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Selection of Vice Presidential Candidates (1)
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Selection of Vice Presidential Candidates (1)
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Barry N. Roth Files
Barry Roth's General Subject Files
subjects
Department of Justice. Federal Bureau of Investigation. National Crime Information Center. (01/1967 - 02/1992)
Presidential campaign, 1976
Employee screening
Vice-Presidents
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1976-07-31
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1976
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1976-06-01
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The original documents are located in Box 31, folder "Selection of Vice Presidential
Candidates (1)" of the Barry N. Roth Files 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Carter's Lead
On No. 2 Spot
By Jules Witcover
Washington Post Staff Writer
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 10 While
pressure continues on President Ford
to follow Ronald Reagan's example of
selecting a running mate before the
Republican National Convention, the
President, without saying so, is emu-
lating Jimmy Carter's approach in-
stead.
Mr. Ford has contacted at least 16
Republicans in a semipublic way to
check on their availability and back-
grounds, just as Democratic presiden-
tial nominee Carter did with seven
"finalists" before choosing Sen. Wal-
ter F. Mondale of Minnesota the day
after his own nomination.
The White House has said the Presi-
dent will wait to announce his choice
until after his party's convention
makes its presidential nomination
next Wednesday night, despite pres-
sures from the Reagan camp for dis-
closure in advance.
Of the 16, two Sens. Bill Brock of
Tennessee and Edward W. Brooke of
Massachusetts-have asked not to be
considered. The remaining 14 who
have acknowledged they have been
contacted include seven senators, two
governors, two Cabinet members, two
ambassadors and one former governor
who also was a Cabinet officer.
They are Sens. Howard H. Baker Jr.
(Ténn.), Bob Dole (Kan.), Charles H.
Associated Press
Percy (III.), Lowell P. Weicker Jr.
(Conn.), Pete V. Domenici (N.M.),
NEWSMAN DEAN-Former Nixon aide John W. Dean III
per Arena, site of next week's GOP convention. Dean will
James L. Buckley (N.Y.), Mark O. Hat-
has his camera ready as he looks over the interior of Kem-
cover events in Kansas City for Rolling Stone magazine.
field (Ore.); Govs. Robert D. Ray (Iowa)
and Christopher Bond (Mo.); Secre-
tary of the Treasury William E. Simon
and Secretary of Commerce Elliot L.
Richardson; Ambassador to Great
Britain Anne Armstrong and U.N.
Post Survey Shows a Handful
Ambassador William W. Scranton, and
John B. Connally, former governor of
Texas and Secretary of the Treasury.
[Weicker said Tuesday he has no
idea why Mr. Ford is considering him
Of Delegates for Schweiker
since he has "absolutely no interest"
in being Vice President, United Press
SURVEY, From A1
delegates. The Vice President asked
International said.
Mr. Ford last year to drop him from
[UPI quoted Weicker as saying he
very small number of delegates.
consideration as a part of the ticket to
was "highly honored" to be on Mr.
Six delegates among those inter-
placate known opponents in the party.
Ford's list but has "not changed my
viewed said they originally supported
Nevertheless, when asked whom they
position that I am running for the
least desired for a vice presidential
Senate."
Mr. Ford but have switched to Reagan.
candidate, Rockefeller was far ahead
[Weicker said he will comply with a
Of them, five said they approve of
of all others, with 21 per cent volun-
White House request made of prospec-
Reagan's choice of Schweiker and
teering his name. Anti-Rockefeller
tive running mates for personal and
one disapproved.
sentiment was strongest in the West,
financial data but hinted his answer
would be no if asked to round out the
On the other hand, seven delegates
where four delegates in 10 said they
least wanted him as the vice presiden-
GOP ticket, UPI said. "I'm not even
said they switched from Reagan to
tial nominee.
going to the convention. I will be cam-
Mr. Ford, with four of them saying
Other regional breakdowns in the
paigning in Connecticut," he was
they disapproved of the Schweiker se-
poll show that delegates from the
quoted as saying.]
lection, two approving of it, and one
Northern states are having a hard time
A 17th Republican, former Deputy
Attorney General William D. Ruckels-
not expressing any opinion on it.
making up their minds about a vice
Among delegates who say they
presidential nominee. None of the po-
haus, was said by party sources to be
tential candidates scored well among
on the list. But Ruckelshaus, contacted
originally were uncommitted,
them. Only Rockefeller and Richard-
in Seattle where he is a lumber com-
those who disapprove of Schweiker
son are the first choice among as
pany executive, declined to confirm it.
have a strong tendency now to line up
many as 10 per cent of the delegates
Two weeks ago, Ruckelshaus reported
behind Mr. Ford, and those who ap-
from the North.
he had received what he considered'a
hard offer to be Reagan's running
prove of Schweiker, a much smaller
mate, but later was told Reagan had
number, tend to support Reagan.
Whom Delegates Favor
decided on Sen. Richard S. Schweiker
The Post's survey cannot determine
Washington Post survey asked a
of Pennsylvania to gain delegate
whether these shifts were due to feel-
representative sample of Republican
strength in the Northeast.
ings about Schweiker or whether
National Convention delegates this
Also, according to President Ford
SEN. HOWARD H. BAKER JR.
question: "If the selection of a vice
Committee sources, Vice President
other factors were more responsible.
mustered 11.3 per cent
presidential nominee were left for
Rockefeller and Reagan are on Mr.
But the results of the survey do un-
the delegates to decide, who would be
Ford's list though both have said they
derscore the coolness with which
of Commerce Elliot L. Richardson,
your first choice?" The following table
are not interested and have not been
Schweiker's selection has been
Schweiker and Reagan.
shows the percentage of delegates who
asked to supply data on their health,
greeted by delegates destined to make
Schweiker finished ninth, behind
favored each of the 10 most-mentioned
financial status and other personnel
the final decision next week.
Rockefeller. The three men viewed
possible candidates.
matters, as those on the list have
On the other hand, none of the Re-
most favorably were, in order, Mr.
Per Cent
been. Finally, Secretary of Defense
publicans frequently mentioned as a
Ford, Reagan, and Goldwater. Con-
John B. Connally
15.2
Donald Rumsfeld is said by campaign
possible choice aroused much enthusi-
nally ranked in the middle of the
sources to be on the list, but it is not
Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr.
11.3
asm, showing clearly that none would
field.
known whether he has been asked to
be a runaway candidate if the choice
Ronald Reagan
8.9
supply background data.
More than other figures, though,
were left to the convention.
Nelson A. Rockefeller
5.1
White House aides have referred to
Connally attracted responses that were
Support for the major vice presi-
often extremely favorable or extreme-
Elliot L. Richardson
5.1
Mr. Ford's selection process as
dential contenders was widely scat-
ly unfavorable, and fewer in-between
William E. Simon
4.0
"traditional" but it is hardly that. In
tered and 23 per cent said that they
the past, most presidential candidates,
ratings. Connally's weakest showing
Anne Armstrong
3.8
did not know whom they preferred,
except incumbents, have given no
was in the North, where more dele-
public indication of their prospective
that they preferred none of the
Sen. James L. Buckley
2.7
gates rated him unfavorably than fa-
named candidates, or that the choice
running mates until their own nomi-
vorably.
Sen. Richard S. Schweiker
2.6
made no difference to them.
One of the most striking single find-
Sen. Edward W. Brooke
1.8
nations were in hand.
What usually has been done, of
Those interviewed were asked: "If
ings was the apparent widespread un-
Others, Don't Know and Makes
course, has been to privately hint to a
the selection of a vice presidential
popularity of Rockefeller among the.
No Difference
39.5
number of hopefuls-usually those in
nominee were left for the delegates to
control of needed delegates-that
decide, who would be your first
each is under consideration.
choice?"
The President clearly has been play-
No one mustered support from even
ing somewhat the same game. He has
a sizable minority. Only two were the
said publicly he will not pick someone
first choice of more than 10 per cent
Carlton's Summer Sale
from either extreme of the party, but
of the delegates. John B. Connally of
will select someone compatible with
Texas led the field with the votes of
him, and then has asked individuals
15.2 per cent of the delegates and
from both conservative (Connally,
Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. of Ten-
Buckley) and liberal (Richardson,
nessee was second with 11.3 per cent.
BEST BUY UNDER $100!
Weicker) wings, and from the middle,
if they want to run with him.
Connally's strength was among
Also, Mr. Ford's request to all 2,259
Southern Republicans, particularly
GOP delegates and other Republican
among delegates pledged to Reagan.
