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League of Women Voters - 1976 Debates
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League of Women Voters - 1976 Debates
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Michael Raoul-Duval Papers
Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter Debates Files
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The original documents are located in Box 30, folder "League of Women Voters - 1976
Debates" of the Michael Raoul-Duval Papers 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. Michael Raoul-Duval 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United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives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.
'76 PRESIDENTIAL
Chairmen:
Rita E. Hauser
Newton N. Minow
DEBATES
Charls E. Walker
1156 15th Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 296-4726
Jim Karayn, Project Director
MEETING ON THE '76 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
September 1, 1976
GERALD
Representing the '76 Presidential Debate Project
of the League of Women Voters Education Fund:
Rita Hauser, Co-Chairman
Newton Minow, Co-Chairman
Charls Walker, Co-Chairman
Jim Karayn, Project Director
paging 636-3900
,3900
686
Representing the League of Women Voters Education Fund
296
Ruth C. Clusen, Chairman
1770
Peggy Lampl, Executive Director
we 10:20 11:25
Representing Governor Carter:
TWA
Jody Powell, Press Secretary
Barry Jagoda, Television Advisor
Gerald Rafshoon, Media and Advertising Advisor
Richard Moe
Representing President Ford:
William Ruckelshaus
Dean Burch, Chairman, PFC Advisory Committee
Mike Duval, Special Counsel to the President
A project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Newton:
I believe that the Nation owes you and your colleagues
an immense debt of gratitude for your leadership efforts
in connection with the Presidential debates.
I hope that President Ford's example in debating as an
incumbent President will become a precedent for future
elections. There is no doubt in my mind that the debates
this year contributed significantly to the ability of the
people to vote intelligently for the man who will be
President for the next four years.
I enjoyed very much working with you and hope an opportunity
will come up in the future for another worthwhile project
that we both can participate in.
Sincerely,
Mike
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Mr. Newton Minow
Co-Chairperson
'76 Presidential Debates
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
20036
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Charlie:
FORD i 976839 LIBRARY
I feel we owe you a debt of gratitude for your efforts
concerning the Presidential debates, both in terms of
the President's interests and, more importantly, the
national interest.
Your leadership was indespensable in bringing this off
in a manner which serves both interests. Your efforts
were invaluable and deeply appreciated by all of us here
at the White House.
I believe that the debates well served the interest of
the American voters as they try to make up their minds
prior to November 2. I hope that the President's initiative
in agreeing to debate his opponent will serve as a precedent
in future elections.
On a personal basis I very much enjoyed working with you
and hope that an opportunity will arise in the near future
for us to join forces on another worthwhile project.
Sincerely,
Mike
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Mr. Charls E. Walker
Charls Walker Associates
Suite 200
1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Peggy:
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
I want to express my personal appreciation for the
enormous contribution you made to the 1976 Presidential
debates. I am hopeful that the debates will become a
part of every Presidential election now that President
Ford has set the precedent of an incumbent President
debating.
I enjoyed working with you and look forward to our next
project!
Sincerely,
I
When
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Miss Peggy Lamp1
Executive Director
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
20036
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Mrs. Hauser:
I wanted to express my personal appreciation
for your contribution in the 1976 Presidential
debate project. I think the entire effort well
served the national interest and I hope that
future elections will follow this precedent.
I appreciated the opportunity of working with
you and congratulations on a job well done.
Sincerely,
With
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Mrs. Rita Hauser
Stroock, Stroock and Lavan
61 Broadway
New York, New York
FORD LIBRARY & CERRID
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Jim:
I want to express particular appreciation to you and
your colleagues for your successful efforts in connection
with the Presidential debates.
Beyond any question of doubt, the debates were of enormous
benefit to the people in assessing the relative merits of
the two Presidential candidates. It is significant that
this is the first time in our Nation's history that an
incumbent President has agreed to debate and I believe you
should feel justifiably proud in the role you played in
such an historic event.
I hope that the debates become an American tradition as I
believe that they contribute significantly to an informed
electorate.
On a personal basis I enjoyed very much working with you
and I hope that our paths will cross again in the very
near future.
