It’s Cease-Fire as President, Press Have Annual Dinner

It’s the annual black-tie truce.

The White House Correspondents Assn., which exists primarily for the purpose of throwing an annual dinner, did just that Thursday night, providing a rare opportunity for the President and his press to toast, applaud and gush over each other.

At the dinner, correspondents past and present, as well as editors, executives and almost anybody who has had any media connection to the White House, gather in black tie and evening gown, and bring guests who commonly serve as sources for stories: Cabinet members, such as Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III; White House staffers, such as Jack Courtamanche, Mrs. Reagan’s chief of staff; and members of Congress, such as Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.).

The crowd has swelled to more than 1,000 people, leaving the 200 or so real White House correspondents to wonder who all these other people are. As is the case with all Washington parties, this one served as an opportunity to make quick contacts and get a little business done, as well as an annual peace meeting between the President and the press who cover him.

It was Reagan’s first foray outside the White House since he ordered U.S. forces to attack Libya, and he was decidedly upbeat.

Besides praising reporters for their courage in covering the Libyan attack, Reagan gave his usual good performance as a joke-teller.

In introducing Reagan, club president Gary Schuster of CBS reminded the audience of Reagan’s description of Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi as a “mad dog.”

“Apparently he meant it,” said Schuster. “He’s considered having Kadafi flown to the Santa Barbara ranch to keep Lucky company.”

Lucky, the dog who used to live in the White House, was exiled to the Reagans’ ranch when he became too rambunctious.

When Reagan came to the podium, he began by saying, “Gary, I think more of Lucky than that.”

Traditionally the President and Mrs. Reagan have dinner with the correspondents and then Reagan delivers his jokes. But Thursday night he made only a quick appearance before dinner and then left the Washington Hilton ballroom, apparently due to fatigue from the busy week and a trip scheduled the next morning to New York.

Of his recent hard week, Reagan said, “I’ve really been burning the midday oil.”

Reagan took pokes at several people, although he sidestepped three of the town’s hottest gossip topics: David Stockman’s new book (which portrays Reagan as a leader who did not understand the workings of the budget), daughter Patti Davis’ new book (which portrays a First Lady similar to Mrs. Reagan unkindly) and the General Accounting Office investigation of Reagan aide-turned-millionaire-lobbyist Michael Deaver.

But there were plenty of targets left over.

Of his chief of staff, Donald Regan, who has been accused by many reporters of wielding too much power, Reagan said: “The other day when I told Don Regan I was opposed to dictators, whoever and wherever they are, he asked if he should start packing.”

And to the television networks:

“I understand that ABC’s been having some budget problems. The news division’s already laid off three hair stylists.

“And I hear that NBC’s going to do a hard-hitting report saying the only reason Ron Reagan’s career is taking off is because he has a famous father. The guy saying it will be Chris Wallace.” Wallace is the son of “60 Minutes” reporter Mike Wallace.

And Congress:

“I’ve been criticized for going over the heads of Congress,” said Reagan. “So, what’s the fuss? A lot of things go over their heads.”

Entertainment was provided by Dick Cavett, who told about the travails of being a talk-show host. He recounted how one guest, an author of a health book, talked about how he never felt better and then dropped dead on the show.

But Cavett may have delighted the audience the most by telling about a funny thing that happened to him on the way to the dinner.

Traveling to Washington in a crowded train, Cavett said: “We all sat in the aisles. And it was worth it. Because I was sitting in the aisle and a gentleman carrying a copy of Le Monde whom I took to be a French diplomat said, ‘Can I step over you?’

“And I said, ‘No, that would be violating my airspace. You’ll have to step around.’ ”