White House Diaries

Thursday, June 14, 1984

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A Cabinet Council meeting on Natural Resources—specifically off shore oil. Congress is talking of legislation which would give the states a veto over whether we could lease to oil companies off shore even though we are outside of state jurisdiction. They would also share in revenues. I’ve authorized the Sec. of Interior to do some quiet bargaining with Congress to see just what we are up against. I’m all for states rights but this is ridiculous. Lunch with the V.P. & then a busy afternoon. Photos with the top brass of the Reserve Officers Assn. Also with the top man of the Elks Club. A newly appointed (by me) judge & his family came by—Bud Brewster. And Sen. Inouye presented me with a poster celebrating Hawaii’s 25th anniversary. Another taping session for 4 various events & then a meeting with Geo. S. & Bud. We dug into the subject of a meeting with Chernenko. I have a gut feeling we should do this. His reply to my letter is in hand and it lends support to my idea that while we go on believing, & with some good reason, that the Soviets are plotting against us & mean us harm, maybe they are scared of us & think we are a threat. I’d like to go face to face & explore this with them. I presented a White House flag to our Olympic team for the opening day parade. Then for a couple of hours in the theatre we briefed for the press conference. It is over & was successful. Everyone is calling it the best ever. My favorite moment was on a question about debating Walter Mondale and that Jimmy Carter had said I’d hide in a cave rather than debate. My answer, “There he goes again.”