Pres. Reagan Press Conference
President Reagan Press Conference
VS of White House Press Briefing Room with adult Caucasian male and female reporters waiting for U.S. President Ronald Reagan to enter room. Adult male voice announces the President's arrival; President Reagan enters room, press pool stands up and then sits back down as he begins to speak. President Reagan greeting reporters and announces two pieces economic legislation now before Congress; one being a omnibus spending bill. He notes that one month ago, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution to reduce spending over the next three years. The President fears that there are signs of backsliding and reports of cuts that Congress knows can't be made; those being closing "one-third of the nation's post offices" and "eliminating a day care program to provide suppers." President Reagan says this is unacceptable and urges that work be done honestly and responsibly to achieve the stated goals. If not, Reagan pledges: "My administration will have no other choice than to support the proposal of a number of Representatives in the House, to offer a budget substitute on the floor that matches the resolution they voted for in May."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues speaking to reporters in White House Briefing Room; President Reagan references the second piece of legislation now under consideration in Congress: tax cuts. President Reagan reports of bipartisan action in Congress for across-the-board tax cuts and that he is confident in growing consensus needed for passage. However, President Reagan is aware that "time is fleeting, just to take care of the paperwork associated with the tax changes that would be effective on October 1st, we must quickly have the legislation on the books. Therefore, I'm asking Congress today, to live up to its original commitment and deliver to my desk before the August recess, not one but two bills; a spending bill and a tax bill. Only then, can we say as elected representatives that we truly deserve a rest." President Reagan opens the floor to questions.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan takes his first question from Dean Reynolds, with UPI; adult Caucasian male and female reporters in BG. Dean repeats the President's comments made to Notre Dame graduates, that "Western civilization will transcend communism", asking: "In that context, sir, do the events of the last 10 months in Poland constitute the beginning of the end of Soviet domination of Eastern Europe?" President Reagan responds: "...I just think that it is impossible for any form of government to completely deny freedom to people, and have that go on interminably." He believes communism is an aberration and that we're seeing the beginning of the end.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues taking questions in the White House Briefing Room; adult Caucasian male reporter asks: "Mr. President, have you learned anything in the past 10 days that would support Israel's contention that its attack on the Iraqi nuclear plant was defensive? If it was defensive, was it proper? If it wasn't defensive, what action should the United States take beyond condemnation?" President Reagan says that he issued a statement of condemnation on the attack, but future action is unclear until Congress finishes their review on whether any laws using American weapons were violated. In Israel's defense, they have a real concern with Iraq; a country that doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist. But, he thinks the biggest thing that comes out of what happened is the fact that this is further evidence that a real peace, a settlement for all of the Mideast problems, is long overdue, that the area is torn by tension and hostility. Same male reporter follows up, asking whether it was a defensive move. President Reagan allows the possibility that Israel thought so, but the Congressional review has to be completed first.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room; adult Caucasian male reporter notes that the President has declined making a major foreign policy address, and asks the President for an outline of his foreign policy beyond his stance on the Soviet Union. President Reagan contends that just because he hasn't made a public address on foreign policy, does not indicate he does not have one. Reagan goes on to list the various foreign heads of state and representatives he has spoken to, as well as the work the State Department is doing internationally. Reagan: "I don't necessarily believe that you must, to have a foreign policy, stand up and make a wide declaration that this is your foreign policy. I've spoken about a number of areas. We are going forward with a program, a tripartite program, dealing with Central America and the Caribbean. We have tried to deal with various areas of the world-both Asia, Africa, and in Europe."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Gary Schuster, from the Detroit News: "Several of the Mideast leaders, most particularly Syria, say that because of the Israeli raid and the U.S. response to it, that envoy Habib's peace mission is virtually eliminated, that it's permanently damaged. Do you agree with that, and if so, why not?" President Reagan hopes it is not, complements the envoy's work there, and until the envoy returns, he continues to believe that the peace mission can succeed.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues taking questions from the press in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian female reporter: "Mr. President, how appropriate do you believe is Israel's decision not to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and not to submit to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency?" President Reagan admits he hasn't given much thought to that particular question, but also asks how many countries have signed that treaty and gone ahead with nuclear weapons. The treaty doesn't lend itself to verification. He also doesn't see Israel as a threat to its neighbors, since its existence has been under threat by neighbors that refuse to recognize its right to exist. Same reporter follows up question, asking what role the U.S. should play in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology. President Reagan states the U.S. is opposed to nuclear weapon proliferation, and he personally wants to see "definite, verifiable reduction of strategic nuclear weapons worldwide."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continuing to take questions in the White House Briefing Room from the press. Adult Caucasian female reporter states that U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy asked if the President refused to lead the fight against handgun legislation, specifically Saturday Night Specials, and asks what the President's answer was? President Reagan is confused by the question for a moment, before answering that he thinks the best path forward is following the example he set in California; stiffer penalties for crimes committed, whether the possessed gun was used or not. Additionally, he would advocate for stricter enforcement of gun laws on the books. President Reagan pointing to the next journalist for question.