White House Diaries

Tuesday, November 29, 1988

View the President's Schedule

Up early & had breakfast in Study. Then woke Nancy before I left for the office. First meeting—Ollie North case—Judge Gesell has made it plain that if certain secret information can not be used in trial because of Nat. Security—some charges may have to be dropped. We have notified Judge & prosecuting attorney Walsh that we cant allow some facts to be made public. Rev. Falwell has sent a petition with 2 mil. signatures demanding a pardon for Ollie.

Ken D. is having a meeting with Sununu to show him the ropes. Sen. Burdick of No. Dakota was taken to the hospital last night. Their law calls for election if Senator is disabled. Nick Brady is working on a plan to rescue the Savings & Loan banks. Last night Cong. John Dingell told Ken I was absolutely right in vetoing the Ethics bill.

N.S.C.—I received a letter from Egypt P.M. [Pres.] Hosni Moubarak friendly but pleading with me to allow Arafat to have a visa & come to the U.S. Sorry I cant do that. A meeting is taking place between Soviets & Mujahadeen regarding P.O.W.’s. Another meeting is scheduled.

Rcv’d. a message from Pres. Botha (S. Africa) explaining things that need to be done if they are to sign off on an Angolan settlement.

Then desk work til Dick Wirthlin came in with latest polls My approval rating is 63%. I’m 80% on handling Soviets. Almost everything is in that range or thereabouts. Lunch. After lunch calls to Bob Dole & Sen. Mitchell—both elected to Sen. leadership positions. Then a photo with Phil Dusenberry—he’s retiring. More desk time. Then A. B. Culvahouse came in. I have a plea from Art Linkletter about a pardon for his son-in-law who faces trial or sentencing December 7 for some mix up with a Texas Savings & loan for whom he was brokering a loan to a Mexican group. He has admitted he did not reveal to authorities some violation of Texas laws on interest rates by the bank. A. B. has convinced me I cant do what Art asks. It’s plain however that an injustice is being done. We’ll keep watching it.

Then a group including Mayor Barry came in & presented me with a sledge hammer. Has to do with the successful transfer of ownership in a Wash. housing development from govt. to the residents. We’ve started this & now about 13 more in different cities are moving to do the same thing.

Then a sneeze shot & up to shower & change for a busy evening. First we go downstairs to a reception for about 250 people involved in the “Art in Embassies” program. Then over to Library for Cong.—The Repub. Senators dinner.

At the 1st event we were presented with a silver box holding tapes of favorite songs. Then a receiving line for about 270 people. Some mix & mingling then over to the Library of Cong. & another receiving line—a few hundred people. Dinner & some ceremony about departing Senators. Then Bob Dole did a beautiful tribute to me—I responded. Bob toasted me & gave me a gift—a weed chopper for the ranch. Homeward at 10 P.M. A wonderful evening.