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This file contains:
From Bob Haldeman to RN, re: Reports on phone calls to various people at Los Angeles Times re: Hughes loan. 1 page. [Memo], 8/28/1962
Derogatory questions most often asked about Dick Nixon among democratic minority groups taken from 800 speeches in Southern California. 7 pages. [Memo], n.d.
From Bob Haldeman to J. D. Fair, re: Nixon smear. 9 pages with attachments and duplicates. [Letter], 5/21/1962
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WHSF: Returned, 54-28
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26127738
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WHSF: Returned, 54-28
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This file contains:
From Bob Haldeman to RN, re: Reports on phone calls to various people at Los Angeles Times re: Hughes loan. 1 page. [Memo], 8/28/1962
Derogatory questions most often asked about Dick Nixon among democratic minority groups taken from 800 speeches in Southern California. 7 pages. [Memo], n.d.
From Bob Haldeman to J. D. Fair, re: Nixon smear. 9 pages with attachments and duplicates. [Letter], 5/21/1962
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date Document Type
Document Description
54
28
08/28/1962
Memo
From Bob Haldeman to RN, re: Reports on
phone calls to various people at Los Angeles
Times re: Hughes loan. 1 page.
54
28
n.d.
Memo
Derogatory questions most often asked about
Dick Nixon among democratic minority
groups taken from 800 speeches in Southern
California. 7 pages.
54
28
05/21/1962
Letter
From Bob Haldeman to J.D. Fair, re: Nixon
smear. 9 pages with attachments and
duplicates.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Page 1 of 1
new folder TIMES
RN
8-28-62
Bob Haldeman
Summary: reports on phone calls to various people at
Los Angeles Times re: Hughes loan.
Buff Chandler told my mother that "they" felt the Democrats planned to
go all out on this attack, and therefore they felt it was better to
get it over with now -- that it was much ado about nothing, there was
no basis to the smear, so they decided to give it a big blast now
and forget it.
(Incidentally, she also told mother that you had contributed to the
Music Center earlier, and that in about ten days they are running a
story quoting outstanding people who have supported the Center, and that
it will feature you).
Otis Chandler told Steve Broidy that "this is what happens on Monday
mornings when management isn't around to see what goes into the paper..
we have problems with some of our reporters and their personal
sympathies we are going to make sure it never happens again." He
went on to say he doesn't really have and never has had the true facts
on the loan; he wants to get them, and said he would like to talk to you;
he said "we should have had an editorial in the paper today, but
we can't without the facts" and added that when they do have them, they
would help get the answer out through editorials.
Jim Bassett in taking calls was very pleasant; did not commit himself,
but indicated poor judgment on the part of the paper; said he had not
seen the story until he came into the office; that he had been deluged
with calls; promised a front page story for Tuesday, which ran.
Dick Bergholz told callers he had no comment on the story, but that they
would give RN an equal chance to answer in a later edition.
Many of the callers were unable to reach anyone at the Times on the
list we gave them (Chandler, Berghols, McCulloch, Williams, Bassett).
I think we gave them something to worry about and that the flood of
calls did have some effect.
I.
DEROGATORY QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED ABOUT DICK NIXON
AMONG DEMOCRATIC AND MINORITY GROUPS TAKEN FROM 800
SPEECHES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(August, 1954 - June, 1959)
Q.
(75%) Isn't Nixon an OPPORTUNIST who will step
on anyone to advance his political career?
A.
Nixon's rapid rise from a Congressman to the Vice
Presidency, has given his opponents an excuse for
hanging the opportunistic tag on him. Actually,
the man's tremendous capabilities have been the key
reason for this rapid advance. He was an outstanding
Congressman, Senator and is now the most capable
and thoroughly trained Vice President we have ever
had. If Nixon had truly stepped on people during
his career, you would have surely heard about it -
not from his opponents, but from we Republicans -
who seem to have a tendency of making such feelings
public.
Q.
(70%) Why do most people say they don't TRUST
Nixon?
A.
What you mean by "most people" is in reality part
of a brutal propaganda attack started some years
ago by the California Democratic hierarchy. Ask
yourselves if anyone has ever presented you with
any facts to back up this rumor. Even Nixon's
bitterest foes have to admit that the man has never
lied, has never made untrue statements of any kind,
and has never made promises that he did not keep.