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Two adult Caucasian men believe they are next to be called on, but the President actually calls on a middle-aged adult Hispanic male reporter. The man asks in Spanish: "Muchas gracias, Senor Presidente. Mi casa es su casa (My house is your house). I wonder when I will be able to tell to the undocumented aliens in this country, these same words. You spoke with Lopez Portillo the other day, and he said that you are going to agree in order to give some opportunity to those undocumented workers. I would like that you clarify to the nation what is the status of this situation." President Reagan does not answer the question, instead saying: "If I understand your question, are you talking about visiting the White House or me visiting you? Either way it would be a pleasure."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions from the press in the White House Briefing Room. Sam Donaldson (ABC News) asks if the President agrees that if the U.S. and Soviets got into a shooting war in Europe, it wouldn't be contained and would spill into thermonuclear war. President Reagan admits it is a frightening possibility, but he looks optimistically at the fact that both sides had poison gas available in World War II and never used it. President Reagan's greatest goal is peace, but it will come through maintaining strength to enforce that peace. Donaldson asks a follow-up question: "I suppose that your defense strategy depends on whether you think if the Soviets invade Western Europe, a tactical nuclear war could be fought there and contained, or whether you think that it would spread inevitably to a thermonuclear exchange. What do you think?" President Reagan is optimistic knowing the fact that both sides possess nuclear arms should dissuade a war, but that one side cannot have an advantage over the other.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian male reporter cites Chief of Staff, Donald Regan and aide Lyn Nofziger, saying the President would run for re-election, and asks the President whether he is committed to running for a second term. President Reagan thinks he shouldn't be making those decisions only five months in office, but states that he hasn't ruled anything out and will treat these questions the same way he did the first four years as Governor of California. That decision will be made in due time, but will not affect any political decision upcoming. Reagan: "Actually, I suppose what I'm saying is the people make that decision. They let you know whether you're going to run again or whether you should or not."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian male reporter questions the President on his tax cut plan, noting that he said he would not modify it, but has twice; does that mean if Congress or special interest groups make enough noise, they can get further tax cut plan modifications? President Reagan: "No, the three year, across-the-board spread which I did modify, to the extent of making it 5-10-10 instead of 10-10-10, and which I moved up to October 1st, instead of retroactive back through the year in going into effect was done in an effort to create, as we did with the spending law, a bipartisan package. And the suggestions that were offered in the negotiations that led to that were suggestions that I had to admit were good ones. The marriage penalty tax, the making it possible for workers to save money for their own retirement and have an income tax break for that reason, the adjustment of the investment funds, the 70 percent ceiling to 50 percent, and so forth...all of those were things that we had said would be in a second tax package when we could do it."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. POV behind President Reagan at podium looking out at predominantly adult Caucasian male and female reporters. Adult African American male reporter: "Mr. President. Your administration to some extent has been called an administration or a Presidency of the wealthy. I'm wondering if you have laid out any programs in your administration currently, that will provide for increasing the viability of minority business and other programs that relate to business development for minorities?" President Reagan disputes his administration being for the wealthy and contends that social reforms before his administration have failed. In fact, the programs have made people reliant on government largesse, where only those administers of the programs benefit. His programs are meant to create opportunity and jobs to disadvantaged communities and peoples, particularly in aid of helping small businesses in black and minority communities grow and re-invest in their own communities.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Middle-aged adult Caucasian male reporter: "Mr. President, as you know, the Israeli Government has made the threat that it might take military action to wipe out the Syrian missiles in Lebanon. If that were to be done against our wishes, would you consider that a violation of the terms of the laws under which the Israelis have obtained those weapons?" President Reagan: "Well, this one's going to be one, I'm afraid, that I can't answer now as to how. I would hate to see this happen. They're [defensive] weapons. There's no question about the direction in which they're aimed. I'm speaking now of the Syrian weapons. This would end our prospects for trying to bring peace to Lebanon, I know. We're going to use every effort we can to see that they, on either side, that there isn't a firing of those missiles."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues taking questions from the press in the White House Briefing Room. President Reagan pointing to the next reporter, clarifying he means to choose the lady in the back. Adult Caucasian female reporter: "Thank you, Mr. President. As everyone knows, this is your first news conference since you were shot, and I think everybody has the impression that you have fully recovered. My first question is, have you fully recovered? And secondly, can you tell us how having been shot has changed you? Have you become more cautious, or are there any differences?" President Reagan: "I have recovered. I feel fine. And the doctors say I've recovered. So, if I'm a medical miracle, I'm a happy one. No, you can't spend your life worrying about that. I look back now and wonder why it didn't happen 30 times before, changes in alertness on the part of security and so forth. But, it hasn't made too much of a change in how we do, and I still want to be able to see the people and meet them."