency room procedure?
MR. SPEAKES: Let me get --
I
The voice trailed off at that point.
MORE
/1
- 4 -
MR. SPEAKES: No. The answer was no.
Q
Can we get it?
MR. SPEAKES: We'll see.
Q
But you say his personal policy is paying it all?
MR. SPEAKES: I thought I had excruciating details. (Laughter.)
Q
Just tell us what details you have.
MR. SPEAKES: That's what I'm trying to do.
2 But we do want to find out if he's going to pick up
his own tab over there.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay, good.
Q
Also, Larry, isn't he eligible for Medicare?
MR. SPEAKES: I assume he is eligible. Okay. Color of the
walls: beige. There are two blue easy chairs in the room. One rust
couch.
Q Hold on.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay. I'm sorry.
Q
Two blue chairs.
MR. SPEAKES: Easy chairs.
Q
Is this the Presidential Suite?
MR. SPEAKES: This is a standard small hospital room.
O
Beige walls and blue chairs? (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: One rust couch.
O
That's worse.
MR. SPEAKES: A tv mounted on the wall. It is a standard
hospital room. There is a small floral arrangement which was sent from
the White House florist. It is not a -- not from an outsider. I will
have more detail on the flowers. Okay. There is an anteroom off the
President's room which measures 10 feet by eight inches by nine feet even.
It has a small couch and a red leather chair.
Q
What color is the couch?
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't get the color.
Q
Is it a daybed? Does it open up SO someone could sleep
there?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know. I'll send Mr. Weinberg out and
check it again. (Laughter.) It has a bed and it has a White House phone.
Q
What's the room number? What floor is it on, all that?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. Okay. This morning at 7:15, this is a little
bit about what he's done today.
Q
Can you give us the suite number or the room number?
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#50-4/1
- 5 -
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
What floor it's on?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
Why is that?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I just don't want to. The White House --
Q
Well, that's perfectly unacceptable. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: No, for obvious reasons. Okay. The White House --
the floor contains, directly across from the President, an office for
the White House staff. It's mainly where David Fisher and Helene Von Damm
are working from.
It also, on the same corridor, is a military -- an office for
the military aide. Dr. Ruge has a room--sleeping room there.
MORE
#50-4/1
- 6 -
Q
Right there?
MR. SPEAKES: That's right. There is a sitting room for
Mrs. Reagan and a staff office that is at the end of the hall.
I
For whom?
I
Who's there?
MR. SPEAKES: For members of the White House staff. I
think there's a secretary from the Advance Office there and there are
advance people there.
I
Are any other patients on the wing?
Q
We thought they had a whole corridor. Is that
roughly right, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: Where is Weinberg? I think it is roughly
a whole corridor.
Q
Is the government being charged for these
additional rooms?
MR. SPEAKES: Possibly. I don't know.
Q
Does the Secret Service have a staff room there?
MR. SPEAKES: They are there.
Q
Do they have a whole operation there?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. It is virtually a whole corridor.
I
Was there a photo scheduled this morning and did
you people decide to have the White House photographer take a picture?
MR. SPEAKES: There has not been a photo scheduled.
We will not do one today but anticipate doing one in the next day
or SO.
I
Was there consideration of one today and you
decided against it?
I
You anticipate what, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: I anticipate doing one in the next day
or SO. There was a demand from the press, and we considered it
and decided, "Let's wait 'til tomorrow."
Q Why?
MR. SPEAKES: That was our decision. There's no
reason. There's no medical reason. There's --
Q
He doesn't look good?
MR. SPEAKES: He looks very good.
Q
Is there a photogenic --
MR. SPEAKES: There is not a photogenic concern.
I
But does he look good? I mean why would --
MR. SPEAKES: He looks good.
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#50-4/1
- 7 -
Q
How can you say he looks good?
MR. SPEAKES: I am told by the doctors.
Q
Does he still have the tubes in his nose? Is
that why you didn't let the photographer in?
I
Is he tired looking?
MR. SPEAKES: No, he's not tired looking. I think the
White House photographer, in responding to a number of phone calls,
wanted to do that and our decision was, "Let's wait until tomorrow."
I
Why? Why are we waiting until tomorrow?
Q
Are you hesitant to let the public see him?
MR. SPEAKES: Because we wanted to wait until tomorrow.
I
But why did you want to, Larry?
Q
There has to be a reason.
MR. SPEAKES: There is no reason other than we wanted
to wait until tomorrow.
Q
Who made the decision?
I Larry.
I
Did Ed Meese make it or Baker?
MR. SPEAKES: Members of the White House Staff.
I
Does that mean the decision is based solely on
whim?
Q
Com'on, Larry.
MR. SPEAKES: Those are your words and not mine.
Q
Did the President not want the photograph taken?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
Does he have anything to say about it?
Q
Did you ask him?
MR. SPEAKES: No, we didn't ask him.
Q
Was Mrs. Reagan consulted about the picture?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think SO. Miguel has a question.
Q
Por favor. I wanted to know if there's any supply
of jelly beans in the room. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: I think I do have something on that.
Jelly bean man? Where is he? We had that.
Q
The key question always gets asked.
I
And how many? And the flavors?
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#50-4/1
- 8 -
I
How many are in the jar?
MR. SPEAKES: Lots of jelly beans. Now, are we ready
for the visitors?
I
Can you try to get us an answer on why there will
not be a White House photo of the President released today?
I
We want our own pictures.
Q
Better yet.
MR. SPEAKES: I've given you the answer.
Q Exactly.
2
Can we get our cameras in there?
Q
The pool should be allowed in.
MR. SPEAKES: I do not anticipate that for the immediate
time.
I
Who's pool today, Sam?
Q We are.
I
Larry, has a picture been taken that you're not
releasing?
MR. SPEAKES: Not that I'm aware of.
2
But until he moves we're still pool.
I
Larry, there is a tradition of having an early
photograph and not by a White House photographer but by the regular
press.
MR. SPEAKES: Hopefully we will be --
Q
And I think this is a historical record and I don't
know why you're deviating.
MR. SPEAKES: Well, hopefully we'll be able to abide by
the historical --
Q
We don't want White House pictures. We'd like to
send in our own photographer.
MR. SPEAKES: Well, we'll see if they can look at the
scar.
I Larry, there is, obviously, by the nature of the
questions here, the feeling that there's something you folks don't
want us to see with a photo today. Can you assure us that's not the
case?
MR. SPEAKES: I can assure you in the most certain terms
that there is no reason other than the fact that we decided not to
do it until tomorrow.
2 What's the color scheme in the room? I wouldn't
want them to see it either.
MR. SPEAKES: No reason whatsoever.
MORE
#50-4/1
- 9 -
I
If you postpone it tomorrow will we have valid
grounds for skepticism about that?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
What make is the television set? Is it Japanese?
Is that it?
I
It's a Honda.
MR. SPEAKES: No, I'm sure if you can purchase an
American set, a set purchased in the United States, that we
will do so.
I
How are we to know whether he's really sitting
up with his eyes open if we can't see a picture?
I
If you see a picture how are you going to know
that? (Laughter.)
Q
The President doesn't want to have a picture
taken, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I don't think we've taken this matter
up with the President.
Q
Has a member of the President's family requested
that no photos be taken?
MR. SPEAKES: No, did not, did not. You are looking
for a motive which does not exist.
MORE
#50-4/1
- 10 -
Q
Then why doesn't a picture exist?
Q
We don't believe that White House suspicions are made
on whim.
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't say that. Someone back here said
that.
I
I do.
Q
Is it an arbitrary decision, Larry?
Q
You didn't challenge it.
MR. SPEAKES: I did challenge it. I said it was your words
and not mine.
Q
Then release it.
2
-- stronger than those which would arise from a coin flip?
MR. SPEAKES: Pardon?
Q
Were the reasons any stronger than -- did you flip a
coin or do the mental equivalent and say, "We'll either allow the press
to report what the President looks like or we won't"and you just --were
there reasons that you're choosing not to give?
MR. SPEAKES: It was a decision and that's as simple as I
can put it.
Q
Who made the decision, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: Members of the White House staff.
&
Who specifically?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't want to say.
&
Larry, the other night --
MR. SPEAKES: Where's Miguel? Doesn't he --
Q
Larry, the other night in that 8:00 briefing you indicated
to us that the military command authority business had taken effect during
the day. Yesterday, Baker,a State Department spokesman and also other people
went out of their way to deny that that system was needed, was used, had
gone into effect.
MR. SPEAKES: I went out of my way to deny that the system
was not into effect and said it did not go into effect because there
was no need for it, there was no cause for it.
Q
Then why did Haig say he was in charge? If there was
no cause for it --
MR. SPEAKES: No, wait a second. All right. I'll be olad
to address this, but if you want to have this information in an orderly
fashion whichever you prefer.
Q
Let's go ahead with the hospital meeting.
MR. SPEAKES: All right. As known, Jim Baker, Mike Deaver,
MORE
#50-4/1
- 11 -
visited with the President at 7:15 this morning, briefly, and he
signed this document. David Fisher has been in with the President briefly
this morning. He had jello for breakfast, he has read --
I
Color?
MR. SPEAKES: Pardon?
Q
The color?
MR. SPEAKES: He has read newspapers this morning and the
White House News Summary.
I
Did he watch the morning news?
MR. SPEAKES: He was watching television, but I do not know
which network. (Laughter.) The television was heard on in his room.
I think that's the extent of it, isn't it Mark?
Okay. Let me see --
I
Larry, --
MR. SPEAKES: Okay. You want the telegram stuff? Or do you--
I
Yes.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay. Approximately 7,500 telegrams and mailgrams
have been received.
I Pro and con? (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: We picked --
I
What? Today?
MR. SPEAKES: We picked two lines that we think are repre-
sentative. "We're grateful to God for saving your life."
I
Who said that? I mean, was that a line from an actual
telegram?
MR. SPEAKES: Second quote: "We're praying for you and for
Mr. Brady and the other men."
Q
Do you have names ón those particular ones that are 2
representative?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I don't. Second-grade class at Camelot
School in Annandale sent individual drawings and messages to the President.
I
Where?
MR. SPEAKES: Annandale, Virginia. Camelot. That's my
neighborhood, but not my child's school. A good quote here, "I hope you
will be President for 100 years." (Laughter.)
I
Does that mean he's going to run again?
I
That came in the second-grade class?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. Some of the drawings included some of him
in bed.
I
Can we see those? (Laughter.)
2
They know more than we do, then. (Laughter.)
MORE
#50-4/1
- 12 -
Q
Were his eyes open?
&
Could you release those -- (laughter) --
Q
Did he say anything about the pictures, drawings?
MR. SPEAKES: I think they have come here and not out there,
yet.
Q
Can we have a picture of them?
&
Who was the author of that line?
&
Do you have a little girl or a little boy's name on that?
2
What's the prognosis when the President's going to get out?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have anything on the release date.
Q
Do you have any kind of estimate at all?
MR. SPEAKES: No. We have also received messages. the President
has from at least 80 Heads of State and other high ranking government
officials.
Q Brezhnev?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. These include, and I put them in no order
and I have not selected any over the other. I'll just mention a few
I have here. The Pope, Queen Elizabeth, the Chancellor, the President and
the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Emperor and
the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Japan, Chairman Brezhnev;
others such as New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Egypt. The Brezhnev message--
&
South Africa?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't see South Africa listed here.
Q
Poland?
MR. SPEAKES: Is it? South Africa, yes.
Q
South Africa, yes?
Q
Do you have a text on the Brezhnev?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, I think so.
&
Did you say "yes" on South Africa?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q
How about Cuba?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q
Yes on Cuba?
Q Castro?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
&
Yes, we have to put him down.
&
Can we have the Castro telegraph?
I
What about Deng?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm looking for the Brezhnev text. Okay.
Brezhnev: "It is with indignation that we learned of --
Q
Signed, "Your Affectionate Comrade"?
Q
Wait a minute.
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#50-4/1
- 13 -
MR. SPEAKES: All right --
"that we learned of the attempt on your life. We resolutely condemn
this criminal act. In the name of the Soviet leadership and on
my own behalf, I wish you,
Q
Go slower, please.
MR. SPEAKES: All right.
Q
"I wish you
MR. SPEAKES: "I wish you, Mr. President, a complete
and speedy recovery."
Q
Can you read us Castro's?
Q
Has the President seen those?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
Larry, can you tell us if there are any Presidential
decisions or actions of any kind that have had to be postponed because
of the President's hospitalization?
MR. SPEAKES: None that I'm aware of, Leo. I think the
President,
as Jim Baker and Ed Meese both described him this
morning, as fully able, ready and willing to make any decisions that
are required of him. And certainly he will do so.
Q
Doesn't it seem odd, though, that when you people
give us this business-as-usual description, that we know that the
President is under limited capacity and has a limited working
agenda? If that really reflects business-as-usual, are you saying
that the President before he was wounded -- (laughter.) Is that
the impression that -- the normal day for Ronald Reagan before he
got wounded, consisted of just signing one bill and the next day
a couple of appointments? (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: Your question was, is that the impression
you wish us to convey and the answer is no.
Q
Well, then, is it business-as-usual? Which is
it?
