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Calhoun, John
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President Ford Committee Records
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Presidential campaign, 1976
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The original documents are located in Box F12, folder "Calhoun, John" of the
President Ford Committee Campaign Records, (1968, 1971-74) 1975-77 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. Gerald R. Ford 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
September 28, 1976
TO:
ELLY PETERSON
FROM: JOHN CALHOUN
For Your Information.
FORD
R
LIBRA
GERALD
Digitized from Box F12 of the President Ford Committee Campaign Records,
(1968, 1971-74) 1975-77 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 28, 1976
Dear Mr. Poston:
President Ford has asked me to thank you for your
very kind letter of August 11.
The plan you have recommended certainly has merits,
and I have taken the liberty of forwarding your proposal
to the President Ford Committee and the Republican
National Committee.
Thank you for your support of this Administration.
With our best wishes,
Sincerely,
JOHN CALHOUN
Special Assistant to the President
Mr. William L. Poston
Chairman of 1st Republican
Congressional District
4462 Lee Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63115
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Suggestion for Empargn
John Callern)
4462 Lee Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63115
August 11, 1976
President Gerald R. Ford
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
I realize that this request may seem exuberant based on the amount of
votes that has been produced in black neighborhoods in the past. How-
ever, we are bringing in 90% new committee people willing to work, and
in order to be successful they must be armed with some sorts of funds.
The news media is a fine way of communicating; however, it will be
very difficult to win if for every vote that we get by this method, one
or two get stolen per precient in the northern portion of the city. For
this reason I'm enclosing a rough campaign for the northern portion of
the city. It is not a cure all but a plan that will change the voting
total 18 to 25% In a close election this may be just enough state wide,
and national candidates. This proposal is based on the 18 to 21 year olds,
and not on the fifty year plus, who are predominately democrate. The
young voters is not party affiliated nor party orientated, and if the re-
publican party is to make a head way, this voter group untapped must be the
target for black republican.
Yours very truly,
William L. Poston
Chairman of 1st
Republican Congressional
District
GERALD A. FORD LIBRARY
Proposed precinct development
Part time staff--8 8 Persons--3 months
Rent and utilities
31,400
Primary Election training precinct workers
General election 4 week extensive campaign $21,000
$26,000
I realize the request sounds excessive, but in 190 precincts, our target
will be the 18 year olds which an untapped voting group that is neither
locked in or party orientated.
By all means this will not be a total amount we will need, and we have
already raised approximately $2,000 of our own funds and have set our-
selves a goal of 15,000 to 20,000 in our own community. If you or any-
one else is interested in assisting us in our efforts, I will be pre-
pared in 10 days to furnish step by step details.
GERALD A. FORD
October 4, 1976
TO:
BOB KEYES
FROM:
JOHN CALHOUN
For Your Information.
GERALD A. FORD LIBRARY
8-A
The Atlanta Vournal
Friday, October 1, 1976
FORD AIDE THINKS SO
Blacks Leaving Carter?
By JOHN YORK
To be fair, he said, Gov. Carter has made "overtures to
A lot of blacks think Jimmy Carter forgot about them
the black community,' by advocating programs aimed at
after his nomination, and they just may forget about him
benefiting the poor.
come élection day, according to a black man who works for
But, Calhoun went on, "Quite candidly, I think that after
President Ford.
the debate, blacks are beginning to wonder where that money
To be réalistic, probably no more than 25 per cent of the
is coming from for those programs."
black vote will go to Ford, but that may wêll be more than
Turning then to his own area of concern, minority self-
Carter can afford to lose, said Ford's special assistant for
reliance, Calhouh talked about the need for private enter-
minority affairs, John C. Calhoun.
prise, not government, to come to the aid of minority-owned
Calhoun was in Atlanta Thursday to speak at Morehouse
businesses.
College on minority self- reliance. Though he kept. his speech
n Soon that topic brought Calhoun back to the presidential
nonpartisan, he said later that the students' comments to him
race.
showed the kind of political concern he has heard a lot lately.