Sincerely,
Mike
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Mr. Jim Karayn
Project Director
'76 Presidential Debates
1156 15th Street, NW
FORD LIBRARY is GERALD
Washington, D.C. 20006
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dear Ruth:
I enjoyed very much working with you in connection with
the 1976 Presidential debates. I believe the debates
contributed immeasurably to the process of choosing our
President and you and your organization should be
immensely proud of your efforts.
I hope that the debates become a part of every Presidential
campaign now that President Ford has taken the step of being
the first incumbent President to participate in such debates.
I enjoyed working with you and your colleagues and was
deeply impressed by your professionalism and commitment to
the national interest.
I hope that some other worthwhile project finds us working
together again.
Sincerely,
Who
Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
Mrs. Ruth Clusen
President
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
Washington, D.C.
20036
27
76PRESIDENTIAL
Chairmen:
Rita E. Hauser
Newton N. Minow
DEBATES
Charls E. Walker
1156 15th Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 296-4726
Jim Karayn, Project Director
October 29, 1976
Dear Mike:
I wish to thank you for the vital role
you played in making the Presidential Debates a
success. And a success, I think, they are from
every standpoint, especially that of the electorate.
Without any embellishments whatsoever, I can
say unequivocally that you performed your duties
with skill, style and great fairness. You always
understood and appreciated the historic role of
these debates and never let our discussion get
into petty, partisan confrontations.
I personally thank you, and I thank you on
behalf of the project. Who knows--maybe we can do
it again sometime.
With warmest regards,
Jr im Karayn
Project Director
JK/ca
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Washington, D.C.
A project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund
PROCLAIM LIBERTY
'76 PRESIDENTIAL
USA13c
THROU
MASHINGTONDE GTON-OC
PLEASE SAMAKES
GHOUT
DEBATES
THE NEW
1975
MARCH OF DIMES
200
1156 15th Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20005
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
file
League of Women Voters Education Fund
M St, NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 659-2685
October 29, 1976
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel
to the President
The White House
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mike:
Many thanks for your letter of October 26th.
It arrived on my desk, just as I was belatedly about to get off
some notes of my own. I do want you to know that I appreciate
the key role you played in the events of the last two months and
particularly your contributions to the final product and the
relative smoothness of the negotiating process.
Again my thanks and those of the League.
Sincerely,
Peggy Lamp1
Executive Director
PL: mr
CHAIRMAN
Secretary
TRUSTEES
Judith M. Head
RUTH C. CLUSEN
A. Holly O'Konski
Ann W. Viner
Kay Fields
Jean R. Anderson
Columbus, Indiana
Lafayette, California
New Canaan, Connecticut
OFFICERS
Mansfield, Ohio
Billings, Montana
Veta Winick
Vice Presidents
Connie Fortune
Judith B. Heimann
Dot Ridings
Dickinson, Texas
Ruth J. Hinerfeld
Larchmont, New York
Washington, D.C.
Bethesda, Maryland
Louisville, Kentucky
Treasurer
Nan F. Waterman
Yvonne G. Spies
M. Joanne Hayes
Betty N. MacDonald
Ruth Robbins
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Muscatine, lowa
Bridgeton, Missouri
Poughkeepsie, New York
Madison, Wisconsin
Mamaroneck, New York
Peggy Lampi
Contributions to the Fund are deductible for income tax purposes
LV
WASHINGTON
U.S.POSTAGI
OCT29'76
League of Women Voters Education Fund
13
1730 M STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
D.C
PB.644646
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
06
SIDLEY & AUSTIN
file
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
WASHINGTON OFFICE
1730 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
TELEPHONE 312: 329-5400
TELEPHONE 202: 872-1730
TELEX 89-463
CABLE: NORWIL-TELEx 25-4364
Founded in 1866 as
Williams & Thompson
November 17, 1976
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
FORD if LIBRARY
Special Counsel to the
President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mike:
Having just returned to the office after two weeks away, the
most welcome letter on my desk was yours of October 26. It was a great
honor to be a part of the Presidential Debates. I believe that President
Ford changed American politics forever by his decision to participate.
