![]() ![]() Weinberger was given an important consolation prize as secretary of Defense, in which he would become influential. Nixon, whom Haig had served as chief of staff in the final troubled days of Nixon's presidency. After an inconclusive telephone conversation with Shultz, Reagan instead chose Alexander Haig, who had been recommended by former President Richard M. Some members of Reagan's transition advisory committee preferred George Shultz. Weinberger, who as state finance director had rescued the Reagan governorship, wanted the job. Reagan's most difficult choice was at the State Department. ![]() Schweiker was named to head the Department of Health and Human Services Donovan and Lewis were appointed secretaries of Labor and Transportation, respectively. He also felt a sense of obligation to Richard Schweiker, whom Reagan has tapped as his prospective running mate in 1976 and who had backed Reagan ever after, and to Drew Lewis and Raymond Donovan, key players in his 1980 campaign. Four of his decisions were easy: his old friend and onetime Hollywood attorney William French Smith wanted to the key post of attorney general, and Reagan gave it to him. Reagan had been thinking about prospective cabinet appointments weeks before he was elected. Graham and First Lady Nancy Reagan soon became friends.) By the time he took the oath of office, Reagan had laid the basis for a successful start to his presidency. ![]() (Tip) O'Neill and important Washington figures such as Katharine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post. In the interval between the election and his assumption of office, Reagan met with House Speaker Thomas P. His task was made easier because President Carter had been alienated from the Washington establishment. But as a practical politician, he recognized the importance of reaching out to the Democrats, who controlled the House by a wide margin. And, after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans."As a conservative, Reagan was committed to reducing the size and mission of government. Solving the nation's problems required "our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds. His well-crafted Inaugural Address identified the major themes the new President hoped would define his administration.Īfter noting the severity of the nation's economic crisis, Reagan declared that "government is not the solution to our problem government is the problem." He took pains to reassure Americans that he did not want to "do away with government." Rather, he sought "to make it work-work with us, not over us to stand by our side, not ride on our back." Reagan also promised to restore public confidence. He promised to cut taxes, curb government spending, and balance the federal budget or at least reduce the deficit. Reagan came to the presidency in 1981 with a straightforward and well-articulated domestic agenda. ![]()
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