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This file contains:
Copy of a memo from Chapin to "THE FILE" RE: call with Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to "THE FILE" RE: call with Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to the Convention File RE: composition of the Republican Party. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1972
From Chapin to Colson RE: political ambassadors. Carbon copies to Flanigan, Parker, and Strachan. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/20/1972
Copy of a memo from Chapin to Haldeman RE: Republican Convention of 1972. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Tex McCrary to Chapin and Dick Moore RE: impact of the Republican Convention. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], no date
Copy of a memo from Safire to Haldeman RE: Republican Convention. Carbon copy to Dick Moore. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
Fifth page of a document regarding the Republican Convention, presumably in 1972. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Other Document], no date
From Chapin to Bill Timmons RE: Reverend Lynn Parks. Carbon Copy to Bob Flanigan. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/26/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: planning for the Republican Convention. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: new spokespeople for the Republican Party. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: African Americans at the Republican Convention. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/27/1972
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: Republican Convention planning. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/18/1972
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26144407
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WHSF: Contested, 2-43
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doc
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document
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1
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26144407
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document
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WHSF: Contested, 2-43
description
This file contains:
Copy of a memo from Chapin to "THE FILE" RE: call with Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to "THE FILE" RE: call with Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to the Convention File RE: composition of the Republican Party. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1972
From Chapin to Colson RE: political ambassadors. Carbon copies to Flanigan, Parker, and Strachan. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/20/1972
Copy of a memo from Chapin to Haldeman RE: Republican Convention of 1972. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Tex McCrary to Chapin and Dick Moore RE: impact of the Republican Convention. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], no date
Copy of a memo from Safire to Haldeman RE: Republican Convention. Carbon copy to Dick Moore. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
Fifth page of a document regarding the Republican Convention, presumably in 1972. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Other Document], no date
From Chapin to Bill Timmons RE: Reverend Lynn Parks. Carbon Copy to Bob Flanigan. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/26/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: planning for the Republican Convention. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: new spokespeople for the Republican Party. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: African Americans at the Republican Convention. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/27/1972
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg. [Subject: Foreign Policy] [Memo], 7/18/1972
From Chapin to Timmons RE: Republican Convention planning. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/18/1972
citationUrl
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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26144407
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
2
43
7/20/1972
Campaign
Memo
Copy of a memo from Chapin to "THE
FILE" RE: call with Billy Graham. 2 pgs.
2
43
7/20/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Chapin to "THE FILE" RE: call with
Billy Graham. 2 pgs.
2
43
7/11/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Chapin to the Convention File RE:
composition of the Republican Party. 1 pg.
2
43
7/20/1972
Foreign Policy
Memo
From Chapin to Colson RE: political
ambassadors. Carbon copies to Flanigan,
Parker, and Strachan. 1 pg.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Page 1 of 4
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
2
43
7/20/1972
Campaign
Memo
Copy of a memo from Chapin to Haldeman
RE: Republican Convention of 1972. 4 pgs.
2
43
Campaign
Memo
From Tex McCrary to Chapin and Dick
Moore RE: impact of the Republican
Convention. 4 pgs.
2
43
7/20/1972
Campaign
Memo
Copy of a memo from Safire to Haldeman
RE: Republican Convention. Carbon copy to
Dick Moore. 1 pg.
2
43
Campaign
Other Document
Fifth page of a document regarding the
Republican Convention, presumably in 1972.
1 pg.
2
43
7/26/1972
Memo
From Chapin to Bill Timmons RE: Reverend
Lyman Parks. Carbon copy to Bob Flaniagn.
1 pg.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Page 2 of 4
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
2
43
7/18/1972
Memo
From Chapin to Timmons RE: planning for
the Republican Convention. Handwritten
notes added by unknown. 1 pg.
2
43
7/20/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Chapin to Timmons RE: new
spokespeople for the Republican Party. 1 pg.
2
43
7/27/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Chapin to Timmons RE: African
Americans at the Republican Convention. 1
pg.
2
43
7/18/1972
Foreign Policy
Memo
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert
Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg.