"I don't think Gov. Carter has focused in on minority
There's the talk that Carter doesn't care about blacks
business," he said. "I'm not sure he knows what it's about."
anymore. Now, Carter has badmouthed the memory of Lyn-
And the same goes for other problems, Calhoun said, men-
don Johnson. And, "Daddy King doesn't seem to be able to
tioning national health insurance as a typical Carter solution.
get a phone call in to Jimmy Carter lately." Those things are
"Those things will lead us more and more toward social-
GERALD
not necessarily Calhoun's own beliefs, he insisted, but are
ism You stifle the entire free enterprise system," Calhoun
only representative of what he has heard from other blacks.
said. "I don't think he understands that. It's very difficult to
It's something of a middle-class discontentment, Calhoun
make national programs work.
suggested. "You find a great deal of coordination between
President Ford hasn't been making promises, he said,
FORD
middle Income whites and middle Income blacks. They're
but "blacks are tired of hearing politicians' promises."
JOHN C. CALHOUN
finding what President Ford said about a tax 'break very at-
And, he added, Ford has definitely not written off the
Morehouse Speaker
tractive."
black vote. "The President has not written off anybody."
LIBRARY
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, Fri., Oct. 1, 1976
I-C
FORD ASSISTANT
'Black destiny to
a large extent is
Students Urged
in our own hands.
We must come to
To Get Involved
grips with that.'
By ALEXIS SCOTT REEVES
in minority and public liaison
John Calhoun, special as-
affairs. He was appointed to
sistant for minority affairs to
his present position by Presi-
President Gerald Ford, urged:,
dent Ford on Nov. 21, 1975.
students at the historically
Calhoun also told the stu-:
black Morehouse College here
dents that he had "recently
Thursday to be competitive
started a movement" by set-,
and active to improve the fu-
ting up a task force that will
ture of black Americans.
become a Presidential Advi-
John Calhoun
"You are the future black "sory,
Commission
for
Black
leaders of the nation and of Colleges.
the world," Calhoun told stu- The commission will have
dents
who
packed
an
presidents of black colleges as
auditorium on the campus.
members and also representa-
Noting that he was not
tives of the business: com-
going to make a partisan
munity, he said.
speech in this election year,
"Less than 1 per cent of the
the native Georgian said,
money spent by business and
"Black Americans must rise
industry goes to black col-
above political rhetoric and
leges," Calhoun said. "And we
become active in the third
will try to turn that around.
generation?
"Black" destiny to a large
Aware that the majority of
extent is in our own hands,
blacks in the nation-and as it
he added: We must come to
turned out, in the auditorium
grips with that.
-are Democrats, Calhoun
He said blacks must partici-
warned. "Too long we relied
pate in the political process,
on emotions for guidance (in
and forget labels and
politics) without understand
remember the agenda."
ing the issues.
Looking over the history of
He urged the students not
blacks in America, Calhoun
to be apathetic about national
said most of the time was
and foreign affairs, particu-
spent trying to "survive. We
larly the current problems in
must bury the survival. syn-
Africa over majority rule.
drome and reach out through
We ought to be concerned
competition for. our place in
about our country's effort to
America
bring about a peaceful transi-
"There is no room for com-
tion (in Africa), he said
placency, but we have ample
Calhoun said that "less than
justification to be proud. of
10 letters have come to the
ourselves and the future of
White House from black America, the future of Africa
Americans" regarding. the and the future of mankind
situation in Africa.
Theoright to self-determi-
"This apathy must not be a
nation and majority rule are
part of the agenda for the
universal," he said in conclud-
third generation," he said
ing. "Until each citizen. can
Calhoun did, nevertheless
enjoy these rights, we all have
get in pitches for Republicans
need for concern.'
and swipes at Democrats.