Summer Suits
leaders to submit their vice presiden-
Twenty-five per cent of Southern dele-
tial recommendations is widely re-
gates said they would like to see him
receive the nomination
(Conn.), Pete V. Domenici (N.M.),
NEWSMAN DEAN-Former Nixon aide John W. Dean III
per Arena, site of next week's GOP convention. Dean will
James L. Buckley (N.Y.), Mark O. Hat-
has his camera ready as he looks over the interior of Kem-
cover events in Kansas City for Rolling Stone magazine.
field (Ore.); Govs. Robert D. Ray (Iowa)
and Christopher Bond (Mo.); Secre-
tary of the Treasury William E. Simon
and Secretary of Commerce Elliot L.
Richardson; Ambassador to Great
Britain Anne Armstrong and U.N.
Post Survey Shows a Handful
Ambassador William W. Scranton, and
John B. Connally, former governor of
Texas and Secretary of the Treasury.
[Weicker said Tuesday he has no
idea why Mr. Ford is considering him
Of Delegates for Schweiker
since he has "absolutely no interest"
in being Vice President, United Press
SURVEY, From A1
delegates. The Vice President asked
International said.
Mr. Ford last year to drop him from
[UPI quoted Weicker as saying he
very small number of delegates.
consideration as a part of the ticket to
was "highly honored" to be on Mr.
Six delegates among those inter-
placate known opponents in the party.
Ford's list but has "not changed my
viewed said they originally supported
Nevertheless, when asked whom they
position that I am running for the
least desired for a vice presidential
Senate."
Mr. Ford but have switched to Reagan.
candidate, Rockefeller was far ahead
[Weicker said he will comply with a
Of them, fivé said they approve of
of all others, with 21 per cent volun-
White House request made of prospec-
Reagan's choice of Schweiker and
teering his name. Anti-Rockefeller
tive running mates for personal and
one disapproved.
sentiment was strongest in the West,
financial data but hinted his answer
would be no if asked to round out the
On the other hand, seven delegates
where four delegates in 10 said they
GOP ticket, UPI said. "I'm not even
said they switched from Reagan to
least wanted him as the vice presiden-
tial nominee.
going to the convention. will be cam-
Mr. Ford, with four of them saying
Other regional breakdowns in the
paigning in Connecticut," he was
they disapproved of the Schweiker se-
poll show that delegates from the
quoted as saying.]
lection, two approving of it, and one
Northern states are having a hard time
A 17th Republican, former Deputy
not expressing any opinion on it.
making up their minds about a vice
Attorney General William D. Ruckels-
Among delegates who say they
presidential nominee. None of the po-
haus, was said by party sources to be
tential candidates scored well among
on the list. But Ruckelshaus, contacted
originally were uncommitted,
them. Only Rockefeller and Richard-
in Seattle where he is a lumber com-
those who disapprove of Schweiker
son are the first choice among as
pany executive, declined to confirm it.
have a strong tendency now to line up
many as 10 per cent of the delegates
Two weeks ago, Ruckelshaus reported
he had received what he considered a
behind Mr. Ford, and those who ap-
from the North.
hard offer to be Reagan's running
prove of Schweiker, a much smaller
mate, but later was told Reagan had
number, tend to support Reagan.
Whom Delegates Favor
decided on Sen. Richard S. Schweiker
The Post's survey cannot determine
The Washington Post survey asked a
of Pennsylvania to gain delegate
whether these shifts were due to feel-
representative sample of Republican
strength in the Northeast.
Also, according to President Ford
ings about Schweiker or whether
National Convention delegates this
SEN. HOWARD H. BAKER JR.
question: "If the selection of a vice
Committee sources, Vice President
other factors were more responsible.
mustered 11.3 per cent
presidential nominee were left for
Rockefeller and Reagan are on Mr.
But the results of the survey do un-
the delegates to decide, who would be
Ford's list though both have said they
derscore the coolness with which
of Commerce Elliot L. Richardson,
your first choice?" The following table
are not interested and have not been
Schweiker's selection has been
Schweiker and Reagan.
shows the percentage of delegates who
asked to supply data on their health,
greeted by delegates destined to make
the final decision next week.
Schweiker finished ninth, behind
favored each of the 10 most-mentioned
financial status and other personnel
Rockefeller. The three men viewed
possible candidates.
matters, as those on the list have
On the other hand, none of the Re-
most favorably were, in order, Mr.
Per Cent
been. Finally, Secretary of Defense
publicans frequently mentioned as a
Ford, Reagan, and Goldwater. Con-
John B. Connally
15.2
Donald Rumsfeld is said by campaign
possible choice aroused much enthusi-
nally ranked in the middle of the
sources to be on the list, but it is not
asm, showing clearly that none would
Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr.
11.3
field.
known whether he has been asked to
be a runaway candidate if the choice
Ronald Reagan
8.9
supply background data.
were left to the convention.
More than other figures, though,
Nelson A. Rockefeller
5.1
White House aides have referred to
Connally attracted responses that were
Support for the major vice presi-
Mr. Ford's selection process as
often extremely favorable or extreme-
Elliot L. Richardson
5.1
dential contenders was widely scat-
"traditional" but it is hardly that. In
ly unfavorable, and fewer in-between
William E. Simon
4.0
tered and 23 per cent said that they
the past, most presidential candidates,
ratings. Connally's weakest showing
Anne Armstrong
3.8
except incumbents, have given no
did not know whom they preferred,
was in the North, where more dele-
that they preferred none of the
Sen. James L. Buckley
2.7
public indication of their prospective
gates rated him unfavorably than fa-
running mátes until their own nomi-
named candidates, or that the choice
vorably.
Sen. Richard S. Schweiker
2.6
made no difference to them.
One of the most striking single find-
Sen. Edward W. Brooke
1.8
nations were in hand.
What usually has been done, of
Those interviewed were asked: "If
ings was the apparent widespread un-
Others, Don't Know and Makes
course, has been to privately hint to a
the selection of a vice presidential
popularity of Rockefeller among the.
No Difference
39.5
number of hopefuls-usually those in
nominee were left for the delegates to
control of needed delegates-that
decide, who would be your first
each is under consideration.
choice?"
The President clearly has been play-
No one mustered support from even
ing somewhat the same game. He has
a sizable minority. Only two were the
said publicly he will not pick someone
first choice of more than 10 per cent
Carlton's Summer Sale
from either extreme of the party, but
of the delegates. John B. Connally of
will select someone compatible with
Texas led the field with the votes of
him, and then has asked individuals
15.2 per cent of the delegates and
from both conservative (Connally,
Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. of Ten-
Buckley) and liberal (Richardson,
nessee was second with 11.3 per cent.
BEST BUY UNDER $100!
Weicker) wings, and from the middle,
if they want to run with him.
Connally's strength was among
Also, Mr. Ford's request to all 2,259
Southern Republicans, particularly
GOP delegates and other Republican
among delegates pledged to Reagan.
Summer Suits
leaders to submit their vice presiden-
Twenty-five per cent of Southern dele-
tial recommendations is widely re-
gates said they would like to see him
garded as another bit of gamesman-
receive the nomination.
Were $135 $150
ship, designed more to make the re-
On the other hand, the poll re-
cipients feel they are being involved
vealed a solid vein of discontent with
than to, provide serious counsel.
Connally. Slightly more than 14 per
It is reminiscent of Richard Nixon's
cent selected him as the person they
letter to party leaders in advance of
least wanted to see nominated for
the 1968 convention asking their vice
Vice President. In other words, there
$99.85
presidential choices, and three meet-
are as many delegates strongly disap-
ings Nixon held immediately after his
proving of him as there-are delegates
nomination. According to participants,
wanting him nominated. More than
Carlton's
Spiro T. Agnew was not recommended
any other potential candidate it ap-
by anyone at any of the meetings, but
pears that Connally would polarize
Nixon picked him anyway.
International
the Republican convention.
While stopping short of Reagan's in-
There is a suggestion in the Post
novative prenomination disclosure of
Wingate Steuart
Schweiker as his ticket partner, Mr.
poll that Connally may be somewhat
Ford (by failing to impose secrecy on
victimized by a Watergate backlash
and that he is associated in some
The most famous
those contacted) has, like Carter, per-
minds with the scandals of the Nixon
mitted a prenomination airing of the
administration, in which he served as
"Fashion Fiver"
prospects.