2
43
7/18/1972
Foreign Policy
Memo
From Chapin to Nell Yates RE: Robert
Vickers and the Olympic Committee. 1 pg.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Page 3 of 4
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
2
43
7/18/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Chapin to Timmons RE: Republican
Convention planning. 1 pg.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Page 4 of 4
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 20, 1972
4:00 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE FILE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
SUBJECT:
Telephone Call with Billy Graham
Graham did not favor having Johnny Cash handle the Invocation
or a prayer at the Convention. He feels that it's subjecting
an actor to a religious event for political purposes and that it
just wouldn't set right. He felt that if we want a layman we
should go to the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of the
USA or perhaps Graham's father-in-law. Also the President
of the Southern Baptist Convention might be good.
Graham and I talked about good black ministers for the program.
He talked about Joseph Jackson who is the one who supported
the President in 168. He said that Jackson was hurt, had had no
attention, was bitter and that although he is the head of the
largest black church in the country, he may not do it because
of his feelings of being neglected. We also talked about the fact
that Jackson is elderly and maybe would not project the best
image. We also discussed Dr. Isaac Green of Pittsburgh who
evidently is a big Nixon supporter. He's an older man but he's
very popular and has the largest black church in Pittsburgh.
The other man we discussed is Dr. Lockridge, a black from
San Francisco who is evidently one of the best orators among
the blacks at this time. Graham is going to check Lockridge to
see whether or not he would be agreeable to appear if asked
and also to get a reading on his feelings regarding the President.
I talked to Graham about Sammy Davis, Jr. doing the National
Anthem. He said that he thought that would be very helpful and
very good. He did not feel that Davis would in any way alienate
the South. He said he is a symbol to the black community and that
that would be a good move for us.
2
Regarding Graham's personal participation in the Convention,
he said he did not feel that he should do it. He said that he
would be willing to appear if the President felt it would be
helpful. He went to length pointing out that he is appearing
as a nonpartisan on a number of talk shows and that by not
being tied actively to the Republican Convention or to the
President he can appear more nonpartisan. He used the
example that it's more like being John Connally. I'm sure we
can get Graham if we want to put the heat on. The question is
do we want him badly enough to tell him that the President
has asked that he appear.
We talked about Anita Bryant and agreed that she would be good
at the Convention.
I asked him where the conversation stood in terms of
Rabbi Tannenbaum whom I knew Bob was going to talk to him
about. He said that Tannenbaum was probably the most influential
Jewish rabbi in the country. He is probably a Democrat by
registration but very pro the President. He is for the President
because of the great things the President has done for Israel.
We agreed that the best one to call Tannenbaum would probably
be Kissinger. Evidently Tannenbaum owes Kissinger some
favors. If Kissinger won't do it, Graham will.
Kelman (?), the other rabbi that we have from New York, is
known to Graham and Graham feels he would be okay but that
Tannenbaum would be better.
CC: H. R. Haldeman
July 20, 1972
4:00 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE FILE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
SUBJECT:
Telephone Call with Billy Graham
Graham did not favor having Johnny Cash handle the Invocation
or a prayer at the Convention. He feels that it's subjecting
an actor to a religious event for political purposes and that it
just wouldn't set right. He felt that if we want a layman we
should go to the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of the
USA or perhaps Graham's father-in-law. Also the President
of the Southern Baptist Convention might be good.
Graham and I talked about good black ministers for the program.
He talked about Joseph Jackson who is the one who supported
the President in '68. He said that Jackson was hurt, had had no
attention, was bitter and that although he is the head of the
largest black church in the country, he may not do it because
of his feelings of being neglected. We also talked about the fact
that Jackson is elderly and maybe would not project the best
image. We also discussed Dr. Isaac Green of Pittsburgh who
evidently is a big Nixon supporter. He's an older man but he's
very popular and has the largest black church in Pittsburgh.
The other man we discussed is Dr. Lockridge, a black from
San Francisco who is evidently one of the best orators among
the blacks at this time. Graham is going to check Lockridge to
see whether or not he would be agreeable to appear if asked
and also to get a reading on his feelings regarding the President.
I talked to Graham about Sammy Davis, Jr. doing the National
Anthem. He said that he thought that would be very helpful and
very good. He did not feel that Davis would in any way alienate
the South. He said he is a symbol to the black community and that
that would be a good move for us.
