Diary Entry - 04/24/1981
Key Facts
President Reagan returns to the oval office for the first time since the assassination attempt.
President Reagan meets with Secretary of State Alexander Haig and Secretary of Agriculture John Block to discuss lifting the the grain embargo on the Soviet Union.
President Reagan attends his first Cabinet Council meeting since the assassination attempt. The meeting is to discuss funding strategic oil reserves.
1st day in oval office. Staff meeting at 9:30 then met with Al Haig & Jack Block about lifting grain embargo. I’m reluctant about it but think it will reassure our allies that while we’re hard nosed about the Russians we aren’t refusing to talk. At 11 A.M. met with Cabinet—1st since shooting. They greeted me with applause and I was very moved. What a team they’ve turned out to be & how proud I am of them. (I told em so) Big issue for discussion was how to fund a strategic oil reserve. No decision yet. Met with Dick Wirthlin & Paul Laxalt. Dick had some amazing figures on what polls show has happened since the shooting. Most amazing that the dif. between those who identify as Repubs. & those as Demos. which was 20% during election is now only 5%. Home for lunch & nap. Loyal arrived that afternoon. He’s on his way to Ireland to be made a fellow of their surgical society.