MR. SPEAKES: The Vice President is, as you see, taking
the President's meetings where the President would have been had
he been here.
Q
But you're saying Bush is not making Presidential
decisions?
MR. SPEAKES: So the decisions go to the President.
Q
Okay, and you're saying that the President in
the last 48 hours and for the next two or three days is going to
make exactly as many decisions as he would have if he had not been
shot.
MR. SPEAKES: True.
Q
Is the President on pain killers of any kind?
MR. SPEAKES: I think we'd have to get that from the
doctor and I'll be glad to ask him. I'm sure they are.
Q
Did he have a National Security briefing this
morning?
Q
Larry, is he high all the time?
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MR. SPEAKES: It's my understanding he did.
Q
By whom?
MR. SPEAKES: By Dick Allen.
Q
From Allen?
Q
Let me back up a little bit and sort of on a line
that Leo was on.
I asked you earlier, what other Presidential
official activity has there been apart from signing these papers?
And you just mentioned the Allen --
MR. SPEAKES: Bill, that is the extent of it so far
today. We had some action yesterday on the Dairy Bill. The way the
thing is working is that these meetings are continuing and at the
conclusion of the meeting, if there is a decision of the President
required, there are memoranda of decisions, a decision memoranda
that has developed, and they will go to the President at the
hospital and he will make his decisions.
Q
Have any gone to him today?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
What about the Allen briefing? Was it in person,
on the phone, a piece of paper --
MR. SPEAKES: I think it was by the phone.
MS. KAMINSKY:I think it was by phone because he did not go
to the hospital.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay.
Q
You mean Allen gave him a security briefing today
by phone? Larry?
Q
Could you go back to the Brezhnev thing and just
tell me how it was signed, yours truly or --
MS. KAMINSKY: Sorry, it could have been in writing.
I'm going to try to check that.
MR. SPEAKES:Okay, what did Brezhnev, how did he sign? L.
Brezhnev, that's --
Q
L. Brezhnev.
MR. SPEAKES: L. Brezhev.
Q
No yours truly, anything like that?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think so.
Q
Larry, what is the White House mail report
on Haig?
MR. SPEAKES: The mail on Haig has been insignificant.
We haven't had that much mail.
Q
Larry, what was the purpose of the meeting yesterday
between the Vice President and Drew Lewis on auto imports?
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MR. SPEAKES: I'm not aware of that meeting, but I
would assume it's the auto imports situation. Drew has been Chairman
of that task force and there are some decisions that will be made
and I'm sure he was briefing the Vice President on them.
Q Wasn't that the meeting that was originally scheduled
with the President that Bush was taking?
MR. SPEAKES: There was some -- a plan for an announcement
later this week on regulatory matters. And perhaps we'll go forward
with that.
Q
Larry, you said you were not aware of any Presidential
decision or action that has had to be postponed. Can you take the
question?
MR. SPEAKES: Sure.
Q
Is he still planning to go to Mexico at the end
of this month?
MR. SPEAKES: The planning on the Mexico trip is going
forward. There has been no decision to cancel.
Q
Has he cracked any jokes today?
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't get the joke list today.
Q
well, he's been reading the stories of his
potential assasination?
MR. SPEAKES: Helen, I would have to ask that. I don't
know what he'd react.
Q
Does he think they're accurate?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know what he'd react.
Something I want to clear up here. Okay, we've announced the
cancellation of the trip to Springfield. Also, the President does
not plan to go to Cincinnati to throw out the first ball next week.
We can say that.
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Q
What about Tuskeegee?
MR. SPEAKES: Tuskeegee, there's been no decision on
Tuskeegee.
I
Will Bush go to Cincinnati?
Q
Will Bush go?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think that's been determined.
Q
There's been no determination that the Vice
President should remain in the Capital while the President's in
the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: I haven't heard that discussed either
way.
Q
Larry, will Bush go to Tuskeegee if the
President is unable to do so?
MR. SPEAKES: Lou, I haven't heard a decision either
way on that.
Q
When is Tuskeegee?
MR. SPEAKES: I think those two things are up in the
air.
I
Larry, when is that?
Q
Larry, how long were Baker and Deaver in there
this morning?
MR. SPEAKES: Very briefly. I think it was, you know,
less than 10 minutes.
Q
And are there any other White House Staff, senior
staff, whatever, who are expected to go over to see him and talk
to him about any business today, or is he talking with people on
the telephone?
MR. SPEAKES: There's a good possibility that the
Vice President will go out this afternoon.
Q
To talk business or just to say, "How do you feel?"
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think we'll know until he gets
there. I'm sure that there could be some business.
I
Will there be a travel pool?
2
How do you determine whether staff should go there
or not? Is it still up to the doctors or --
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I think so and the staff is -- those
who need to go are going.
I
What is the White House assessment of the sympathy
factor, getting the economic package passed on the Hill?
MR. SPEAKES: I've seen some comments on that, but I
certainly don't want to comment or make a judgment on the sympathy
factor for passing a bill.
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Q
The President wouldn't want that kind of support,
would he?
Q
Are there any recovery plans at this point,
recuperation plans, where the President will recuperate?
MR. SPEAKES: I've not heard anything either way.
I don't know if that has been discussed yet.
Q Larry, what about the telephone contact? Are
people calling periodically and telling him how things are going
or asking directions?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know of any telephone calls this
morning.
Q
Billy Graham?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think he saw him.
Q
Larry, we learned yesterday from Jim Baker that
the President collapsed, passed out, when he -- after he walked
into the hospital. We learned this morning that he was coughing
and spitting up blood, that he lost, I guess two -- that he had
transfusions of 2-1/2 quarts of blood. We were told at the time
that he laughed and joked on the way -- or he joked and he walked
into the hospital. The decision, we're told, is not to let people
in to see the President for a picture. We're told that it's
business as usual. The President is a 70-year-old man. We were
also told by the doctors the other day that he was never in any
danger.
I'm wondering if there has been some decision somewhere
to paint a rosier picture, perhaps, of this whole incident in order
to reassure the American people because that's what it seems to be
pointing to.
MR. SPEAKES: Leo --
Q No. Saul.
MR. SPEAKES: Saul, I'm sorry.
2
I'm Leo.
MR. SPEAKES: Leo asks so many I thought it was him.
Okay. I can assure you that, from my personal knowledge, that there
has been no attempt to paint any rosier picture. The reports from
the hospital, as I know them, have been as accurate as we can make
them. As far as the situation in the emergency room, Lyn Nofziger and
I, with Jim Baker and Ed Meese, talked to the doctor who was there
and the doctor gave us his assessment. Keep in mind, now, this was,
what, an hour, hour and a half -- I don't recall the time. Lyn and
I walked directly out to the press assembled at the hospital and we
made a statement that was as accurate as we could reflect the
doctor's views.
The President clearly did walk into the emergency room,
apparently from what Jim said, that he did feel faint. I don't know
how he appeared or whether he did collapse. But I did see him myself
when he left the emergency room and was headed to the operating room
and I can state as a personal witness that he did make those jokes.
He did look remarkably well to me at that time.
Q
Was this after the transfusions?
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MR. SPEAKES: I don't know the medical -- you know, the
play-by-play situation.
Q
Yes.
&
Did you know at that point he'd been shot?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. We knew that he had been shot
because when Lyn and I were told by the doctor we knew what had
happened and we went out and told the press.
Q
So you were never told that he fainted or
collapsed and that he had nose bleeds and that he was complaining
about breathing and all these other stories that are coming out now?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I was never told that.
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Q
Did you see any of that?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I did not. I did not see the President until
he left the emergency room.
Q
Can you elaborate on any conversation the President had
in his limousine with Jerry Parr or anyone else there immediately upon
leaving the scene from the Hilton shooting?
MR. SPEAKES: No, except what Jim Baker said yesterday, which
was that the President thought he had bruised a rib or broken a rib and
that Jerry Parr then made the decision to go to the hospital.
I
Well, I'm specifically referring to a story which said--
quotes the President as saying, "I'm going to have to apologize to Parr"
or he wanted to see him, "because I accused him of breaking my ribs"or
words to that effect? Can you tell us whether that conversation took
place?
MR. SPEAKES: I cannot, except that -- you know, from what
you heard yesterday from Jim Baker.
I Well, that did not come from Jim Baker, the story I'm
quoting from. Or it did not come from the briefing Baker did on the
record.
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I thought that was what Jim said
yesterday. I heard the same story, Sam, but I can't -- you know --
I Who's story is it? The Time or the Post? Or AP?
I It's an AP story and you sort of mischaracterized it
because you said that they went to the hospital because they thought he
had bruised ribs. According to that AP story, Parr saw blood coming out
of the President the corner of the President's mouth and determined
that the President had suffered an internal injury and that was the
basis for ordering the limouisine to the hospital -- injuring his ribs.
Q
Is that correct?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know.
Q
Can you find that out, Larry? Is that a question you
can back to us on on that point?
MR. SPEAKES: I can ask, Lou. I'm not sure that we're going
to go into that much detail, but I surely will ask.
Q
Why not? Why can't you go through that much detail?
I
Did the President ask to see Jerry Parr to apologize
to him? Has he seen Jerry Parr? Has he apologized to him?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, let me clarify one thing --
I
Is Jerry Parr still on detail over at the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: Let me clarify one thing. The meeting with
Drew Lewis was not on the VP's schedule, but it was added late in the
day yesterday, or sometime during the day. It had not been on the
President's schedule.
Q What was it about?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm sure it was about the auto industry problems.
I
But, again, no decision by the Vice President -- would
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have to be referred to the President?
MR. SPEAKES: Sure. And I think all decisions that we're
making at this time have been made.
Q
When did Dr. Rage -- were you able, just before coming
to the briefing room, were you able to get an explanation from him as
to the phrase he used in the AVM Bulletin, "as well as can be expected",
because it seems to contrast with the report yesterday that the President
was doing better than expected?
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't ask him specifically about that, Leo,
and I would not, certainly from the tone of my conversations with Dr. Ruge
from first call at 6:15 this morning on through five minutes until 12:00,
there'd been no indications that you should read any downgrading into
that, for sure.
I
Larry, has the President said anything about how he
thinks the Vice President is doing or how he thinks anyone else is doing
other than that joke about "why, would you think I'd be happy to hear
that the government's running -- "?
MR. SPEAKES: No. I haven't heard anything from the President
on that, although I can certainly express the feeling of the White House
staff is that ---
Q
No. I want his feelings.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay. I won't express the feeling of the
White House staff then.
Q
Can I go to the Haig story now?
0
You can do whatever you want.
2
I'm sorry. Well, because I was asking the indulgence of
my colleagues.
I
We're indulging you.
&
By what authority did Haig say he was in charge? I
understand from Mr. Baker that Haig made the announcement -- the decision
on his own, but Baker said we would have -- we concurred in it completely.
By what authority did Haig make the "in-charge" statement
constitutionally?
MR. SPEAKES: Walt, I think on that matter, Jim Baker had
spoken for 30 or 40 minutes yesterday on it, and--
2
I know, but most of us were excluded.
MR. SPEAKES: Well, we did provide a transcript. I have
received a bulletin here on the insurance.
I
This just in.
MR. SPEAKES: He has state of California insurance policy.
Apparently the military policy does not apply here.
I
And does that pick up all these hospital expenses?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, we would have to get an insurance
agent to read the policy.
I
You mean, the California taxpayer is going to pay for this?
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MR. SPEAKES: You never know until you get ready to
leave the hospital.
Q
Well, you've got a story, Leo. (Laughter.)
Q
No, but it's a very good question. Why would he still
have a state of California insurance policy? He's not been Governor of
California for a number of years.
Q Would they have let him in the hospital if he didn't
have an insurance card? (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: Maybe it continues.
Q Does it?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know.
Q
Who's the insurance company?
Q
Well, are you going to provide additional information
on this?
MR. SPEAKES: I will try to.
Q
Would this be a retirement benefit from his service as
Governor?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, I don't know. It could be.
Q
Or is he paying privately into the company?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know.
Q
Your statement on Jim Brady today says that he can move
his left arm and leg. If I'm not mistaken, yesterday you said he could
move his right arm and leg. Is he fully ambulant?
MR. SPEAKES: We checked back --
Q
Is he fully ambulatory?
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MR. SPEAKES: No, I don't want to amplify the doctor's
statement except to say that that is accurate. I think when you say
ambulatory, I don't know that he's been out of bed.
Q
Okay, but he can move both arms and both legs, then?
MR. SPEAKES: I judge there's been some movement.
Q
What was he playing catch with?
MR. SPEAKES: A soft object.
Q
I've got to have better than that.
MR. SPEAKES: Why don't you put dash-dash-dash in there?
Q
Come now.
Q
Mark's got it. Mark's got the answer to that.
Q
Let's have it.
Q
The answer is over here.
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, okay.
MR. WEINBERG: It was a soft object.
Q
Can't hear you, Mark.
MR. WEINBERG: It was a wad of cotton or gauze. It's
not a ball that you would buy in a sporting goods store or anything
of that kind. It was sort of a makeshift thing.
I
Can you describe further how he was playing catch?
MR. WEINBERG: No, I didn't see that part.