Regarding G: am's personal participation in 8 Convention,
he said he did not feel that he should do it. He said that he
would be willing to appear if the President felt it would be
helpful. He went to length pointing out that he is appearing
as a nonpartisan on a number of talk shows and that by not
being tied actively to the Republican Convention or to the
President he can appear more nonpartisan. He used the
example that it's more like being John Connally. I'm sure we
can get Graham if we want to put the heat on. The question is
do we want him badly enough to tell him that the President
has asked that he appear.
We talked about Anita Bryant and agreed that she would be good
at the Convention.
I asked him where the conversation stood in terms of
Rabbi Tannenbaum whom I knew Bob was going to talk to him
about. He said that Tannenbaum was probably the most influential
Jewish rabbi in the country. He is probably a Democrat by
registration but very pro the President. He is for the President
because of the great things the Pres Ident has done for Israel.
We agreed that the best one to call Tannenbaum would probably
be Kissinger. Evidently Tannenbaum owes Kissinger some
favors. If Kissinger won't do it, Graham will.
Kelman (?). the other rabbi that we have from New York, is
known to Graham and Graham feels he would be okay but that
Tannenbaum would be better.
July 11, 1972
2:00 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE CONVENTION FILE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
Cliff Miller phoned in the suggestion that we've got to pound
home hard on whatever reforms we have made. We've got
to keep in mind the tremendous impact the Democrats are
having with the idea and the sedling of the fact that they've
reformed their convention. It's their overriding theme.
We should consider in our pre-vonvention activities ways
in which we can make the point as to the broad spectrum of
the Republican party. We should use our surrogates. We
should figure out how to use what blacks, women and youth
we have.
In all of our calculations we should never forget the "regulars".
We should show that we're faithful to those who have stood by
the party, although we have brought about change.
Miller also substantiates the views of most others that the podium
looked atrocious.
July 20, 1972
EYES ONLY
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR! CHARLES W. COLSON
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
SUBJECT:
Political Ambassadors
Should we bring all our political Ambassadors home for late September and October?
They can be placed in key foreign affairs forums around the country. Obviously, the
purpose is to build the President - to build credibility. We can place them with
editorial boards, fat cat receptions, especially conservative Democrat types, get them
on talk shows, use them in ethnic areas.
Perhaps some of the more friendly career Ambassadors could help. Rogers might call
them home for a summit meeting or post-election planning session. The President
could then call them over to meet with him. Call back - Poland, Italy, Mexico,
Yugoslavia, Germany and others who are of interest to our constituents.
(Who is going to Poland.? Is it vacant?)
cc: Mr. Flanigan
Mr. Parker
Mr. Strachan
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
High Priority
WASHINGTON
July 20, 1972
12:40 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
St
SUBJECT:
Convention
Attached to this memorandum you will find two memos.
One is a critique of our present Convention program by
Tex McCrary. It is felt that Tex is overly critical of
the Convention plan and, in particular, overreacting to
Reagan and Anne Armstrong. It is attached just so you
will be aware of his thinking. Undoubtedly he is right in
terms of some of the feel of our present program since he
has no idea as to what alternate programming is planned.
Also attached is a copy of the memorandum which Safire
sent you today. It plays off the conversation he had with
Howard K. Smith. The main point here being that the
President's and Vice President's acceptance speeches
should be on different nights.
Dick Moore and I met with Garment, Scali and Safire this
morning in order to discuss Safire's recommendation that
the President and Vice President speak on separate nights.
After considerable discussion I think we are all in unanimous
consent that we should put the Vice President's nomination and
acceptance speech on the second evening.
We would recommend the following alterations in the program:
TUESDAY NIGHT
Main Elements:
1.
Opening of Convention.
2.
Possible series of Democratic speakers urging other
Democrats to support the President.
2
TUESDAY NIGHT '(Cont'd):
3.
Nomination of the President by Rockefeller.
4.
Seconding Speeches.
5.
Demonstration as the President goes over the top.
6.
Cutaway to President departing White House and brief
interview on the South Grounds as he boards helicopter.
He would state his pleasure at being renominated, state
that he is looking forward to addressing the Convention
delegates the next evening.
7.
The Vice President's nomination.
8.
Acceptance speech by the Vice President.
Note:
This will make a long evening. If we roll along and cut
back our demonstration times, we should be able to get
the Vice President on the air at 11:00 or 11:15 p.m. EDT.
The one element which has been moved out of the
evening activities is the film on Nixon, the Man which
we will put the evening of the acceptance speech.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Main Elements:
1.
