Diary Entry - 10/07/1988
Key Facts
President Reagan makes a statement to the press on the Nation's economy.
President Reagan addresses the Representatives of Macomb County Chambers of Commerce and Victory '88 Dinner in Detroit, Michigan.
The U.S. Labor Department reports the nation's unemployment rate for September 1988 fell back to July's level of 5.4%.
At 10:10 A.M. off to Detroit Mich. Guests on board were Mich. Congressman—Bill Broomfield, Guy VanderJagt, Bill Schuette, Fred Upton & Carl Purcell. Also Ambas. Nick Ruwe. We landed at Selfridge Air Nat. Guard Base. From there it was Marine 1 to Sterling Heights—Adlai Stevenson H.S. Athletic Field where we were met by 10,000 enthusiastic people. There were students from 4 high schools, 4 H.S. bands, children & grown-ups. I made a speech & was treated to applause & cheers during & after. Then a young lady—Pres. of S. Hi. presented me with a T shirt on which was inscribed, “Win One For The Gipper.”
Then we motorcaded into Pennar Sterling Banquet Hall. Here there was a luncheon of Macomb Co’s. Chambers of Commerce. After lunch I spoke & actually made my speech a partisan campaign speech for Bush & Quale. It was received as if they wanted a Repub. rally. After lunch they presented me with a model locomotive. They said it was to signify that I had been the locomotive that brought on prosperity.
Then we motored back to Marine 1 & I took off for Detroit. We made a landing in downtown Detroit & drove to the Westin Renaissance Center (Hotel where we stayed at 1980 Conv.). Had 3 hrs. of down time largely filled with desk work, bill signing etc. Then at 5:40 we left for the St. Clair Rm. where I shook hands & was photographed with several hundred of the dinner guests who had paid $5000 each for that & the ’88 campaign dinner. The greater number of guests had paid $1000 for the dinner. It was a Repub. fundraiser but they also made it a birthday party in honor of Max Fisher.
I spoke before dinner and again was enthusiastically received. Then I left the dinner—back to Marine 1 and off to Selfridge field where we boarded A.F.1—dinner aboard & back to Andrews A.F.B. where Nancy was waiting with another Marine 1 & at 9 P.M. we departed for Camp David.
