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This file contains:
From Chapin to Haldeman RE: RN's schedule. 11 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 1/22/1971
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by Tricia and Julie Nixon about RN and PN. Carbon copy to Jeb Magruder. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/27/1971
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by Julie and Tricia Nixon about their parents. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/25/1971
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WHSF: Contested, 2-28
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This file contains:
From Chapin to Haldeman RE: RN's schedule. 11 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 1/22/1971
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by Tricia and Julie Nixon about RN and PN. Carbon copy to Jeb Magruder. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/27/1971
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by Julie and Tricia Nixon about their parents. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/25/1971
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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Document Description
2
28
1/22/1971
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Chapin to Haldeman RE: RN's
schedule. 11 pgs.
2
28
1/27/1971
Personal
Memo
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by
Tricia and Julie Nixon about RN and PN.
Carbon copy to Jeb Magruder. 1 pg.
2
28
1/25/1971
Personal
Memo
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: book by Julie
and Tricia Nixon about their parents. 1 pg.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Page 1 of 1
January 22, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
SUBJECT:
The Presidential Schedule
The following memorandum is on schedule philosophy for the next
twenty months. It is not a plan. Rather, it is a schedule concept
including some techniques which are tied in for illustration.
Basic Philosophy Regarding Presidential Activity
The focal point for the President's scheduling is August of 1972.
Primarily we are concerned with the manner in which the President should
be perceived by the public by that date. The events in which the President
participates are one means of achieving the goals which are reached by
that date.
There is an interim stop along this 20-month path -- January 20 of 1972,
almost exactly one year away from now. January of 1972 is significant
for three reasons:
1.
It will represent the third year of President Nixon's
Administration. The wrap-up stories for 1971 will set
the '72 stage.
2.
January of 1972 will signal the kickoff of "campaign '72".
3.
It will represent the passage of four years since the campaign
of '68 began. Therefore, it will be viewed as Richard Nixon's
four years. The emphasis will very likely be on what Richard
Nixon proposed, advocated and criticized in 1968 versus what
he has accomplished four years later as President.
- 2 -
The significance, then, of January 1972 is that the date will provide the
opportunity for the media to capsulize the President's three years in the
Administration, and four years as a Presidential figure (one full year being
taken up being either Presidential candidate or President-elect). To sum,
as of January 1st 1972, the last Presidential year of the first term will
have ended since the fourth year of the Administration will be interpreted
as, and expected to be, purely a political year.
In order to prepare for this period, there should be heavy activity in late
1971 (October, November and December), hopefully with a good deal of
substantive results accompanying the activity. The foundation for the late
fall wrapup activity should be lain in August and September, perhaps with
an international trip during that time and extensive follow-up upon the
return. Possible follow-up activities from the foreign trip would include
the combination of a Press Conference, NSC meeting, Cabinet meeting, etc.
The principal events in which the President participates should always be
tailored to fulfill not only the substantive goals for which the events were
ostensibly scheduled, but contribute to the development of the public
perception of the President at the end of the next 12 and 18 months.
Following is a discussion of the principal Presidential events. This
summary is intended to set forth the basic approach to each type of event,
indicate what the event can and should achieve, and, where appropriate,
discuss techniques for achievement of these goals and strengthening the
results. The events are not listed in any order of priority.
1.
Cabinet Contacts
The main purpose of Cabinet contact is negative insofar as
the contacts are maintained in order to eliminate any potential problems.
The assumption is that not a great deal is accomplished with individual
Cabinet members, but if there is a contact program theoughout the year,
the Cabinet members will feel they are important and being used by the
President.
2.
Press Conferences
Our philosophy towards Press events is to do a variety of
things with the Press, but do them in such a way as to make them qualify
as Press Conferences. For example, if the President should attend a
meeting of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, rather than merely
⑉ 3 -
giving a speech he would hold a question and answer session for a certain
period of time and permit this to be covered on live TV. On trips, we will
develop opportunities for the President to meet with regional Press in
various areas of the country. It is not necessary to have a full dress
Press Conference just for the sake of having one. The President's previous
pronouncements on this subject, and his philosophy that he will explore a
number of means of communication with the public through the Press, will
be encouraged and carried forth. Such forums as meetings with regional
Press on a trip, occasionally inviting White House Press into his office on
a Saturday morning, holding a limited briefing on a certain subject in the
White House Press Center, and permitting questions -- all should be con-
sidered and billed as Press Conferences.
3.
Open Door Hours
The Open Door Hour is not merely a potpourri of events that
fit nowhere else. Rather, these hours serve to:
(a)
Provide communication and liaison with a variety of
special interest groups.
(b) Provide the setting for the President to show the human,
sentimental, or color aspects of himself, and of him as
President.
