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:
From Harry Dent to Buchanan RE: sensitivity of attached report and unwillingingness to discuss it with the S.C. GOP Executive Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 1/11/1971
From Dent to RN RE: South Carolina GOP Chairmanship. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/12/1971
Article from South Carolin newspaper "The State" RE: Broader based appeal for GOP urged by Dent. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Newspaper], 1/11/1971
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
26144229
label
WHSF: Contested, 1-18
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
26144229
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
WHSF: Contested, 1-18
description
This file contains:
From Harry Dent to Buchanan RE: sensitivity of attached report and unwillingingness to discuss it with the S.C. GOP Executive Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 1/11/1971
From Dent to RN RE: South Carolina GOP Chairmanship. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/12/1971
Article from South Carolin newspaper "The State" RE: Broader based appeal for GOP urged by Dent. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Newspaper], 1/11/1971
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
26144229
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
1b0cf4e9bf0c276a
ocrText
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
1
18
1/11/1971
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Harry Dent to Buchanan RE:
sensitivity of attached report and
unwillingingness to discuss it with the S.C.
GOP Executive Committee. 1 pg.
1
18
1/12/1971
Memo
From Dent to RN RE: South Carolina GOP
Chairmanship. 2 pgs.
1
18
1/11/1971
Domestic Policy
Newspaper
Article from South Carolin newspaper "The
State" RE: Broader based appeal for GOP
urged by Dent. 1 pg.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Page 1 of 1
[Item N-2]
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 11, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: PAT BUCHANAN
FROM:
HARRY DENT
I had to be very candid in the attached report. As you
can see, some of this with regard to housing is so
sensitive that I would not even discuss this with the
S. C. GOP Executive Committee.
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
E.O. 12065, Section 6-102
By MARS, Date 11/24/82
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 12, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
HARRY S. DENT
DDD
SUBJECT:
SOUTH CAROLINA GOP CHAIRMANSHIP
Attached is an article giving the full text of a speech I made
to the South Carolina GOP Executive Committee before the elec-
tion of Ken Powell over Cordes Seabrook as the new State Chairman.
I told Bob Haldeman and the Attorney General I was going to have
to take some part in this election.
While I was Chairman (1965-1968), we started making some small
breakthroughs with the blacks. A wide open invitation was issued
to all, and I spoke and debated before black groups. My successor,
Ray Harris, refused to do any of this. Thus, this attitude, plus
the Watson mistakes, put the racist tag all over our party in 1970.
Our own GOP Mayor of Greenville called us racist.
Harris was convinced to resign as the paid Chairman. However, he
was dedicated to continuing his policies so he would not be re-
pudiated. So, he quietly lined up the votes for Powell and then
announced his resignation.
There were several problems with Powell: too young, no prestige,
three times a loser, he managed a race-tainted county campaign in
1970, and he gained a law partner who planned to make a killing
out of the FHA 235 housing program now under investigation by
Congress.
Seabrook had run winning campaigns in his area, where he put black
and white votes together. Also, he had won election himself and
would have no potential conflicts of interest as a successful
businessman and community leader.
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
E.O. 12065, Section 6-102
Date. 11/24/82
- 2 -
The new Chairman is to be unpaid again, as it was pre-Harris.
Powell had to be subsidized as a County Chairman and now he has
taken in a partner who has no law business. Their plan is to
attract builders as clients and get for them 235 and 236
allocations (very lucrative). I found Harris already in the
housing business and going big when he leaves. The South
Carolina Housing Director understands to watch the potential
housing conflict very carefully.
A conference was held with Harris and all this was explained.
He said he had the votes and would not change to let a moderate
be elected. He based his position on fear of repudiation of his
leadership and loss of white votes for the party. He was given
a post-election poll showing the President (51%) and Thurmond (49%)
to be down in approval because of the evolution of more whites
into moderates and thus a disdain for the racist party label.
The poll showed 88.3% want the party's appeal to be unquestionably
to all voters, black and white, and that 93% of the Republicans
favor that change. Harris, in November, rammed a resolution
through the Committee defending himself and pledging to "seek
the votes of all who believe like we do." This position registered
4% approval in the poll.
It was decided that I should make the attached lofty speech to the
Committee and give them the poll figures. This I did. However,
the pro-race feeling was stronger than expected. So, they voted
for Powell. Since then, Powell has said he will try to broaden
the party's base. However, he has little credibility among the
blacks and the emerging white moderates because he is known as
the man who fought election of the first two blacks to get in the
Legislature in 100 years.
My statement is receiving good publicity in South Carolina and
editorials will be coming from most papers. At least, the
President will be free from the taint regardless of what happens
to the party and on the side of the 88% who want an open party.
Thurmond was agreeable to either candidate. He is hiring a black
staff member and is appointing one to West Point.
Thus, the impression will grow that this fight did get results and
removed the President and me from the racist taint in South
Carolina.