The Opening.
2.
Film -- Nixon, the Man.
3.
Introduction of the President. (It has been suggested that
perhaps we use a nonpolitical figure. 'We' re trying to
determine who that could be.)
4.
President's acceptance speech.
Note:
We would hope that this session would not begin until
around 9:00 p.m. with the President's speech coming
around 9:45 p.m.
.3
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES FROM MEETING WITH MOORE, SAFIRE
SCALI AND CHAPIN:
1.
Anne Armstrong would not be interpreted as a Texas fat cat.
It would be good having a woman open the Convention.
more
2.
We should find/of our new and more upcoming types to work
on the Convention. We need to get a list of the comers.
3.
Reagan is still extremely popular even though he may be
weak in California. He has not appeared on national television
in a long time and can be very powerful at our Convention but
he should not be overused. If he's going to be the Temporary
Chairman, he should not be the Presidential introducer.
4.
Scali informed us that he has intelligence from the network
people that he's talked to that they're taking some of their
better reporters and putting them on the demonstration
activities for the Republican Convention. He says they expect
there will be more trouble and want to cover it with their
better people.
5.
We should have a Democrats for Nixon news conference,
maybe on two different days in Miami.
6.
There is some concern over using the young girl from
South Carolina as one of the three main keynote speakers.
It is felt that we should do a survey of State Legislature
women around the country to find the most articulate
woman spokesmen we can find who is a Republican. Right
now we have a Governor, a Senator, a Mayor, and if we
can get a State Legislator type it would fit perfectly.
7.
There is some concern over Sammy Davis, Jr. Garment
and Moore feel that he's wrong and does not represent our
constituency. It is felt that he would be misinterpreted by
some of our constituency. They feel he should not do the
National Anthem but that if he did one song like "This is
My Country" or "My Country 'Tis of Thee" that it would be
fine. We may try to work him in the program that way.
The other suggestion was to use him as a seconder.
4
8.
No one can be found that's for having Kate Smith in the
program. We have dropped that idea unless you want to
dictate that she should be in the program.
CC:
Dick Moore
Bill Timmons
Bill Carruthers
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
TO:
Dwight Chapin
Dick Moore
FROM:
Tex McCrary
SUBJECT:
Convention Impact
1. At the discussion of the convention program with both of you
during which I voiced the vehement objection to an opening impression
from which the President will have to struggle to escape, I have since
thoroughly reviewed every aspect and accent and focal point, every
headline, picture and caption that might come out of it, and this is my
summary judgement:
2. This is not Nixon's convention, it is Goldwater's. This is not the
Spirit of '76 or even '72 it is '64 and '48. It is the convention that
produced the LBJ landslide, and Truman's upset of Tom Dewey.
3. It makes the McGovern convention by comparison look like
Oklahoma and South Pacific and My Fair Lady and Funny Girl and
Fiddler on the Roof.
4. The McGovern convention made rising stars; the Nixon convention
uses faded stars.
5. You vote that you open with a woman Ann Armstrong is not a
woman, she is fat cat Texas king ranch.
6. The dominate name that hits the eye and ear first is Ronald Reagan,
who could not carry his own state even against Pat Brown this year. In
the year when George Wallace made tax reform an issue with as much
sex appeal as busing, Ronald Reagan comes through still as the millionaire
governor who paid no state taxes.
7. Reagan will overshadow the only black face in the opening line-up,
Ed Brooke who is scarcely a hero to blacks and has been often as
maverick as Javits.
-2-
8. In the year where there is a chance that the President can crack
the critical Jewish vote in the key cities, the only Jew prominent in the
line-up of your convention is Sammy Davis, Jr. who will be remembered
throughout the South as a black who married a white girl and then dis-
carded her. And you have him singing the National Anthem Why not
Sinatra, whom somebody wanted to take to Moscow.
9. In a year when with the help of the Jewish vote and the split in
labor, you might crack Chicago and Los Angeles and Miami and New York
City, the only voice of the cities is lost behind Reagan and Brooke in the
key-note quartet Mayor Luger of Indianapolis. And labor is as
speechless here as in McGovern's show.
10. When Dwight said that "We have to work Goldwater in somewhere, 11
he needn't worry Barry is already everywhere, the spirit of '64.