(c) It provides the opportunity for the President to reach
across the entire spectrum of American life and activities.
For example, it allows the President to identify with figures
or events involving the world of sports, business, labor,
the aged, veterans, etc.
(d) In a fairly short time span, and with a minimum of
Presidential effort, it can show a high degree of
Presidential activity because of the large and varied
number of individuals and groups meeting with the
President in his office.
4.
Congressional Half-Hours
The Congressional Half-Hour, which frequently is consolidated
into the Open Door Hour discussed above, provides the President with the
opportunity for additional Congressional contacts. Congressional Half-
Hours, and these types of events, should be decreased during periods of
intense Congressional activity such as the beginning of a new session of
Congress, the submission of many Messages to Congress, etc. By the
same tokan, during low periods of Presidential Congressional activity
of a substantive nature, the Congressional Half-Hour events can be
increased. In short, the Congressional Half-Hour is used as a balancing
device to maintain a continuing program throughout the year of Congressional
contact.
5.
Minority Events
The President was elected with but a small percentage of the
black vote and is currently the object of anti-black feeling. The President
will never be known as "a friend of the black" regardless of what he does.
Those referred to as "ethnics" are a more realistic target
for political support of the President, and an effort to win them to our
side would be profitable. Many of the ethnics are of the lower to middle
class, are proud of their heritage, and have close ties to those first and
second generation Americans. They are appalled by the violent demon-
strations and applaud the uprightness of President Nixon. The President
should continue to cultivate the support of these ethnic groups such as the
Polish Americans, Italian Americans, etc. He can meet with groups such
as the Sons of Italy, or on Pulaski Day meet with the Sons of Warsaw.
These meetings needn't take very long, but they would have a wide benefit
to the President.
On the other hand, the President should not meet with blacks
merely for the sake of meeting with blacks. The philosophy regarding
blacks would be to include them in regular meetings such as meetings on
revenue-sharing, welfare, and anything else which might be of interest
to them or in which we could logically include one or more blacks. The
emphasis is that the President views blacks, and deals with them, as
people, rather than giving them special treatment and concessions de-
meaning to their dignity merely because they are hyphenated Americans.
- 5 -
The approach to the President's dealings with blacks must
keep in mind the reality that the very most we can do is to approach the
neutralization of the anti-Nixon feeling on the part of blacks and the
feeling that President Nixon is anti-black. Our goal should be to achieve
that neutralization so that we are not hurt by these "anti" labels. We must
be careful, however, not to swing so far in our efforts for neutralization
that we antagonise ethnic and southern blocks, and in doing so sacrifice
one hundred times as many ethnic and southern votes in the quest for a
single black vote.
6.
Labor Groups
As a result of recent events, including the Cambodian demon-
strations last May and the counter demonstrations by the hard hats in New
York, the President has been increasingly identified with the rank-and-file
groups. Rank-and-file labor people generally tend to be ethnics who most
vociferously and vigerously embrace the values of America.
The President's approach to labor is to reach out to the rank-
and-file members, not because they are members of labor organizations or
a specific craft, but rather individuals. It is a foregone conclusion that,
for economic reasons, the leadership of most labor unions will not support
the President, at least in his policies. However, the majority of labor
leaders have come up through the ranks and at one time fell into the category
of current rank-and-file member. For this reason, although officially the
labor leademmay be opposed to President Nixon's economic policies, they
may support him on international policies, at least privately, and can be
neutralized to some extent in their domestic issue public utterances.
The approach to labor is dichotomous.
Labor Leaders - Do enough for them so that we do not
antagonize them. Include them in selected activities such
as a social event or an Open Door Hour, but don't make a
big effort to cultivate their support only their respect and
admiration.
- 6 -
Rank-And-File - Cultivate the support of these individuals
through identification with hard hat type activities. For ex-
ample, participate directly or indirectly in events such as
Honor America Day, continue interest in baseball and football,
and participate or send messages to patriotic rallies.
The President appeals to them as "gutsy, and a hard worker".
The most mileage can be obtained from bringing in the
"steelworker of the year" and having a picture made that
would be published on the front cover of every steel trade
magazine in the Nation. Other means of generating this
same grassroots relationship can be done on trips. The
President would meet in his hotel room with some union
worker who has just received some significant recognition,
and the previously-mentioned picture situation could be set up.
The story that would comes out of this would be the President
making that special effort to meet with a real American --
an average guy just recognised for his hard work.
7.
Business Leaders
The approach to business leaders is almost diametrically
opposed to that of labor leaders. Business leaders tend to support the
President because they have no other place to go. Meetings with business
leaders are essentially issue-oriented and serve one of two basic purposes:
(a) Give business leaders the benefit of the President's
thinking or stimulate them.
(b)
Result in a public story related to the economy and
the President's efforts in improving it.