That procedure in itself undercuts
Secretary of the Treasury. Connally is
to some degree the argument by John
regarded most unfavorably by those
Texturized polyesters, dacron
delegates who disapproved of Presi-
P. Sears, Reagan's campaign manager,
and wool blends. Excellent
that prenomination selection is neces-
dent Ford's pardon of former Presi-
dent Nixon.
selection of shades, patterns
sary to enable the convention to make
Overall, there is no great concern
and styles.
a judgment on the running mate. By
floating all the names, they are com-
among the Republican delegates for
ing under at least a modicum of scru-
the pardon of Nixon. Seventy-nine per
tiny in advance of the presidential
cent of them approved of the pardon
roll-call vote.
and only 15 per cent disapproved.
What the mass floating does not do,
But Connally seems to suffer from
Yves St. Laurent
however, is permit a zeroing-in on any
the association with the Nixon era
single prpspect of the sort that Sears
scandals. (He was tried and acquitted
vested summer suits, stripes,
$129.85
has said( would get Mr. Ford in hot
of a charge of bribery in the milk-fund
water with some segment of the party
affair). Among those delegates who
patterns, solids. Made in France.
-just as Reagan's choice of
approve of the Nixon pardon, 50 per
Schweiker brought conservative wrath
cent regard Connally in a favorable
light. However, among those who dis-
Sport Coats & Slacks 30% 50% OFF
down on him.
A White House source declined to.
approve the pardon, only 29 per
Outstanding group of solids and patterns; slacks in almost all colors and sizes.
day to say how many individuals had
cent view him favorably and 44 per
been asked if they want to run with
cent say they regard him unfavorably.
THURSDAY HOURS 'TIL 8:30 P.M.
Mr. Ford. "Obviously at some point
The delegates were asked to register
of Arizona, Vice President Rockefel-
Carlton's
18th and M Street, N.W.
the list will be winnowed down," the
their feelings about nine prominent
in the Ring Building.
source said.
Republicans-S Barry Goldwater,
Park free at PMI at 19th and M or any nearby
Staff writer Edward Walsh contrib-
ler, Baker, Sen. Edward W. Brooke of
parking facility. Major credit cards honored.
uted to this article.
Mass., Connally, Mr. Ford, Secretary
DRAFT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DICK CHENEY
JACK MARSH
078838
FROM:
PHIL BUCHEN
SUBJECT:
Authority for FBI to Investigate
Potential VP Nominees
I have reviewed the Department of Justice opinion (copy attached)
on the above subject. Justice is unable to find any statute which
authorizes the FBI to investigate possible Vice Presidential
nominees. Although Justice is of the opinion that the President has
inherent authority to direct investigations in the absence of a statute
when they relate to the exercise of his constitutional or statutory
functions, Justice is unable to identify any function which would clearly
support such a directive in this instance. At best, it is questionable
whether present law would permit such an investigation. Moreover,
Justice notes that a statute to allow such investigations may be
unconstitutional because it establishes consent to an investigation
as a new qualification for Vice Presidential candidates.
The Attorney General is not anxious to provide FBI assistance for
this purpose under the present law. Without new legislation, the
only basis for proceeding in this manner would be for the Attorney
-2-
General first to consolidate with the leadership on the House and
Senate Judiciary Committees and effectively obtain their approval
for such investigations. However, the concept of a Federal police
force investigating potential political candidates is an idea that the
Attorney General does not favor.
Senator Brock has introduced legisation S. 3552 to provide for an
FBI investigation "of the same nature, extent, and scope as an
investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
connection with the granting of the Top Secret security clearance
to any individual employed by the United States. " The Brock Bill
does not require consent from a prospective VP nominee to undertake
investigation but only on determining to which persons the results
of the investigation may be released. Furthermore, the Bill would
apparently prohibit any evidence of criminality that may be discovered
in the course of such an investigation from being used for any other
purpose and would require that upon the nomination of a candidate for
election toxthe Office of Vice President by the nominating convention
on evidence of the resulting investigation must be destroyed. Finally,
the Bill permits Presidential candidates to furnish statements of
support from more than 10 percent of the delegates to the Convention
to request the Attorney General to investigate not more than 10
individuals as potential Vice Presidential nominees and to review
the investigations following selection of that person for nomination
to the Presidency.
LIBRAR
are UP selection
FORD
&
Perspective: Election
GERALD
C-19
Vice Presidential Process in Question
Choosing a vice president has traditionally been one of
the last activities performed at the party conventions, but this
year, at least in the opinion of many editorials and columnists,
things may be different. The vice presidential choices of 1972
-- Spiro Agnew, who resigned to escape prosecution for accepting
bribes, and Thomas Eagleton, who was forced off the Democratic
ticket after revelations of past mental illness -- may force this
year's presidential candidates to make their choices for the number
two place on the ticket public before the convention. The media is
giving increasing attention to this problem and is suggesting vari-
ous ways to cope with it, from an FBI investigation, to selection
boards, to making public a list of candidates for pre-delegate
approval.
Of the approximately 25 editorials and columns appearing in
the last several weeks in major metropolitan and regional newspapers
throughout the country, almost all mentioned what they consider two
good reasons for the vice presidential selection process to change
this year: The Agnew and Eagleton situations of 1972 and the fact
that 13 of the nation's vice presidents have become presidents, and
that during 20 of those past 30 years, the presidents had previously
served as vice presidents.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal summed up their opinion in
favor of a change in the process: "Because the United States has
had three vice presidents in the last four years, it probably was
inevitable that someone would challenge the sysytem."
Many of the opinions expressed by the press dealt with the
overall questions of the vice presidential selection reform, but
several mentioned President Ford, Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter by
name, suggesting guidelines for them to follow.
Carter
The New York Times suggested Carter cannot regard the selection
of his vice presidential running mate as his "sole perogative" or
one to "be sprung on a compliant convention at the last minute."
Carter should share this decision with the delegates, the Times
said.
Jimmy Carter has expressed interest in changing the system,
the Detroit News commented, but has stopped short of an investiga-
tion or publishing a list of potential running mates. "He has managed
on this question, as on so many others, to be a model of equivocation.
The Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Carter should not make state-
ments that he and he alone will choose the running mate, calling it
the "old style politics he should avoid.'
Perspective: Election
GENALD
C-20
Howard K. Smith held a view that differed from all the others.
He said that Carter has the right to make his own decision and since
he is a "very careful man" that he will probably make a good choice.
"Given the high quality of all the people available to him -- Bayh,
Stevenson, Mondale, Church and many others," Smith said, "Carter
can't avoid naming somebody as well-equipped as, or possible better-
equipped then he himself is."
The Baltimore Sun priased Carter for his decision to assemble
a panel of distinguished Americans to screen vice presidential
choices. "When the time comes for him to name his vice presidential
running mate, he will be in a position to say he has been careful
and deliberate in choosing a candidate who has been closely examined
by respected persons in the party."
The Chicago Tribune, in a direct appeal to Carter, wrote:
"We urge Mr. Carter to start a new tradition by letting his party
and the public in on a decision that might be vital to us all."
GOP Race
On the Republican side, the media does not seem as anxious
for the two candidates to reveal their potential choices. Many of
the columnists recognize those involved have more at the moment to
worry about than Jimmy Carter.
The Shreveport Journal wrote that President Ford's neck and
neck battle for delegates with Ronald Reagan is keeping him too
busy to give his possible running mate choices much thought.
Lone Island's Newsday, however, said it believed the whole
system would benefit if the front runners would simply make known
their short list of those under consideration.
Perhaps President Ford and Ronald Reagan should follow Jimmy
Carter's decision to set up a panel of "distinguished Americans"
to screen potential vice presidents, the Baltimore Sun suggested.
Alternate Selection Systems
A majority of articles written mentioned the Harvard
University Institute of Politics study released last month which
advocated the need for a change in the vice presidential selection
process.
The report points to the one-to-two chance that the vice
president eventually will become president. The study cited the
resignation of Spiro Agnew as evidence that the present system is
inadequate and contains an inherent and unacceptable degree of risk.
The report is based on four months of interviews with party offi-
cials, presidential candidates and staff and other top political
and scholarly experts.
LIBRANT
FORD
Perspective: Election
C-21
The report recommends: (1) "Presidential competence" should
take precedent over "electoral balancing" in the selection of a
vice presidential candidate.
(2) The schedule of the national conventions should be
rearranged to provide more time for vice presidential selection
and an advisory group should be formed from each party to review
a list of potential candidates and provide background research to
the presidential nominee.
(3) Presidential candidates should have their staffs begin
work on vice presidential selection no later than the final round
of primaries, in developing lists of potential candidates.
(4) The media should earmark substantial resources toward
underscoring the foibles of the present system and investigating
potential running mates with in-depth interviews before the
convention.
All papers mentioning the Harvard study agreed with it and
advocated its utilization this year.
