(5 of 5)
New polls last week showed Carter receiving a very low rate of approval, but he maintained his indifference about negative reports. Then he added an interpretation of his own: "In many ways the polls do accurately reflect accomplishments in the highly visible projects. We still don't have an energy bill, or a SALT treaty, and we have continuing problems with inflation. At the same time the foreign policy items in which we have been successful have been highly controversial—Panama and the Middle East arms sale."
Asked whether Brezhnev lacked the level of enthusiasm for a personal meeting that Carter had illustrated by his standing invitation to the Russian leader, Carter replied: "We are not frantic to have a meeting with Brezhnev. We are not urging him to come. I think a direct meeting between us will be very constructive. My longtime understanding has been that he will want to meet with me when SALT is fairly sure. We are making good progress on the agreement and our relationship with the Soviets is stable."
How did the President like his job this month, with his popularity at its nadir?
He grinned: "Just as much as last month.
I feel at ease with our policies."
The President began to walk back toward his Executive study. His daughter stood by the door waiting. She whispered into her father's ear that she had only enough money to buy one record album, Saturday Night Fever, and she wanted a little additional to buy a second, Grease.
The President told her that a single record was enough for now, but Amy persisted, tugging on his arm. Finally, after considerable pleading, her father told her to change the subject. Then he relented slightly and said he might allow a second purchase soon. The pattern was familiar.
The President was weighing the pressure, measuring the evidence—and keeping his options open. -