8.
Social Events
The approach to social events is that they be done with dignity
and that they serve to entertain. The entertainer must be of "acceptable"
character and should exhibit a characteristic or quality that is an extension
of some aspect of the President. For example, Johnny Cash represented
the hard-working, verile image. Pearl Bailey is a warm, human individual.
The Fifth Dimensions were an exciting and versatile group.
- 7 -
White House social events should radiate excitement and a
festive air. They should suggest a sense of well-being in the world and
subtlely say that the President is in command and that there is reason
for entertainment and enjoyment.
The President's social events have a particular Richard Nixon
imprimatur . they have a certain dignity and tenor to them that contrast
dramatically to the raucous LBJ barbeque and the snobbish JFK Pablo Casals
concert.
The two principal social events, the formal dinners and the
Evenings authe White House, should have two different types of entertain-
ment. The Evenings at the White House should always have a broad appeal
of enjoyment and entertainment. E.G., Johnny Cash, Brasil '66, Red Skelton.
The more classical and cultural material should be reserved for the State
Dianers. Occasionally, for variation, and dependent upon the State Visitor,
it might be appropriate to have a real "rip snorter" in order to break the
pattern and avoid predictability. But, Evenings at the White House should
get the excitement and radiate the most color.
9.
Church Services
The Church Service is an all-purpose event, almost an Open
Door Hour. It can be used for therapy and a catch-all for political and
financial supporters, Congressional people, and personal friends who need
Presidential contact, but don't fit in anyplace else. Care should be taken
not to overuse in a partisan sense. The principal partisan decision that
should be made is in the selection of the Minister and the Choir.
Very few specific benefits are derived from any particular
Church Service. Occasionally a Vienna Boys Choir or a Billy Graham
will end up as a photograph in the newspaper, but the Sunday morning
worship services are not treated either as a social or a substantive event.
However, there is an impression that is projected when the President
conducts a worship service in his home of the President being a moral
and God-fearing man. This doesn't come out as the headline, but as
Americans hear of the President supporting a Christian approach in a
quiet manner, it reenforces their impression of him as an upright and
moral man.
. 8 -
10.
State Visits
The visits of world leaders to the United States focuses
attention upon President Nixon as a world leader. It points up the
statesmanship of the President and emphasises that he is held in high
regard by other leaders of the world.
The State Visits, with their arrival ceremonies and State
Dinners, provide the opportunity for President Nixon to display his
social grace and expertise as well as his command of international
affairs and his own personal dignity.
State Visits, and their attendant ceremonies, have fallen
too much into a pattern and can be better utilized to emphasize the various
positive aspects of Richard Nixon, the President and world leader. The
visits must be altered in a variety of ways so that they can be better used
on TV to emphasize the characteristics.
There are various techniques that can be employed, including
changing the basic format of arrival ceremonies on the south lawn. This
will give us a variety and therefore better chance for TV coverage. The
same State Ceremony won't get coverage. Also, we should hold a number
of State Visits in other cities. When President Tito visits the United States,
it should be a two-stop visit with President Nixon just as it was a two-stop
visit in Belgaade and Zagreb. When President Yahya makes his State Visit,
the arrival ceremony can be held in a city other than the Capitol. When
President Nixon visited Pakistan, he went to Lahore, not the capitol of
Pakistan.
The purpose of holding a State Visit in another city would
serve not only to provide a variation and therefore increased coverage,
but also to show the President's pride in other parts of the Nation.
The President would be implying that Washington may be a nice place
but Chicago (or SanfFrancisco, or Denver, etc.), are representative of
America and he is just as proud of those cities as he is of the city in
which the White House is located.
- 9 -
11.
Domestic Trips
The central theme of all Presidential trips is to bring
Government to the people, furthering the President's stated philosophy that,
rather than having the power flow from localities to Washington, he wants
to reverse the flow and bring Washington's "power to the people".
These trips provide exposure for the President and members
of the Administration in a background other than that of Washington, D.C.
These trips serve to establish direct communication between Washington
and local governments, and give the local people the feeling that the
President cares about what they think and is going out to listen to their
words. All trips, but especially trips to the country, Cabinet members
and other Administration officials should be sent out perhaps a day in
advance. The purpose of this is to build the base for the event that the
President will participate in and generate publicity so that the Presidential
activity is more meaningful and significant. (The Cabinet members should
also participate in a variety of activities while visiting in the country.
Their activities can include speeches, participation in forums, appearances
on local TV, and interviews with local Press.)
