Diary Entry - 05/04/1982

Key Facts
President Reagan participates in an economic briefing.
President Reagan meets with Republican Members of the House Budget Committee.
President Reagan participates in a meeting to greet major fundraising donors for the Senate-House Republican Dinner.
The British have announced loss of a plane & a destroyer. Will they all now give peace a chance? Turned State dept. down on a message they wanted me to send our Ambassador in China urging him to have informal talks with Chinese preceding George Bushes arrival. The talks were to soften the Taiwan issue some more. We cant do that—the Taiwanese have proven their friendship. Cabinet meeting re sugar imports. I think we’ve come to a solution that will keep all our sugar exporting friends happy. Met with Repub. members of the House Bud. Comm. They are going to start tomorrow and wanted some guidance. I gave it—more cuts & less tax increases. Dick Wirthlin reported in. My speech was to a smaller T.V. audience than usual. Probably due to it’s last min. nature & no promotion. But people are confused on the whole budget issue & my ratings are way down. Tonite a reception & dinner for the Congressional Campaign Committee.