I hope the debates will be a part of all future presidential elections,
and I believe that that is in the public interest.
You and your colleagues did a splendid job for the President.
I believe that the President gained politically by participating in the
debates. I hope you will be involved in the postmortem analysis of the
debates, and I will look forward to seeing you and talking with you
further.
Meanwhile, much good luck and all success in all you do.
All best,
hand
MIKE- -
Newton N. Minow
hope to Lee
NNM/kjk
you al the
impremences m
Future Debates
SIDLEY & AUSTIN
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
CHICAGO
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670
U.S.POSTAGE
NOVI 7.76
5 -
ILL
Mr. Michael Raoul-Duval
Special Counsel to the
President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
9,
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
76PRESIDENTIAL
DEBATES
FORD REPRESENTATIVES
76PRESIDENTIAL
Chairmen:
Rita E. Hauser
Newton N. Minow
DEBATES
Charls E. Walker
1156 15th Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 296-4726
Jim Karayn, Project Director
[Copy of telegram sent to the Democratic
and Republican Nominees, 8:00 a.m.,
Thursday, August 19, 1976]
THE PRESIDENT
[Copy to: The President
THE WHITE HOUSE
Crown Center Hotel
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Kansas City, Missouri]
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
THE HON. JIMMY CARTER
PLAINS, GEORGIA
IN THE SPIRIT OF FREE AND OPEN POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS--DISCUSSIONS OF ISSUES
VITAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY- THE '76 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, A PROJECT OF
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EDUCATION FUND, IS HONORED TO INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE
IN THREE APPEARANCES WITH [GOV. CARTER] [THE PRESIDENT].
WE ARE SUGGESTING THE FIRST APPEARANCE TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, AT THE
CHASE PARK PLAZA IN ST. LOUIS.
THE REMAINING TWO APPEARANCES ARE TENTATIVELY PLANNED DURING THE WEEKS OF
OCTOBER 11 AND OCTOBER 25 IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE NATION. WE ARE ALSO
SUGGESTING AN ADDITIONAL, OR FOURTH, DEBATE BE SCHEDULED THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18
BETWEEN THE TWO VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
EACH OF THE FOUR EVENTS IS PLANNED FOR ONE HOUR IN THE EVENING. WE WILL INVITE
RADIO AND TELEVISION NETWORKS TO CARRY THESE EVENTS. SEVERAL OF THE NETWORKS
HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED INTEREST.
TIME IS SHORT. TO FACILITATE PLANNING, WE URGE YOU TO DESIGNATE A REPRESENTATIVE
TO MEET WITH US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO CONSULT ON THE PROJECT IN MORE DETAIL.
THE '76 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, MORE THAN ANY OTHER EVENT DURING OUR BICENTENNIAL
YEAR, COULD REAFFIRM OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND REVITALIZE VOTER INTEREST.
THE LEAGUE- WHICH FOR 56 YEARS HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VOTER EDUCATION--CONSIDERS
YOUR PARTICIPATION TO BE IN THE HIGHEST NATIONAL INTEREST AS WE FACE AN EVER
MORE COMPLEX FUTURE.
RUTH C. CLUSEN
RITA E. HAUSER
CHAIRMAN, EDUCATION FUND
NEWTON N. MINOW
CHARLS E. WALKER
CO-CHAIRMEN, STEERING COMMITTEE
A project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund
Chicago Gribune
THE WORLD'S
GREATESTNEWSPAPER
Saturday, August 21, 1976
Plan to air issues
on national TV
GERALD LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
From Tribune Wire Services
Section 315 of the Communications Act
KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Plans for the
first face-to-face debate between two
requires radio and television to give
presidential candidates since 1960 were
equal time to all fringe candidates
being considered Friday by the camps
whenever they give exposures to a ma-
of President Ford and Democratic nomi-
jor party's candidate, except in legiti-
nee Jimmy Carter.
mate news reports. A debate staged by
a group other than the networks would
Declaring he is "ready, eager to go
be a news event, which they could cover
before the American people and debate
without running afoul of the equal-time
the real issues face to face with Timmy
The New York Times
CITY EDITION
Weather: Sunny, hot today; clear
tonight. Sunny and hot tomorrow.