11. It is true that you have a touch of class in Jimmy Stewart and
even Clint Eastwood and Johnny Cash; and nostalgia in John Wayne and
even Pat Boone; and both class and nostalgia in Mamie Eisenhower
but from the opening shot of this monumental bore, I keep expecting to
see Bob Doe or Ronald Reagan introduce Jimmy Hoffa and Harold Janine
and Carswell and Haynsworth and Martha Mitchell and Hedda Hopper and
all the other grinning ghosts working to help McGovern win in the closing
week of '72 as Humphrey was winning at the finish in '68.
12. The feel and smell of this Nixon convention of '72 is frighteningly
reminiscent of the euphoria that beat Tom Dewey -- I stayed for Dewey's
closing Madison Square Garden. rally in '48 and watched in horror an
audience walk out on his speech and next day on NBC I said, "Last night,
Tom Dewey lost the elction. 11
13. The insensitivity of this spectacle is frighteningly reminiscent
of the insolated arrogance of the Taft gang, which we attacked in the
Madison Square Garden rally for Eisenhower in the winter of '52. And
in Chicago, starting with the young Texans I brought to that rally, Taft
was routed the way the McGovern gang took Humphrey and Wallace and
Muskie and Jackson and Meany and Daley. The same tide is rising again.
But for the Democrats.
-3-
14. Now I know why that battle cry for the 172 campaign came from
"Nixon now more than ever" is "in your heart you know he's right", plus
8 and spelled backwards, but not in Hebrew.
15. Johnny Unitas in this line-up has only three pass receivers --
Mamie and Pat and the President and nothing but holes in his pockets
to give him protection until he can get rid of the ball.
16. The President acceptance speech better be better than Lincoln's
Gettysburg Address and it better be full of quotes that will finally get
him into Bartlett's and give him a headline for the campaign equal to
"I never shoot blacks".
17. And you better figure out a way fast to get Kissinger and Connally
into the Convention line-up; and get Agnew into black-face to play Jimmy
Brown.
18. Also "the only man who can beat Nixon is Nixon" now he can
add the architects of this convention to that list of one.
19. After the Peking trip, I wrote across the bundle of headlines:
"Look Out for Loose Boards". In this convention structure, it is hard
to find anything but loose boards.
20. In introducing Agnew at the Heritage Dinner I tried to make two
points: "Not since Disraeli has any immigrant Jew been brought to such
biblical power by any great power as Richard Nixon has given to Dr.
Henry Kissinger. In America no political party can become, or deserves
to become a majority party, until minorities feel at home within it. 11 This
Nixon convention, as outlined, even to Archie Bunker is pure early
California WASP, Right parade.
21. In terms of show biz there isn't a belly laugh or a roar, not even
a chuckle or a knuckle in the whole lineup -- no sex, only X. In terms
of drama, no suspense, no gut emotion except Mamic, no encore! In
terms of news, no headlines. In terms of history, it is as sharply
focused and significant and electric as Dave Mahoney's plans for the
Bicentennial.
-4-
New Subject: Had a good meeting with three key guys on Agnew's staff -
Summers, Damgaard and Goodcarle. Based on working with them by
phone on the Zionist and Heritage Dinners, they seemed genuinely
hospitable, not at all resentful or suspicious at my office. To sit with
them from time to time for suggestions, review, and preview. They
accept even though Connally is my friend, I am not his man. As
I
have suggested to Dick, perhaps the best way I can be helpful to all of
you from now on is to be helpful as I can to Agnew -- I think your boss
is going to need a very good fullback to score on the ground, the muddy
ground, until his instincts and scars tell him it is safe to put the ball in
the air.
New subject: Around John Price and Queens, which is Archie Bunker
country and the key to the New York State election, we will try to set up
a perfect prototype campaign for any strategic urban area. In that
territory Agnew will have more candle power than any movie star,
second only to the President, if the President comes into the climax.
My gut instinct and scars tell me that this weird campaign will be won
in Hanoi, Wall Street, and other chancey places like Queens not on
Pennsylvania Avenue.
####
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 20, 1972.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
BILL SAFIRE
RE:
CONVENTION
I was talking to Howard K. Smith last night about what he expects for
television coverage, and he said that all the TV people expected a
pretty dull convention with the likelihood of violence in the strects.
That's not good - will associate us with violence, inability to reduce
dissent, etc.
