Diary Entry - 02/08/1988
Key Facts
President Reagan travels to North Carolina and meets with members of the Duke University Basketball Team.
President Reagan addresses a conference on "Substance Abuse in the Workplace - Strategies for the 1990's."
Iowa's precinct caucuses ends, the Des Moines Register gives Bob Dole the lead among Republicans and Dick Gephardt the lead among Democrats.
Usual staff time—spent some time discussing possible leverage we might have on the Contra situation in the House in view of the Sen. Votes. Then the matter of George Bush & the N.S.C. meeting of Jan. 7. This is the one I believed he wasn’t present because Shultz was in his chair. Now it seems the record shows he was there.
N.S.C.—Cable from Ambas. Rogers in Paris—says Mitterrand cant make up his mind about seeking re-election for Pres.
Nicaragua. Contras are moving to slow down & stretch out to reduce numbers in Nicaragua & rotate them with troops based in Honduras. [. . .] Meanwhile we are waiting to see what plan Jim Wright comes up with.
We discussed wild charges Gen. Noriega (Panama) made on “60 min.” last night. Then a report from India that Gorbachev is talking of withdrawing from Afghanistan in May & competing it in 10 months. Then it was desk work trying to wade out of the Birthday cards, gifts etc. Finally at 11:55 boarded Marine 1—on to Andrews & boarded A.F.1 & off to Duke U. at Raleigh N.C. A big forum dealing with drugs in the work place. I spoke to audience of several 1000’s. After presentations by C.E.O.s on the subject of testing employees etc. A smaller meeting also with half dozen individuals 3 of whom were graduates from drugs—now working on our side. It was a good day—then home (about 4 P.M.) & mother.