Such a record is rare in public life today. A man's
public record is certainly the only basis to judge
his trustworthiness. I would only ask all of you
to make your decisions on the basis of fact, and
not on the basis of whispering campaigns.
Q.
(60%) What about the Chotiner run Helen Gahagan
Douglas campaign - wasn't that the dirtiest
campaign ever?
- 2 -
A.
Isn't it interesting that the same people who say
Nixon smeared Douglas are the very people who have
been working on a day to day basis over the past
few years to smear the Nixon name. The Nixon-
Douglas campaign was an extremely hard fought
battle. Dick Nixon is a tremendous fighter, and
he is always the first to admit it. Also, if you
recall, the most severe attacks against Mrs. Douglas
came during the primary campaign of that year and
were made not by Mr. Nixon, but by Manchester Boddy,
her Democratic opponent. In the general election
that followed, Nixon confined his statements to
matters that were strictly a part of the public
record. And, contrary to the rumors that were
spread, he never called Mrs. Douglas a communist.
I might add, that Mrs. Douglas was a hard fighter
herself in that very bitter campaign.
Q.
(45%) I still think he is a phony. What about
that Madison Avenue T.V. show where he hid behind
his dog CHECKERS?
A.
This particular charge says in effect "What's right
for me is not right for you". When Dick Nixon went
on television to truthfully explain the malicious
charges that had been cast upon him, this was
called Madison Avenue. When Adlai Stevenson took
to television, in the need of a haircut, and with
an encyclopedia look on his face, this was termed
intellectualism. When Nixon appeared with his
wife Pat and his dog Checkers, this was called a
gimmick. However, when F.D.R. appeared in news-
reels with Eleanor and his dog Fala, this was
termed humanitarianism. And of course, as most
music critics know, Harry Truman had no dog so he
used a piano instead. In reality, any candidate's
or office holder's attempt to show his family
around him is really not a Madison Avenue technique.
It is clearly, and very openly, a very important
means of showing that these people have families,
have pets and have problems just as you and I.
To those of you who saw this particular Nixon
telecast, regardless of how you voted, I think
you will have to agree that Nixon talked from the
heart, talked the truth, and, all alone, won his
case before the American people.
- 3 -
Q.
(35%) Isn't Nixon an ANTI-SEMITE?
A.
Dick Nixon is not, and has never been anti-semátic.
This again is part of the filthy smear that has
been waged against him during the last few years.
In the first place, as most of you know, Dick Nixon
is a Quaker. And, as you also know, our country's
history shows the Quakers to be more than friendly
to the Jews of this country. Secondly, and what
I am about to say is based on fact, not rumor;
There is not one instance in Nixon's private or
public life that shows him to be even partly anti-
semitic. His college record, at Whittier, shows
him having close personal friends made up of all
religions and races. The friendships that he and
Pat Nixon have had during their married life also
show Jews to be well represented. His constant
battle for decent civil rights legislation, his
chairmanship of the first Governmental Committee
which actively prohibits discrimination within
corporations holding government contracts, and his
constant work in trying to bring peace to the Mid-
East, all are actions of a man who is looking out
for the welfare of not only the Jewish people, but
of all minorities. Instead of helping to spread
these false rumors about Nixon, we should, instead,
be very very grateful to him.
Q.
(30%) I have proof that he is anti-semitic. He
bought a house in Washington D.C. with a restric-
clause in its contract.
A.
HERE ARE THE FACTS: When the Nixons acquired their
home in that tract - in 1951 - the Supreme Court of
the United States had already, three years before
(in Shelly V. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948)), declared
restrictive covenants unconstitutional.
Further, this same accusation, was raised by irrespon-
sible politicians in the 1952 election campaign. At
that time Mr. Nixon issued the following statement:
"The whole idea of segregation and restrictive cove-
nants is repugnant to the American concept of equality
and freedom. The time has certainly come when such
practices in the nation's capitol should be ended.
I want to assure you that I shall devote my diligent
efforts to achieve this end."
- 4 -
And at that time, in 1952, the Anti-Defamation
League of B'nai B'rith issued a statement wherein
it decried the slander of Mr. Nixon.