Served By Washington, Piedmont, Pee Dce, and West Carclina Bureaus
Section B
Columbia, S. C., Monday, January 11, 1971
Page One
Broader Appeal
For GOP Urged By Dent
Harry S. Dent, former
I have unbounded personal they are fatal.
chairman of the South Caroli-
appreciation for what you
My friends, the voters must
na Republican Party and now
have done in behalf of respon-
view us as being capable of
adviser to President Richard
sible government. I hope I
encompassing the needs and
M. Nixon, Sunday congratu-
have demonstrated this grati-
aspirations of all of the peo-
lated the newly-clected chair-
tude to you.
ple of our state. This is true
man and called for a broader
What I will relate to you to-
whether all or only part
based S. C. GOP to appeal to
day are my own personal
choose to join our cause.
all people.
views as a party member and
You see, my friends, a po-
Dont apparently endorsed
contributor-not as a govern-
litical party, like government
Anderson businessman Cordes
ment employe, although I Ite-
itself, must be broad enough
G. Seabrook Jr., who was de-
alize this may be difficult to
to serve all the people.
feated for chairman Saturday
differentiate.
We must continually reas-
by Columbia atterney C. Ken-
The reason we are facing
SUSS to make sure that we
neth Powell at a meeting of
such a crucial time is be-
are that kind of party and
the state executive committee.
cause the decision you will be
that citizens know it to be
Dent said Sunday, "I made
making here will determire
true.
a statement of principle to
for many years to come the
Perhaps what we are talk-
the committee and avoided
future of the Republican Par-
ing about is having 'a broad-
any discussion of individuals
ty in this state. We are in-
based image of political capa-
cr personalities. I set forth
deed standing at a crossroad.
bility.
the ideal traits of a good
You are in the process of
Failure to project such an
chairman.
choosing 2 new chairman for
image will result in our being
My prime concern was to
HARRY S. DENT
our state party. The choice
forced into narrow ruls which
see a man elected whose lead-
Speaking As Individual
you make will, in my judg-
leave little room for growth
ership would convince every-
ment, determine for a decards
or the development of bright
one that this party welcomes
reaches out to all the people.
whether most of the people
new leaders.
and seeks the support of all
The complete Dent state-
will believe we have a re-
Conservative Republicanism
without any question. I am
ment to the committee fol-
sponsible and realistic Repub-
should never mean inflexibili-
hopeful this image will be re-
lows:
lican Party as an effective
ty. On the contrary, intelli-
flected by the new chairman.
I welcome this opportunity
force in this state.
gent flexibility is our hope.
He has my congratulations."
to be able to share with you
A responsible political party
For only in this way will we
Dent made it clear in his
today my deep convictions on
is one that is viewed by the
be able to discover the chang-
statement Saturday that he
a vital matter at a critical
voters as being broad enough
was speaking as an individual
ing needs of our people, be
time in the history of our
in its philosophical base to
responsive to their demands
and not as a spokesman for
state party.
embrace a variety of ideas
and provide effective leader-
the administration.
I am especially delighted to
and ideals. It reaches out to
ship.
"A responsible political par-
be here with the people who
all the peoplé. It docs not feel
We must not allow our-
ty," he said, "is one that is
have meant the most to me
threatened or frightened by
selves to become known as
viewed by the voters as being
during my years of service to
those who are innovative or
the party of going back any
broad enough in its philosoph-
the party. You have been my
those who are different. It
more than we can allow an
ical base to embrace a varie-
trusted friends and allies in
knows that when demands for
ty of ideas and ideals. It
numerous political campaigns.
conformity become absolute
(See DENT, 5-B, Col. i)
Dent
Says
(Continued From 1-B)
With this in mind, I come
opposing party to be known
before you today to portray
the kind of man we need to
4. A man big enough to ac-
A wise political leader once
as the party that goes for-
be our chairman in the com-
cept the entire state and its
advised me that in politics
ward.
ing months. What the voting
population.
timing is everything. I have
never forgotten the message,
A party cannot long exist
public thinks of us as Repub-
sufficient support
licans will largely hinge on
5. A man who is sought iby
SO I recall it here today he-
the office and not necessarily
cause now is a time to look
from voters. Many citizens in
whether we have this kind of
one seeking the office.
ahead and not back, now is a
this state want to be Republi-
man as our state leader.
time to summon our finest to
cans and have indicated that
1. A man who has won by
6. A man untainted by the
leadership and then follow
they will join with us if they
his achievements a certain
Image of a political posture of
them to victory.
are sure of a welcome.
recognition and acceptance
the past, thereby making our
among all the citizens of his
candidates' appeals for broad
I have devoted considerable
Many others, nominal par-
community and-or state. Our
voter support more difficult to
time and study to what I
ticipants in our party now,
party and its candidates will
attain.
have said to you today. I be-
have told me that they will
derive benefit from the pres-
lieve it to be what is right
become more involved in this
tigo of such a man. This is
7. A man of maturity and
and realistic.
party as long as they believe
the kind of prestige this party
strength of purpose whose
it is open, responsive and for-
deserves!
leadership can create a new
ward-looking.
day for competitive two-party
Let us refule the image giv-
2. A man who comes to the
politics in South Carolina.
en us by opponents that to he
position as a sacrifice of per-
In closing, let me add this:
a Republican is to be reac-
sonal gain-that is, he has
In this game of life and in
tiouary. Let us show in word
much to give the party and
polities, we must live by our
and deed that we South Caro-
does not serve as a means of
principles and our ability to
lina Republicans are conserv-
personal gain.
perceive-that is, our knowl-
ative in our political tone but
3. A man who brings with
edge and vision of what is
the music we play is in hir-
him a record of success in his
right and best under the ein-
mony with the times in which
profession, community leader-
cumstances in which we find
we are called to live and to
ship, political life-in short, a
ourselves.
lead