The Democratic sentiment
"Polities has an impact on
among the students came out
everything you do." he said.
in response to remarks made
"When you're in a bag, candi-
by C.A. Scott, a leader of
dates can afford to take three*
black Republicans in the state
positions or no positions on an
and editor of the Atlanta
issue:
Daily World.
He also talked about the
Scott said he wouldn't say
accomplishments of Secretary
who would win the election,
of Transportation William
but the students did. Several
Coleman, a Ford cabinet
yells of "Carter" spranggirom
member. He added that there
the group.
are "blacks working in every
Later; Morehouse President
key section of the White Hugh Gloster said Democrat-
House
cic presidential candidates
Jimmy Carter has accepted
LIBRARY
Calhoun joined the White an invitation to speak at the
House staff as staff assistant college
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, Wed., Sept. 29, 1976
5-A
Lee May
Running With Us, Jimmy?
You can say Jimmy Carter talks too
Carter's program just fine. Tate says, "He
much about lust; Jesus and LBJ but you
has said where compensatory programs are
can't accuse him of a runny mouth when it
needed he's willing to go on record as push-
comes to what he's
ing for fostering those. He's saying if a com-
going to do for blacks:
pensatory program is needed in the Appala-
For the most part,
chian area, we'll have it there. If it's needed
Carter has been politi-
in California among migrant workers we'll
cally silent, relying on
have it there.
general promises of
"I don't think he's offering blacks any-
fair treatment rather
thing special. I believe he's offering all
than on program
America the opportunity to be led by a
proposals tailored for
president who is a man of integrity, sin-
blacks. Ideally this
cerity and honesty.'
would seem to be the
Two black views of Carter's black
way to go., The ap-
strategy. I can't say whose view will
proach says we as a.
emerge as accurate on election day. I do
country have advanced to the point where
know however that blacks in many places
we think beyond race, where we deal in
outside Atlanta are wondering what makes
human appeals rather than in-racial ones.
people like "Daddy" King and businessman
Besides (and this may be, the most
Jesse Hill run with Jimmy and they wonder,
important consideration); the strategy
'Are You Running With Us, Jimmy?"
seems to be working. At least in Atlanta. Or
They're wondering-after the victorious pri-
is it? It is true some, of Atlanta's biggest
maries and the peace-and-love convention-
blacks are. in Carter's corner. And most
if a vote for Jimmy Carter is worth a trip.
blacks I have talked with say they will vote
to the polls.
for him (though many say with reservations
Perhaps realizing this, the Carter cam-
and the realization "there isn't: much
paigners are compiling a publication to be
choice"). But they will vote for him. If they
called "The Record." It will outline minor-
vote at all
ity progress. during Carter's tenure as
And that is what makes Carter's
governor of Georgia. It is scheduled for re-
black strategy questionable. Blacks are con-
lease in October, and Carter people hope it
sidered one of Carter's strong' suits. If peo-
will go a long way toward quieting ques-
ple of color stay home Nov. 2 in the num-
tions about the candidate's record and about
bers predicted for the overall pogulation,
his administration if he becomes president.
there may be joy in Grand Rapids.
You have to wonder. why the-The Re-
Dorothy Bolden, founder and president
port is coming so late in the campaign:.
of the National Domestic Workers Union,
Perhaps strategists didn't believe black sup-
understands this and has some comments on
port was in jeopardy before. Or maybe to
Carter's black strategy: "You wonder if
have released such a document before
black people have a program or agenda or
would have. labelled Carter too much of a
sealed envelope
that black masses of
"liberal."
people could benefit from.
Giving Carter folks the benefit of doubt
Every time he pops up in the paper
however the report may, be late coming be-
your some (black) advisers. But those
cause they just couldn't get around to it be
advisers haven't come forward and told any
fore At any rate if The Report comes out
of the black people what Jimmy Carter
as scheduled it may be enough to turn on a
offered.
few people. Otherwise there will be a lot of
Gently I reminded, Bolden how often
black voters who don't go to the polls and
those advisers have reminded us of the fact
many of those who do will go and vote for
that Jimmy Carter is a good, decent man.