Other suggestions were given, many of them in concurrence or
in repetition of the Harvard Study. One totally differing view was
that of former Gov. Endicott Peabody of Massachusetts, and was re-
ported by the Philadelphia Bulletin and ABC's "Good Morn. America"
Peabody said he believed vice presidents should campaign for
the nomination just as presidential candidates do. Peabody cam-
paigned for the number two spot in 1972. The Bulletin doubted
this approach would be effective, since "nobody paid much atten-
tion to his efforts."
Several other opinions were expressed on reforming the
system. The Cleveland Plain Dealer suggested that anyone who
wants to become vice president should say SO immediately and sub-
ject himself to the scrutiny that a potential president of the
country ought to undergo.
John Gardner, chairman of Common Cause, has produced a
proposal which received attention from many of the articles men-
tioned. Gardner suggested that any presidential candidate submit
to the convention chair, two weeks before the convention begins, a
list of no more than eight persons from which the candidates would
pledge to select a running mate.
Scrutiny by the press or potential vice presidential candi-
dates was mentioned often in many of the articles. The New York
Times wrote that Jimmy Carter, for example, "should settle upon a
list of three, or perhaps five persons
The press would have some
time to investigate and report the records of those recommended."
LIDHAK
Perspective: Election
C-22
FBI Probe
One of the most controversial proposals mentioned is the use
of the FBI to investigate potential vice presidential candidates.
Most editorials and colunists were against the use of the agency.
The Baltimore Sun and the Shreveport Journal, although not enthu-
siastic, were in favor of the proposal.
The Sun felt that although the investigation would be
somewhat of an invasion of privacy, it would be worth the "minor
hindrances" it would cause in the long run. The Journal believed
such an investigation would have prevented the Agnew and Eagleton
situations.
The Des Moines Register and Los Angeles Times were strongly
against an FBI probe. The Times mentioned the "implications of
police power." The Times praised Carter's decision not to use the
agency. The Register mentioned the possibility that
the FBI
could blackball nominees it did not approve of.
The Vice President's Job
Perhaps the failure of many presidents to give their vice
president a meaningful role in the Administration is one reason
the selection process is now in question. This theory was brought
up several times.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal summed up this idea, saying
that vice presidents have often been wasted by being "pushed off
onto some special commission or are sent off on some goodwill mis-
sions, coronations or state funerals
The vice president has as
much prestige, power and patronage as the president allows him and
no more. Somehow, the duties of a vice president ought to be better
defined."
Newsday quoted former Vice President John Nance Gardner as
once saying that office of the vice president wasn't worth a
"pitcher of warm spit."
On the Lighter Side:
Brown as Carter's Vice President?
Although the opinions of all the writers obviously seem to
reflect the need for reform for various reasons, especially the
underlying seriousness of the matter, William Shannon found a
lighter note in all of this. He said Jimmy Carter would be helped
in some respects by choosing Gov. Edmund Brown, an Irish Catholic.
However, Shannon wrote, "If you were President, would you want a
vice president who was constantly upstaging you? One can readily
envisage this scene as President Carter at the White House is
Perspective: Election
C-23
announcing a new program to help the mentally retarded. But half
of the reporters are with Vice President Brown as he announced that
he is turning the renovated vice president's mansion into a home for
retarded kids while he moves into a tent in the backyard."
-- by Melanie Berney
FORD LIVERNE
is
BARRY - page & { forward May 28, 1976
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INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT
BY
Connie
0203
NEWHOUSE NEWSPAPERS
is
2:13 P.M. EDT
THE OVAL OFFICE send #:
Ching
THE PRESIDENT: It is delightful to have a
chance to chat with you and if there are any questions,
why don't we go ahead.
QUESTION: Mr. President, I will start, if I may.
There has been some varying reports and varying interpre-
tations on those varying reports as to what you actually
told Attorney General Levi with regard to the amicus curiae
appearance by the Government in what I assume will be the
Mecklenburg or the Denver case.
THE PRESIDENT: I don't think you should assume
any particular case, or are you referring to a case that would
seek a clarification?
QUESTION: That is it, a clarification of those
decisions.
THE PRESIDENT: I wouldn't want to pinpoint which
particular case, but I have been discussing with the Attorney
General and the Secretary of HEW since last November some
methods by which we could get a clarification of court action,
the remedies that certain lower courts use and, two, how we
could proceed through HEW to handle whatever the problems
were if there was inadequate protection of constitutional
rights.
The Attorney General indicated to me that he was
certain that there was a case or might be several cases where
the Department of Justice might intervene. He is in the
process now of deciding which case or which cases he might
intervene. He has not told me his decision.
Page 2
I have told him I want him to make the recommen-
dation. In the meantime, the Secretary of HEW is continuing
to work on some procedures or methods or proposals to try
and make the court orders -- whatever they are -- more
acceptable to the communities in which the orders have been
placed.
QUESTION: That is not alternatives to busing but
alternatives to the way they have accepted the orders?
THE PRESIDENT: That is basically the approach,
although I haven't seen the final draft so I can't be
completely free to tell you what they are because I haven't
seen one in the last version.
QUESTION: You refer often, Mr. President, to
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quality education. What is your definition of quality
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education?
&
RENALD
THE PRESIDENT: I think you have to have high
teacher standards. I think you have to have a sound, proper
teacher-pupil ratio. I think you have to have facilities
that meet acceptable standards. I think the rights,
constitutional rights have to be protected, which means, of
course, that you cannot tolerate segregation.
All of those things put together I think, if
properly implemented, result in quality education.
QUESTION: What if you have all that but you still
have all balck and all white schools? You have all the
quality teachers and training and so forth and you still
have segregation? Do you think there is still reason to
break that down?
THE PRESIDENT: When you get into the -- that is
the question of the remedy that the court has to apply. If
vou take what is the listed proposals in what is the Equal
Educational Opportunities Act, which includes the Esch amend-
ment, it has, as I recall, seven listed things which are
better remedies than the final line, which is busing. The
Esch amendment includes busing, but it says that the court
should follow as guidelines the seven steps, as I recall,
the seventh one being busing -- cluster schools, neighborhood
schools, they can't bus people or children beyond one school
beyond their own neighborhood.
Page 3
Busing is a last resort. If you can achieve the
other things first, you don't have to go to busing. But
these circumstances vary according to every community, and
they will vary within a community. That is one of the basic
problems about identifying a case. You can find in a school
district a few schools that --- and it may be in elementary,
itmay be in secondary -- where you will have segregation.
The question arises, does that justify the Federal
court taking over the whole school district and running it
as a school board. In some instances that has been the
case. Instead of the court trying to remedy the smaller
part of the whole, the court has decided that it has juris-
diction as a remedy to take over the whole school system.
That results from a dictum in one of the cases --
and I can't remember which case it is -- and as a result some
local district judges have followed the dictum and grabbed
the whole school district just because in a part of the
district there has been this segregation.
QUESTION: This whole issue came up as a result of
a leak --
THE PRESIDENT: That is right.
QUESTION: Does that disturb you at all that it
came up?
THE PRESIDENT: It does because we had been proceeding
since November down thessame path in a constructive way without
any publicity. The leak didn't come from the White House.
QUESTION: Do you think now the issue has been
raised it will be crucial to the fall campaign?
THE PRESIDENT: Not at all.
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QUESTION: Mr. President, you said often you thought
Hubert Humphrey would be your opponent and then you sort of
switched your feeling a little bit toward Jimmy Carter.
THE PRESIDENT: I started to count up the delegates,
Saul. I can still add up to -- what is it, 1500 somebody has
to have -- and he was making a lot of headway.
QUESTION: In view of the opposition he has found all
of a sudden, have you switched your sights back again?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, it has been moderated because
Church has won, what, two, Brown has won two, so I think the
pendulum may be swinging back a bit.
QUESTION: Because of the emergence of Governor
Carter, plus the acceptance of Brown and the acceptance of
Governor Reagan for that matter, do you feel that this year
might be a year when issues won't be as important as personalities,
especially since all these men are running against Washington
in one way or another?
THE PRESIDENT: I would regret if the campaign would
not be on issues. I think it is wholesome for the country to
have a national election every four years based on issues.
QUESTION: Is that why you said consistently you
thought it would be a good race between yourself and Senator
Humphrey?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, because we do have very specific,
ideological differences and our records are clear. He has
voted as many times as I have on various issues and I think a
Humphrey-Ford contest would be ideologically a good contest
for the American people.
QUESTION: Remembering what happened to the Democrats
four years ago, would you be willing to make the facilities of
the FBI available to the Democratic nominee to check out his
Vice Presidential choice prior to the announcement? The
incumbent always --
Page 5
THE PRESIDENT: I hadn't thought of it.