It should be noted here, only for the sake of
consistency and for the sake of expatiation on the
subject, that Senator Estes Kefauver and his family
purchased a home in the same tract, on January 4,
1949, and is living there NOW: and the Nixon children
attend the same school with the Kefauver children.
As it is wrong to call a man a communist merely be-
cause of a past association, it is just as wrong to
wave the term anti-semitic when proof for the charge
is completely lacking. The leaders of the Nixon
smear campaign do all Jews a great disfavor by try-
ing to hang an anti-semitic label on this fine man.
A true anti-semite is a vicious and vile person.
Let's save the term for those who deserve it, and
not misuse it by applying the term to those who
happen to be on the other side of a given political
fence.
Q.
(28%) All of what you say may be true but frankly
I have to admit - I just don't like his LOOKS.
A.
I am always a little amazed when liberals tell me
that they will not vote for Nixon because they don't
like his looks. How far would many of us be in life,
if we had been judged solely on the basis of our
looks. Those of us who daily fight and ask for more
adequate civil rights procedures, certainly can't
believe that a man is to be truly judged on the
basis of physical characteristics that were given to
him by God. Vice President Nixon, and the Republi-
can Party, will freely admit to you that the man
has a very long nose and an extremely heavy beard.
We once had another man who was active in Republican
affairs, and who also could not claim beauty as his
trade mark. His name was Abraham Lincoln. So if
you are to judge this man, judge him as we would
any other - on the basis of fact, on the basis of
performance, and on the basis of record. Surely,
not on the basis of looks.
- 5 -
Q.
(20%) I might agree with all that you said, but
I still think Dick Nixon lacks a quality of great-
ness to adequately head the United States Government.
A.
I think you will agree that age is a matter of exper-
ience and wisdom, rather than a proper accounting of
birthdates. Due to many circumstances, Nixon has
had the very valuable opportunity of understudying
the Presidents of the United States. Not only from
a theory aspect, but from day to day practical activ-
ities. This experience has been gained on the
international scene as well as on the domestic front.
No other Vice President in our history has had this
same experience - an experience that was granted
during some very critical times. Harry Truman has
publicly admitted that he was not prepared to take
over the Presidency when F.D.R. died, Such has not
been the case with Dick Nixon. Because of the
active role he has played in the President's cabinet
and because of the world wide acclaim he has gained
on his trips abroad, we have never been able to
offer to this nation, or to the world, a better
trained man for the job.
Q.
(15%) You might call him a world statesman, but I
think his trip to South America was a disgrace. It
didn't do this country any good to have stones thrown
at our Vice President.
A.
The record shows that Nixon's South America trip
did do this country a great deal of good. Nixon
demonstrated to the South American communists that
he, and the people of this country, have the guts
and courage to stand up against them at any time
and at any place. His actions in these countries
clearly showed those, who believe in our type of
government, that Americans refuse to bow down to
the threats of communism. You will also be interes-
ted in knowing that the countries visited by the
Vice President and his wife, have shown a marked
decrease in communism during the year that followed
this visitation. I believe that the bravery shown
by the Vice President and his wife during that South
American visit, showed the world the type of
American spirit for which we were once famous.
- 6 -
Q.
(10%) Nixon is really a McCarthy type Republican.
He helped start the COMMUNIST HYSTERIA which says
that all liberals are pink.
A.
You are of course referring to the Alger Hiss case.
However, time has shown that Alger Hiss was guilty,
and that the charges made against him were all un-
fortunately true. We can now safely rest more com-
fortably knowing that our State Department has far
less communist sympathizers that once held respons-
ible positions. Nixon did play an important role in
this, and I am very proud of him for it. Once again,
the record shows that Nixon has never taken part in
any action which would show guilt by association.
II
SPECIFIC SALES POINTS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE THE
MOST SATISFACTORY BEFORE DEMOCRATIC AND MINORITY GROUPS.
(1) Richard Nixon is by far the Best Qualified, and Most
highly Trained and Experienced candidate that either party
has ever offered for the Office of President of the
United States.
(2) Dick Nixon Understands the communists better than
any candidate on the horizon. He will continue to be
consistent in keeping the peace Without Relinquishing
Vital Principals or Nations to the Communists.
(3) Richard Nixon has been a Constant Fighter for Civil
Rights. His Governmental Committee, which fights dis-
crimination in government contracts, has done an excel-
lent job in making Civil Rights a matter of Action,
instead of talk.
