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"Image," /1977 Folder Citation: Collection: Office of the Chief of Staff Files; Series: Hamilton Jordan's Confidential Files; Folder: "Image," /1977; Container 34b To See Complete Finding Aid: http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/library/findingaids/Chief_of St aff.pdf Raishoon Communications P DE AN 12-8-82 Gerald M. Rafshoon President BB CONFIDENTIAL 1775 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 1250 Washington, D.C. 20006 202, 293-5454 MEMORANDUM CC: Jody & Ham Good advice TO: THE PRESIDENT to FROM: GERALD M. RAFSHOON DATE: June 14, 1977 I am concerned with the recent pattern of events relating to your image. Although you are still personally popular, your performance is perceived as inconsistent. The media talks about your flip-flops again; e.g. B-1 Bomber, the statement that the energy package would be a hardship and then that it wouldn't, the $50 rebate retreat, the water projects. Individually, these mean little (and I assume there were good reasons for all) but cumulatively they add up and can affect you politically. I did not worry about the public perception that you were at odds with Congress; I think you were damaged slightly when you started to placate them (this didn't seem to do you much good). Specifically, I want to point out that there is a perception that the White House is more concerned with style than substance. This comes not so much from Pat's leaked memo but more from the pre-occupation on the part of some people to constantly do something on T.V. Truthfully, you are being overexposed in an area that is very dangerous. An occasional fireside chat is O.K.; bi-weekly press conferences, necessary; a town meeting, perhaps. But it is not necessary to have a T.V. event every few weeks just to show that you are close to the American people. And this is happening. This show In case you haven't heard, your California call- in did not do well in the ratings: the daytime show was not ran behind soap operas; the evening re-broadcast ran behind Hollywood Squares. should wellaned. been have done, perhaps. MEMORANDUM Page Two You are running the risk of boring the people and you have 3 1/2 years to go. I think the practice of having an informal Jody session with the press after each press conference Comment is a mistake. It detracts from your stature as President and looks like a campaign gimmick. If you want to be open and straight-forward, you can be so during the regular press conference. I think it is time to utilize your media "experts" to get exposure for (1) others in your administration; (2) but more importantly, to get good T.V. programs and attention for substantive issues like Energy, SALT, Panama, Reorganization. There should be less catering to you by putting you in front of the camera and even here you should pick and choose; don't be all over the map with too many subjects. Furthermore, it is appalling to see the DNC Republicans outdo the administration by running a documentary filled with production values as a counter should to your energy program. This was on NBC prime time. move This is the kind of thing I envisioned the DNC doing periodically. Unfortunately, the DNC is virtually a foreign power to the White House. If you don't start shifting emphasis here, you run the risk of having something happen similar to what occured in the campaign: a personally popular, populistic Jimmy Carter, thought of as a good guy, but with support that is not deep. We can't let this happen. I want to help. Ralshoon Communications Gerald M. Rafshoon President 1775 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Suite 1250 Washington, D.C. 20006 202/293-5454 Juning - - It was the $ 19,800 TV buy in no.Va. that was it for Henry Henvel - not the Carter identification. I can preduce "figures" to prove it. (Heerry up, Pat) 6tedly was undou den It Carter can't / prove then The If Pat get and wepollster. I