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Ford Press Releases - Birch Society/Extremism, 1965
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Ford Press Releases - Birch Society/Extremism, 1965
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The original documents are located in Box D6, folder "Ford Press Releases - Birch
Society/Extremism, 1965" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech
File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D6 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Press Conference: September 30, 1965
THE JOINT SENATE-HOUSE LEADERSHIP
Transcript of comments on John Birch Society
QUESTION: (Not clear)
DIRKSEN: Well, Bill, let me give you my estimate of the situation.
First, and let me emphasize this with as much vigor as I can -- that the
John Birch Society is NOT a part of the Republican Party. It never was and
I don't suppose it even pretends to be.
Secondly, let me say that in the American political scheme I do not
believe there is any place or any room for any organization which operates
on a secret basis to achieve political goals. Way back in Lincoln's day, as
you remember, they had the "Know Nothings" and if you asked them a question,
asked them what they stood for, the answer was: "I know nothing."
Third, let me say that it's rather curious that General Walker, who
supposedly is a member of this group, ran for office in Texas -- not on the
Republican ticket -- but on the Democrat ticket -- and got 100,000 votes.
Fourth, we have never been encumbered with any group like the Americans
for Democratic Action. Now, if-spu want to talk about extremism, well, you
can put your teeth into that. We do not believe in extremism, we got out a
moderate platform in 1964, and we stand by it.
And finally, let me say, that insofar as I'm familiar with what the John
Birch Society is seeking to do and frankly not a single piece of their
literature has ever gone across my desk. So I don't know exactly what they
do stand for. But I read in the press they're against the United Nations
the Republican Party isn't; they have demeaned some of the Republican leaders
like the late John Foster Dulles, like President Eisenhower and others, and
tried to put on them an ideological tag that is at complete variance with a
whole tradition of the Republican Party. We EMPHATICALLY reject that sort of
thing and we stand on our platform, but I make it abundantly clear that they
are NOT a part of the Republican Party. They never have been -- and in my
judgment they never will be
QUESTION: (Not clear)
FORD: I would subscribe wholeheartedly to the observations and comments
of Senator Dirksen. I would like to point out in addition, however, that the
Republican record in the House and in the Senate on such issues as the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 -- the Voting Rights Act of 1965 -- the Republican Party
supported those two legislative proposals very substantially. And if I
understand correctly, the John Birch Society is opposed to BOTH of those laws
that are now on the statute books. The legislative record of the Republican
Party in the House and in the Senate is in substantial conflict with the views
of the John Birch Society, a monolithic organization that takes its orders
from the top and therefore there is no place for that organization in the
Republican Party.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Press Conference: September 30, 1965
THE JOINT SENATE-HOUSE LEADERSHIP
Transcript of comments on John Birch Society
QUESTION: (Not clear)
DIRKSEN: Well, Bill, let me give you my estimate of the situation.
First, and let me emphasize this with as much vigor as I can -- that the
John Birch Society is NOT a part of the Republican Party. It never was and
I don't suppose it even pretends to be.
Secondly, let me say that in the American political scheme I do not
believe there is any place or any room for any organization which operates
on a secret basis to achieve political goals. Way back in Lincoln's day, as
you remember, they had the "Know Nothings" and if you asked them a question,
asked them what they stood for, the answer was: "I know nothing."
Third, let me say that it's rather curious that General Walker, who
supposedly is a member of this group, ran for office in Texas -- not on the
Republican ticket -- but on the Democrat ticket -- and got 100,000 votes.
Fourth, we have never been encumbered with any group like the Americans
for Democratic Action. Now, if you want to talk about extremism, well, you
can put your teeth into that. We do not believe in extremism, we got out a
moderate platform in 1964, and we stand by it.
And finally, let me say, that insofar as I'm familiar with what the John
Birch Society is seeking to do -- and frankly not a single piece of their
literature has ever gone across my desk. So I don't know exactly what they
do stand for. But I read in the press they're against the United Nations
the Republican Party isn't; they have demeaned some of the Republican leaders
like the late John Foster Dulles, like President Eisenhower and others, and
tried to put on them an ideological tag that is at complete variance with a
whole tradition of the Republican Party. We EMPHATICALLY reject that sort of
thing and we stand on our platform, but I make it abundantly clear that they
are NOT a part of the Republican Party. They never have been -- and in my
judgment they never will be.
QUESTION: (Not clear)
FORD: I would subscribe wholeheartedly to the observations and comments
of Senator Dirksen. I would like to point out in addition, however, that the
Republican record in the House and in the Senate on such issues as the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 -- the Voting Rights Act of 1965 -- the Republican Party
supported those two legislative proposals very substantially. And if I
understand correctly, the John Birch Society is opposed to BOTH of those laws
that are now on the statute books. The legislative record of the Republican
Party in the House and in the Senate is in substantial conflict with the views
of the John Birch Society, a monolithic organization that takes its orders
from the top and therefore there is no place for that organization in the
Republican Party.
REpublican NATiONAL COMMiTTEE
1625 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
NATIONAL 8-6800
NEWS
FRIDAY NOON E.S. T
November 5, 1965
Recepty FOR RELEASE
STATEMENT ON EXTREMISM BY REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
RAY C. BLISS AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW
MEXICO, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1965
When we talk about extremism, we should look both to the radical
left and to the radical right.
It is quite obvious to me that the radical left is attempting to throw a
smoke-screen around its own activities by slanderously charging all conservatives
with extremist views.