(4) Nixon is a Liberal when it comes to matters of
International Affairs. He knows we must have the solid
friendship of free thinking people throughout the entire
world. While advocating practical foreign aid, he be-
lieves that Action Cements more Friendship than MOney.
- 7 -
(5) No other candidate in America has the Proven States-
manship Abilities of Richard Nixon. In his trips to
South America, England and Russia, he has clearly demon-
strated his fine ability to Represent the United States
on any Foreign Soil.
(6) Richard Nixon does not believe in Cocktail Party,
Long tail Diplomacy. Under his leadership, our State
Department will work towards enhancing our American
Reputation around the World - and not our Reputation at
the Caviar table.
(7) Nixon will bring to the Presidency the same Zeal,
Vigor and Dedication that has made him the most Active
Vice President in the history of our country.
(8) Richard Nixon is an economic conservative who be-
lieves in Pay as you go Progress. A constant fighter
against inflation and the inadequacies of our existing
tax laws, Nixon believes in the Right of Everyone to
save at least Some of the Money he Earns.
(9) Richard Nixon is a highly Religious man, a devoted
Family man and a thoroughly Dedicated person. He has
always fought for what he believed, and has never been
guilty of the more popular fence riding procedures.
(10) Richard Nixon's record is one of Accomplishment and
action. Our future desperately requires this type of
Efficient and Dynamic Personal Leadership.
(11) Richard Nixon has withstood the vicious attacks
of one of the most brutal smear campaigns ever waged in
this country. Another, with less courage, would have
quit a long time ago. From these malicious attacks, he
has, instead, emerged as a Mature and Solid individual.
One who will not be dissuaded from what he Believes.
The Future Leadership of this Great Country Requires
this type of Courage.
- 2 -
A.
Isn't 15 interesting that the same people who and
Wixon smeared Douglas are the very people. who here
been working on a day to day basis over the past
few years to smear the Nixon name.
The
Fisca-
Douglas campaign was an extremely
hard
Dattle. Dick Nixon is a trenendous
be is always the first to admit 18.
recall, the most severe attacks against
came during the primary campaign of
were made not by Mr. Nixon, but by
?
her Democratic opponent. In the
that followed, Nixon confined his statements
to
matters that were strictly a part of the public
record. And, contrary to the rusers that were
spread, be never called Mrs. Douglas a commist.
I might add, that Mrs. Douglas was a hard fighten)
herself in that very bitter campaign,
Manchester Bod
d
(45%)
Istill
that
an
4.
This particular charge says, in
for me is not right for you".
on television to truthfully emplain
charges that had been east upon min,
called Madison Avenue. When Adiai
to television, in the need of a hairout,
an ensyelopedia look on his face,
tide
intellectualism. When Wixem
wife Pat and his dog Checkers,
i
gimmick. Newever, when P.D.R.
reels with Eleaner and his dog Pala,
I
termed humani iteriamism. And of
I 00 maste
used a piane instead. In reali
or office holder's attempt to
around him is really not a
It is clearly, and very spealy,
a
noans of showing that these people
have pets and have problems just as
To those of you who saw this
telecast, regardless of have you
you will have to agree that Sixem
heart, talked the truth, one, all
case before the American people.
May 21, 1962
Mr. J. D. Fair
779 Joaquin Avenue
Redding, California
XX
File:
Dear Mr. Fair:
Thank you very much for your
letter of May 16th.
date
As I am sure you know, it is Drew
Pearson's habit to attempt a Nixon smear in
Fair, John D
the last few weeks preceding each election.
This particular charge regarding
the Howard Hughes loan was thoroughly aired
in the 1960 campaign and discredited at that
time, An indication of the political nature of
the attack is underscored by the fact that while
prior to the election a Congressional inquiry
I
JUNE
was mentioned, no move of any kind was ever
Derogatory Questions - Corres. re:
undertaken by the Committee or any other agency
following the election. Nothing more was heard
of this matter until the present gubernatorial
campaign.
The present implication that any
further airing will be held up until after the
primary is in reference to a pending law suit in
which depositions were to be taken from a number of
witnesses, including Dick Nixon. At the time this
suit was widely publicised several months ago, Nixon
indicated his willingness to testify and his desire
to do so in open hearing, rather than in secret,
as had been suggested by one of the lawyers in the
case.