I
Cotton or gauze or and gauze?
MR. WEINBERG: It's not like cotton you'd buy in the
store. It's a little coarser than that and they just wadded it
up into a spherical type shape and tossed it back and forth.
Q
Larry, you began to outline a staff procedure to
get presidential decisions while Reagan is in the hospital. You said
there'd be staff meetings where a presidential decision is required.
There'll be a decision memorandum which presumably will be taken to
his room and he can then sign off.
MR. SPEAKES: Right.
Q
To what extent -- it seems to me that that sounds
remarkably the way it's always done except you'd go to the Oval
Office with it. Is there something different in the decision-making
process?
MR. SPEAKES: No. You know, many times the President
would be present in these meetings where he would simply say, "Do this,"
or "Do that." Since he's not present, then it goes in this other
procedure.
Q
Larry, is anyone on the senior staff questioning the
security that was provided by the Secret Service, particularly on why a
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person without credentials, carrying a gun, was allowed so close to
the President?
MR. SPEAKES: Ted, I really don't want to comment on the
security procedures. I have not heard any discussions on the
White House senior staff about that. I think, as a matter of
procedure, the Treasury Department and the Secret Service does
conduct a review. But I've heard no criticism from here.
Q
And has the President asked that question or
something like that?
MR. SPEAKES: I have heard from no one who's been with
the President that he's raised that topic.
Q
Has he been given a full report now on this
whole incident?
MR. SPEAKES: Helen, not that I'm aware of. On the
incident -- on his health?
Q
On the security.
Q
The whole --
MR. SPEAKES: Not that I'm aware of.
Q
He's read all the newspapers though, right?
Q
Let me just ask a follow-up question. Has the
President indicated any change in his position on gun control?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
On the National Security Council meeting --
Q
Has not?
Q
No, or do you know?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q
Is that a fact?
MR. SPEAKES: He has not indicated any change. No, he
hasn't.
Q
Has anyone asked him?
MR. SPEAKES: The matter has not come up as far as I
know in any discussions with the President in the hospital.
Q
Why hasn't he changed his position on gun control?
(Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know why, Helen.
Q
Was Haig present this morning at either of the
briefings of the President or the Vice President?
MR. SPEAKES: Was Haig present? Haig has been in the
White House this morning and I think he participated in the security
briefing of the Vice President, and I am told now that the material
that is going to the President on national security is written.
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I
Has it gone already?
I
It is written?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q
May I assume because you say the President
hasn't changed his position on gun control, that you people therefore
disagree with Senator Kennedy's speech this morning in which he
says, "It is time for us to disarm the violent criminals and
killers and psychopaths who, with Saturday night specials, threaten
the people of America. Crime control should mean gun control." Do
you disagree with Kennedy's remarks about gun control?
MR. SPEAKES: I haven't read his remarks and would want
us to review them in their full context before we comment.
Q
Are you going to review those remarks?
MR. SPEAKES: If you'll get me a copy of his speech,
I'll look at it.
Bulletin again --
Q
So you don't care about what he said -- only if
I get it to you?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I didn't say that, Walt.
I
I'll get it for you, Larry. It's okay.
MR. SPEAKES: Okay. There's my man.
I have not
seen his remarks. I did not know he made the remarks and certainly
I'll take a look at them and if I have an answer I'll see that I
get back to you.
The school class was the first grade, not the second
grade. (Response of "Oh-h-h" in unison from the press.)
I
Another mistake.
I
Larry, on the National Security Council briefing,
the President was going to be out of the city today. When was that
meeting going to happen and was it supposed to be about Poland?
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MR. SPEAKES:
We don't discuss the topic, it could have been scheduled later in
the week, and they put it on today's schedule simply because the
President's schedule today was cleared in order to go to Springfield so that
they might have said, "Let's shift it." Yes, sir?
Q
Larry, this doctor who briefed you and Nolziger
on the situation in the emergency room, what was his name, his
role?
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't get his name. I assumed he was
someone that had participated in the treatment of the President.
And that's the extent of it.
Q
But you don't have any information where you would
have recorded
who that was?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I didn't write his name down.
Q
Did Billy Graham go by to see the President?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't believe Billy Graham has been there.
Q
How about Frank Sinatra?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't believe Frank Sinatra has been
there.
I
Dr. Moomau?
MR. SPEAKES: Dr. Moomau and Mrs. moomau were there
last night.
Q
Could we get back to Walter's point? Will there
be any review of the administration's position on gun control as
a result of this incident?
MR. SPEAKES: I have heard nothing to indicate that there
will be a review of it.
Q
Has the topic come
up in any discussion
that you're aware of, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: I naven't heard any 'til Meese commented
on it.
MR. ALLIN: Ed Meese talked about the gun control issue last
night on the McNeil-Lehrer Report and the administration's position
and what he presumed the President's view would be. So --
MR. SPEAKES: What did he say?
I don't have the transcript. And he was also on
this morning about it.
Q
Larry, why was the Baker briefing yesterday festricted
to the three networks and the two wire services?
MR. SPEAKES: It was simply the way we wanted to do
it at the time, Howell, we wanted Jim wanted to talk to us.
Q
I assumed that from the evidence. I was asking
why --
MR. SPEAKES: I will make a promise to you that we will
always have a newspaper, a print pooler in these situations in the
future.
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Q
Larry, is there any lack of comfort among the White
House Staff with the sudden use of the phrase, "business-as-usual"?
Reagan ran against business-as-usual and until the shooting, time
and again assured the nation he was opposed to business-as-usual?
(Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: I think we were running against business-as-
usual on the previous administration and not business-as-usual in this
administration. (Laughter.)
Q
Which is somewhat different.
Q
Larry, could you tell me who saw the President
today, personally?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, Deaver and Baker and David Fisher
and Dr. Ruge and other doctors.
Q
Who are the other doctors who are continuing
to look after him?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have their names.
Q
Mrs. Reagan has not been over there yet today?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I think she's coming shortly or she's
going shortly.
Q Can you get the text of the Castro question?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q
HOW are we going to get late information today
on who else visited him and cdear up some of the questions --
MR. SPEAKES: We'll put out a notice to the press
late this afternoon.
Q
On what, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: The times of the --
Q
What is that? What are you going to put out?:
MR. SPEAKES: We'll update you on who's been out there
and what the activities are.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
12:55 P.M. EST
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 30, 1981
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF. THE
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Washington Hilton Hotel
Washington, D.C.
2:03 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. President, Reverend Clergy, gentlemen
here on the dais, and you ladies and gentlemen,
-- there's been
a lot of talk in the last several weeks here in Washington about
communication and the need to communicate. And the story that I
haven't told for a long time but somehow it's been brought back to
me since I've been here about communication and some of the basic
rules of communication. It was told to me the first time by Danny
Villanueva who used to place-kick for the Los Angeles Rams, and then
later became a sports announcer, and Danny told me that one night
as a sports announcer, he was having a young ball player with the
Los Angeles Dodgers over to the house for dinner and the young
wife was bustling about getting the dinner ready while he and the
ball player were talking sports. And the baby started to cry.
And over her shoulder, the wife said to her husband, "Change the
baby." And this young ball player was embarrassed in front of
Danny and he said to his wife, "What do you mean change the baby?
I'm a ball player. That's not my line of work." And she turned
around, put her hands on her hips and she communicated." (Laughter.)
She said, "Look, buster, you lay the diaper out like a diamond,
you put second base on home plate, put the baby's bottom on the
pitcher's mound, hook up first and third, slide home underneath
and if it starts to rain, the game ain't called, you start all over
again." (Laughter. applause.)
So, I'm going to try to communicate a little bit today.
I'm pleased to take part in this National Conference of the Building
and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. And I hope
you'll forgive me if I point with some pride to the fact I'm the
first President of the United States to hold a lifetime membership
in an AFL-CIO union. (Applause.)
And, Mr. President, I'm very grateful for your words
about cooperation. Now, if I can only persuade certain individuals
up on the Hill to do the same thing, we won't have any trouble at
all. (Applause.)
But members of your organization have played and do play
a great part in the building of America. They also are an important
part of the industry in which my union plays a part. Now, it's
true that grease paint and make believe are not tools of your members'
trade, but we all know the meaning of work and of family and of
country.
For two decades or more, I participated in renegotiating
our basic contract when it came renewal time. And here, too, we have
much in common.
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- 2 -
Sitting at the negotiating table, we were guided by three principles
in our demands. Is it good for our people? Is it fair to the other
fellow and to the customer? And is it good for the industry?
Samuel Gompers who founded the American Federation of
Labor and who literally gave his life to that cause said, "Doing for
people what they can and ought to do for themselves is a dangerous
experiment. In the last analysis the welfare of the workers depends
upon their own initiative. Whatever is done under the guise of
philanthropy or social morality, which in any way lessens initiative,
is the greatest crime that can be committed against the toilers. Let
social busybodies and professional public morals experts in their
fads reflect upon the perils they rashly invite under the pretense of
social welfare." Samuel Gompers was repudiating the socialist
philosophy when he made that statement. No one worked harder to get
or believe more in a fair shake for the people who sweat as the fuel
of our country, but he didn't believe that this should or could come
from government compulsion.
America depends on the work of labor and the economy we
build should reward and encourage that labor as our hope for the future.
We've strayed far from the path that was charted by this
man who believed so much in the freedom and dignity of the worker. We
are in today's economic mess precisely because our leaders have forgotten
that we built this great nation on rewarding the work ethic instead of
punishing it.
We've gone astray from first principles. We've lost sight
of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core
of everything that we've accomplished. Government's first duty is to
protect the people, not run their lives. What have been some of the
results of this straying from basic principles? Well, for one, violent
crime has surged 10 percent making neighborhood streets unsafe and
families fearful in their homes. We've been left with a legacy of almost
eight million people out of work 666,000 of them construction workers.
All of these people have been robbed of a basic human dignity enforced
into the humiliation of unemployment. The annual inflation rate has soared
to nearly 12 percent, making a mockery of hard work and savings. And our
n ational debt has grown to more than $950 billion despite taxes that eat
up an ever-increasing share of the family dollar.
This deficit has particular meaning for you because when
government has to borrow to pay its bills, it competes for private capital,
driving interest rates up and construction starts down. So, when people
ask me why we have to cut down the budget deficit, I think the answer
is pretty clear. If we don't get control of the budget and stop wild
and irresponsible spending, we will repeat past intolerable prime interest
rates of more than 20 percent, rates which have played havoc with the
lives of your fellow workers. And when we do not have economic security
at home, our national security is threatened. We've let our defense
spending fall behind and our capability to defend ourselves against foreign
aggressors is not what it should be. These trends not only must stop,
believe me, they will be stopped.
Every American, and especially all the working people of
our country have an enormous stake in what we do. You pay the most
taxes. You believe in a work ethic but subsidize a government that does
not. You,
MORE
- 3 -
who have traditionally saved to provide for your futures to date, cannot
save. You who most want to work are most likely to be laid off. You,
through taxes on your hard-earned wages, pay for what could be as much
as $25 billion each year in federal waste, abuse and outright fraud
in government programs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke of "the
forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid." Well, today
it's safe to say that the people at both ends of the pyramid are
getting attention. The man who's forgotten is the fellow who built
it.
Such a man wrote his congressman a few weeks back and
that letter landed on my desk. I've gotten tens of thousands
of letters about our plan for economic recovery. I appreciate all
of them, but a few of them really stand out, and this man's letter
is one of them. He's an unemployed factory worker from Illinois,
the Peoria area, but he worked in construction for ten years before
that. His income right now is totally dependent on unemployment
and supplemental benefits from the company he worked for. He and
his wife have only been married three months, but she's been laid
off too. He wrote to say that if spending cuts in government affect
his benefits, it'll be hard for his family, but they'll make it.
And shades of Sam Gompers, he ended his letter saying that when
the opponents of our economic plan start lobbying against it -- and
let me quote, he said, "Let them know that there is someone out here
who's seen what they can do and is willing to stake his future on
trying a different approach."
That man has faith in America and faith in what the
American people can do if the government will only let them do it.
And that man, like most of America, wants a change. Right now, we
have the highest peacetime deficit in living memory. Federal
personal taxes for the average American family have gone 58 percent
in the last five years. And regulations by the government cost
consumers an estimated $100 billion a year. The man in Peoria's
right. Across this country, there are millions of people like him
yearning for a different approach.
They are yearning for us to reach for our hopes and
make room for our dreams. To put it bluntly, they want something
different for a change. Instead of halfway solutions, jerry-built
programs tied together with red tape, they're ready for an overhaul
to make the engine work again.
I've heard the complaints coming often from those
who had a hand in creating our present situation. They demand
proof in advance that what we've proposed will work. Well, the
answer to that is we're living with the proof that what they want
to continue doing hasn't worked and won't work. I believe what we
have proposed will work simply because it always has. We must
get control of the budget monster, get control of our economy, and
I assure you, get control of our own lives and our own destinies.
What has been submitted to the Congress is a four-point
comprehensive program or package for economic recovery. If only part
of the package is passed by Congress, we'll only ease some of our
problems and that isn't the solution at all. We must first get
government spending under control. And let me make something plain.