Jimmy Carter, saying as Dorothy Bolden
Said Bolden, "We can all be good. But
says: "We don't have but one way to go. We
doing is the most important thing. If you
can't go for Ford. Jimmy Carter knows
don't have a program to offer people, you're
that."
wondering where we fit it in.'
A reluctant vote is still a vote but it's
Dr. Horace Tate, black educator and
not much of a start for an administration
Georgia state senator, figures blacks fit into
that's supposed to bring us together again.
October 6, 1976
TO:
MR. ROBERT KEYES
FROM: JOHN CALHOUN
For Your Information.
How do you like these peanuts ?
FORD A. LIBRA Liay GERALD
N.Y. AMSTERDAM NEWS
Saturday, September 18, 1976 - B-11
Jimmy Carter: Savior Or Hypocrite
By Rev. Carlton Coleman
people into his camp like the
(economic businessman) ex-
My Doctrine is not mine,
wolf leading the sheep to be
cluding Blacks from becoming
But His that sent me," (John
slaughtered. Beware of Jimmy
owners of land like himself.
7:16). Beware of Jimmy
Carter. We are living in the day
Only one out of every ten Black
Carter's peanut farmer hypo-
that was prophesied. Think
farmers owns any land, and
critical smiles. His doctrine is
about what I stated earlier. My
scarcely half of these have
full of lies and designed to
Doctrine-is- not mine, But His
enough to make a living.
brainwash us Black folks.
that. sent me.
Nothing is being done to bet-
If Jesus Christ, the savior of
If any man including Jiminy
ter the conditions of Blacks in
the world doctrine was not to-
Carter will do His will, he shall
southern states and the South-
tally accepted by mankind, then
know of the doctrine, whether it
ern Baptist Church has also
no way can Jimmy Carter's
be of God, or whether I speak of
joined in ignoring the plight of
be.
myself. Anyone who speaks of
these poor Black people.
We, saw at the Democratic
himself as Jimmy Carter does,
This is the same church that
Convention an enactment of the
"I am not obligated to anyone,"
justified slavery, fought in the
Evangelical Movement still to-
is seeking his own glory and
Civil War to protect it, and
tally white, reflecting its histor-
there is no truth or love in
through the succeeding decades
ical origin in the South where
him.
had to protest against the Klan
Carter's own church in Plains,
If Jimmy is not obligated to
lynch mobs of Blacks.
Ga. is still segregated, despite a
anyone, then Dr. Martin Luther
Beware of Jimmy Carter,
majority of Blacks in that small
King Sr., Congressman. Andrew
"Charity begins at home," then
peanut town.
Young and all other Black peo-
REV. CARLTON COLEMAN
spreads abroad. Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter knows that
ple are not doing anything by
by-passed Black people when he
several Blacks are already in
80-million estimated Evangeli-
supporting him for the presi-
was governor, and now all is
his pocket, but what some of
cal Movement.
dency.
supposed to be forgiven. No
these Blacks are not aware of is
The use of the word LOVE by
I am not a Carter supporter,
way.
that they are not included in the
Jimmy Carter is leading Black
because the word of God in-
If he believed in God, he
structs me that any man who
would not have denied equal
seeks to be a friend of the world.
rights to us.
becomes an enemy to him and
He supports the Humphrey
secondly, his granting of am-
Hawkins bill, but has not made
nesty to Vietram War draft re-
it. clear to the people, it's just
sisters.
another means of brainwashing
The very Blacks who are
Black people. I could go on and
looking up to Carter ast
on, telling what I am instructed
their salvation, failed to accept
about the phony Jimmy, Carter,
the fact that, he is not the ex-
but I will wait until I make my
pected Jesus Christ. ("Forgive
personal appearance and then
them Father, for they know not
finish John. 7:16, "My Doctrine
what they do)"
is not mine, but His that sent
Jimmy is the son of Southern.
me.
