The Clothes Have No Emperor Part 12

8/20/84.

With Mario Cuomo as his guest, Phil Donahue sticks his microphone in a woman's face and says, "Now, don't think about it, answer me right away. Who are you going to vote for?" She says, "Reagan!" and the audience cheers. Observes Cuomo, "That's what you get when you don't think about it."

8/20/84.

"Few people remember the debate between the two aspirants for Vice President in 1980, George Bush and Walter F. Mondale."

--New York Times reporter Gerald Boyd, apparently unaware that the debate is so little-recalled because it didn't take place reporter Gerald Boyd, apparently unaware that the debate is so little-recalled because it didn't take place 8/20/84.

The Republican Convention gets underway in Dallas with a gay-baiting speech by Jeane Kirkpatrick (who refers derisively to the "San Francisco Democrats") and a lackl.u.s.ter keynote address by US treasurer Katherine Ortega. Denying that her selection was an attempt to pander to women, one GOP official explains, "Ortega wasn't chosen because she's a woman. She was chosen because she's a Hispanic."

8/21/84.

"WOMEN FOR REAGON".

--Placard spotted in Dallas 8/22/84.

"You could call them Fritz and t.i.ts because then there'd be three b.o.o.bs in the White House ... Geraldine Ferraro! Big deal, let's put a woman in the White House. May I just tell you something? Can we talk here for a second? It's no big deal to have a woman in the White House. John F. Kennedy had a thousand of them."

--Joan Rivers entertaining a GOP women's luncheon in Dallas, at Nancy Reagan's request 8/22/84.

"I was looking at all this financial disclosure, and it looks like Edith and Archie have turned out to be Pamela and Averell Harriman, dahling dahling."

--Vice President Bush snarking about Geraldine Ferraro's finances 8/22/84.

"All I know is that I cannot get him to take a nap."

--Nancy Reagan defending her husband's determined wakefulness to Dan Rather, who fails to ask if this means she thinks her good friend Mike Deaver was lying 8/22/84.

"The Reagan Administration has done more for the needy than any in all history."

--Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-NV) placing the President's name in nomination 8/22/84.

"Let's make it one more for the Gipper!"

--Nancy Reagan to the convention, while a huge TV screen above the podium shows her husband in his hotel suite watching her on TV, inspiring her to wave frantically at him, and him after some prompting to wave back 8/22/84.

"The hall is full of people who want to run in 1988. I think we could probably count a dozen or more. If they're all laid end to end, we promise you we'll bring you a picture of it."

--ABC's David Brinkley 8/23/84.

"Isn't the real truth that they are intolerant of religion? They refuse to tolerate its importance in our lives."

--President Reagan at a Dallas prayer breakfast, attacking those nitpickers who insist on separating politics and religion 8/23/84.

President Reagan's speech to the convention is introduced by an 18-minute commercial for him that comes to be known, based on its opening line, as "Morning in America."

"It's got an energy about it. It's got a vitality about it," says Phil Dusenberry, who produced the film. "It's got a truth truth about it." It also has various fawning quotes about its subject, supplied by people ranging from Vice President Bush ("You get the feeling the country's movin' again") to a young woman who says, "I think he's just doggone honest. It's remarkable. He's been on television, what have I heard, 26 times? Talking to about it." It also has various fawning quotes about its subject, supplied by people ranging from Vice President Bush ("You get the feeling the country's movin' again") to a young woman who says, "I think he's just doggone honest. It's remarkable. He's been on television, what have I heard, 26 times? Talking to us us about what about what he's he's doing? Now, that's he's not doing that for any other reason than to make it real clear. And if anybody has any question about where he's headed, it's their fault. Maybe they don't have a television." (Just imagine the gall of someone going TV-less in the age of such a telegenic leader!) doing? Now, that's he's not doing that for any other reason than to make it real clear. And if anybody has any question about where he's headed, it's their fault. Maybe they don't have a television." (Just imagine the gall of someone going TV-less in the age of such a telegenic leader!) Reagan then accepts the nomination: "... clearest political choice ... them ... high interest rates ... spending bill ... tax ... teen-age drug use, out-of-wedlock births and crime ... schools deteriorated ... allies mistrusted us ... since January 20th, 1981 ... not one inch of soil ... fallen to the Communists ... pessimism is ended ... more confident than ever ... strongest economic growth ... lowest inflation rates ... fastest rate of job creation ... highest level of business investment ... on the move again ... new eras of opportunity ... prosperity that will finally last ... balanced budget amendment ... line-item veto ... voluntary prayer amendment ... the Lord back in the schoolrooms ... drugs and violence out ... equality of all men and women ... s.h.i.+ning city on a hill ... Olympic torch ... celebration ... thank you, G.o.d bless you, and G.o.d bless America!"

8/25/84.