We're not asking that government spend less than it has been spending,
although that might not be the worst idea in the world. We're simply
proposing that government increase its spending in 1982 over 1981
by 6.1 percent, not 14 percent, as has been advocated.
MORE
- 4 -
If we keep spending at the present rate of increase, our budget
will double again in six years. Now, I propose cutting $48.6 billion
from the federal budget in Fiscal Year '82. Now, it's true these
are the largest spending cuts ever proposed. But even with these
cuts, the budget will still increase by $40 billion next year
and there will probably be a $45 billion deficit. Without our
cuts, that deficit will be more than $90 billion. The second point
is a 10 percent across-the-board tax rate cut every year for the
next three years. This is the most sweeping tax incentive program
in the last 20 years, the largest tax rate cuts ever proposed. And
again, we're not asking government to get along on less money than
it's been accustomed to. Our largest in history tax cut will only
reduce the largest in history tax increase that was imposed on
all of this at the beginning of this year. Now, T have a feeling
that in all of the arguing and rhetoric, many Americans have lost
sight of the fact that they're not facing taxes as usual, but a
gigantic tax increase that will take $770 billion extra out of our
pockets over the next six years. We think that's too much. This
government, without taking a single vote in Congress, has raised
billions of dollars from taxpayers in the last few years, just from
through inflation. The system keeps kicking people up into higher
brackets, as they've tried to keep up with the cost of living
increase, bleeding their earnings, sapping their incentive and,
quite frankly, making a mockery out of a tax system. Not too long
ago, only three percent of the people who work and earn in this
country were in a 30 percent tax bracket. Today, 33 percent are
in that bracket and they have no more purchasing power now than
they had before when they were in a much lower bracket. There
are just too many people in this town who thinks this money belongs
to the government. Well, it doesn't. It's your money. It's your
sons and daughters money that they're hoping to use for a new
home. It's your parents money that they need for a decent retirement.
And if we do nothing else in this administration, we're going to convince
this city that the power, the money, and the responsibility of this
country begins and ends with the people and not with some cinder block
building in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)
The third measure we've called for is elimination of
excessive regulation. Now, I know you have no experience with
regulation.Over-regulation-affects every industry. Many of you
know people who are out of work because of the way it affects yours.
It's estimated that total regulations have added as much as 20
percent to the cost of a home. Indeed, I've seen the figure more
recently put at 22 percent as the cost. I've told before, I have
a neighbor out in my neighborhood in California who was building
his own home, and he got SO fed up with all the paperwork and the
regulations required that he pasted them all together into one strip
of paper, put up two poles in front of the half-finished house and
strong them up across there. This strip of paper was 250 feet long.
And, finally, we're determined to work with the Federal
Reserve Board to develop a monetary policy consistent with the economic
program designed to stabilize the money supply, reduce inflation,
and allow interest rates to come down.
People who hold down jobs in the building trades probably
understand better than anyone, well, that is, better than anyone
except someone who's just lost his job in the building trade,
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- 5 -
the need for a stable monetary policy. Fewer than one in eleven
American families can afford to buy a new home. Housing starts are
down by 36 percent from what they were in 1978. Mortgage rates for
this year are averaged 13-1/2 percent, although I'm told in some parts of
the country they're currently running in excess of 15 percent.
The main source of strength in this fight is going to be
the people themselves. The idea is to unleash the American worker,
encourage the American investor and let each of us produce more to make
a better life for all. After all, why should we pay for some luxuries
that are not truly essential to our well-being, pay by way of a subsidy
when the man and his wife in Peoria are out of work Why should we
subsidize increased production of some things that we already have in
surplus? And why should we go in debt to pay for school lunches for
children of upper-income families when borrowing by government may
cost you your job?
We not only shouldn't do those things, we no longer can afford
to do them. We'll continue to fulfill our obligations to those who
must depend on the rest of us. Those who are deserving can rest assured
that they'll not be cut adrift, but the rest of us will feel the impact
of the budget cuts, which have been distributed through the economy,
as evenly as possible.
There is one area, however, where we must spend more and
that is for our national defense. Now, don't get me wrong. Cap Weinburger,
Secretary of Defense, has shown me programs in his department where we
can and will realize substantial savings. We'll cut 2.9 billion in next
year's budget alone and the cuts will accumulate to more than 28 billion
by 1986 in the Defense Department. But those savings will be applied to
the necessary things we must do, thus reducing the amount of additional
spending that we'll need.
Since 1970 the Soviet Union has undergone a massive military
build-up, far outstripping any need for defense. They've spent $300
billion more than we have for military forces resulting in a significant
numerical advantage in strategic nuclear delivery systems, tactical air-
crafts, submarines, artillery, and anti-aircraft defense. And to allow
this defense or this imbalance to continue is a threat to our national
security.
It's my duty as President, and all of our responsibility as
citizens, to keep this country strong enough to remain free. (Applause.)
As union members and as concerned citizens of the world, we watch with
great interest the struggle of our fellow workers in Poland. Their courage
reminds us, not only of the precious liberty that is ours to nourish and
protect, but of the spirit in each of us everywhere. The Polish workers
stand as sentinels on behalf of universal human principles and they remind
us that on this good earth, the people will always prevail. They serve
to show us how trust and unity keep alive the very purpose of our existence
and to remind us that man's work is not only directed at providing physical
sustenance, but that the toil of men and women everywhere must also have
the goal of feeding the spirit of freedom.
As we work to solve our economic problems, let us tap that
well of human spirit. We'll find more than strength of numbers and strength
of resources, we'll find strength of individual determination.
MORE
- 6 -
We may even find strength in mutual trust. For too many years
now, we've trusted numbers and computers. We've trusted balance
sheets, organization charts, policies and systems. We've placed
trust in rules, regulations in government, government dictates.
Well, I think it's about time that we placed trust in ourselves.
I'm here today because I salute what you've done for America. In
your work you build. In your personal lives, you sustain the
core of family and neighborhood. In your faith, you sustain our
religious principles. And with your strong patriotism, you're the
bulwark which supports an America second to none in the world.
(Applause.)
I believe the American people are with us in our cause.
I'm confident in our ability to work together, to meet and surmount
our problems, and to accomplish the goals that we all seek.
Now, I know that we can't make things right overnight.
But we will make them right. Our destiny is not our fate. It is
our choice. And I'm asking you as I ask all Americans, in these
months of decision, please join me as we take this new path. You
and your forebears built our nation. Now, please help us rebuild
it and together we'll make America great again. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)
END
2:24 P.M. EST
COMPILATION OF LOG OF INTERNAL EVENTS
(See Baker Memo of 3/31/81 attached)
Questions to be Covered in Individual Memos
1.
Exactly when did you first know about the President's
condition, and how did you learn of it? (If your
knowledge changed over time, please respond accordingly.)
2.
What did you do first upon learning of the President's
being injured?
3.
Who was in command where you were located? (If the
command structure or your understanding of it changed
over time, please note accordingly.)
4.
What means of communications did you (or others near you)
rely upon for interaction with key members of the White
House staff and Cabinet; did this communications system
function satisfactorily? (Please elaborate as appropriate.)
5.
What significant decisions (in your judgment) were
made where you were? By Whom? And how?
6.
Please note any other facts that you judge might be
relevant for a log of internal events.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SENIOR STAFF
FROM:
JAMES A. BAKER III JAB
SUBJECT:
Compilation of Log of Internal Events
There is a need to compile an accurate log of relevant
internal events for the period (approximately) 2:00 p.m. -
9:00 p.m. on March 30 (yesterday). .
This will be required to provide authoritative responses
to external questions, and to provide a basis for our
own review of internal operating procedures.
I am asking Dick Darman to take overall responsibility
for pulling this compilation together. I have asked
him also to coordinate the development of a preliminary
analysis of this compilation -- with a view toward
recommending necessary changes (if any) in operating
procedures and support systems. He will work closely
with Dick Allen and Fred Fielding on this -- consulting
with all of us as necessary.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 1, 1981
TO:
RICHARD G. DARMAN
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
RE:
RESPONSE TO YOUR MEMO SEEKING A COMPILATION
OF LOGS OF INTERNAL EVENTS (3/31/81)
Responses to questions as outlined:
1.
I was walking through the reception area of the
West Wing of The White House at approximately 2:40
p.m. Nell Yates asked me if I had heard that some-
one had taken a shot at the President.
2.
Having first heard that someone had taken a shot
at the President, I immediately went to the press
office in hopes of learning more details.
While there I learned that a policeman, Secret Service
agent and Jim Brady, Presidential Press Secretary,
had been hit. I also was told that the President had
not been hit. I then proceeded to Jim Baker's office.
At that time, Jim Baker, Ed Meese, Dave Gergen, Frank
Hodsoll, Lyn Nofziger, Ed Rollins and Secretary Regan
and others were in Jim's office.
It was at that time prior to Jim and Ed's departure
that I learned that the President had been shot. At
this time I did not know the severity of the injury.
3.
With the departure of Jim, Ed and Lyn Nofziger from
Jim Baker's office for the hospital, Staff Director
Dave Gergen was loosely "in charge" of that office.
Shortly thereafter, Secretary Al Haig arrived.
Secretary Haig placed a call to Vice President Bush.
After that call, Secretary Haig, Secretary Regan and
Dave Gergen went down to the Situation Room. At approxi-
mately 3:30 p.m. I went down to the Situation Room as
well.
-2-
In the Situation Room there was generally a collegial
situation. Dick Allen was serving as the "note taker."
With the exception of Secretary Al Haig's comments in
the press room, I was not privy to any discussion
with respect to who was "in command" in the Situation
Room. Deference was given to the Secretary of State
as the senior Cabinet official in that room.
4.
The communications reliance was on television as well
as frequent reports from Dave Gergen, Secretary Haig
and others who spoke directly to Jim Baker and others
at the hospital. This communication system was not
adequate.
At frequent intervals, the phone connection between
the Situation Room and the hospital was lost. In late
afternoon Frank Hodsoll volunteered to go to the
hospital and keep an open line to the Situation Room
in an effort to remedy the situation.
5.
At various times in the Situation Room I left to help
with the coordination of transportation for the Brady
family from Illinois to Washington, arrange for a
communications system to alert the Governors of any
developments, and other mechanical matters. While I
was in the Situation Room, decisions were made with
respect to NORAD, a defense succession exercise,
and discussion of readiness states. With respect to
the NORAD exercise and the succession exercise, the
Secretary of Defense stated what he intended to do.
All were in agreement. With respect to the state of
readiness, again the Secretary of Defense stated what
he intended to do and, again, the others agreed.
Also at that meeting there were discussions on the
mechanics of paper preparation consistent with the 25th
Amendment. Fred Fielding had the point in outlining
the law and having such paper prepared. The documents
were given to Dick Darman to hold per the direction of
Jim Baker over the telephone.
Later in the afternoon there was discussion on what
items should be on the Vice President's agenda upon
his arrival and the Vice President's schedule for
the 31st.
-3-
Max Friedersdorf sought and secured clearance from
Al Haig for certain briefings to Capitol Hill.
Apparently, Secretary Haig placed calls earlier to
Senators Baker and Byrd and Speaker O'Neill and
Minority Leader Michel. Secretary Haig decided what
and when such communications went out to Capitol
Hill.
Dan Murphy coordinated the agenda items for the
Vice President's arrival with the assistance of Dick
Allen. Dan Murphy, in collaboration generally with
the Cabinet members present, outlined the proposed
agenda for the Vice President for Monday evening
and Tuesday.
With the exception of Secretary Haig's press con-
ference, decisions with respect to public statements
came from the hospital.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
3/31/81
TO:
ELIZABETH DOLE
FROM: GREGORY J. NEWELL
VICE
SUBJ: APPROVED PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING:
Presentation of American Cancer Society's Cancer Courage
Award.
DATE:
April 3
TIME: 11:30 am
DURATION: 5 mins
LOCATION: Rose Garden or Roosevelt Room
REMARKS REQUIRED:
MEDIA COVERAGE: Press photo pool
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION:
CC: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
Nell Yates
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
3/31/81
TO:
LARRY SPEAKES/LOU GERIG
FROM: GREGORY J. NEWELL
VICE
SUBJ: APPROVED/PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING:
Dropby at Meeting with Magazine Publishers
DATE:
April 3
TIME: 10:30 am
DURATION: 15 mins
LOCATION: Rose Garden or Roosevelt Room
REMARKS REQUIRED:
Yes
MEDIA COVERAGE: Press photo pool
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION:
No
cc: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
Nell Yates
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
3/30/81
TO:
CRAIG FULLER
FROM: GREGORY J ff NEWELL
VICE
SUBJ: APPROVED/PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING: with Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and Environment.
DATE:
April 3
TIME: 10:00 am
DURATION: 30 min
LOCATION: Cabinet Room
REMARKS REQUIRED:
MEDIA COVERAGE: Coordinate with Press Office
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION:
No
CC: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 3/31/81
TO:
RICHARD ALLEN
FROM: GREGORY K. NEWELL
VICE
SUBJ: APPROVED/PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING:
National Security Planning Meeting.