Howard wondered if we were planning the usual lineup President
and Vice President acceptance speeches on the same night. He
suggested that if, for the first time, they could be on different nights,
they would be separate news events, each a must for coverage in full.
Moreover, it occurs to me, a mass audience is less likely to sit
through two long speeches practically back to back; in addition, if
the VP's speech is really good, it detracts from the President's,
and if it is no good, it loses the audience.
Therefore, why do we not do something radical in the way of political
conventions and nominate the Vice President on one night, have him
accept that night, and do the President the next night?
This would be met with a lot of cluck-clucking as anti-traditional,
but the real reason for putting them together in the past was to first
determine the Presidential nominee and have himselect the running
mate; with a sitting President who will make his choice known before
the Convention, that reason is obviated.
Thus, we could have two separate and distinct news stories, better
ratings, and a more solitaire setting for the President on his night.
Worth considering?
CC: Dick Moore
5
consult with Mrs. Eisenhowe r through Julie and see
whether she prefers Mr. Thomas or Secretary Rogers.
Tex McCrary says Billy Graham was a great friend
of the Eisenhowers and he would be much better than
Rogers or Thomas. We could use Graham via the
Eisenhower hook.
We will also have Julie check to see whether or not
Mamie might reconsider and come to the Convention.
2.
MONDAY EVENING
a.
The main news event for Monday evening is a
combination Reagan/keynote. The present idea is to
have Reagan, as Temporary Chairman, make his speech.
Immediately afterwards there would be a musical interlude
so that the networks would have a chance to get in their
commercials. Reagan would then introduce the film on
the Nixon Years. Immediately after the film, Reagan
would introduce Brooke who would list our accomplishments
and then introduce Mayor Lugar who would launch an
attack against McGovern. This would be issue-oriented.
We would then have our last speaker, a 21-year old
woman legislator from South Carolina, introduced by
Reagan. (We are checking out her qualifications
for this role presently. If she will not work, we will have
to consider another woman.) The woman will offer an
invitation to Democrats and Independents to join the
Republican Party.
Ray Price's rough outline for the Keynote is attached
at Tab E. We should note at the present time that
ABC will be cutting in with their live programming
during the middle of the Keynote. There's just not
much we can do about this. Tex feels Mayor Lugar
would be a better prime Keynote figure than Reagan. He
worries about Reagan paying no taxes and his popularity
in California.
b.
We debated the idea of having a State delegation ask
for recognition from the floor and have them offer a
Resolution to the Convention inviting Democrats to join
the Republican Party. This should be a spontaneous thing
July 26, 1972
3:30 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BILL TIMMONS
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
Billy Graham called today to report that Reverend Lyman Parks
"checks out alright". He said he's a bit of a social activist
but is generally well thought of, comes from an ordinary black
church and might be a good choice.
CC:
Bob Flanigan
July 18, 1972
EYES ONLY
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. WILLIAM E. TIMMONS
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
This is a recap of the memorandum Haldeman sent me on July 13th stating some
of the desires concerning Convention planning. He said, "The Convention plan
should include a segment for speeches - brief speeches - by Democrats and
Independents who will appear by invitation of the Convention management.
They should include possibly John Connally, some Independents, youth, prom-
inent Governors, Senators, etc. who will make the point that they have decided
to support President Nixon's re-election because of the outstanding job he has
done, because of his trip to China and to Russia, because they can't take
McGovern, etc.
"This should include the maximum number of Democrats, at least one Chicano,
and only one Black, some Italians and Polish, one or two youth, but it should not
go hog-wild on youth. It should be done as a solid hour in order to get impact.
If we do a telethon, we should include some Democrats on that also.
"We might even want to consider a prominent Democrat for a seconding speech.
Don't let this idea get lost."
We must take a close look at our schedule which we developed yesterday for the
Convention program. As you can tell, we are not at all close to what Haldeman
has laid down for us to follow. We really have no Democrats speaking from the
podium - except for the one plan to use Connally. To my knowledge, we have
no Chicanos on the program and perhaps we have too many Blacks. I cannot give
a rundown on the Italians and Polish since I am unclear as to what ethnics we
really have.