Temperature range: today 69-91;
Friday 62-87. Details on page 34.
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1976 -
DOLE AND MONDALE
WILLING TO MEET
IN DEBATES ON TV
G.O.P. Nominee Takes Cue
From President's Offer
and Democrat Agrees
PLAN BY WOMEN VOTERS
Encounters Would Be First
Such Ones by Candidates
for Vice President
By JOSEPH LELYVELD
Special to The New York Times
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 20
With the two Presidential
candidates already committed
to debete, Seneters Robert
THE WASHINGTON POST
A9
FORD
BIT
Saturday, August 21, 1976
3
GERALD
League of Women Voters May Stage
The Televised Ford-Carter Debates
By William Claiborne
current plans call for debates on do-
Texts of Mr. Ford's acceptance
Washington Post Staff Writer
mestic and foreign policy and on the
speech distributed to reporters here
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 20-President
office of the presidency.
yesterday did not contain his debate
Ford and Jimmy Carter are now
Some steering committee members
challenge.
pledged to hold the first televised
are known to favor a format in which
White House staff chief Richard
presidential campaign debates since
a panel of reporters-and possibly
Cheney told reporters that Mr. Ford
1960, but the format and rules for
representatives of the academic com-
passed the word two or three weeks
their encounters are still uncertain.
munity-would ask questions. After
ago that he wanted to challenge Car-
There is also the unanswered ques-
each candidate answered, a short pe-
ter, but chose to keep his intentions
tion of whethen third nanty and inde
riod of argument would follow.
secret On Thursday night Cheney ro.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Friday, August 20, 1976
Ford Picks Dole for No. 2,
Challenges Carter to Debate
Says He Has
Earned Right
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
To Continue
By Edward Walsh
Washington Post Staff Writer
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 19-Pres-
ident Ford, at last the elected
leader of his party, accepted the
.....
THE WASHINGTON POST
Tuesday, August 24, 1976
B7
Campaign Debates: Big League Issue
By Sander Vanocur
McCarthy, who is running this year
as an Independent Party candidate,
Sen. John O. Pastore, the most pow-
said yesterday that he wasn't happy
erful force on broadcasting in the
with either the League's proposal or
Congress, yesterday came to the aid
the network efforts to suspend or cur-
of the League of Women Voters in
tail Section 315.
their battle to keep the networks from
The former senator, who is consid-
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
taking over the control and produc-
ering taking some kind of legal action
tion of presidential debates which the
to prevent himself from being
League has proposed.
squeezed out of any proposed debates,
Pastore, who is chairman of the
said: "This all seems to be part of a
Senate Subcommittee on Communica-
conspiracy of the League and the net-
The Washington Post
TYLE
Facing
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1976
The Great
Debate
FORD i LIBRARY 038470
By Sander Vanocur
President Ford seems to be in a big
really his fault. He was set against a
costs is undue emphasis on the kind
hurry to debate Jimmy Carter. He
gray background that made him look
of confrontation between the candi-
said yesterday in Vail, Colo., that he
even grayer. He sweated a good deal
dates and reporters that we some-
wants four 00 minute debates. the first
and generally did not come across too
times get on the Sundav. interview
OTIS CHANDLER, Publisher
Clos Angeles Times
ROBERT D. NELSON
Executive Vice President and General Manager
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
HARRISON GRAY OTIS, 1882-1917
WILLIAM F. THOMAS
Executive Vice President and Editor
HARRY CHANDLER. 1917-1944
NORMAN CHANDLER, 1944-1960
CHARLES C. CHASE, Vice President-Production
ROBERT L. FLANNES, Vice President and Assistant to the Publisher
ROBERT C. LOBDELL, Vice President and General Counsel
VANCE L. STICKELL, Vice President-Sales
JAMES BASSETT, Associate Editor
ANTHONY DAY, Editor of the Editorial Pages
ROBERT J. DONOVAN, Associate Editor
FRANK P. HAVEN, Managing Editor
JEAN SHARLEY TAYLOR, Associate Editor
4
- Part 11.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 11, 1976
Well?