DATE:
April 3
TIME:
1:00 pm
DURATION: 60 min
LOCATION:
REMARKS REQUIRED:
MEDIA COVERAGE:
None
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION:
No
CC: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
3/31/81
TO:
RICHARD ALLEN
FROM: GREGORY J. NEWELL
SUBJ: APPROVED PRESIDENTIAL VICE ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING: with Ilter Turkmen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
DATE:
Arpil
2
TIME: 4:30 pm
DURATION: 15 mins
LOCATION:
WW Office
REMARKS REQUIRED:
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Coordinate with Press Office
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION:
No
CC: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 3/31/81
TO:
RICHARD ALLEN
FROM: GREGORY J. NEWELL
VICE
SUBJ: APPROVED/PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT BRIEFING
PAPER AND REMARKS TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3:00 P.M.
OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING: with Deputy Prime Minister Jagielski of Poland
DATE: April 2
TIME: 2:30 pm
DURATION: 30 mins
LOCATION:
WW Office
REMARKS REQUIRED:
MEDIA COVERAGE: Coordinate with Press Office
FIRST LADY PARTICIPATION: No
CC: J. Brady
M. Friedersdorf
M. Brandon
C. Fuller
J. Canzeri
D. Gergen
R. Darman
C. Gerrard
M. Deaver
K. Khachigian
E. Dole
P. McCoy
H. Donaldson
L. Speakes
M. Evans
S. Studdert
D. Fischer
R. Williamson
J. Fitzgerald
WHCA Audio/Visual, Operations
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 31, 1981
QUESTION AND ANSWER
SESSION WITH
SENATORS LAXALT, BAKER,
BYRD AND, CRANSTON
Outside the West Wing
10:40 A.M. EST
2
What can you tell us about your conversation with
the Vice President?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, we just had a leadership meeting
in which the Vice President briefed everybody concerning the President's
medical condition as well as the others, and briefly, I think, to
indicate that transitionally yesterday everything was in order, continues
to be today and that we're going to work cooperatively.
2
What did he say about the President's condition?
SENATOR LAXALT: Oh, he reflected pretty much what
you've already heard, that the President is in exceedingly good
condition.
Q
Senator, what's your impression of the -- I'm sorry.
I
You saw him yesterday.
SENATOR LAXALT: Yes, I saw him.
I
All right. When did you actually see him?
SENATOR LAXALT: I saw him as he was being wheeled to
the operating room.
&
And he said some things to you at that time -- or
he said something to you?
SENATOR LAXALT: Yes, he said, "Don't worry. I'll get
out of this."
I
When do you conclude that he'll be able to go back
to work?
SENATOR LAXALT: All I know is what the doctor indicated
today, and that's we're looking two to three weeks on a conservative
estimate in terms of being released from the hospital. Going back
to work full-time, I don't know.
I
Senator, you're one of the closest friends of the
President. What are your thoughts about what happened yesterday
concerning security, concerning the methods of the operation for the
President of the United States -- just the general air of what
happened?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, just from what I've observed,
I think the Secret Service did an absolutely magnificent job. One
agent, as we know, actually intentionally threw himself into the
line of fire. I don't know what more you can expect. This President
doesn't want to be isolated as a prisoner in this White House. He
wants to continue communicating with people. So what we have out here
- 2
I think, to some measure is the price of freedom. There's no way
of knowing him that Ronald Reagan is going to permit himself to
be a prisoner of this situation. There's just no way that this
is going to happen.
Q
Senator, can situations like that be prevented?
I
-- if he doesn't want to be a prisoner in the
White House and he wants to be able to go back out --
SENATOR LAXALT: I haven't had a discussion with him
since surgery.
Q
You just know him well enough.
SENATOR LAXALT: I just know him well enough that
I just know that's --
I
Do you think he'll change his views on gun control?
SENATOR LAXALT: I wouldn't speak for that at all.
I
Have you heard antagonism or talk of it in
the White House toward Alexander Haig's taking over control here
yesterday?
SENATOR LAXALT: None whatsoever.
2
Was he invoked temporarily by the President --
SENATOR LAXALT: I don't know. I wasn't here. I
was at the hospital. It wasn't discussed.
2
Was it discussed this morning?
Q
What did you mean by "working cooperatively"?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, I think that the leadership
indicates, particularly Senator Baker, he thought that the best
service that we render the President on the Hill was to continue
processing the budget legislation. That's precisely what the
Senate will be doing today.
Q
Can you say anything about the mood of the Senate
toward gun control legislation?
SENATOR LAXALT: I haven't been back to the Senate
really. I went to the hospital immediately after I was advised
what happened and haven't been back.
Q
What do mean, "Everything is in order transitionally"?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, in terms yesterday of the President
being where he was and having the back-up planners --
Q
What was the back-up plan?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, you'll have to speak with someone
here in the White House. But you had the Cabinet people convene
immediately in the Situation Room. The Senior Cabinet person, Alexander
Haig took over, there was immediate communication with the Vice President,
who was brought back here. And I think in terms of the procedures
which are in place that all these people who were involved should
be highly commended.
MORE
- 3 -
Q
Senator, having just been briefed by the Vice
President, how would you characterize the ongoing operations of
government now?
SENATOR LAXALT: I think it's being conducted in
a calm, orderly, business-like fashion.
I
According to the initial reports, the alleged
would-be assassin travelled from state to state acquiring guns.
The man who was shot is one of your closest friends. I'd like
to ask you if your views onggun controls have changed at all or
if you think you're going to think about them at least?
SENATOR LAXALT: Well, of course, I'm going to think
about it. I already have.
I
And?
SENATOR LAXALT: But I've long held the conclusion
that there's no amount of gun control law, no amount of registration,
that's going to contain someone who's in this frame of mind.
Q
What did the Vice President say about the operation
of government today what he will be doing, about the chain of
command and so forth?
SENATOR LAXALT: Essentially, he'll be doing what is
ordinarily scheduled. He's going to be meeting with the President
very shortly. He's going to be meeting, as he would be otherwise,
with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and I think essentially
the Vice President will be doing business as usual.
Q
Have you heard anything more about the motive
of this man Hinkley who is the suspect?
SENATOR LAXALT: I know, but I don't think I should
speak to this at all. In fact, I don't think any of us should
because the last thing you'd want to do is color his prosecution.
Q
-- suggesting that there was more than just
one individual involved.
SENATOR LAXALT: There's no indication that there's
anyone other than the individual involved.
Q
Did anyone but Bush brief you?
SENATOR LAXALT: Yes, we were briefed by Secretary of
the Treasury Regan --
Q
Was he the one who gave you the motive?
SENATOR LAXALT: No, we were briefed by the Attorney
General as well and those are matters, I think, that are best kept
private.
Q
The ongoing operation of government you've
met with both the President and the Vice President. What role
do you see the President playing now?
SENATOR LAXALT: He's going to continue performing
the same role that he traditionally has. He is in business already.
This morning he signed the Dairy Bill so I don't think he's going
to have any difficulty whatsoever in just doing what he normally would.
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- 4 -
I
Regan briefed on the Secret Service operation?
SENATOR LAXALT:He distinctly indicated Secret Service
operations. Thank you very much, everybody.
Q
Senator Byrd, can we ask you some questions?
Q
If the President is not going to be a prisoner,
do you think he will be more cautious?
SENATOR BYRD: Maybe. Maybe not, Helen. I mean, yesterday
what more could you have done really?
I
Do you think your security procedures will change?
SENATOR BYRD: That I can't speak to. But there again,
they're going to re-evaluate and look at the whole situation.
Q
Thank you.
SENATOR BAKER (?): -- assailant's bullet or other
assault. But I would not expect that the President would ever
to change that. I'm sure that will upset the Secret Service, but
that's my guess.
I
Do you suspect or think that in any way a rethinking
of the security, of access of crowds, of press, is being done?
SENATOR BAKER: Knowing what the President is like --
but I don't see how you can protect against a single assailant,
a would-be assassin. My hunch is the President of the United States,
Ronald Reagan, will not change that --
Q
Do you know something about the motive of this
suspect?
SENATOR BAKER: I'd rather leave that up to the Justice
Department.
Q
Were you briefed by the Attorney General?
SENATOR BAKER: Not in this meeting, no. Some
details about the alleged assailant and since that's such a sensitive
matter that could possibly affect future legal proceedings, I'd defer
to the Justice Department --
Q
He seems to be an aberrant. This is not part of
a plot or this is not a motive something other than abnormal?
SENATOR BAKER: It does appear to be part of a plot and
beyond that, I'd refer to Justice Department.
Q
Senator Baker, has the time come now for gun control?
SENATOR BAKER: The time has not come to talk about
that subject yet. I --
I
Why? The President's been shot.
SENATOR BAKER: I rather expect that the passions of this
moment, the excitement of the times will have to subside before we
discuss that.
Q
Were you aware of a command authority that they
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- 5 -
have talked about here in the White House, that when the President
isn't quite able to do everything, there is a response by the
Vice President and after that the Secretary of Defense --
SENATOR BAKER: -- and that system worked perfectly
yesterday. My part of that system is to be notified and the Speaker
and I were both notified at the time we were yesterday that the
people who were supposed to be in the Situation Room were indeed
in the Situation Room and reported to us --
Q
That was clear and responsible.
SENATOR BAKER: Clear and unequivocal. There was
never a moment, there was never a second when there was not
a complete and uninterrupted chain of authority.
Q
How do expect this situation to affect Congress --
is there going to be any spilling over --
SENATOR BAKER: My contribution in the Senate to this
situation is to try to show that we're going to conduct business as
normal, that things are indeed normal. The Senate went in this
morning at 9:30 and will continue its debate on the budget resolution,
the President and then pass it -- pass it today or tomorrow, in
my judgment.
I
This won't slow down the economic package at all?
Q
Your pass isliterally speeded up by this?
SENATOR BAKER: It will not speed it up and it will
not slow it down. We're going to transact the people's business
in the Senate in a regular and orderly way.
Q
Can we come over now?
SENATOR BAKER: I think we've done it all, haven't we?
Q
No, we haven't. My cameraman was there, as I kept
trying to tell you, sir.
Q
If you haven't been on CBS, you haven't been on.
Q
He knows that. You don have to tell him.
Q
Senator Baker, in the briefing that you received
inside, were you informed that the Bush family knows the Hinkley family?
SENATOR BAKER: No.
Q
There's report to that effect in the Houston paper
that indicates -- there was no discussion of that in there?
SENATOR BAKER: No.
(Transition to another speaker.
swer in progress.j
SENATOR BYRD : I'm very sympathetic towards what
has happened. I think it was a shameful act and a tragic act, but
when it comes to acting on the piece of legislation that you're
talking about, I think we have to be objective about that and I
think that members of the Senate and House will be on both sides
of the aisle:-
SENATOR CRANSTON : I'm convinced we'll deal with legislation
on its merits. If it's good, we'll pass it. If it's bad, we won't pass
it. We should not let emotions aroused by an attack on the President
- 6 -
affect our judgment of each bill and each amendment.
I
Is there a gap between "should not" and "will not,"
sir?
SENATOR
: I don't think SO.
2
Senator Byrd, did you hear Senator Cranston's
thoughts about how this will affect efforts in favor of gun control?
SENATOR BYRD: I don't know what will be the final
impact. There will be a heightened interest at this point, but
I don't know what the final outcome will be.
I
Senator Cranston, are you entirely satisfied
with Secretary Haig's performance yesterday afternoon?
SENATOR CRANSTON: Ed Meese commented this morning on
who had done what and stated that Secretary Haig, the senior cabinet
Cabinet officer, came to the White House, as did other Cabinet officers,
and there was no dispute within the Cabinet or with others about
who did what. Secretary Weinberger, meanwhile, took charge of the
national defense moves that were made, and we contacted leaders around
the world, both our allies and our commanders and everything was
done, Mr. Meese said, in orderly fashion and I have no complaints
about what was done.
2
Was the Soviet Union contacted?
SENATOR CRANSTON: I presume so. I do not know.
Q
Do you know, Senator Byrd?
SENATOR BYRD: I have no doubt whatsoever that it was, and
we were told this morning that messages had come in from all around
the world, including President Brezhnev, as well as well as our
allies.
&
Senator Byrd, I know you're anxious to get back
to the Hill, but security -- presidential security is going to
debated as a result of this, no doubt. Do you see any way to protect
the President really under these kinds of circumstances?
SENATOR BYRD: Politics is a very dangerous -- I mean, in
this society we, have, an open society, it's extremely difficult to
prevent attack upon the President. I hate to say that it's inevitable.
I don't like to think that it's inevitable, but there's no way
to fully guarantee that there won't be some occurence again at some
point in time, unless a President were just kept prisoner in the
White House here and that's unthinkable.
This President likes to get out and meet people and most
Presidents are that way. So I think it's something that we have
to think about and try to find the answers for, but I don't have
any answer at this point.
2
Thank you.
Q
Senator Baker?
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- 7 -
Q
Senator Baker, what were you told today by
the Attorney General about the assailant?
SENATOR BAKER: Well, to begin with, the meeting with
the Vice President in the Cabinet Room was in the nature of a
briefing on the events of yesterday and last night and this morning.