While the Republican Party has been exhorted to repudiate radicals who
do not speak for and who do not lead or influence the Party, the Democratic National
Committee has helped finance and promote the Group Research, Inc. smear list which
includes such noted Americans as former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Some leftist-oriented Democratic groups in this country have urged unreal-
istic disarmament, concessions to Moscow and Peiping, withdrawal from Vietnam
and recognition of Red China. These groups on the radical left are guilty of
extremism of the most dangerous variety extremism which challenges American
foreign policy and may cost American lives by encouraging Communists to
greater aggression.
One of my major concerns in the matter of extremism of the radical right
is that honest, patriotic and conscientious conservatives may be misjudged because
of irresponsible radicals such as Robert Welch, who has accused General Eisenhower
of being " a dedicated, conscious agent of the Communist conspiracy."
On this point I am joined by our two most recent Republican Presidential
nominees, Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, as well as Republican leaders in
Congress and in Statehouses across the land.
-more-
-2-
Therefore, I ask all Republicans to reject absolutely and without
reservation any resort to slanderous irresponsibility.
I ask all Republicans to reject membership in any radical organization
which attempts to use the Republican Party for its own ends, or in any organization
which seeks to undermine the basic principles of American freedom and
constitutional government.
I also call upon all Republicans to reject absolutely and without
reservation organizations which condone violence and violation of the law,
whatever their motives.
Our country will be well served if the Democratic Party takes the
same position toward ALL extremists.
- -30-
Republican NATiONAL COMMiTTEE
1625 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
NATIONAL 8-6800
NEWS
FOR RELEASE
FRIDAY NOON E.S. T.
November 5, 1965
STATEMENT ON EXTREMISM BY REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
RAY C. BLISS AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW
MEXICO, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1965
When we talk about extremism, we should look both to the radical
left and to the radical right.
It is quite obvious to me that the radical left is attempting to throw a
smoke-screen around its own activities by slanderously charging all conservatives
with extremist views.
While the Republican Party has been exhorted to repudiate radicals who
do not speak for and who do not lead or influence the Party, the Democratic National
Committee has helped finance and promote the Group Research, Inc. smear list which
includes such noted Americans as former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Some leftist-oriented Democratic groups in this country have urged unreal-
istic disarmament, concessions to Moscow and Peiping, withdrawal from Vietnam
and recognition of Red China. These groups on the radical left are guilty of
extremism of the most dangerous variety extremism which challenges American
foreign policy and may cost American lives by encouraging Communists to
greater aggression.
One of my major concerns in the matter of extremism of the radical right
is that honest, patriotic and conscientious conservatives may be misjudged because
of irresponsible radicals such as Robert Welch, who has accused General Eisenhower
of being " a dedicated, conscious agent of the Communist conspiracy."
On this point I am joined by our two most recent Republican Presidential
nominees, Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, as well as Republican leaders in
Congress and in Statehouses across the land.
-more-
-2-
Therefore, I ask all Republicans to reject absolutely and without
reservation any resort to slanderous irresponsibility.
I ask all Republicans to reject membership in any radical organization
which attempts to use the Republican Party for its own ends, or in any organization
which seeks to undermine the basic principles of American freedom and
constitutional government.
I also call upon all Republicans to reject absolutely and without
reservation organizations which condone violence and violation of the law,
whatever their motives.
Our country will be well served if the Democratic Party takes the
same position toward ALL extremists.
-30-
Republican NATiONAL COMMiTTEE
1625 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
NATIONAL 8-6800
NEWS
FOR RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following resolution on extremism, offered by Senate Minority
Leader Everett M. Dirksen and House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, was
approved unanimously by the Republican Coordinating Committee December
13, 1965:
The Republica Coordinating Committee endorses the pos-
ition of Republican National Committee Chairman Ray C. Bliss
that all Republicans hould reject membership in any radical or
extremist organization including any which attempts to use the
Republican Party for its own ends or any which seeks to under-
mine the basic principles of American freedom and constitutional
government.
At a news conference following the action, Senator Dirksen, Representative
Ford and Governor Robert Smylie of Joho said it was the sense of the Coordin-
ating Committee that the resolution endorsed and approved the full statement on
extremism issued by Republican National Chairman Ray C. Bliss at a news con-
ference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 5, 1965.
A copy of the Bliss statement is attached.
-30-
Republican NATiONAL COMMiTTEE
1625 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
NATIONAL 8-6800
NEWS
FOR RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following resolution on extremism, offered by Senate Minority
Leader Everett M. Dirksen and House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, was
approved unanimously by the Republican Coordinating Committee December
13, 1965:
The Republican Coordinating Committee endorses the pos-
ition of Republican National Committee Chairman Ray C. Bliss
that all Republicans should reject membership in any radical or
extremist organization including any which attempts to use the
Republican Party for its own ends or any which seeks to under-
mine the basic principles of American freedom and constitutional
government.
At a news conference following the action, Senator Dirksen, Representative
Ford and Governor Robert Smylie of Idaho said it was the sense of the Coordin-
ating Committee that the resolution endorsed and approved the full statement on
extremism issued by Republican National Chairman Ray C. Bliss at a news con-
ference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 5, 1965.
A copy of the Bliss statement is attached.
-30-
REpublican NATiONAL COMMiTTEE
1625 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
NATIONAL 8-6800
NEWS
FOR RELEASE
Senator Everett Dirksen, minority leader of the Senate, offered
the following Resolution on behalf of himself and House minority leader
Gerald Ford, and moved its adoption. The motion to adopt was seconded
by Governor Robert Smylie of Idaho. The Resolution was unanimously adopted.
The Republican Coordinating Committee endorses the position
of Republican National Committee Chairman Ray C. Bliss that all
Republicans should reject membership
-- in any radical or extremist organization including
any which attempts to use the Republican Party for its
own ends or any which seeks to undermine the basic
principles of American freedom and constitutional
government.
December 13, 1965