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian male reporter: "Mr. President, Secretary Haig announced in China today that the United States is lifting its ban against lethal weapons sales to the People's Republic of China. I want to know if you would explain to the American people, why you've decided to help the People's Republic of China rearm militarily and how you think the Soviet Union will react to your action?" President Reagan: "Well, I don't know how the Soviet Union will react, but all we have done is, with the People's Republic of China, we've wanted and I've said for a long time, to improve relations with them, move them to the same status of many other countries, and not necessarily military allies of ours, in making certain technology and defensive weapons available to them. And I think this is a normal part of the process of improving our relations there."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues taking questions from the press in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian male reporter asks the President whether he approves of conservative fund raising action groups making expensive television commercials targeting Democrats in upcoming elections. President Reagan is not sure how to answer that given the "game of politics is to win an election", and that each side does everything they can to win. His only problem is campaigning before having a candidate on your side, which can lead to negative campaigning.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian female reporter: "Mr. President, you said earlier that you strongly oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Yet at the same time, you are asking Congress to waive an American law so that Pakistan, which has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, can receive $3 billion in American aid. Do we have any assurances from Pakistan that they will not seek to build an atomic bomb?" President Reagan: " Let me just say with regard to Pakistan, and I won't answer the last part of the question, we have had a long-time treaty with Pakistan in a mutual aid pact. But Pakistan is also in a very strategic position now in view of what has happened to Afghanistan. And I believe it is in our best interest to be supportive of Pakistan."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Sarah McClendon, from McClendon News Service confirms President Reagan does not want inferior schools for soldiers or their children, before calling his attention to what's happening to schools affected by his aid reduction program, particularly schools near military bases. President Reagan responds by saying this was something added in a House committee that was not a part of his original plan. The President explains the term "impacted aid", then proceeds to state that this added program was inserted precisely because legislators know it will make his aid reduction program untenable in the long term. He hopes this plan will not work, that it will be removed in the final bill, or that different bill will be introduced and sent to the conference committee.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continues to take questions in the White House Briefing Room. Elderly adult Caucasian male reporter asks the President to give his assessment on Poland, if there's any connection with warming Chinese relations. President Reagan: " No, I don't see any connection between China and what's going on in Poland. I think the Poland situation is going to be very tense for quite some time now. The Soviet Union is faced with a problem of this crack in their once Iron Curtain and what happens if they let it go. But on the other hand, what is going to be the impact if they take a forceful action? The impact on the rest of the world, I think, would be tremendous in the reaction that would come from all the..." Same reporter interjects: "The point of my question, sir, was that there was a list being made up by the Pentagon of weapons which might be supplied to China in the event that the Soviets invaded Poland. There has been a connection drawn by General Haig and others that one way to deter the Soviets in Poland, is to make it clear that they might have to pay by increased American aid to China." President says contingencies may be discussed, but they are not policies.
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan continuing to take questions from the press in White House Briefing Room. Adult Caucasian male reporter: "Returning once to that question of lifting of the lethal arms sales shipments to China, does that affect in any way our relationship with Taiwan?" President Reagan: "No, and I have not changed my feeling about Taiwan. We have an act, a law, called the Taiwan Relations Act, that provides for defensive equipment being sold to Taiwan, as well as other things in the relationship. And I intend to live up to the Taiwan Relations Act."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan looking to take more questions from press, before hearing "Thank you, Mr. President." from overhead speaker. The President asks if everyone is done, and some banter between him and Sam Donaldson of ABC News. President Reagan: "Sam, you told me that it was alright about walking away from all those upraised hands, and I have to tell you, it still bothers me very much. I'm sorry that we can't answer all the questions." Donaldson replies that they'll stay if he does, but the President says he cannot, although he does prefer this manner of Q&A as opposed to the lottery system.
President Reagan Press Conference
Sam Donaldson (ABC News) off microphone, tells U.S. President Ronald Reagan that Speaker of House Tip O'Neill says "you don't know anything about the working people, that you have just a bunch of wealthy and selfish advisers." President Reagan walks back to the podium, asking why Sam didn't mention that earlier. President Reagan: "I'm trying to find out something about his boyhood, because we didn't live on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, but we lived so close to them we could hear the whistle real loud. And I know very much about the working group. I grew up in poverty and got what education I got all by myself and so forth, and I think it is sheer demagoguery to pretend that this economic program which we've submitted is not aimed at helping the great cross section of people in this country that have been burdened for too long by big government and high taxes. From $10 to $50 to $60 thousand covers, certainly, all the middle class, and they pay 72% of the tax. And 73% of our tax relief or more is going to that bracket of workers. And we're going to do our utmost to keep that bottom rung of the ladder clear for those people that haven't yet started to climb."
President Reagan Press Conference
U.S. President Ronald Reagan backing away from the podium in the White House Briefing Room, briefly answering one last question from an adult Caucasian female reporter regarding Congress staying in session through August, saying it is under consideration. President Reagan waves off any more questions and leaves Briefing Room. Overview of White House Briefing Room; predominantly Caucasian adult male and female members of the media slowly walk out. Adult Caucasian male staff members disassemble portions of the stage.
President Reagan Press Conference
Overview of White House Briefing Room, adult Caucasian male and female reporters exiting room; a few small groups of adult Caucasian men and women gathered together, talking.