And the first thing that the Vice President told us was something
that most of us already knew and that is that never for a moment
during the day yesterday, or last night, or today, was there any
interruption in the normal and lawful chain of command and
authority of the government of the United States.
The Attorney General then reported on the
situation in respect to the alleged assailant. It was clear that
he is in custody and that procedures are being carefully kept
and followed that will make sure that there's no interference with
the lawful and orderly disposition of the charges that will be made
against him.
Q
Why did he do it, Senator?
SENATOR BAKER: Presumeably and any remark that I might
make beyond that, although the Attorney General did give us more
details and information, and any remark that I might make beyond
that, I think would at least run the risk of contaminating the
prosecution. So, I will yield to the Attorney General to make any
further comments on this issue in that respect.
Q
Any feeling, though, that it was a plot of any kind?
SENATOR BAKER: I have absolutely no indication that it
was a plot.
Q
Senator, why does this happen in our country?
Why are there so many assassination attempts?
SENATOR BAKER: I don't know that there is any answer
for that except that it's one of those balancing judgments you have
to make in a free society between a President being in contact with
the country, on the one hand, and being secure and protected on the
other.
Q
This doesn't happen in Canada or Great Britain,
why here?
SENATOR BAKER: Because in all fairness and respect
to our friends in Canada or Great Britain, they are not as much a
peoples' country as we are, or peoples' government. This is the
freest, most rambunctious country in the world and our people feel
closer to the President and to the Senators, and the Congressmen,
and Governors than any other country on earth. They feel they're
entitled to disagree with them, even to vilify them and criticize
them, perfectly freely. And if you're going to preserve that
spontaneity and that repore between the people and their public
officials, you run this risk. And it is a balance judgement. It's
a greater risk for someone like Ronald Reagan who is so warm and
outgoing and who thrives on his contacts with the people. So --
Q
Will that change?
SENATOR BAKER: I would not expect that to change. I
think that when the President is back on duty and fully recovered,
which won't be very long, because he's recovering faster than any one
of us in that room would have recovered, I'm convinced. He's strong
and he's young, physiologically, and he's doing very, very well.
But I'm convinced, and I, of course, haven't talked to the President,
MORE
- 8 -
I don't know, but I'm convinced that when he's back on the job that
he'll do the job the same way. I do not believe this President
is going to be deprived of that contact and input with the people.
2
Senator, despite all you've said about this being
a free society, was there a breakdown in security, though, the fact
that someone could get 10 feet from the President armed?
SENATOR BAKER: I don't like to say, you know. That also
is part of the risk. And it's a risk not only for Presidents but
for others too.
You know, I was thinking of the Ford's Theater Gala
the other night that was on one the networks. And my wife and
I and Speaker O'Neill and his wife were out front at that theater
to receive the President, to greet him because he was the honored
guest. And the press, many of you, were there, many others, and
the public. There were hundreds. There were hundreds of people
there within 10 feet of the President. And I suppose maximum
security would say, "You don't let that happen." But I can't
conceive of the President of the United States attending that
event under other circumstances. So, I don't think you can prevent
it altogether or guard against it completely.
Q
But don't you think that Secret Service will
institute much more stringent precautions now and that access
will have to be somewhat restrictive?
SENATOR BAKER: The Secret Service ought to do everything
they can do and still not come between the President and the country.
Q
You say you were thinking about that just the
other night at the Ford's Theater Gala, about the possibility?
SENATOR BAKER: You've got to think of think. And
you do when you're with the President. Even when you're running
for President, you think about that some, because the world is
full of nuts, frankly.
Q
When you were running for President, did you have
that fear?
SENATOR BAKER: But you know, that's also part of that
package if you're going to be in this business, you've got to
understand that's part of the risk. And that in no way diminishes
the terrible nature of this thing but it is to say the President
of the United States is a warm, outgoing person who enjoys being
with people and I would bet you anything that he doesn't
change his method of operations.
Q
When and how were you notified, Senator Baker,
that the President was shot?
SENATOR BAKER: No, I don't remember now who notified
me. I was on the floor of the Senate and received a message that
the President had been shot. I went back to the Cloak Room off
the Senate floor, picked up the telephone to the White House to
confirm that that was so and then went back to the Senate floor
to make the announcement.
Q
Do you remember the time, approximately?
SENATOR BAKER: No, I don't. But the President had
been shot only a matter of minutes before they --
Q
Senator, in the briefing today, was there any
MORE
- 9 -
discussion of whether the 25th Amendment should have been invoked
or whether it might be in the future in a case like this?
SENATOR BAKER: No direct conversation about the
25th Amendment, as I recall. It was only touched on obliquely or
indirectly in the sense that the Vice President and others pointed
out that never for a moment during this entire episode yesterday
and last night was there an interruption in the chain of lawful
command in the country.
Q
Senator, after this briefing, what are you able
to tell us about the nuts and bolts of how the government is going
to work now?
SENATOR BAKER: Well, I think the government will continue
to work as it has in the past. The President this morning, for
instance, signed a Milk Bill. He is alert. He will continue to
make decisions and to confer with his principle staff. He'll not
do that extensively today, I expect,
as none of us would,
under the circumstances. But today, the President of the United
States is fully capable of discharging his responsibilities and
duties.
Q
Senator, were you aware of this arrangement
that the White House described last night of command authority
devolving on the Vice President, then the Secretary of Defense?
SENATOR BAKER: I am aware of that, yes.
Q
Was that, to your knowledge, did that same
set-up exist in the Carter administration -- in his administration?
SENATOR BAKER: Let me not try to describe that system.
There's some elements of that that may or may not be classified.
But just to be safe, I won't describe it. Let me, instead, simply
say that my part of that plan, which is to be notified in the event
of an incident involving the President or the Vice President, was
carried out promptly and was dispatched. And I was notified by
Secretary Haig by telephone that he was in the Situation Room,
that the others, who were supposed to be in the Situation Room
were there and that the system was functioning properly.
Q
What about the legislation? Do you think that
this will have any effect on the President's economic program,
budget cuts and taxes?
SENATOR BAKER: Not directly. I think that the President's
popularity is likely to be enhanced by his courage and by his
warmth and his humor in a terrible situation. But I don't think
it will have any direct effect on his legislative program as such.
Q
There may be a second honeymoon?
Q
Senator, what about gun control? Could you
comment on that?'
Q
Please, Senator, to gun control?
SENATOR BAKER: It's too early to tell. This is not
the time to talk about this. Thank you very much.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
11:05 A.M.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 1, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR JAMES A. BAKER, III
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
psw
ALAN F. HOLMER
SUBJECT:
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR KOCH TO THE PRESIDENT
Alan Holmer spoke last night with Mayor Koch of New York City.
The Mayor asked that a message be relayed to the President as
to how thankful he (Koch) is that the President is recovering
rapidly and that the Mayor's prayers are with the President.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1981
TO:
JAMES A. BAKER III
DAVID GERGEN
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
W&
RE:
EVENTS FOR THE PRESIDENT (April 1 - April 6)
Per our conversation today, below are some suggested possible
events for the President for the next few days:
1. After the Senate vote on the Budget reconciliation,
Majority Leader Howard Baker could visit the President
briefly. Afterwards Senator Baker can go before the
press and reassure the American people of the President's
well-being.
2. We can proceed to release the President's Federalism
Task Force which he already has approved and had been
slated for release in Springfield on April lst.
3. Billy Graham was scheduled to spend Thursday evening
at The White House. Could he briefly visit the President
Thursday or Friday and then go before the press and
reassure the people that he is doing well.
4. Nancy Regan can do a TV interview after she brings Mrs.
Brady to visit with the President.
5. Personnel appointments should be announced.
6. The President should do a 1 1/2 minute statement before
a television camera as soon as he is up to it. (Attached
is a suggested statement.)
DRAFT (RSW)
3/31/81
Proposed Presidential
THE WHITE HOUSE
TV Remarks from
Hospital
WASHINGTON
Thank you for your prayers. They have been a
comfort to me, Nancy and the children.
I am pleased to report that I am feeling much
better, and soon will be back at The White House.
While we all condemn the senseless violence of
last Monday, more important is that we give thanks for the
three brave Americans shot in service to their country.
These three hereos: Jim Brady, Timothy McCarthy, and Thomas
Delahanty still lie in hospital beds. They represent the best
in the American spirit. I hope you will join Nancy and
me in our continued prayers for their speedy and full re-
covery.
Finally, let me reassure you that our agenda for
economic recovery continues unabetted. We must fix our
economic mess. And I will continue to work vigorously
for passage of my comprehensive economic recovery program.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1981
TO:
JAMES A. BAKER III
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
18W
RE:
NOTIFICATION TO GOVERNORS
For your information, each Governor was talked to directly
by the Intergovernmental Affairs office last night. Attached
is the message given them to reassure them that the President
was in fine shape and The White House fully functioning.
Attachment
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 30, 1981
TO:
JAMES A. BAKER III
DAVID GERGEN
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
psw
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS -- POST ASSASSINATION
ATTEMPT
I think it is important that the President strike the
proper tone in any comments that are issued under his
name tomorrow.
Following an assassination attempt, I think Americans
will be confused. Worse, I fear they will indulge in
self-flagellation regarding our "sick society."
This evening I saw a videotape replay of an interview
given by Maureen Reagan this afternoon. In this inter-
view she denounced our sick society and sick people. She
went on to say that Americans cannot let this happen again.
Ronald Reagan's political career has been found in large part
on calling on what is best in each American. He has told
us that we are good. He has told us that the individual can
make things better. He has told us that the individual
does not need big brother to regulate every movement and
action.
While it is true that this afternoon one disturbed person
fired at the President of the United States, it is even more
revealing to the American spirit that there were three
American heroes.
I suggest you consider having the President emphasize these
three American heroes and call on Americans to reaffirm
what is best in themselves and move forward as he recovers
from this tragic incident.
DRAFT
3/30/81
RSW
8:00 p.m.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
As confirmed by Dr. Dennis O'Leary at George Washington
Hospital, President Reagan is in stable condition. He is
awake and at no time was his life in serious danger.
Dr. O'Leary has stated that the prognosis is excellent.
The doctors do not anticipate any problems. They do not
anticipate any permanent injury. According to Dr. O'Leary,
"The President is clear of head and will be able to make
decisions tomorrow."
The Vice President is in Washington. Business will
continue to be conducted on a normal schedule tomorrow.
9:20 a.m.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1981
TO:
JAMES A. BAKER III
DAVID GERGEN
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
Josw
RE:
PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT -- SHOWING COMPASSION
The press reports at this time regarding the President's
condition are reassuring. They re-emphasize his good
spirits and his one-line comments with respect to his own
condition to the staff and nurses.
It is important that the President not appear callous to
the tragic and critical condition of Press Secretary Jim
Brady, the wounded Secret Service agent, and the wounded
D.C. Policeman.
I urge that we get a report out of a statement made by the
President demonstrating his grave concern for these brave
men, his appreciation of their bravery, and the President's
compassion for their families.
I think such a statement should go out as soon as possible
from the hospital.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1981
TO:
DAVID GERGEN
FROM:
RICHARD S. WILLIAMSON
KSW
RE:
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
I would suggest that we meet later this morning or early
this afternoon to focus on a communications plan for this
week (and perhaps the next two weeks.) There should be
some consideration of which of those activities that are
already on should proceed with the Vice President and
which should be postponed from the viewpoint of communi-
cations.
I know from my perspective I would like some discussion
and guidance on what to do with the various federalism
initiatives which we had scheduled for this week, such as
the announcement of the Federalism Task Force, the release
of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs staff, announce-
ment of the Executive Department appointments to the Advisory
Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, and what we should
tell the state legislators in Illinois and Pennsylvania
about our future plans.
If in your judgment a meeting of four or five of us is
inappropriate, I would, nonetheless, appreciate some direct
guidance from you on how to proceed with this matter.
RONALD W. REAGAN LIBRARY
THIS FORM MARKS THE FILE LOCATION OF ITEM NUMBER
/
LISTED ON THE
WITHDRAWAL SHEET AT THE FRONT OF THIS FOLDER.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET SERVICEMAN
Timothy McCarthy - Wife: Carol (GW Hospital) 676-6000
Home
Parents flying in from Chicago, expected to arrive at 7:40
pm and going directly to Hospital.
JIM BRADY
Mother - Dorothy
--- Both are arriving at 8:10 pm and
Friend - Mrs. Broughton
going directly to hospital.
Will be escorted by State Trooper.
First wife - Sue Camins
Daughter - Melissa
---
Arriving approximately 10:00and
will go directly to hospital
Being escorted.
BRADY HOME #
Father is ill and stayed at home. His home # is
His name is Harold.
The person who is coordinating Brady family is Marty Frucci
in advance. x7565
METROPOLITAN POLICE OFFICER
Thomas Delahanty
Washington Hospital Center
#541-6701
General #541-0500
Mr. Delahanty is in intensive care but is awake. His wife
seemed stable over the phone. She was very concerned about
President's condition. She will be at hospital. Any calls
Arrival of the Brady Family
Contact in Governor Thompson's office in Illinois:
Michael Wollffer
(217) 782-6830 work
487-7676 home
Arrival of 1st group:
Mrs. Dorothy Brady
Mrs. Broughton
1 Illinois State Trooper
Due to arrive at National Airport, Page Airways, 8:10 PM.