Ronald Reagan is on record as favoring a series
Carter and his rival will spend huge sums of mon-
of television debates between the presidential con-
ey on advertising this year. The Democrat has set
tenders this fall, but Jimmy Carter and President
his budget at more than $8 million, most of it for
Ford have been unwilling to commit. themselves
TV. and the Republican will spend as much or
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, August 15, 1976
HAL GULLIVER
Kennedy-Nixon Debates Again?
SHOULD Jimmy Carter agree to de-
face-to-face debates this election
nent? This year, Carter as challenger
Kennedy-Richard Nixon debates, the
bate Gerald Ford in this fall's
year."
is so far in front that the decision may
debates that many thought may have
presidential campaign?
Back to that in a moment. The rea-
likely end up being his. After all, even
tipped the scale in favor of Kennedy.
Should, on the other hand, an
son though that the question first
an incumbent president (if he is far
Those debates were classic in their
incumbent President ever agree to de-
posed at the beginning of this column
enough behind in the polls) may prove
way. maybe changed the course of
Chicago Tribune
WORLDE
GREATERT
FOUNDED June 10. 1847
STANTON R. COOK, Chairman and Publisher
ROBERT M. HUNT, President
CLAYTON KIRKPATRICK. Editor
JOHN McCUTCHEON, Editorial Page Editor
MAXWELL MCCROHON, Managing Editor
WILLIAM H. JONES, Managing Editor, News
8
Section 1
Saturday, August 21, 1976
THE NEWSPAPER is an institution developed by modern civilization to
present the news of the day, to foster commerce and industry,
to inform and lead public opinion, and to furnish that check upon
government which no constitution has ever been able to provide.
-THE TRIBUNE CREDO
Let's have the debates!
After Thursday's rousing windup of
know exactly what is at stake and giv-
the Republican national convention, the
ing them a solid basis for choice.
coming presidential campaign suddenly
Mr. Ford's proposal to debate, we
looks more exciting than it did. One
think, gives him particular credit. He is
important reason was President Ford's
not widely perceived as an adroit verbal
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1976.
ARTHUE OCHS SULZBERGER
Publisher
JOHN B. OAKES, Editorial Page Editor
FRED HECHINGER, Assistant Editorial Page Editor
The New York Times
A. M. ROSENTHAL, Managing Editor
SEYMOUR TOPPING, Deputy Managing Editor
ARTHUR GELB, Assistant Managing Editor
Founded in 1851
PETER MILLONES, Assistant Managing Editor
ADOLPH S. OCHS. Publisher 1896-1935
JACK ROSENTHAL, Associate Editor
ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER, Publisher 1985-1961
CHARLOTTE CURTIS, Associate Editor
ORVIL E. DRYFOOS, Publisher 1961-1963
CLIFTON DANIEL, Associate Editor
MAX FRANKEL, Associate Editor
TOM WICKER, Associate Editor
Behind the Debates
President Ford has dramatically announced his readi-
ness to debate his opponent on television, and Jimmy
Carter has accepted the challenge. Thus, no obstacle
stands in the way of the first series of TV debates in
history between an incumbent President and a challenger
THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1970
After the Ball
The voters will understand soon
By William Safire
enough that Mr. Carter, the cool and
ruthless loner, is far closer in char-
KANSAS CITY, Mo.-After the test
acter to Mr. Nixon than Mr. Ford
vote had doomed the Reagan candi-
ever has been.
dacy, an aide peered out the window
of the trailer at the crowd of waiting
5. He should remember that many
people vote their fears. Fear of the
newsmen and wondered ruefully what
to tell them.
unknown is a basic human emotion,
and Mr. Carter is the unknown. John
Ed Meese a top Reagan adviser, did
Connally touched that nerve the other
not lose his equanimity in adversity.
night in the most effective passage of
"We go out there and tell them," he
oratory in the convention. The mys-
said mock-bravely, "that the Ford
tery of Mr. Carter's fuzziness is more
forces have just fallen into our trap."
attackable than the assumption that
Of course President Ford clinched
he's just another big spender.