LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 7/22/1982 IN 01.00.00 01.00.00-WETA credit/sponsor credits 01.00.23-PAUL DUKE-on program: interview with REAGAN. COKIE ROBERTS-REAGAN visits CAPITOL HILL to push for BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. 01.00.44-Title Sequence 01.01.11-DUKE-REAGAN returned to Capitol Hill to do what he does best, sell Congress on his plans; has proved "a master salesman" since taking office. In 1982, using his veto to pressure CONGRESS to adopt his spending goals. 01.01.44-DUKE with REAGAN in WHITE HOUSE LIBRARY for interview. DUKE asks REAGAN about his "mastery" of the legislative branch. REAGAN acts humble and "aw shucks", says his experience in California in dealing with opposition legislatures was helpful, touts the success of his reforms in California, gives lip service to "coequal branches" theory of government, says he meets often with the leaders in House and Senate, more than most other Presidents have. DUKE asks if REAGAN'S ACTING is a good skill in dealing with Congress. REAGAN acts humble, dodges the question, thanks the Republican leaders in House and Senate, says that there is a large WHITE HOUSE STAFF for CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS, that "makes Congress aware" of Reagan's positions. REAGAN makes it sound like mutual consultation [others might call it intimidation, coercion, etc.]. 01.05.22-DUKE tries to get past the "aw shucks" front, asks if REAGAN uses "politics of affability" as a tool. REAGAN refuses to be pressed, says he just likes people, etc. Says he's elected to represent "all the people", and he tries to convince the legislators to go for the good of the whole country. DUKE tries to bait REAGAN into saying something controversial by mentioning the "hypocrisy" in Congress of members who are willing to cut any program except one in their district. REAGAN has a chuckle at this, but still portrays himself as a positive consensus builder rather than a hardball politician. 01.08.22-DUKE asks if it's a question of give and take on part of REAGAN and the Congress. REAGAN agrees. DUKE says that the press was surprised by REAGAN'S skill as a politician and his competitiveness in the "warfare between Capitol Hill and the White House". REAGAN ("aw, shucks") denies that there is "warfare" with Congress, says he just tries to convince his opponents that he's right. DUKE presses, REAGAN stonewalls. DUKE asks about the knack of timing in calling in favors with Congress. REAGAN says that he can't be on top of everything, his staff handles the details of committee votes and floor votes etc. [Here REAGAN actually manages to make his disregard for the "dirty work" aspect of politics seem like a virtue-no one sees Deaver and Meese cutting deals behind the scenes]. Acknowledges that his experiences as Governor of California helped, goes into vague generalities about knowing when to call in favors, but on the level of "common sense", rather than describing how he might find a particular congressman's weakness and exploit it to win a vote [Deaver's job, REAGAN allowed to keep his hands clean]. 01.11.02-DUKE continues to try to break REAGAN'S "aw shucks" act, without success. REAGAN gives very short answers to long questions. DUKE confronts REAGAN with criticisms by his opponents-i.e. that he's WEAK on matters of SUBSTANCE, doesn't WORK hard, and has very SIMPLISTIC views of the issues. REAGAN takes these comments in stride, says he doesn't think the criticisms are justified, says that his constant use of ANECDOTES to explain his positions saves time [and thinking, too], switches the subject to say that he recently had a meeting with leaders of Congress to explain his position on possibly sending TROOPS to the MIDDLE EAST, trying to suggest that he's not trying to pull any fast ones on Congress. 01.13.49-DUKE presses REAGAN further, mentions the criticism that REAGAN sees only a simplistic "big picture" of issues. REAGAN says he does know the importance of details, but he has to sell the big picture to Congress. DUKE challenges REAGAN with charges that his staff are arrogant and dictatorial in dealing with Congress. REAGAN says the criticisms are unwarranted, says that opponents always want to believe in a "palace guard" [NANCY REAGAN and MIKE DEAVER] operating without the President's knowledge, but he always wants to stay on top of the actions of his staff. Says that he hasn't delegated too much authority. 01.16.35-DUKE asks about the balance between Congress and the White House, notes that the WHITE HOUSE often undermines the deals that REPUBLICANS make with DEMOCRATS in Congress. REAGAN says it's just part of the process, and the President belongs in that process, cites the BUDGET as an example. DUKE asks if more VETOS are on the way, REAGAN says he will veto any APPROPRIATIONS bill that is a "BUDGET BUSTER". DUKE asks whether REAGAN'S policies are going to hurt REPUBLICANS in elections. REAGAN plays off the danger, says that the President's party always loses seats in an off-year election. DUKE asks REAGAN to comment on his relationship with TIP O'NEILL. REAGAN says their battles are not personal, or even "political", but a question of philosophy about the role of government, and "come 6 o'clock, we're friends". DUKE thanks REAGAN.