March 1981: Popularity

This month, thirty years ago: year one of the Reagan presidency...

Paul Slansky reports in The Clothes Have No Emperor: A Chronicle of the American '80s—

3/18 THE GALLUP POLL REAGAN APPROVAL TRAILING EARLIER PRESIDENTS'
— The Washington Post


3/30 Following a speech at the Washington Hilton, President Reagan is shot in the chest by John W. Hinckley, Jr.—though he doesn't notice for a while. Three others are also injured, including press secretary James Brady, who survives a bullet to the brain after being reported dead on all three networks.

When the President sees Nancy at the hospital, he reportedly says, "Honey, I forgot to duck," a line originally spoken by Jack Dempsey to his wife after being beaten by Gene Tunney in 1926. As he enters the operating room, the President reportedly asks the surgeons, "Please tell me you're Republicans." A bullet is removed from his left lung.

When he comes out of anesthesia, he reportedly begins scribbling humorous notes to the nurses: "All in all, I'd rather be in Philadelphia." "Send me to L.A., where I can see the air I'm breathing." "Does Nancy know about us?"

During the operation, [Secretary of State] Al Haig rushes to the White House briefing room where, trembling and with his voice cracking, he seeks to reassure our allies that the government continues to function: "As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the Vice President."

Afterward, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger confronts Haig and suggests he has misstated the line of succession. "Look," says Haig, "you better go home and read your Constitution, buddy. That's the way it is."

In Hollywood, the Academy Awards presentation is postponed for 24 hours.

3/31 An ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that President Reagan's popularity rating went up 11 points after he was shot.

PBS Timeline, April 1:
Nancy seeks out advice of astrologer Joan Quigley at the recommendation of friend Merv Griffin. From then on Quigley will influence the President's schedule by pointing out "good and bad days." Temple of Palmistry, 1909 Alaska-Yukon Exposition, Seattle
University of Washington