Johnny Carson's second wife, Joanne, finds her friend Truman Capote no stranger to drugs and alcohol dead in the guest bedroom of her Bel Air home. She says he'd been obsessed with finis.h.i.+ng his long-awaited novel Answered Prayers Answered Prayers, though nothing close to a publishable ma.n.u.script is ever found.

8/27/84.

President Reagan announces a search for a teacher to be the first citizen in s.p.a.ce. "When that shuttle lifts off," says the man who has presided over drastic cuts in education funding, "all of America will be reminded of the crucial role teachers and education play in the life of our nation."

8/31/84.

New York Times: EX-REAGAN AIDE INDICTED IN CASE OF $431,000 INSIDER STOCK PROFIT SEPTEMBER 1984.

9/3/84.

Walter Mondale's campaign kicks off in New York City, where he marches in the Labor Day parade at such an early hour that crowds are nonexistent. Later, at a picture perfect southern California rally, President Reagan debuts his macho campaign slogan: "You ain't seen nothin' yet."

9/6/84.

Dallas Rev. W.A. Criswell, who recently delivered the closing benediction at the GOP convention, says he thinks "this thing of separation of church and state is a figment of some infidel's imagination."

9/9/84.

"I absolutely believe President Reagan when he says he does not want to establish a state religion that would require him to attend services."

--Sen. Daniel Moynihan (D-NY) on This Week with David Brinkley This Week with David Brinkley 9/10/84.

Obviously irritated that his slippery position on abortion has become an issue, Vice President Bush refuses to answer any more questions on the subject, citing "my right as an American to remain silent."

9/12/84.

"There are an awful lot of things I don't remember."

--Vice President Bush denying that his failure to recall his previous support for abortion poses a credibility problem 9/13/84.

"The other side's promises are a little like Minnie Pearl's hat. They both have big price tags hanging from them."

--President Reagan campaigning at the Grand Ole Opry 9/13/84.

"We are in a different phase now, trying to merge the thesis and the ant.i.thesis into a synthesis without doing violence to either."

--Jesse Jackson "explaining" his support for Walter Mondale 9/17/84.

Vice President Bush continues to respond testily to questions about abortion. "My position is like Ronald Reagan's," he says. "Put that down, mark that down. Good. You got it."

9/18/84.

"It wasn't done with that in mind. It was done because there are people out there that need help."

--President Reagan, denying that his unprecedentedly generous new farm policy has any connection to the upcoming election 9/19/84.

"America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts. It rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about."

--President Reagan attempting to add America's hottest rock star to his pantheon of co-opted heroes, though Springsteen quickly goes public with his lack of support 9/20/84.

A suicide bomber drives into the US Emba.s.sy annex in Beirut, killing two Americans. It is the third such incident in 19 months. President Reagan justifies the incomplete security measures an iron gate was laying on the ground awaiting installation by saying, "Anyone that's ever had their kitchen done over knows that it never gets done as soon as you wish it would." This, in turn, prompts columnist Russell Baker to observe, "Anyone that's ever had their kitchen done over knows that the process is nothing at all like trying to stop somebody from driving a truckload of explosives into your house."

9/20/84.

Independent counsel Jacob Stein says his six-month investigation of Ed Meese has found "no basis" for prosecution, adding that his limited mandate prevents him from commenting on "Mr. Meese's ethics and the propriety of his conduct." President Reagan pledges to renominate him if re-elected, saying, "I know he'll be a truly distinguished attorney general."

9/20/84.

"The Sandinistas came in. They overthrew Somoza, killed him and overthrew him. Killed him, threw him out."

--Vice President Bush displaying ignorance about the fate of Somoza, who fled Nicaragua when he was overthrown and was later a.s.sa.s.sinated in Paraguay 9/24/84.

"I believe that the future is far nearer than most of us would dare hope."

--President Reagan addressing the UN 9/25/84.

"Do you know what wins elections? It's who puts money into this and who takes money out. And the one good reason why Ronald Reagan is going to be re-elected is because he's putting something in here and the other people are taking money out."

--Vice President Bush whipping out his wallet at a campaign rally 9/26/84.

"I was up in New England the other day, campaigning in Vermont and I said, 'It's nice to be here in Vermont when the sap is running'' and one of the pickets stood up and said, 'Stop talking about Mondale like that.'"

--Vice President Bush campaigning in Indiana 9/26/84.

President Reagan explains to a group of Ohio college students that the US wants good relations with the USSR "because peace in America is such an attractive way to live that a war is a terrible interruption."

9/26/84.

President Reagan explains that the latest Beirut bombing was actually the fault of Jimmy Carter, who he claims presided over "the near-destruction of our intelligence capability." Carter, unable to hide his contempt, notes Reagan's repeated efforts "to blame his every mistake and failure on me and others who served before him."

9/28/84.

Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko takes Nancy Reagan aside during a White House reception and says, "Every night, whisper 'peace' in your husband's ear." The First Lady reportedly responds, "I'll also whisper it in your ear." No further details on these sleeping arrangements are forthcoming.

OCTOBER 1984.

10/1/84.

Patti Davis begins work in a small role on the daily prime time syndicated soap opera, Rituals Rituals. After a week on the show during which time she repeatedly fails to make her morning call, complains about her makeup and wardrobe and refuses to pose for publicity shots she is fired.

10/2/84.

New York Times: DONOVAN INDICTED AND GIVEN A LEAVE TO DEFEND HIMSELF / BUSINESS DEALINGS CITED / LABOR SECRETARY SAYS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN THE BRONX IS 'OBVIOUSLY PARTISAN'

10/2/84.

"Make no mistake about it, this President is in charge. He is in touch, he is a strong leader. I saw it when he met with Gromyko the other day. I was there."

--Vice President Bush boasting that President Reagan actually partic.i.p.ated in a conversation with a foreign dignitary 10/2/84.

"When baffled by a third terrorist attack in Lebanon, Reagan clumsily talks about kitchen remodeling and blames a fict.i.tious cutback in U.S. government intelligence operations. This is his own government he is talking about. He has not a clue how it works."

--Columnist Lars-Erik Nelson 10/3/84.

Complaining that he'd been "singled out" and "taken to the cleaners," Vice President Bush acknowledges that he recently paid $198,000 in back taxes and interest after an audit of his 1981 tax return. And why hadn't he revealed this before, especially in light of Ferraro's problems? "You didn't ask me about it."

10/3/84.

A House intelligence committee report finds "no logical explanation" for the lapse in security at the emba.s.sy in Beirut, since State Department and emba.s.sy officials had plenty of reason to suspect that a bombing attempt was not only possible but probable.

10/3/84.

President Reagan takes part in a dress rehearsal for his upcoming debate, with David Stockman playing the part of a very aggressive Walter Mondale so aggressive that he provokes Reagan into shouting, "Shut up!" Afterward, the President tells him, "You better send me some flowers, because you've been nasty to me."

10/4/84.

"I'm legally and every other way, emotionally, ent.i.tled to be what I want to be and that's what I want to be and that's what I am."

--Vice President Bush explaining why he considers himself a Texan even though he was born in Ma.s.sachusetts, grew up in Connecticut, lives in Was.h.i.+ngton and pays taxes in Maine 10/5/84.

Larry Speakes is asked if President Reagan has read the House report on the latest Beirut truck bombing. "I don't think he's read the report in detail," he says. "It's five-and-a-half pages, double-s.p.a.ced."

10/6/84.

John Zaccaro tells Redbook Redbook he intends to sit in on Cabinet meetings if his wife is elected Vice President. "I think I would insist on being there," he says. "Even if they didn't like it, I would sit in." he intends to sit in on Cabinet meetings if his wife is elected Vice President. "I think I would insist on being there," he says. "Even if they didn't like it, I would sit in."

10/7/84.

In their first debate in Louisville, Kentucky, Walter Mondale clearly beats President Reagan, who terrifies viewers by demonstrating how he answers questions when his wife isn't standing next to him. In the course of 90 minutes, the President: *Talks about a law he signed in California as if it was signed by his Democratic predecessor *Reprises his 1980 hit line, "There you go again," only to have it thrown back in his face by Mondale, who knows he won't be able to resist repeating it and is ready with a stinging rejoinder *Blanks out completely in the middle of an answer, stalling for a mini-eternity "The system is still where it was with regard to the ... uh ... the ... uh ... the ... uh ... the ... uh ..." until he comes up, who knows how, with the missing word, "progressivity"

*Claims that the increase in poverty "is a lower rate of increase than it was in the preceding years before we got here," though in fact it is higher *Explains that a good bit of the defense budget goes for "food and wardrobe," becoming the first US President to so refer to military uniforms *Admits, as he prepares to deliver his closing statement, "I'm all confused now."

Afterward, a frantic Nancy Reagan confronts White House aides, demanding, "What have you done to Ronnie?"

10/8/84.

Barbara Bush points out that, unlike Geraldine Ferraro, she makes no pretense of playing down the family wealth, adding, "No poor boy stuff like that $4 million I can't say it, but it rhymes with rich." She later fails to convince reporters that the unspoken word was "witch." Meanwhile, Ferraro asks an aide, "Why is that nice old lady calling me a b.i.t.c.h?"

10/10/84.

"I'm here for drugs."

--Nancy Reagan admonis.h.i.+ng reporters not to ask political questions at a Georgia press conference announcing a drug-awareness program 10/10/84.

Still defensive about his debate performance, President Reagan says, "With regard to the age issue and everything, if I had as much makeup on as he did, I'd have looked younger, too." He goes on to make the surprising claim that he not only went makeup-free during the debate, but "I never did wear it. I didn't wear it when I was in pictures."