These trips to the country can be performed in at least two
very effective ways:
(a)a The Blockbuster - This would be a multi-faceted trip
that might include a Presidential Press Conference,
meeting with State and local officials, meeting with
local people, and a major speech. An example of this
was the Kansas State trip. After delivering his speech
at Kansas State University, the President went to
Chicago where he met with a Polish group, delivered
a speech and received 45 newly-naturalized citizens,
held conferences with the editorial boards of two news-
papers and was photographed conversing with construction
workers in front of a building under construction.
(b) Trips for Special Events - These trips generally have
a primary, single, purpose, and include such activities
as a trip to the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra,
attendance at a football dinner, sporting events, funerals,
and attendance at a specific social event such as a Law
Day Dinner.
- 10 .
(c) State Visitors - It has been suggested that the
President host a visiting Head of State in a city
other than Washington. The arrival ceremony,
substantive meetings, and State Dinner can all be
held in another part of the country and would serve
to show the President's pride in the entire Nation
and reenforce his concept of bringing Washington to
the people.
Trips for Special Events
Although these events are usually designed to serve a single purpose,
they can be adjusted to create a variety of impressions. For example,
while the President is driving from the airport to the site for a speech,
he might stop off "spontaneously" at a factory and visit informally with
the workers.
There are such events such as the inspection of the oil slock at
Santa Barbara that do not provide as much flexibility as we would want
for obtaining the multiple effects. But generally there is an attempt to
expand within the format and achieve this "shot gun effect".
General
On any trip, the dignity of the Office of the President is paramount.
The political aspects should be kept to a minimum. Of course, when
visiting in another city, some opportunity should be made for the President
to have some contact, however limited, with the State and local political
leaders. The activity can be extremely short and symbolic and perhaps a
handshake as the President deplanes will be sufficient.
While downplaying the political aspects, it is desirable whenever the
situation permits it, to have crowds of enthusiastic people out to see the
President.
The spontaneous and perhaps unusual facets of the trip should be
actively pursued. Such "unplanned" activities such as visits to the
Ohio State campus, going out shopping for ties, and stopping by a factory
along a motorcade route, all show the personal side of the President and
create more of the public impressions necessary to reach out to all people.
Scheduling in planning for a trip should provide the flexibility, wherever
possible, to pursue these spontaneous activities.
11 .
Over the next ten months it is desirable that the President visit
those primary election States and areas, as well as the swing States,
so that equity can be built by about November, well before the
political year begins.
*.......
Facets and Chamacteristics of the President as Perceived by the Public
The public perception of the President in January and August
of 1972 will be affected by the whole spectrum of impressions to which
the public has been exposed over the years. This composite picture is
like a canvass with each Presidential event being a stroke in the composi-
tion of the painting. There are a multitude of characteristics, abilities
and areas of expertise that will all contribute to the total impression.
The weight that is attached to each element will vary with each individual
perceiver. However, it is felt that there are certain areas of the President
in his conduct of the Presidency that have particular significance in the
minds of the public. These areas are ones that can be further developed
through a well-planned and balanced program of Presidential attention
and participation.
Following is a listing of these principal elements and the
types of Presidential participation that will contribute to the development
of these elements. Some of these means are merely unrefined ideas
which, in themselves, may not be workable, but which may tend to stimu-
late a workable idea.
In approximately two months a Derge poll will be received
and tabulated that will give a better indication of the manner in which the
putside perceives a multitude of facets of the President. That poll may
very likely dictate a revision of our own priorities for stimulating the
development of these elements.
January 27, 1971
FOR:
ROB ODLE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
RE:
Julie and Tricia Book on Their Parents
Your memorandum of January 26 indicates that you had called
Connie Stuart to see whether or not she had the report back as to
whether Julie or Tricia would write a book about their parents.
You say, if they agree then we can move on from there.
This is the absolutely wrong way to handle this type of thing. We just
can't seem to learn. Why don't we organize our thoughts. Why don't
we put down exactly what it is we would expect them to do, how the
book would be structured, the reason behind doing the book, etc., etc.
What will happen now is that the whole thing will be blown out of the water.
We may also have problems since it may get to the President and the
First Lady and they will be concerned that the staff is coming up with
nit-witted ideas which aren't properly thought through -- and they won't
be far from wrong.
As you may recall, the conclusion at the end of the meeting was that
someone should sit down and figure out a master plot on all of the books
that we have underway, which audience the various books are aimed at,
and what it is that we are trying to sell on each of them. We can then
see where our void areas are and perhaps that will help give some thrust
to what other books should be generated.
The wrong way to go about it, in my mind, is to go right to Julie or Tricia
and say, will you two write a book about your parents. Undoubtedly they
will say no--or they should say no--until they get it put to them a little
bit better.
cc:
Jeb Magruder
January 25, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: ROB ODLE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
I assume someone will follow up with the idea pfit forth Saturday morning
that we try to get Julie or Tricia or both to write a book about their parents.
It could be very effective.
DLC:hle