The advance office is sending Rocky Koonan to meet them.
B. Ogelsby will also be there to meet the plane.
Governor Thompson has arranged for an escort of Illinois
State Troopers to take Mrs. Brady directly to the hospital.
Arrival of 2nd group:
Missy Brady
Mrs. Frances Kemp
Helen Zeiner
Mrs. Sue Cammons
Due to arrive at National Airport, United Airlines Flight 146
at 10:00 PM. The group will be met by Brandy and David
Cole, and Joyce Velde. Two White House cars will pick up
the Coles and Mrs. Velde and take them to the airport.
Missy Brady and Mrs. Cammons will be staying at the Cole's
house, 2612 South Fort Scott Drive, Arlington, (703) 684-8989.
Mrs. Kemp and Ms. Zeiner will be taken to the Brady residence.
Missy and Mrs. Cammons will be taken to the Cole residence.
Advance man to meet both groups will be Rocky Koonan,
Contact in the Advance office is Marty Frucci, 7565.
DRAFT (RSW)
3/31/81
Proposed Presidential
THE WHITE HOUSE
TV Remarks from
Hospital
WASHINGTON
Thank you for your prayers. They have been a
comfort to me, Nancy and the children.
I am pleased to report that I am feeling much
better, and soon will be back at The White House.
While we all condemn the senseless violence of
last Monday, more important is that we give thanks for the
three brave Americans shot in service to their country.
These three hereos: Jim Brady, Timothy McCarthy, and Thomas
Delahanty still lie in hospital beds. They represent the best
in the American spirit. I hope you will join Nancy and
me in our continued prayers for their speedy and full re-
covery.
Finally, let me reassure you that our agenda for
economic recovery continues unabetted. We must fix our
economic mess. And I will continue to work vigorously
for passage of my comprehensive economic recovery program.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 31, 1931
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
LARRY SPEAKES AND
DR. DENNIS O'LEARY AND
AND DR. DANIEL RUGE
Room 450
Old Executive Office Building
8:40 A.M. EST
MR. SPEAKES: We have with you to answer questions
this morning, Dr. Dennis O'Leary, the Dean for Clinical Affairs at
George Washington University and Dr. Daniel Ruge,
the White
House physician, after which I'll be available to answer questions.
DR. O'LEARY:
The President had an excellent
night. The endotrachial tube which was placed in his surgery was
removed at 3:00 this morning. And he was moved from the recovery
room to a private area at about 5:00 this morning. He did not
get a lot of sleep last night, busy night. He maintained a
constant dialogue with the nurses and doctors who were in constant
attendance with him, maintaining an excellent sense of humor. I'm
sure you'll hearmany of his remarks. My favorite one is he said,
"If I got this much attention in Hollywood, I'd never have left."
This went on all night. I had an opportunity to see him this morning.
He is in excellent spirits. All of his vital signs are entirely
normal. He's on almost no medication and at this point in time,
he really probably does not require an intensive level of medical
care. He's doing extremely well.
Mr. McCarthy is also doing extremely well. And he
is complaining a little bit of soreness in the liver area which is
a little bit understandable. He has a mild elevation of his temperature
and of his white blood count which would be expected after a liver
injury. But he otherwise is doing extremely well.
Mr. Brady is much improved over his initial prognosis.
ne still has his endotrachial tube in. However, he is responsive
and is moving the right side of his body in response to command.
It is anticipated his tube will be removed later today. We are
guarded as to his prognosis. But his progress thus far has really
been extraordinary.
I
Are you suggesting that Mr. Brady understands
your directives or questions to him and responds to them?
DR. O'LEARY: Yes.
2
Dr. O'Leary, I take it then that the prognosis
for the President's complete recovery is excellent and you expect
it?
DR. O'LEARY: That is correct.
2
Well, how soon do you expect that then?
DR. O'LEARY: How soon for his complete recovery?
l
For that kind of person --
DR. O'LEARY: Okay, the hospital, of course, is -- does vary
by patients probably in the range of a week or two. But that
will depend upon his specific, of course, and then after that probably
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- 2 -
a couple of months until he is totally back to riding horses.
2
Dr. O'Leary, has the President been using the
telephone? Has he been in contact with the White House, do you know?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, there've been a number of people
from the White House in to see the President. This morning he is,
as I say, fully alert, joking back and forth--
I
Has he been using the telephone --
DR. O'LEARY: I don't believe SO.
I
How soon do you think the President can carry out
a full-time day?
Q
The question?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, the question was, how soon can I put
the President -- put in a full-time day. That's a little bit
speculative. He's obviously able to function right now in terms
of his thought process, capacity to make decisions and SO forth.
He can probably put in a full-time day today as long as he gets a
nap this afternoon.
Q
What about the chances for post-operative
complications such as pneumonia or --
DR. O'LEARY: At this point in time, I would be
very surprised to see such complications develop. He is doing
as well as any patient who has had an operation in his chest could
do.
I
Has the President at all asked or has he been
told about the condition of his Press Secretary?
DR. O'LEARY: He is not aware of the other people who
were shot and injured at this time.
I
Has he asked at all about them?
DR. O'LEARY: He did not ask in my presence. I can't
say whether he's asked anyone else but he is not aware of it as
of this morning. Yes?
2
Doctor, could you say that the President's talking
so much and joking so much, is this normal or is he on some kind of
high? Or why is he --
DR. O'LEARY: I don't think he's on any high and I don't
think we put him there on the basis of any of his drugs. He's a
very outgoing, very vital person, from what I've seen of him, this
is quite in character.
2
Does the President have much pain? What is his
comfort level?
DR. O'LEARY: The President is requiring almost no
pain medication at all. He is tough in a good sense.
Q
Doctor, are there indications that there is going
to be -- brain damage that Jim Brady might have suffered?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, the bullet did -- entered just
lateral to his left eye and really traversed across to the right
posterior skull where it stopped and it was removed. There was
fairly extensive damage of the right hemisphere of the brain.
However that is his non-dominant side and the important area that
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controls not only his motor movement on his right side but all
of his speech and mental processes are on the left side.
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There was some minimal amount of damage involving the
left side of the brain. In patients like this the spectrum of
possible outcomes is very, very wide. It'd be really highly
speculative right now to guess at what will happen to him.
I
Dr. O'Leary, it does seem rather strange that
you have not told the President of the condition of his own press
secretary. Is that a medical decision? Are you concerned about
Mr. Reagan's reaction?
DR. O'LEARY: No. I think you have to remember the
President has been through a little bit of an experience himself and
our general experience is that we don't forcefeed information to
people. Rather, we respond when they feel ready to deal with an
answer by asking a question.
Q
In your presence did he ask any questions or
make any specific requests?
DR. O'LEARY: No. I can relate to you that Mr.
Nofziger related to him that he'd be happy to know that the
government was running normally and he responded, "What makes you
think I'd be happy about that?" (Laughter.)
Q
Why do you suppose that he did stay up all night
talking with nurses and doctors?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, if you've ever been in a
recovery room or an intensive care setting, it's really not
very conducive to good sleep because lights are on and there's a
lot of activity and monitors going and people running blood tests
and checking vital signs. It's not peaceful sleep. I'm not
surprised he was awake. Most people would have been awake most of
the night.
2
Is he concerned about his own medical condition,
how soon he will recover, that kind of thing?
DR. O'LEARY: No, I don't think he seems anxious at
all. He's had a few questions but nothing particularly definitive.
I think he's happy with the care he's getting. He's getting a lot
of attention from the nursing staff and from the doctors.
Q
Doctor, are there plans to move him to a military
hospital and, if so, when?
DR. O'LEARY: That determination has not been made and
will be a judgment, of course, of the family and the White House Staff.
Q
Doctor, the President is making a number of remarks
and jokes. But you say he has not yet asked about the condition of
his press secretary or anybody else, if they' been hurt in that
shooting?
DR. O'LEARY: That's what I said.
2
Has the President asked about or been curious
about the assassination attempt?
DR. O'LEARY: Has he been briefed about it? He has
some curiosity as to who the assassin was. He was provided a little
bit of information along those lines. You have to remember, he's
coming out of major surgery. He's been up all day and all night and
I don't think you'd expect him to have a total overview of the world
at this point. I am really stunned by how alert and with it that he
is.
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Q
What drugs is he on now?
2
Tell us some more of these quips. Perhaps you
have some more?
DR. O'LEARY: Perhaps some of the others could relate
those to you. There are quite a number around.
2
Could you give us his blood pressure and his
heart rate?
DR. O'LEARY: His blood pressure has been running
about 130 over 80, which is totally normal. His pulse rate's about
70. You and I would do well to have such a good pulse rate. His
temperature's normal.
Q
Could you give us an idea as to whether the
President actually knew that he was hit?
DR. O'LEARY: Okay. We did chat a little bit about
that this morning. He really did not appreciate that he had been
shot until he was actually in the emergency room itself. As you
remember, he was pushed down. He thought he might have bruised or
cracked a rib and that was his belief, at least at the time he
entered the emergency room. It was only after he was in the
emergency room that he realized it.
&
So he didn't experience much pain or discomfort
as a result of the shot itself?
DR. O'LEARY: He knew that he had been hurt in some
fashion because he was experiencing some pain in the chest wall, but
he did not equate that with a bullet wound.
Q
Do you know of any more of his thoughts at the
time that the shots were fired? Did he mention them?
DR. O'LEARY: No, he did not.
Q
Doctor, could you clarify one of your earlier
answers? Is the President aware at all that anybody else is
injured?
DR. O'LEARY: I don't believe that he is.
I
What kind of medication is the President
receiving?
DR. O'LEARY: He is receiving one antibiotic, which is
a rephalosporin, and he will probably come off of that within the next
24 hours. That's routine care for the patient and he has an as-needed
pain medication which he isn't needing very much, and that's it.
Q
Will the President be able to walk around?
Q
Was Mrs. Reagan there this morning?
DR. O'LEARY: I don't think she's there this morning.
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2
Doctor, you said it'll be about a week or two
weeks before he will be out of the hospital. Can you give us an
idea whether he'll be walking soon or exactly what kind of progress
he is expected to be making?
DR. O'LEARY: That's a little bit hard to guess, but I
would not be surprised to see him up walking around within the next
couple of days.
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Q
What is
the possibility of going back to California to recuperate there?
DR. O'LEARY : He said he really didn't want to go
back there until he could ride a horse.
Q
Doctor, how do you explain a person being shot
in the chest, bullets in his lung and being able to after that
time, walk from the car into the hospital without somebody
knowing that that had happened?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, it would seem remarkable to any
of us but I think we've seen things like that before. One gets
quite a surge of adrenalin under these circumstances and we
do things that we might not otherwise be able to do if we realized
we'd been shot or otherwise injured.
Q
Can you tell us more about Brady's response --
is it to light, is it to pin pricks, is he semi-conscious? Has
he shown any sign of semi-consciousness?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, I think his level of consciousness
is reflected by virtue of his responsiveness. He is asked to
move his right arm. He moves it. He is asked to move his right
leg. He moves it. He is clearly receptive to command. He's
obviously not able to talk or to reflect other levels of alertness
until his endotrachial tube comes out.
I
Eyes open or closed?
DR. O'LEARY: His eyes are open and his pupils are
small and reactive to light. Very good sign.
Q
Have all the fragments of the bullet been removed
from Brady's brain?
DR. O'LEARY: We believe so, that the whole bullet was
removed.
Q
You said he could move his right leg and his
right arm. Is he able to move his left leg and his left arm?
Is there any paralysis that has appeared?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, again, we will not be able to assess
that until we get a little bit further downstream. The left
side of the body is predominantly controlled by the right side of
the brain, and so we're not surprised if he's going to have a level
impairment, it would probably affect the left side of the body.
2
Did the President ask specifically,
"Who was it who shot me?" and was there an answer given?
DR. O'LEARY: He didn't phrase it in quite that fashion,
but he showed some interest as to who was the person in terms of
his demographic characteristics and what have you.
2
And was he told who it was?
DR. O'LEARY: He was simply told that it was a young man
who came from a good family, which was about the extent of it.
Q
How did the President respond to that?
DR. O'LEARY: I can't remember his specific response. It
was basically noncommittal, I think.
Q
Does he have an IV or a catheter?
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DR. O'LEARY: He's still on IV to receive his antibiotic.
That's all.
2
What about a catheter?
DR. O'LEARY: I'm really not sure. He will probably not
need a catheter pretty shortly, if not right now.
2 One more question. Doctor, Mr. Reagan is a 70-year-
old man and he received a bullet. He didn't feel it, but it was clear
that he was hurt. (Inaudible.)
DR. O'LEARY: I don't think I understand all of the
question. I think that his response to the injury was appropriate.
He perceived that he had pain and he has really performed through
all of this, as I said yesterday, like a physiologically young person.
His responses have been totally normal.
&
Dr. O'Leary, if you think it is medically wise
to withhold information about the other victims of this shooting,
do you also feel it advisable that official information and problems
be withheld as well for the President's medical benefit?