Mr. J. D. Fair
2
May 21, 1962
I can assure you there is no
skeleton, and agree with you "it is a strange
thing that the man who is perhaps the most
dedicated and brilliant person in politics
today should be so subject to every little thing
he does."
I an sure you realize, however,
that any man who has taken the forthright
stands and positive actions that Richard Nixon
has taken throughout his career, especially in
the field of Anti-Communism, is liable to such
attacks and baseless smears.
Thanks very much again for your
inquiry, and keep up the good work.
WIN WITH NIXON!
H. R. Haldeman
draft of letter to John Fair
Dear Mr. Fair:
Thank you very much for your letter of May 16th.
As I am sure you know, it is Drew Pearson's habit
to attempt a Nixon smear in the last few weeks
preceding each election.
This particular charge regarding the Howard Hughes
loan was thoroughly aired in the 1960 campaign
and discredited at that time. The present implication
that any further airing will be held up until after
the primary is in reference to a pending law suit in
which depositions were to be taken from a number of
witnesses, including Dick Nixon. At the time this
suit was widely publicized several months ago, Nixon
indicated his willingness to testify and his desire
to do so in open hearing, rather than in secret,
as had been suggested by one of the lawyers in the
case.
I can assure you there is no skeleton, and agree with
you "it is a strange thing that the man who is perhaps
the most dedicated and brilliant person in politics
today should be so subject to every little thing he
does."
I am sure you realize, however, that any man who has
taken the forthright stands and positive actions that
Richard Nixon has taken throughout his career,
especially in the field of Anti-Communism, is liable
to such attacks and baseless smears.
Thanks very much again for your inquiry, and keep up
the good work.
X
J. D. Fair
779 Joaquin Ave.
Redding, Calif.
May 16, 1 62
Mr. H. R. Haldeman
3908 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 5, Calif.
Dear Mr. Haldeman:
I am refering to Drew Pearson's column of this date, in
which he refers to the loan Howard Hughes allegedly made
to Dick Nixon's brother. The implications of the column
are clear enough and there is a statement that any airing
will be held up until after the primary.
What I think of Drew Pearson is hardlyy printable. However,
he does hit on the truth sometimes. In this case, if he has
hit upon the truth, Nixon is dead. He is particularly dead
if he waits until after the primary to air a skeleton.
Nixon owes it to the party and those who work for him the com-
plete story before the primary. There are things which you and
I can rationalize but the ordinary vo ter can do only so much
of this.
It is a strang thing that the man who is perhaps the most
dedicated and brilliant person is politics today should be so
subject to every little thing he does but the term "Tricky
Dick" caught on, If the case in point is not explainable
without rationalizing, the term will catch fire.
My point is that it is imperative that Brown and Mosk be
removed. If Dick is not perfectly clean, hr jeopardizes the
whole Republican slate. Let's have it straight.
Sincerely,
John Jun
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Nixon for Governor
To:
RHF
Date: 5-19-62
From:
Bob Haldeman
Subject:
John Fair letter
Distribution:
I must answer this fast so please review quickly
and return.
Do you have anything specific and detailed that
could be appended or added?
draft of letter to John Fair
Dear Mr. Fair:
Thank you very much for your letter of May 16th.
As I am sure you know, it is Drew Pearson's habit
to attempt a Nixon smear in the last few weeks
preceding each election.
civalization
This particular charge regarding the Howard Hughes
loan was thoroughly aired in the 1960 campaign
and discredited at that time The present implication
that any further airing will be held up until after
the primary is in reference to a pending law suit in
which depositions were to be taken from a number of
witnesses, including Dick Nixon. At the time this
suit was widely publicized several months ago, Nixon
indicated his willingness to testify and his desire
to do so in open hearing, rather than in secret,
as had been suggested by one of the lawyers in the
case.
I can assure you there is no skeleton, and agree with
you "it is a strange thing that the man who is perhaps
the most dedicated and brilliant person in politics
today should be so subject to every little thing he
does."
I am sure you realize, however, that any man who has
taken the forthright stands and positive actions that
Richard Nixon has taken throughout his career,
especially in the field of Anti-Communism, is liable
to such attacks and baseless smears.
Thanks very much again for your inquiry, and keep up
the good work.