Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Source Description
This file contains:
Critique of advance work: Vancouver and Portland. 2 pages [Memo], n.d.
Negro Group Ignores Record. Author unknown for the Portland Reporter. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/6/1960
Kennedy Team Here Goes All Out In Bid For Crowd On Wednesday. Written by Robert McBride for the Portland Reporter. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/6/1960
Post-Mortem: Oregon Visit. [Memo], 9/14/1960
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
26127507
label
WHSF: Returned, 50-27
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
26127507
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
WHSF: Returned, 50-27
description
This file contains:
Critique of advance work: Vancouver and Portland. 2 pages [Memo], n.d.
Negro Group Ignores Record. Author unknown for the Portland Reporter. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/6/1960
Kennedy Team Here Goes All Out In Bid For Crowd On Wednesday. Written by Robert McBride for the Portland Reporter. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/6/1960
Post-Mortem: Oregon Visit. [Memo], 9/14/1960
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
26127507
generalNotes
This archival description was reviewed and not revised as part of the NARA reparative description initiative on January 30, 2024. The word “Negro” used in the Scope and Title Note was determined to be part of a published newspaper article title. Original archival records have not been altered.
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
7cb57800ea20acca
ocrText
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date Document Type
Document Description
50
27
n.d.
Memo
Critique of advance work: Vancouver and
Portland. 2 pages
50
27
09/06/1960
Newspaper
Negro Group Ignores Record. Author
unknown for the Portland Reporter. Not
scanned.
50
27
09/06/1960
Newspaper
Kennedy Team Here Goes All Out In Bid
For Crowd On Wednesday. Written by
Robert McBride for the Portland Reporter.
Not scanned.
50
27
09/14/1960
Memo
Post-Mortem: Oregon Visit.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Page 1 of 1
CRITIQUE OF ADVANCE WORK
file
Vancouver and Portland
Started with protocol possibilities of landing in one state and going
into another and back into the original state. The first advance man to enter
the area was Dick Miller, who made certain decisions as to locations. These
were subsequently changed several times. Miller left Oregon with several
items dangling to go to Minnesota and South Dakota. Shortly thereafter Dick
Ports came in to head up rally activities. Perhaps not because of him but
only because he was available, the Nixon chairman had him doing many errands
and making decisions that were rightfully Miller's.
Second guesses:
(1) The location at the airport was determined to be a regular gate
entrance, yet the other flight schedules of other airlines were going to
continue. Moreover, the airport management quite properly forbade crowds
on the apron where there were other planes involved. A decision was
obvious that the location should have been selected away from other
traffic so that a maximum crowd could be accommodated, as long as
there were promotional efforts (including newspaper advertising) toward
getting an airport crowd.
(2) The location agreed upon at the Lloyd Center was changed
two or three times but the final change came early Tuesday morning (the
day of arrival)
(A) The emphais was completely on televsion and we
thus have these dissatisfactions: The turn-away
crowd and the crowd that would not see him was
greater than the line-of-sight crowd. On the
original plan three press tables, accommodating
50 to 75 press would have been only 20 feet away
from a closed room where their teletypes and
television were installed. Because of the
television switch the newsmen were a complete
floor and a spiral staircase away from the
press room.
(B) The V.I.P.'s were relegated to completely side-
bar positions.
(c) A rapport was not established with Republican
officialdom to such an extent that the county
chairman and advance man were not in contact
during the last day or two.
(D) The urging that we in Oregon had made for hand-
shaking perhaps went out the window with the
Hospitalization, but in every memo we have filed
- 1 -
we have urged that some of it be done to offset
Kennedy's personal technique. At one point Ted
Rogers gave us assurance that television would cover
some extended handshaking.
(E) The television arrangements handled by the local
committee were a repeat of that memorable and
unfortunate experience when you were here for the
dedication of The Dalles Dam in which the original
arrangements were to tie up one station (Channel 6--
CBS) exclusively. It was done again. By the time
it was checked with me by George Rogers it was too
late to make other arrangements. Moreover, no down-
state television was provided despite repeated pleas.
Chairman :
Tony Yturri will do a fine job if he will carry out his
pledge to spend time in Portland. It cannot be run from
clear across the state. His cooperation with this office
is tops. He needs guidance from your headquarters, having
never conducted a statewide campaign before. There is no
one in Oregon to whom he can turn with confidence on
organization and procedural questions that can compare
to Ed Tarrar or some such.
Ad Agency:
A repeat hiring of the agency that handled the primary
campaign, the unimaginative organization than handled
Sig Unander's unsuccessful campaign for Governor.
Publicity:
Hollis Goodrich, an able old pro if he will give it the
time it deserves but he left much to be desired when he
counselled Unander. Ask advance man Dick Miller re. view.
Hired Help:
Wes Phillips can do detail but cannot be counted upon
for initiative.
Party Tie:
Better coordination needed with party. This is one state
which I believe you will find rare in which the party may
be better organized than the Nixon committee.
Visiting V.I.P.'s Oregon has a complete lineup already scheduled of
Morton, Judd, John Roosevelt, etc. Goldwater has been
here--re. the 20,000 attendance clipping I sent you.
This leaves only Rockefeller among the big-wigs to
schedule Oregon.
Travis Cross
(Dictated but not read)
September 14, 1960
file
POST-MORTEM: OREGON VISIT
1. weak Spot: While Yturri and Hatfield urged motorcade
through Williams Avenue (colored section) it was
always agreed with advance man a stop would be
made only if crowd was sufficient to do SO. One
journalist actually used the phrase "weak spot"
in his story of the day because of small crowd.
This can be turned to asset in that RN stops no
matter how few (providing Negro Republicans can
be made to understand.)
2. Television time and location arrangements: These must
be established earlier than in Portland. This
means either advance man must give TV decisions
or TV advance must get to scene earlier. Last
minute change fouled up motorcade, security,
press, etc. While elaborate detail went into IV
background for Lloyd's Center, people were all
over camera at Vancouver as RN was speaking.
Although latter not carried live or in entirety,
filmed excerpts of long duration were used.
3. Motorcade: While in larger cities it is understadable
that press busses precede a Governor and a Secretary
of Interior, believe it or not the locals here have
caught hell for Seaton getting shoddy treatment
behind busses. Miller agreed at one time Hatfield-
Seaton right behind RN, then reversed self at
airport. Impact of Hatfield flying in somewhat
lost thereby.
In motorcade instructions check list should include
a mat to place on trunk lid for RN to stand on to
avoid ill will of scratched enamel. (As at Nixon-
Lodge headquarters). This would also (a la rubber
bath mat) avoid slippage during bad knee recovery.
4. Press at local level: Virtually no contact except for
Fortland papers. Invitations and instructions
should go throughout state. Localized pictures
should be supplied as goes down reception line.
(This is local committee area.)
5. Clips to Klein: Have sent clips to Klein which indicate
surprise at size of crowds.
6. Return: While every state desires another visit this one
with six electoral votes not critical. If had to
choose, Eugene might be good spot (McArthur Court,
capacity 10,000), center of state N-S and 2nd largest
city, 1/3 way Seattle to San Francisco, 01 Roseburg,
where he has not been, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or
Bend. Special note--if it is to be Portland again,
believe 13,000 capacity Memorial Coliseum (Exposition-
Recreation Center) will be finished. Should be able to
fill it if given enough advance time.
Travis Cross