OUESTION: Just to make certain the country ins't
embarrassed as it was four years ago.
THE PRESIDENT: Let me think out loud so I can see
how it sounds.
If the Democratic Presidential candidate asks me
as President, with full approval of the prospective nominee,
full approval in writing, I would see no objection to it. But
it would have to be in writing from the Presidential nominee,
it would have to be concurred in by the Vice Presidential
prospective nominee. Under those circumstances, I would see
no objection.
What do you think, Ron or Bob?
MR. NESSEN: If it is not a violation of any law.
THE PRESIDENT: If they put it in writing and ask me
particularly, I wouldn't see any harm to it.
QUESTION: The time factor would be awkward, though.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he didn't ask on the basis
of the time factor.
QUESTION: All right, let's bring the time factor
into it.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, there is a limit as to what
can be done to get the thorough kind of a check I got. In my
case 400 FBI agents took -- how long, Bob?
MR. HARTMANN: Three or four weeks.
THE PRESIDENT: Two, three or four weeks? I mean
that is how long it took for them to make what they thought was
a thorough check of my background. So you run into some logistic
problems, that is what I guess we are saying.
Page 6
QUESTION: But the fact that you would be willing to
make them available --
THE PRESIDENT: But it would have to be in writing,
requested and approved.
QUESTION: Mr. President, there are rumors around
in various sections of the country that several Republicans,
Mayor Wilson of San Diego, Governor Evans of Washington,
Senator Schweiker of Pennsylvania, have been approached by
people saying the President is interested in you, would you
be available for Vice President.
THE PRESIDENT: I have authorized nobody.
QUESTION: You have authorized none of this?
THE PRESIDENT: I have not authorized anybody to make
any inquiries to any prospective candidate.
QUESTION: Mr. President, you mentioned that a
contest between you and Senator Humphrey would represent
an ideological --
THE PRESIDENT: On domestic matters, I should have
said.
QUESTION: That is on domestic matters. Can you
characterize how you feel about a contest against Governor
Carter?
THE PRESIDENT: I am like a lot of Americans, I am
not sure where he stands on a number of the issues that a
President has to deal with. And I have read a number of
news articles which pointed out that he has been somewhat
inconsistent on a few issues.
So I don't think a Ford-Carter contest would
be nearly as clear cut as a Ford-Humphrey contest.
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QUESTION: In terms of political strategy and
particularly in selecting a Vice Presidential running mate,
do you think you would be more apt to choose a Southerner
as your running mate if Governor Carter were to be the
nominee or would you, on the other hand, be inclined to ride
out the South and appeal to some other part of the country
geographically?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't think I should even make
that kind of an evaluation at this stage of the Presidential
contest. There could be so many other factors that would
enter into it that to say categorically, if Carter were the
nominee, yes, we are going to have a Southerner on the
ticket. I think that would be very unwise at this juncture.
QUESTION: Mr. President, do you see any justification
at this point for reopening the investigation into the
assassination of President Kennedy?
THE PRESIDENT: Unless there is some new evidence,
I would say there is no reason whatsoever. Just to reopen
it, using the same evidence that the Warren Commission
ut-lized, would not justify reopening it.
QUESTION: And as a member of the Warren Commission,
are you convinced or were you at that time convinced that the
FBI and the CIA gave you the best available evidence?
THE PRESIDENT: I believe that we got full cooperation
for all Federal agencies at that time.
Bear in mind what we said, now, we came to two
conclusions, two basic conclusions, one, Lee Harvey Oswald
was the assassin and then number two, the Warren Commission
found no evidence of a conspiracy, foreign or domestic. And
I emphasize we found no evidence because the original draft
of the text by the staff said the Commission finds no
conspiracy, foreign or domestic. We had quite a debate on the
Commission and with the staff and we compromised by saying
the Commission had found no evidence of a conspiracy, foreign
or domestic.
my
Page 8
QUESTION: Sir, did you have any inkling at all
about the plots against Castro at that time, during the
Commission hearings?
THE PRESIDENT: The CIA?
QUESTION: Yes, if there were any plots at all.
Were there any indications or hints off the record?
THE PRESIDENT: Not to my recollection.
QUESTION: Mr. President, can we talk politics
about the California primary and particularly then we would
like to get into the New Jersey and Ohio primaries since
these gentlemen have come in from New Jersey and Ohio.
First, how does California look to you right now?
How important do you think it is going to be, at least a
choice between you and Governor Reagan?
THE PRESIDENT: I think we are an underdog. We
had a good reception when we were out in California, good
crowds, good enthusiasm. I think we made some headway. We
are still an underdog but we have a fighting chance to win.
QUESTION: What is your understanding of the situation
in New Jersey right now?
THE PRESIDENT: I think in both Ohio and New Jersey
our prospects look very good.
QUESTION: Do you anticipate a sweep in New Jersey?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't like to talk in numbers and
I don't like to, you know, outright predict victory. I just
think our prospects look very optimistic.
QUESTION: Your wife was in New Jersey yesterday,
did she tell you -- report back?
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THE PRESIDENT: She called me last night, I was
working in the office here. She felt the trip to New Jersey
with Millicent Fenwick had been very worthwhile. She enjoyed
it, thought it was productive.
QUESTION: Do you intend to visit New Jersey
before June 8?
THE PRESIDENT: I haven't seen the final plans.
QUESTION: You do plan to be in Ohio, sir, right?
THE PRESIDENT: We hope to get to Ohio. There is
one possibility that would be a non-political trip.
QUESTION: How can that be right before the primary?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, if -- are we talking about the
same thing? You are from Cleveland? You work for Tom?
QUESTION: Yes. I work for Mr. Vale.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, all I know is that Tom Vail,
who is heading up the Christian Jewish Dinner, invited me some
months ago to be there on Sunday, June 6.
QUESTION: Right.
THE PRESIDENT: And if I accept, it will be on a
strictly non-political basis.
QUESTION: Will that be your only appearance there,
sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it will be because, if we
do anything that is tied in politically, then the whole trip
is political. So in my conversation with Tom it was clearly
under it had to be limited to that one event.
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QUESTION: I'll go to the ultimate then, Mr. President.
Will you be able to go back to California and still stay
under this ceiling?
THE PRESIDENT: We are looking at it, Saul.
QUESTION: The same question with the ceiling, taking
the ceiling into account, would a similar type of invitation
bring you to New Jersey then?
THE PRESIDENT: We run into the same problem.
QUESTION: A non-political invitation,I am talking
about.
THE PRESIDENT: A completely non-political invitation
protects us from violating the law. We certainly are not
going to do that under any circumstances.
QUESTION: You would accept something like that?
THE PRESIDENT: We certainly would take an awful
good look at it.
QUESTION: You talked about the problem, do you
mean a problem of money now, you are approaching the limit?
THE PRESIDENT: We have enough money, it is a
question of spending type money.
QUESTION: While we are on the subject of politics,
could we back track a bit and mention Millicent Fenwick.
There are rumors ripe in New Jersey that you tried to
persuade her to run for the U.S. Senate, and possibly
Dr. Cowan and maybe several other Republicans this year.
THE PRESIDENT: I don't have a recollection that I
tried to talk Millicent into -- I think she is a tremendous
public figure but I don't recall ever having a conversation
with her about it.
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QUESTION: The philosophy of this Administration has
been to stimulate the private sector of the economy. Some
people say this misses the old urban areas with their special
pockets of need. For example, Jersey City, under the Community
Development's Revenue Sharing Plan, gets $6 million a year,
replacing considerably more than it received on the model
cities and under the Titles 235 and 236. What can the Federal
Government do to zero in on the special pockets of need in
these old urban decaying areas?
THE PRESIDENT: In the case of the Community
Development Act, when the law was passed, it was specifically
written intothe law that every community that had had money
under the seven categorical grant programs, including model
cities, should be held harmless, I think for four years.
It was either four or five years. So whatever Jersey City
was getting under the seven categorical grant program, they
would get at least as much under the Community Development
Program. I can't give you the figure but they wouldn't lose
a penny and most cities would probably get more.
Now turning to 235 and 236, I recommended 400,000
units, including public housing, for fiscal 1977.
"In addition, I recommended several tax proposals
which would give a tax incentive to a corporation to go into
Jersey City or to Newark, wherever there was unemployment
I think over 7.5 percent. The purpose being to accelerate
the building of new plants, the expansion of old ones, the
modernization of old plants.
Now, in addition, we have the traditional things that
are aimed at taking care of a temporary problem, such as
SETA, public service jobs, summer youth employment programs
and the extended and broadened unemployment compensation
legislation.