By our meeting next Tuesday, we should have from Stan or whoever is doing the
research a list of possible speakers which fit the above criteria and whom we could
work into the program. I assume you will cover this with Anderson.
cc: Mr. Carruthers (To be dexed to Los Angeles)
7/19/72 Carrithes phone to
July 20, 1972
2:40 p. m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BILL TIMMONS
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
Can we have Stan Anderson pull together a list of the top
15 young comers within the Republican Party. These would be
guys like Lugar, Brock, etc. Perhaps we should be working
more of this type person into the Convention and formal
program. We need to have a list to work from so that we know
precisely who the good ones are.
In addition to the above, we need to get a handle on who the
best women spokesmen are in the country. Who are the
10 best women spokesmen that the Republican Party has?
In particular, can we get a list of 10 or 15 women State
Legislators who could be possible backups to the 21-year old
gal from South Carolina in case she bombs out.
July 27, 1972
10:00 a. m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BILL TIMMONS
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
In a meeting the other day with Ehrlichman, he mentioned that
he was concerned about having some blacks in active working
positions at the Convention. He suggested that perhaps we
could use Sam Jackson or Pierce from Treasury or someone
on the podium. Along the same line we discussed having
Stan Scott work the press on the platform or perhaps seeing
if Fred Scribner has a black lawyer somewhere on his staff who
could work the podium.
I pass these thoughts on so you'll know that John is concerned
as to what exposure blacks are going to have at our Convention.
July 18, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
NELL YATES
FROM:
DWIGHT CHAPIN
I want you to call Mr. Robert Vickers in Wichita, Kansas - the phone number is
316 - 686-6083 ---and ask for his secretary. Tell him that I am out of town
for a couple of days and that I followed through with checking on the arrange-
ments for his brother, Jack Vickers, and the request for me to try to help him
get hotel rooms in Munich, Germany. Say that I had no luck - that the city is
completely filled up and that there is nothing we can do through the Embassy.
Tell him that the information that I got - the best thing to do is to work through
the Olympic Committee. And that perhaps Governor Love of Colorado can
contact the Olympic officials since Mr. Vickers is a representative of the Governor's.
Thank you.
July 18, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
NELL YATES
FROM:
DWIGHT CHAPIN
I want you to call Mr. Robert Vickers in Wichita, Kansas - the phone number is
316 - 686-6083 ----and ask for his secretary. Tell him that 1 am out of town
for a couple of days and that I followed through with checking on the arrange-
ments for his brother, Jack Vickers, and the request for me to try to help him
get hotel rooms in Munich, Germany. Say that I had no luck - that the city is
completely filled up and that there is nothing we can do through the Embassy.
Tell him that the information that I got - the best thing to do is to work through
the Olympic Committee. And that perhaps Governor Love of Colorado can
contact the Olympic officials since Mr. Vickers is a representative of the Governor's.
Thank you.
July 18, 1972
EYES ONLY
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. WILLIAM E. TIMMONS
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
This is a recap of the memorandum Haldeman sent me on July 13th stating some
of the desires concerning Convention planning. He said, "The Convention plan
should include a segment for speeches - brief speeches - by Democrats and
Independents who will appear by invitation of the Convention management.
They should include possibly John Connally, some Independents, youth, prom-
inent Governors, Senators, etc. who will make the point that they have decided
to support President Nixon's re-election because of the outstanding job he has
done, because of his trip to China and to Russia, because they can't take
McGovern, etc.
"This should include the maximum number of Democrats, at least one Chicano,
and only one Black, some Italians and Polish, one or two youth, but it should not
go hog-wild on youth. It should be done as a solid hour in order to get impact.
of we do a telethon, we should include some Democrats on that also.
"We might even want to consider a prominent Democrat for a seconding speech.
Don't let this idea get lost."
We must take a close look at our schedule which we developed yesterday for the
Convention program. As you can tell, we are not at all close to what Haldeman
has laid down for us to follow. We really have no Democrats speaking from the
podium - except for the one plan to use Connally. To my knowledge, we have
no Chicanos on the program and perhaps we have too many Blacks. I cannot give
a rundown on the Italians and Polish since I am unclear as to what ethnics we
really have.
By our meeting next Tuesday, we should have from Stan or whoever is doing the
research a list of possible speakers which fit the above criteria and whom we could
work into the program. I assume you will cover this with Anderson.
cc: Mr. Carruthers (To be dexed to Los Angeles)