Diary Entry - 10/17/1983

N.S.C.—mostly about how to announce appt. of Bud MacFarlane as Nat. Security Advisor. Sen. Laxalt & the basic campaign committee came in for letter signing which makes me a cand. in the eyes of the Elec. Commission. Cab. meeting was on legis. having to do with reforms in tax structure mainly on womens issues such as tax credits & deductions for child care centers etc. Lunch with Geo. Will. I think we are straightened out on some differences about taxes & the Soviets. We parted on very good terms. Jeanne Kirkpatrick came in. We talked for an hour. She has wanted to come back to Wash. from the U.N. for some time and hoped she would be given Bill’s job. I offered her a position as counselor to the Pres. on international policy. I couldn’t convince her it was a job where she’d have a real voice in determining policy. Finally left it with me not accepting her “no” & her promise to think about it during the 2 mos. or more she’ll still be Ambas. at the U.N. Did some picture taking with Miss America & Bill Clarks staff. Then into press room & announced Bud MacFarlanes appt. Phoned parents of Captain Ohler (Marine) killed in Beirut. Couldn’t get his widow until about 9 P.M. Her phone was out of order. She’s left with 2 small children—one a 3 mo. old baby whose father had never seen. Tapings for half dozen different affairs then up to dinner with Maureen & Ted G.