QUESTION: In that context, sir, why, then, did
you veto the proposal to tie in the aid to unemployment ratio
rather than to the per capital ratio?
Page 12
THE PRESIDENT: In which legislation are you
talking about?
QUESTION: Let me see, I have a note here somewhere.
THE PRESIDENT: We have had so many bills down here
I can't recall that.
You may be thinking of the proposed change in the
formula for general revenue sharing, is that right?
QUESTION: That's right, when Congress passed the
bill to use unemployment as an index for distribution of
Federal funds rather than per capita, that was vetoed.
THE PRESIDENT: Then it isn't general revenue sharing,
it must have been the so-called counter-cyclical.
QUESTION: That is it.
THE PRESIDENT: The problem there was not the
formula, it was the amount of money. As I recall, it was
a $6 billion proposal that was aimed at public works. Historically
we know that massive. new public works programs usually come
and have an impact on employment about 18 months after the
unemployment has peaked and started downward. So we didn't
think that program would have any immediate impact on the
current unemployment, which that was about four months ago,
as I recall, maybe five months ago.
The benefits, if there would have been any, would
have been well after the current unemployment problem was
right on our doorstep. Besides it was a $6 billion add-on
to two fiscal years and we just didn't think it was justified.
7803
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QUESTION: I think we are typical of a lot of
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cities our size and our age. We have roads, sewers and
schools that are over 80 years old. We have tremendous
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normal capital needs and our unemployment rate even during
boom time is higher than the average. It may be true nation-
wide it takes 16 months or whatever for jobs to catch up with
the unemployment, but that is not true in our area or in
cities our age.
Can there be any program tailored to cities like
that?
THE PRESIDENT: Let me just give you a couple of
programs where there ought to be an impact -- and I would
assume Jersey City or Newark would have the problem -- I
recommended more money for water and sewer projects in fiscal
1977 than ever in the history, almost $7 billion in just
local water and sewer programs. I urged -- well, I recommended,
I didn't just urge, and Congress came up with some more rapid
utilization of highway money.
For example, some States -- and I don't recall
whether New Jersey was one -- couldn't match Federal highway
contributions. So, the Congress approved and I signed a
bill for a period of nine months, as I recall, wiped out
the need for State matching so that the Federal money could
be used right away to build new highways and the States
wouldn't be strapped to come up with their share.
I would assume New Jersey has some highway needs
that could have been met--at least Charlie Sandman always
used to keep hitting me over the head that New Jersey
needed some more highways built--and I am sure to a degree,
whether Charlie is 100 percent right or not, I am sure there
are some highways that had to be built in New Jersey.
In addition, the housing alternative, well, it is
not the housing alternative but the public works alternative,
after I vetoed that bill, that I recommended -- it is called
the Griffin-Brown substitute -- it was about $800 million,
as I recall the figure.
It was a program that was an alternative to the $6
billion program. If Congress would pass that, I think it would
be far more effective than this long-range $6 billion program.
I think there is a good prospect that they will do it, but it
has been a three- or four-month lapse in the meantime.
Page 14
Of course, then you have general revenue sharing.
The cities of the size of Jersey City and Neward get a
substantial cut of money under what we call general revenue
sharing.
QUESTION: Mr. President, one of the vital concerns
in New Jersey deals with the military installations. There
are constant reports, four or five of them now, that they
will be transferred, or moved, and I wonder if your Adminis-
tration can give any assurances to New Jersey as to your
policies as far as this is concerned?
THE PRESIDENT: Are any of those you are thinking
about listed in the announcements which were made about a
month or six weeks ago? I don't recall that any of them
were.
QUESTION: I don't think SO.
THE PRESIDENT: If they were not listed at that
time, there is no prospect of any such action.
QUESTION: One has a 1979 remove date.
THE PRESIDENT: Fort Dix is the one I think most
people were worried about and as I recollect Dix was not on
that list.
QUESTION: At Fort Monmouth now there is a radio
installation there.
THE PRESIDENT: As I recall, that was relatively
small.
QUESTION: Four hundred people, and it represents
something like 25 percent of the counties when they calculate
the ripple effect.
THE PRESIDENT: If that was on the list, it is in
the process where the Defense Department has to conduct an
environmental economic impact statement in every case where
there is a realignment or where there is a closure. Until
those two impact statements are finalized, no decision, no
final decision is made.
LIBRARY Eye, BEHALE
Page 15
But let me just present to you what the problem is
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in a broad context because everyplace I go where there is a
base closure or a realignment, including my own State of
and
Michigan, where they are closing a SAC base up in the Northern
Peninsula where the county has 20 percent or more unemployment
and they are going to close -- they are going through this
closing process, and it will lose them about 2,500 jobs,
civilian jobs, and take away about 3,000 or 4,000 military
jobs.
They have unemployment of 20 percent or more, and you
can imagine the impact if they close that base. It is a pretty
emotional issue up there, as well as substantive.
Just take a look at the set of facts. Five years
ago, four or five years ago, we had 3,500,000 men on active
duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Today we have
2,100,000. You can't justify having the same base structure
for 2,100,000 when you had at one time 3,500,000. Nobody can
justify all of the basès that we had for 3,500,000 when you
reduce your military manpower by 1,400,000.
Plus, in the last ten years Congress has cut
President Johnson's budget, President Nixon's budget and my
budget of the Defense Department by over $45 billion,
including a $7 billion cut last summer.
The cut they imposed on me last summer was 9
percent across -- that is what it averaged out. So, here we
are with 1,400,000 fewer people and $45 billion less money
to spend, including a 9 percent cut imposed by the Congress
last year. Now, something has to give, unless they can give
me a better answer. You couldn't run your papers that way
and I can't run, or Rumsfeld can't run the Defense Department
that way.
They got your appropriation bill. We have 1,400,000.
That is more than a one-third reduction. It is about a 40
percent reduction in personnel. You just can't keep all these
bases open.
QUESTION: Mr. President, the concern out in New
Jersey is not the same right now as concern in Ohio, which is
Wayne Hays (Laughter) and without getting into that case in
particular --
Page 16
QUESTION: You can get into it, if you like,
though, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: That is one I am delighted to stay
out of. (Laughter)
QUESTION: Do you think this kind of thing and
other instances, similar instances which tend to bring down
the Congress in the eyes of the public, would tend also to
hurt you in the era of the anti-Washington campaign?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't see how an incident
that is related exclusively to the Congress should have any
impact on this Administration. I guess we all live in
Washington, but it is so clearly identified with Congress and
has no relationship to the White House that I doubt that it
will have any impact at all as far as I am concerned.
QUESTION: How then do you evaluate the Brown
phenomena? Do you see that as part of the anti-Washington
movement? I mean, he came out to Maryland and did very
well in less than a month.
THE PRESIDENT: I can't explain it.
QUESTION: I can't either. I was hoping you might
be able to.
THE PRESIDENT: I can't explain it completely.
QUESTION: Is it part of the search for Camelot,
do you think, you know, going back to Kennedy, he is new,
he is young?
THE PRESIDENT: It certainly very easily could have
that impact, but whether I agreed with Jack Kennedy or not,
he had had some exposure and some experience to some of the
problems invoving the Federal Government, and to my knowledge
Governor Brown has had none.
QUESTION: Wouldn't that be the case with Governor
Carter as well, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he got educated by the Federal
Government. (Laughter)
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QUESTION: That is true, and he worked for a pretty
smart teacher out in the Navy Department. But aren't you
then closing the door on Governors and opening it to men
like Senators and Cabinet members, or Congressmen, for that
matter?
THE PRESIDENT: The facts are that people who have
been in Washington doknowmore about the Federal problems that
involve defense, the foreign policy and related matters.
Nobody can deny that, Saul.
I am not saying people can't learn, but believe me,
you see that pile of red things up there? That is a couple
of months' collection of very complicated matters: involving
SALT II and you just don't sit down and read a book and become
an expert on SALT II, I can assure you of that.
So, I think a person who has had some exposure to
that does have an advantage.
QUESTION: You won't get an argument from Hubert
on that. (Laughter)
BERALD
QUESTION: Quite obviously, then, this would
indicate that when you look around for a runningmate, you
7703
will look first in. Washington. Are we to presume that?
THE PRESIDENT: Not necessarily, no. I think the
job of being Vice President is different than being President.
It is my feeling that a person can serve for a period of time
as Vice President and have an exposure to many of these
issues that a President has to deal with. So, I would feel
more comfortable with somebody who works on the kind of
problems we have in the office of the President, but I would
not have any concern as far as the Vice President is concerned.