Baptist slave masters. His
Beware of Jimmy Carter and
grandparents were slave mas-
be not deceived by his smiles.
ters and Jimmy's roots go
God is not mocked, When the
deeply into Southern Slavery,
Wrath of God comes upon
and he remembers the war be-
Jimmy, you will say, the proph-
tween the states, and how that
et Black Messiah, Rev. Cariton>
war brought an end to chattel
Coleman told me so.
slavery.
Rev. Carlton Coleman is pastor
As a peanut farmer, he has
of Rock Gospel Time Church
become a modern day master
based in Harlem.
FORD R. GERALO LIBRARY
TO: October MR. PETE 12, ROSELLE 1976 Boby Keys
FROM:
JOHN
CALHOUN
For Your Information.
FORD of LIBRARY GERALD
HEIGHTS SAVINGS Association
FROM THE DESK OF
JIM BOWIE
9-17=76
DEAR JOHN.
WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT
FORD COMMITTEE OR THE
RNC GOING TO Do ABOUT
THE BLACK VOTE.
I HAVE WRITTEN CONALLY,
PETERSEN AND A FEW ONHERS
WITH NO RESPONSE AT Are.
WHERE Do WE Go FROM
HERE ?
of FORD LIBRARY
In
GERALD
October 12, 1976
TO:
MR. ROBERT KEYES
FROM:
JOHN CALHOUN
For Your Information.
&
GERALD
HEIGHTS SAVINGS Association
FROM THE DESK OF
JIM BOWIE
9-17-76
DEAR JOHN.
WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT
FORD COMMITTEE OR THE
RNC GOING TO Do ABOUT
THE BLACK VOTE.
I HAVE WRITTEN CONALLY,
PETERSEN AND A FEW OTHERS
WITH No RESPONSE Ar Are.
WHERE Do WE Go FROM
R.
FORD
HERE ?
GERALD
In
keyes
October 12, 1976
Mr. John Calhoun
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear John:
This is to acknowledge receipt of the two press releases,
"Blacks Leaving Carter" and "Students Urged to Get
Involved," and thank you for your cooperation and help.
Sincerely,
Martin L. Dinkins
Director
Black Desk
cc: Elly Peterson
Tom Ruffin
Robert Keyes
>
R.
FORD
GERALD
1828 L STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 (202) 457-6400
People
for
Ford
MEMORANDUM
TO: John Calhoun
October 14, 1976
FROM: Marty Dinkins
SUBJECT: Request for an Advocate Speaker in Annapolis, MD
This is to confirm our conversation today regarding the
request of Dr. Aris Allen to have you speak to a group
of 30 prominent black leaders (Democrats, Independents,
and Republicans) from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at a
reception to be held at the Annapolis Hilton Hotel on
October 24, 4-6 p.m. This is an invitation-only affair
and needs to be confirmed as soon as possible to facilitate
printing of invitations.
Thank you for your cooperation.
GERALD P. FORD
28
The President Ford Committee. James A. Baker, III. Chairman, Royston C. Hughes, Treasurer.
Oll Executive
Room 197
GERALD R. FORD
Dennis Jines
free Jad for whomever's Marta is omers doing John C.Calbour:
Im. Jim Shuts
(501) 375-2371
like him to short over to Little Roch
Dorothy Webb, Little Roch PFC, V would
after time he is done in Forest City, Arb.,
this Saturday.
Events:
Press caref. at no new minority Office
Headquarters in Little Roch.
Banquet: 7:30 Sat. p.m.
Black minorities Conf. covers
five states. more than 200 people.
main speaker: Dr. Lawrence Danis,
black educator, formerly Pres. of the
u.g Arb. at Pine Blaff.
Calhona would have 5 mins.
to speak for the President Also just
attend banquet to talk with people
about Pres.
/
10/21
no, has to attend
a state Department
bith dinner. child fut press Lite Sandy at minority hogt
bangnet