Description:

Ronald Reagan
Washington, DC, April 20, 1981
Reagan Annotated Memo Re: Calls to Dems, 72 Words in his Hand, Prior to ERTA Passing
TM
A fine content annotated manuscript with 72 words in Reagan's hand as President, Washington, April 20, 1981. Titled "Recommended Telephone Call," the memo comes from Max L. Friedersdorf, Reagan's Assistant for Legislative Affairs in 1981. Pages are stapled at top left and exhibit some marginal wear, folds at bottom right. Otherwise very good. 2pp. 8.5" x 11". Impeccable provenance: this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, and was gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

In this memo, Friedersdorf lays forth the plan, purpose and content of a call for Reagan to make to "Eight Selected House Democrats" to: "…solicit support for the President's version of the Budget Resolution in the House" prior its Floor action the week of April 27, 1981.

In part: "The House Budget Committee has reported a Resolution containing less defense spending, more social welfare spending, and projected a smaller tax cut than the President's program. Republicans on the Commiteee [sic] and Conservative Democrats are rallying behind a Reagan Bipartisan Budget that embraces the President's program and offers $6.1 billion more in spending cuts."

On the following page, Reagan writes notes beside each of the individuals he called and records their responses.

Next to the information about Jack Tower, Reagan writes: "He's all for it."

Regarding Ron Mottl's call, Reagan notes: "He's a fan. He'll support program. He is concerned lest it cut back on Vet's benefits. He has an anti-bussing [?] amendment - I told him I could support such a bill."

About his call with Charlie Wilson, Reagan writes: "Leaning toward Graham Latta."

Finally, Reagan records Richard White's reaction to the call: "He's in favor although didn't want to commit unequivocally. Is concerned about whether we've put back some funds for Vet's [sic] he thinks should be in budget. All in all though he sounds very supportive."

Reagan would speak before the Joint Session of Congress on the "Program for Economic Recovery" on April 28, 1981, critiquing the lack of action by the Senate in restoring the health of the economy and simultaneously praising Democrats for their spirit of spirit of "…candor, openness, and mutual respect." He added, as a follow up to our memo, "…Reducing the growth of spending, cutting marginal tax rates, providing relief from overregulation, and following a noninflationary and predictable monetary policy are interwoven measures which will ensure that we have addressed each of the severe dislocations which threaten our economic future. These policies will make our economy stronger, and the stronger economy will balance the budget which we're committed to do by 1984." (cf. Reagan Library). The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 passed on August 4, 1981.

Max L. Friedersdorf (1929-2020) served in several White House posts: under Reagan he was Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs to President-elect Reagan, after a stint as Nixon's Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs and Ford's Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
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