QUESTION: What is your timetable as to an announce-
ment of a running mate?
THE PRESIDENT: Probably at the Convention, maybe
shortly before.
QUESTION: Mr. President, do you believe that all
potential Vice Presidential candidates should undergo similar
scrutiny to the kind you were subjected to? The were a little
rough on you, of course.
Page 18
THE PRESIDENT: It would be helpful, but I am not
sure of the time factors, Saul.
QUESTION: You have the same problems as the
BENNE
Democrats do?
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely, sure.
QUESTION: When would you expect to begin making up
your mind, assuming you are nominated?
THE PRESIDENT: I am sure after the primaries are
all over and the convention and State nominations have been
pretty well firmed up, which comes the middle or the third
week in July, for us, anyhow -- no, June, I am sorry -- we
will start winnowing down and making some choices.
But, I wouldn't expect any announcement until at
or perhaps just before the convention.
QUESTION: Mr. President, the Government is about
to begin leasing off-shore oil sites off New Jersey. I
understand your Administration opposes a Congressional proposal
which would compensate for on-shore impact for spillage and
so forth.
THE PRESIDENT: That isn't quite accurate. I have
seen memos from various departments which would indicate an
objection to the bill that is currently going through the
Congress. But that doesn't mean we are opposed to aid and
assistance for shore communities or shore States. Our
approach is a different one from what appears to be the
approach that is -- I guess the Senate has passed its bill.
The House is in the process of passing it. But, the trouble
is they have loaded that bill up with a lot of other things
that don't relate just to this particular problem.
QUESTION: What would be your ideal type of legis-
lation as far as compensation?
THE PRESIDENT: We sent up a proposal -- I have
forgotten, it must have been the latter part of last year,
didn't we -- which would have given direct funds from the
Federal Treasury to the shore areas which have the specific
impact from off-shore oil leasing.
Page 19
I can't remember the formula part of it, but it
would have been a substantial program.
QUESTION: Mr. President, Ron Nessen -- and I have
to live with him -- has given me the signal.
THE PRESIDENT: Why don't you ask one or two more?
QUESTION: Mr. President, could you give me some
ideas as to the considerations that will go into your thinking
when you start selecting a Vice President? Vice President
Rockefeller said yesterday that he is in his own mind
convinced, for example, you would not pick Governor Reagan
because a man, as he said this is paraphrasing, not quoting--
because a man who is drawn to the right of center in a campaign
certainly couldn't go even further right in his choice of a
running mate.
Is there a basis in fact for that sort of a thought?
THE PRESIDENT: At this point, Saul, I don't think
it is appropriate for me to identify any individual. I don't
think I should exclude anybody. Now, Governor Reagan has
himself indicated he wouldn't be interested but that doesn't
prevent me from still keeping him in mind.
Now, Governor Rockefeller has done the same thing,
except he put it in writing in a letter to me. But to
winnow it down at this stage, I think it is just premature
for a number of reasons.
QUESTION: Do you feel, though, Mr. President, that
a man who is to be considered as Vice President should have
geographical balance or a nice fat load of electoral votes
he can bring with him?
THE PRESIDENT: Those are two things that we
certainly consider. But the one thing that I think I want ---
because after all you have to, in effect, live with him for
four years -- is some personal compatability, a comfortable
relationship.
Now, that doesn't indicate I am thinking of anybody
or excluding anybody, but I think you have to have a personal
compatibility or it would just be an unwholesome situation.
666060
Page 20
QUESTION: A lot of people would be wondering about
their compatibility if they ever read this.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, but I was very careful to say
it was not related to any individual or several individuals.
But, I think, you know, that is a working relationship.
LISA
Page 21
QUESTION: I had a staff delegation ask me to ask you
what can the Federal Government do about the Postal Service.
I know immediately you can't but there must come a time
when the postal rates go so high and the service gets so bad,
is there any point in time where you can see you might have
to step in and do something?
THE PRESIDENT: We are negotiating with the Congress
right now because the deficit of the Post Office Department
has increased, and the Post Office, or the Postal Service,
wants us to recommend I think it is a $500 million add-on
to the money we have already recommended for them as a deficit.
I am reluctant to do that. Congress would like to but they
don't want to do it unless we will join with them.
Now on the other hand the Postal Service has the
authority to borrow -- I think they have additional borrowing
authority up to about $4 billion. They don't want to do that
because that makes their operation look a little less efficient
and economical.
So what we are doing is sitting down with the people
up on the Hill to possibly have a high level, very knowledgeable
panel that would analyze the Postal Service and see from an
independent point of view what their problems have been,
what can be done to remedy it.
Now we are not going to have a 12 to 18 month study
because I don't think it takes that. There are enough
knowledgeable people around who can look at the facts and see
just what the difficulty is.
If that was done, I would want that study available
by early spring at the latest. I think that is enough time
for them, if not before.
They have increased their efficiency, they have cut
out about 60,000 jobs and they are delivering X number more
pieces of mail. So they have improved their ratio between
jobs and pieces of mail delivered.
3
On the other hand, their costs have gone up.
Their employee costs have gone up. They have had two wage
negotiations and some people allege that they were too
generous in their settlements with the Union. I have no way
of judging that, that is what they settled on.
They say, the Post Office Department says that
independent auditors coming in have found that their delivery
system of articles of mail has improved. I have no way of
judging it. They showed me the figures and these figures
indicate that a higher percentage of mail from A to B gets
there more quickly than it used to. But I think we have to
bring in some outside people to take a look and see whether they
are managing it well, what can be done to try to improve it.
I know we get a lot of complaints and they have been trying
to close these uneconomical post offices and they have a lot
of them. I don't know how many in New Jersey, I am sure they
have a few. But they have been trying to not irritate people.
They wait until a Postmaster dies before they close the
Post Office and their longevity is very extended.
It is a tough problem but there is so much con-
troversy, so many mixed views I think you have to have some
outside people come in and look at it.
QUESTION: Mr. President, one last question on
military installations, will you review any proposed transfers,
or is that strictly a Defense Department decision?
THE PRESIDENT: I will say it is 99 percent the
Defense Department's decision. I will get the information.
QUESTION: That one percent would consist of --
THE PRESIDENT: I get the information, but I think
the prime responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Defense
Department. That is why we have 2 million 100 thousand people
over there, including Secretaries of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force
and Marines.
SERVICE
6801
Page 23
GERALO
arns
QUESTION: One last question, Mr. President.
We
haven't mentioned Henry Kissinger here and that has
distinguished this meeting. (Laughter)
How comfortable are you with our relations abroad?
I know we are at peace and all that. What are our prospects
in the Middle East?
THE PRESIDENT: I think we have had some good news
lately. The Syrians have agreed to extend UNDOF without
any conditions. Despite a news story in a prominent news-
paper yesterday morning, the Israeli Government was not
unhappy with the way Bill Scranton handled the settlement
issue there. I don't know how that newspaper got off on the
wrong foot but Ambassador Herzog of Israel straightened
out the record.
So I think we are slowly but surely making progress.
The Sinai Agreement has gone excellently. A real problem --
and this is a tragedy -- is Lebanon. It is the most mixed
up situation I have ever seen. You have elements that ought
to be together on opposite sides -- Christians and the Syrians
working together, the radical Palestinians working with the
Egyptians,. you have Israel trying to protect its interests
as best it can. There are lots of people who think that if
the Syrians went in there and restored order, that would be
the best answer. That is what some people say. But the
minute Syria goes in, then Israel is going to go in.
Then you have a battle between Syria on the one hand and
Israel on the other.
Those are just about half of the contraditions that
are going on there.
QUESTION: It sounds like New Jersey Democratic
politics. (Laughter)
THE PRESIDENT: Then you get Jumblatt's sister
assassinated yesterday. It just makes no sense, absolutely.
You have Franchi, who has agreed to resign as President and he
won't turn over the papers until -- and they have picked a
new President but they can't negotiate that transfer of power.
You know, it is just unbelievable.
THE PRESS: Mr. President, thank you very much.
END
(AT 3:09 P.M. EDT)
PET
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1, 1976
CERALO
FORD
LICENSE
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHIL BUCHEN
FROM:
BARRY ROTH
Attached is a copy of the portion of the transcript from the interview
of the President by Newhouse Newspapers that deals with the use
of the FBI to investigate a prospective Democratic Vice Presidential
nominee at the request of the Presidential nominee. The President
did not refer to the Eagleton matter, although the reporter asking
the question did elude to the experience of the Democrats in 1972.
In addition, the President stated he was only thinking out loud
and Ron Nessen conditioned the response by adding that as long
as to do so was not a violation of law.