DR. O'LEARY: That's not really a judgment for me to
make. That's up to the White House staff.
Q Well, then from a medical point of view, is it in
the President's best interest not to have official stresses at this
point?
DR. O'LEARY: Yes, I -- again, I think his primary limitation
is a physical limitation because of what he's been through. But, I think
he could use a little bit of sleep probably and I'm sure he get that
in the course of the day. He is a very cool-headed man and what might
be stressful for you or me is not necessarily stressful for him.
2
Are there any possible post-operative complications
for either the President or Mr. Brady such as pneumonia or any
other things?
DR. O'LEARY: Again, I think the likelihood of complications
for the President is quite, quite small. Mr. Brady's had a serious
injury. There are potential complications. We hope they won't
develop. We're prepared to deal with them if they did.
Q
Are his prospects of
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- 9 -
recovery better today now? I mean Brady.
DR. O'LEARY: We believe that he is going to live.
We are cautiously optimistic but we have no idea where he's going to
end up.
Q
Who has the President seen this morning and who
will he be seeing today? How many people should he be seeing and
talking to during the day?
DR. O'LEARY: Well, we're trying to keep the flow of
people small but obviously there are a number of people who need to
be in contact with him. He was covered through the night by the
director of the intensive care unit and the director of emergency
services personally as well as the nursing staff and other staff.
He was visited this morning by his surgeons. Dr. Aaron was in the
hospital through the night. Mr. Nofziger and myself visited with
him this morning. I think Mr. Meese and some of the other staff
did as well.
So he's handling all of this extremely well.
I
Dr. O'Leary, would you say that the President
will be able to handle the stresses of the presidency right now at
this moment?
DR. O'LEARY: I think I've tried to deal with that
question. I think that he is quite capable of making decisions,
interacting with people. I wouldn't encourage him to put in an
13-hour day, but I am sure that he can attend to the important
matters of government today.
MR. SPEAKES: Thank you, Doctor.
I have a couple of items and then I will take your
questions. This morning Jim Baker, the White House Chief of Staff,
and Ed Meese, the Counselor to the President, and Mike Deaver, the
Assistant to the President, met at the hospital for breakfast
together. They visited the President for about 10 to 12 minutes
around 7:15. As they went in the President was sitting up. He was
brushing his teeth. They have presented him with the Dairy Bill,
which you have there, an actual copy of what he signed. As you know,
the Dairy Price Support Bill had to be signed today in order to be
effective on the April 1st date.
A couple of additional quotes. These are written
quotes. He sent out a Winston Churchill quote which said,
"Winston Churchill said, 'There is no more exhilarating feeling
than being shot without result. " " Then the quote that Dr. O'Leary
gave him, which is a written quote. The first one was at midnight.
This one is at 2:05 a.m. "If I had this much attention in Hollywood
I'd have never left."
Then to a nurse, a spoken, something he said after the
tubes had been removed at 3:00 a.m. "I always heal fast." The nurse
said, "Keep up the good work." The President said, "You mean this
may happen several more times?"
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Then one of the questions he's had, "Will I be able
to do ranch work?" And I think you've heard from the doctor that's
a very positive sign on that.
Other than that, I'll accept your questions for a few
minutes.
I
Larry, can you tell us what arrangement has been
worked out to bring matters to the President's attention, what
division of authority and what division of work has been
worked out between the senior staff and the President?
MR. SPEAKES: Basically there is no division of
authority. The President remains the President, of course. The
senior staff, the top three senior staff members, have met with him
this morning. I anticipate that the Vice President will be going out
to visit the President today. The Vice President attended the
senior staff (meeting) this morning and his statement there was
that, "We will continue business as usual," that, "I will sit in on
the meetings that the President would have normally attended and will
act as if he were here."
2
Was this the deadline for signing this bill?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
2
This morning.
MR. SPEAKES: It had to be signed because otherwise
the dairy price supports escalation would go into effect tomorrow.
I
Has the President made any other decisions
aside from signing the bill, things that could be characterized as
presidential decisions?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm not aware of it. Jim Baker and
them were with him for 10 minutes or SO but that was the immediate
thing that required action this morning and he clearly took that,
signing it on his breakfast tray.
2
Is there a military aide there with him now at
the hospital and is "the football" there or is it with the Vice
President?
MR. SPEAKES: John, we're very careful about discussing
that. Yes, the military aide is present. As far as any of these
other matters, they're clearly matters of national security which are
classified that I can't discuss, but I can assure you that there's
certainly no problem, nor was there ever any problem with that matter.
Q
What kind of White House communication has been
established with the hospital itself?
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MR. SPEAKES:
We have the White House phone system installed and certainly, as
it is, wherever the President of the United States is, there's
complete communications apparatus.
Q
Who was the senior staff person with him at this time?
Are there people there --
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, there are people there. There's
a working office there and there will be people from the President's
staff and there will be constant communications.
2 Then has the White House formed a recovery place
and
worked out where the President will remain, where he'll
go?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I don't think we've gotten that
far yet.
2
Who's there, Larry? Can you tell us specifically
who's going to be there in that office?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, at the moment, David Fisher is
there. I don't know who will work from there later in the day.
I'm sure Helene Van Damm will be out there later today.
I
Not Meese or Baker or --
MR. SPEAKES: I don't anticipate them being there.
I think they' 11 be here.
I
Mr. Speakes, has the President or any of his
senior staff discussed the events of yesterday in terms of the
way the President left the hotel, whether there should be changes
in the future, his method of operation?
MR. SPEAKES: Sam, I don't think we've gotten into
the security aspects of it or of those type things. No, I haven't
heard discussion.
2
Well, Larry, how does he think the Secret
Service responded in the circumstances?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think he's expressed an opinion
on that.
I What is the feeling
in terms of recuperation? The President said he didn't want to
go to California until he could ride a horse. But clearly he
must be doing some plans --
MR. SPEAKES: Sure, I don't think we've covered that
with him. We're progressing day by day. So, I don't think we've
covered specifically what happens next.
I
Larry, the would be assassined fired from, in
effect, the cover of newsmen. In other words, he was in that
spot in the pool area, all right? That makes me wonder whether
or not, there, first of all, is there a certain amount of bitterness
on the part of the White House as to how close the press can
get to the President, whether you intend now to attempt to put more
restrictions on our movement, whether this will be in any way used
as an example as to how close the assassin can get by working among
the newsmen?
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MR. SPEAKES: Well, I heard no discussion of that.
Q
Larry, were you able to find out if, in fact,
the decision was made to withhold announcement of the fact that
the President was shot to give somebody a chance to notify Bush
or Mrs. Reagan or to do anything else?
MR. SPEAKES: I think our only consideration is that
we move with factual information and we moved as quickly as we
had the complete facts. I didn't hear of any discussion of delaying
anything for any notification process. Yes, Bruce?
Q
Will Bush continue to pick up the President's
schedule for the duration of his hospital stay?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, for the next few days, I'm sure
he will. As the Vice President said, he'll sit in where the President
was supposed to sit in.
Q
How much has the President's schedule been cancelled?
MR. SPEAKES: Helen --
I
I mean travel and SO forth.
MR. SPEAKES: Well, clearly, the trip to Springfield,
Illinois is not on. (Laughter.) We have not made a decision about
the Cincinnati trip which is announced, but you can certainly draw
your own conclusions about what we'd be able to do about that.
I
How about the border --
MR. SPEAKES: I just don't know. That hasn't been
discussed.
2
What items has Mr. Block brought before the
President this morning by ---
MR. SPEAKES: The Dairy Bill is the one I'm aware
of. There could have been others. But that was the one requiring
his immediate attention.
Q
Larry, as far as you know, no one was definitively
aware that the President was shot until he was in the emergency
room?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, as you heard, the President himself
was not aware --
Q
Did the President on his own walk into the --
Why was he allowed to walk into the hospital when he was wounded?
MR. SPEAKES: You've had the doctor. I wasn't present
SO I can't really address that.
Q
Larry, how was the decision made to go to the
hospital? The car initially headed down Connecticut Avenue --
then diverted. Can you tell us anything about that?
MR. SPEAKES: I can't address that, Hal. I guess
that would be better for the Secret Service to address, though.
I don't have the particulars on the immediate movements.
I
Larry, is there any explanation as to how this
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- 13 -
assassin got SO close to the President, in what they call a secure
area. Somebody said that there was the media and a few others
who were considered well wishers. Usually it is the people with
the White House clearance, who have a White House pass, are given
a prior hassle, and if people are there -- just float in?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I'm not in a position to discuss
the security matters of what was happening there. I'm sure that
will be --
I
Is there any enquiry under way to determine the
facts of this other than what the Secret Service would normally
do and FBI, and in terms of the White House itself?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm not aware of any.
I
Larry, are there any other plans to tell the
President about the chance of the others or are you waiting for
the advice of doctors?
MR. SPEAKES: I would judge we're waiting the advice
of the doctor.
Q
Larry, the meetings that Bush is going to sit
in, that normally would be chaired by the President, are they
now going to be discussion meetings or action meetings? And if
action is taken at these meetings, will the Vice President have
decision-making power?
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MR. SPEAKES: The President will make all the decisions,
as he always has.
Q
So if a decision has be made at this meeting,
it will be by reference to a call to the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I don't know the mechanism but
I can assure you that whatever decisions are required the President
will make them and he'll certainly be consulting with the Vice
President and they will meet today.
I
Will the Secretary of State be in the Situation
Room all day today, do you know?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know the Secretary of State's
schedule.
2
Will the crisis management group or the same
group or something like that be in the situation room today?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know that they will assemble
today.
Q
Larry, to follow up on that, was the President
advised of Secretary Haig's efforts at crisis management yesterday?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know that that's been transmitted
to the President.
2
Larry, what's the purpose of the Cabinet meeting
today and the meeting with congressional leaders? Is this a normal
meeting or is this to assure them as a result of the shooting?
MR. SPEAKES: No, we wanted to bring the Cabinet in.
Most of them were here yesterday but they wanted to bring the
remainder of them in that are in town to give them an update on
the President's situation and to discuss whatever other matters they
may have on their mind.
The meeting with the Republican leaders was scheduled.
The meeting with the congressional leaders was a Republican leadership
meeting which, of course, has been expanded to include a bipartisan
group.
Q
Larry, is it true that the President's signature
that you've given us here on this bill to show his first act since
the incident is not his normal signature, that it does reflect a
weakened man who's in the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: I wouldn't agree with that at all.
Q You would think that is his normal strong signature?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, sir.
2
Larry, was the President questioned about the
shooting by the FBI or the Secret Service or will he be in the near
future?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know. All of the law enforcement
aspects should probably come from the Justice Department. I just
won't be able to get into it.
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- 15 -
2
Larry, are there any other staff members staying
in the hospital and is there going to be a press room in the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: I think we've closed our press operation
down and everything will come from here, although there will be
members of the President's immediate staff there.
I
Larry, that's not the President's normal
signature. Is it? It's not like that. I mean have you looked
at it? It's a little wobbly.
MR. SPEAKES: I will let you be the handwriting
experts today.
2
Larry, could you clarify the command authority
arrangement that you described yesterday, whether that is a
carry-over from past administrations or whether that's a standing
order for this administration?
MR. SPEAKES: I think every administration establishes
it.
2 Was it different? Was it the same one?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know.
Q
Larry, in the Situation Room yesterday, right
after this happened, can you tell us was there any confusion about
that order?
MR. SPEAKES: No confusion whatsoever.
2
Who was in that room and who made the decision
and who pulled out the documents?
MR. SPEAKES: Sure. I did account for you yesterday
who was in it. I don't have my list here but that's available.
It was a cooperative effort completely. There was an open line from
the President's senior staff who were talking with the President,
an open line from the hospital to the Situation Room. Both the
hospital and the Situation Room were in contact with the Vice
President.
Q
Larry, was Secretary Haig asked by the White
House Staff to make the appearance at the White House yesterday
afternoon or did he do that on his own?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I'm not sure. I was in the
Briefing Room at the time. The Secretary came up because he thought,
and it was certainly -- the entire meeting was a spirit of cooperation --
he felt that it was important to reassure the American people and our
friends abroad and that's what he did.
The important thing to note on that is that the White
House did not skip a beat. The government did not skip a beat.
The White House performed effectively. There was not a single
ripple. It was a complete spirit of cooperation. It was a real
teamwork effort and I think it's a commendable effort.
Q
Was there contact with Speaker O'Neill?
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- 16 -
MR. SPEAKES: I'm sure there was some contact with
Speaker O'Neill, but not anything specific.
2
Who was asking for those assurances? What allies
were expressing concern about authority over the government?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think anybody had asked for any.
Let me take one more question SO we can get over to those meetings.
Q
Larry, if the President didn't know he was injured
until he got to the hospital, why did he go to the hospital?
MR. SPEAKES: He knew he was injured.
Q
Is the White House under crisis management right
now, today?
MR. SPEAKES: I think the White House is operating
very normally. As close to normal --
Q Will you hold a briefing this afternoon or noon?
MR. SPEAKES: Why don't I try to get out maybe after
12:00, 1:00 or 2:00 just to take what questions --
2
Here?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I'll do it in the briefing room.
END
9:12 A.M. EST