January 20, 1981: Under New Management

I was very glad to see today that the fiftieth anniversary of JFK's inauguration was a big news story. And it was refreshing to open windows throughout the work day and see the current Doodle.

But today also marks a day thirty years ago, when the country turned from the long liberal consensus to let "a smiling fellow" sell his Gubmint=Bad line.

"Foolish House":
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Seattle, 1909.
Photographer: Frank H. Nowell
University of Washington Digital Collections

Some quotes from The Clothes Have No Emperor: A Chronicle of the American '80s; Paul Slansky, 1989—for January 20, 1981—

Just before 9 A.M. Michael Deaver, stunned that the President-elect is still sleeping, enters his bedroom to remind him that he's "going to be inaugurated." Says Reagan, "Does that mean I have to get up?"

At noon, promising an "era of national renewal" Ronald Wilson Reagan becomes the oldest man to take the oath of office as President of the United States. As he completes his speech, the 52 hostages held in Teheran for 444 days begin their journey home.

Later, President Reagan visits Tip O'Neill's office, where the House Speaker shows him a desk that was used by Grover Cleveland. Reagan claims to have portrayed him in a movie. O'Neill points out that Reagan in fact played Grover Cleveland Alexander, the baseball player, not Grover Cleveland, the President.

Flashback: from the book's introduction—

"What kind of governor would you be?"
"I don't know. I've never played a governor."
- Ronald Reagan answering a reporter's query during his 1966 campaign for the California statehouse

Since 1966, Reagan has indeed had lots of on-camera experience, performing on an executive mansion set.

He immediately sets the standards for his two terms in the highest office in the land.

The grasp of issues and attention to policy—

1/21 At his first Cabinet meeting, President Reagan is asked if he intends to issue an expected Executive Order on cost-cutting. He shrugs. Then, noticing Budget Director David Stockman nodding emphatically. he adds, "I have a smiling fellow at the end of the table who tells me we do."

The tough talk... when he remembers his lines—

1/27 Welcoming the hostages home, President Reagan puts the world on notice that the US will deal with any such future incidents quite severely. "Our policy," he declares, "will be one of swift and effective retribution." When the band strikes up "Hail to the Chief," Reagan puts his hand over his heart. "Oh!" he says. "I thought this was the national anthem."

And, as celluloid Hero needs a Villain to play opposite: at his first press conference on 1/29, Reagan establishes his diplomatic stance toward the Soviet Union—

"Their goal must be the promotion of world revolution and a one-world Socialist or Communist state.... They reserve unto themselves the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat, in order to attain that."

Naturally, members of his administration quickly set the ethical tone for their own tenures.

On his first full day [1/21] on the job as National Security Adviser, Richard Allen receives $1000 and a pair of Seiko watches from Japanese journalists as a tip for arranging an interview with Nancy Reagan.