Diary Entry - 01/08/1985
Key Facts
President Reagan announces to the press that Chief of Staff James Baker and Secretary of the Treasury Donald Regan are switching jobs.
President Reagan receives word from Secretary of State George Shultz from Geneva that the Soviet Union has agreed to enter negotiations on nuclear weapons.
Word from Geneva continues to be good. George B. & I were presented with the new Inaugural medals. This morning I went to the press room with Don Regan & Jim Baker & announced they were exchanging jobs. The press was really astounded. They thought I was coming in to talk about Geneva or something of the kind. This was one story that didn’t leak.
I was in the family theatre briefing for tomorrow nites press conf. when I was called upstairs to take a call from George S. on the secure phone. The meetings in Geneva are over & the Soviets have agreed to enter negotiations on nuclear weapons etc. Within the month a time & place will be agreed upon. Did a brief interview with 2 men from the Dallas Morning News—a friendly paper. Then a reception in the East room celebrating “Human Events” 40th anniversary.
It’s been a good day except that I’m here alone in the W.H. Nancy is in N.Y. The place seems bigger & very empty.
