A Day in the Life of the New President: Ronald Reagan

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Von Damm says that the President found something wrong in the paperwork for the appointment. James and an assistant puzzle over the document for a few moments and then realize that Reagan had spotted an error: an appointee had been listed for the wrong job.

Reagan, meanwhile, receives the Italian Foreign Minister, Emilio Colombo. It is a courtesy call; Colombo has already talked business with Richard Allen and Secretary of State Alexander Haig. As Reagan and Colombo make small talk, there is a "photo opportunity": a herd of photographers and TV crews bursts into the room, cameras blazing, and leaves a few moments later.

For the first time in the day, Reagan seems ill at ease. Speaking with Colombo requires using interpreters, something Reagan has rarely done. Colombo delivers an ornate statement about the robust history of Italian-American relations. Reagan pauses, uncertain whether to address Colombo or one of the two translators, and starts his reply: "Well, I appreciate that very much. The feeling is mutual."

At 4:30 Pendleton James is occupying the other easy chair by the fire, and the subject is personnel. Jim Cavanaugh, who has been assisting James temporarily, is returning to his home in California. Since coming to Washington, Reagan has been complaining about the cold and joking about defecting. "Wait until I get my hat," he tells Cavanaugh. "I'll go with you."

Reagan's expression turns serious when James starts to talk about a review of the 255 presidential boards and commissions, a number of which are clearly boondoggles. James cites what seems to be a particularly bad case: a new body to study the conditions of native Hawaiians. The nine members were appointed on Jimmy Carter's last morning in office and are scheduled to go to Hawaii next month for a fee of $100 a day plus expenses. James wants the members fired and the excursion canceled while a broader examination of all 255 outfits goes ahead. George Bush speaks up, suggesting that Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye may have an interest in the new commission. If he does, Bush says, "somebody should hold his hand because he can be very helpful."

Discussion turns to another advisory body, this one on ambassadorial appointments. It contains only one committeed Republican, former Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton, and was created by Carter, not Congress. "You can tell from that list it is pure gut Democratic politics," says Bush. "Right!" says Reagan. One down, 254 to go.

A little after 5, Reagan thinks about getting his weekly haircut from Barber Milton Pitts. He starts in that direction, then changes his mind and returns to the Oval Office for his daily wind-up session with Deaver, Meese and Baker, each of whom he has seen on and off throughout the day. This meeting is a quick one; the staffers stand around the desk.

Historically Reagan has never been a demanding boss. Yet the White House is changing his metabolism and his expectations. He does not pretend to keep the pace maintained by Carter or other recent predecessors, but he is chugging along steadily. To the trio in the Oval Office this evening, he ticks off requests —particularly his desire to get the first draft and back-up material for his Feb.