The FBI's authority to conduct personnel investigations stems from
regulations promulgated by the Attorney General (28 CFR, Subpart P.).
These regulations provide that, subject to the general supervision
of the Attorney General and under the direction of the Deputy Attorney
General, the Director of the FBI shall "conduct personnel investiga-
tions requisite to the work of the Department of Justice and whenever
required by statute or otherwise. " Initial reaction from the Deputy
Attorney General's office is that such investigations could be con-
ducted, but that they might first require the approval of the Attorney
General. They have asked OLC to examine this question further and
to report back in the next several days.
Regardless of the philosophical considerations that are involved,
there are numerous practical problems that would have to be considered.
First, as the President pointed out, his own investigation required
the use of some 400 FBI agents and took 3-4 weeks to complete.
Even if the major Democratic nominees were to select several Vice
Presidential candidates who then consented to such an investigation,
it would be difficult for the FBI to conduct detailed investigations
of more than several candidates in an equivalent amount of time.
-2-
Additionally, this could subject the FBI and the President to
political attacks concerning either the failure to discover or
disclose possible derogatory information or the leaking of such
information, Merely utilizing the FBI for alast minute name check
of a prospective Vice Presidential nominee would probably be too
cursory to have any meaning.
Should we receive additional inquiries in this regard, a suggested
response should indicate that the President's comments were based
on his own confirmation experiences and the FBI investigation that
was then conducted. While the President does not object to the
concept of such investigations with the written consent of the
prospective nominee, there are numerous practical problems,
such as the length of time necessary for an investigation, that
must be considered. Justice has no objection to this response.
GERALD.
R.
FORD
LIBRARY
INVESTIGATION OF A PROSPECTIVE
DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
Question
Mr. President, you recently stated that you would make available
the facilities of the FBI at the request of the Democratic Presidential
nominee to investigate a prospective Vice Presidential nominee prior
to the decision. What is your position?
Answer
The idea of such an investigation was recently raised in a question
by a reporter, at which time I stated that I saw no objection to
an investigation, as long as it was requested in writing by the
Presidential nominee with the written concurrence of the prospective
Vice Presidential nominee. On the basis of my experience during
the Vice Presidential confirmation process, I am not troubled by
the thought of such an investigation.
If the Democratic nominee requests the assistance of the FBI for
this purpose, to the extent permitted by law, I would comply
with that request.
However, as I raised with the reporter, there are practical problems
that must be considered, for example, the length of time an investiga-
tion of this magnitude takes to complete. In my case, it took
approximately 400 FBI agents 3-4 weeks to complete their work.
Unless the current selection procedures are substantially modified,
this could not be done.
GERALD
R.
FORD
PWB/BNR
6/2/76
fule
up
Selection
94TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
S. 3552
GENALD
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JUNE 10 (legislative day, JUNE 3), 1976
Mr. BROCK introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Rules and Administration
A
BILL
To provide for an investigation of the character and past activi-
ties of potential Vice-Presidential nominees by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That, for purposes of this Act, the term-
4
(1) "Presidential primary" means any election held
5
for the expression of a preference by the voters of a
6
State for the nomination of a candidate for election to
7
the office of President;
8
(2) "political party" means any political party
9
whose candidate for election to the office of President in
10
the most recently conducted Presidential election re-
II
3
2
1
ceived more than 10 per centum of the total number of
1
tion for the selection of the candidate of that
2
votes cast throughout the United States for all such
2
party for election to the office of President stat-
3
candidates, treating votes cast for the election of Presi-
3
ing that such delegate intends to vote for the
4
dential and Vice-Presidential electors who are affiliated
4
nomination of that individual as the candidate
5
with a political party as votes cast for the Presidential
5
of that party for election to the office of Presi-
6
candidate of that party;
6
dent when the convention is held.
7
(3) "national nominating convention" means a
7
For purposes of clause (ii), an individual shall be
8
convention held by a political party for the purpose of
8
considered to have furnished a substantial number of
9
nominating the candidate of that party for the office of
9
statements from delegaites to the national nominat-
10
President; and
10
ing convention of a political party if he has furnished
11
(4) "Presidential candidate" means an individual
11
the greatest, next greatest, or third greatest number
12
who-
12
of statements from such delegates in comparison
13
(A) is qualified under the Constitution to serve
13
to the number of statements furnished by all other
14
as President if elected to that office; and
14
such individuals, or if he has furnished statements
15
(B) files with the Attorney General, not later
15
from 10 per centum of such delegates.
16
than thirty days before the date on which the na-
16
SEC. 2. (a) (1) Whenever there is a vacancy in the
17
tional nominating convention of a political party is
17 office of the Vice President, the President may, in writing,
18
scheduled to begin-
18 request that the Attorney General investigate not more than
19
(i) a statement in writing personally
19 ten individuals listed in such request by the President as po-
20
signed by him stating that he is a candidate
20 tential Vice-Presidential nominees.
21
for nomination of that party for election to the
21
(2) A Presidential candidate may, in writing, request
22
office of President, and
22 the Attorney General to investigate not more than ten in-
23
(ii) a substantial number of statements
23 dividuals listed in such request by the Presidential candidate
24
in writing each of which is personally signed
24 as potential Vice-Presidential nominees.
25
by a delegate entitled to vote in such conven-
25
(3) The Attorney General, upon receiving a written re-
4
5
1 quest from the President under paragraph (1) or from a
1 requested the investigation and by one other person desig-
2 Presidential candidate under paragraph (2), shall direct the
2 nated by such candidate, but only if such candidate has been
3 Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation
3 nominated by the national nominating convention of the
4 of the individuals listed in such request. The investigation
4 political party with which he is affiliated. Any such inspec-
5 shall be of the same nature, extent, and scope as an investi-
5 tion shall be carried out on premises designated by the At-
6 gation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
6 torney General and in the presence of an employee of the
7 connection with the granting of a top secret security clear-
7 Federal Bureau of Investigation who shall be the custodian
8 ance to any individual employed by the United States.
8 of such evidence and information. No copy, record, or memo-
9
(b) The Attorney General shall notify each individual
9 randum of any matter contained in such evidence and infor-
10 who is the subject of an investigation conducted under this
10 mation shall be made by the candidate or the person desig-
11 Act when such investigation is completed and shall give such
11 nated by the candidate to inspect the evidence and informa-
12 individual an opportunity to review the evidence and infor-
12 tion, and no part of such evidence or information shall be
13 mation obtained through such investigation. No evidence or
13 removed from the custody of the Federal Bureau of
14 information obtained by an investigation conducted under
14 Investigation.
15 subsection (a) shall be released to any person without the
15
SEC. 3. (a) Upon the nomination of a candidate for
16
written consent of the individual who is the subject of the
16
the office of Vice President by the President acting under
17 investigation.
17 the twenty-fifth article of amendment to the Constitution
18
(c) If an individual investigated under subsection (a)
18 of the United States, all evidence and information relat-
19
consents in writing, as provided under subsection (b), to
19 ing to such candidate obtained from an investigation au-
20 the disclosure of the evidence and information obtained in
20 thorized in section 2 shall be forwarded to the appropriate
21 that investigation, the Attorney General shall permit inspec-
21 committees of the Congress. Upon the confirmation of such
22 tion of such evidence and information by the President who
22 candidate by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
23
requested the investigation and by one other person desig-
23 all evidence and information relating to other potential Vice-
24
nated by the President, or by the Presidential candidate who
24 Presidential nominees obtained from an investigation au-
6
1 thorized in section 2 shall be destroyed, and no memoran-
2 dum, copy, or other record of such evidence or information
3 shall be retained.
4
(b) Upon the nomination of a candidate for election to
5 the office of Vice President by the national nominating con-
6 vention of a political party, all evidence and information
7 relating to potential Vice-Presidential nominees of that party
8 obtained from an investigation authorized in section 2 shall
9 be destroyed, and no memorandum, copy, or other record
10 of such evidence or information shall be retained.
11
SEC. 4. No evidence or information obtained under or in
12 connection with an investigation carried out under this Act
13 shall be admissible in any proceeding before any court of the
14 United States or of any State.
15
SEC. 5. The disclosure, release, or retention of evidence
16 or information in violation of the provisions of this Act shall
17 be punishable by a fine not to exceed $50,000, imprison-
18 ment for not to exceed five years, or both.
94TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
S. 3552
A
BILL
To provide for an investigation of the character
and past activities of potential Vice-Presi-
dential nominees by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
By Mr. BROCK
JUNE 10 (legislative day, JUNE 3), 1976
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules
and Administration
078838