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This file contains:
From Haldeman to Ziegler RE: RN's health. Carbon copy to Chapin. 3 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/15/1970
From Haldeman to unknown RE: the media. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/7/1970
From Robert C. Odle, Jr. to Chapin RE: attachments on journalists. Carbon copies to Magruder and Snyder. 4 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/21/1970
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: previous memo and talk show hosts. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/21/1970
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26144424
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WHSF: Contested, 2-51
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26144424
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document
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WHSF: Contested, 2-51
description
This file contains:
From Haldeman to Ziegler RE: RN's health. Carbon copy to Chapin. 3 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/15/1970
From Haldeman to unknown RE: the media. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/7/1970
From Robert C. Odle, Jr. to Chapin RE: attachments on journalists. Carbon copies to Magruder and Snyder. 4 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/21/1970
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: previous memo and talk show hosts. 1 pg. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 12/21/1970
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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808b21ffb2de02ef
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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Document Type
Document Description
2
51
12/15/1970
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Haldeman to Ziegler RE: RN's health.
Carbon copy to Chapin. 3 pgs.
2
51
12/7/1970
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Haldeman to unknown RE: the media.
Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg.
2
51
12/21/1970
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Robert C. Odle, Jr. to Chapin RE:
attachments on journalists. Carbon copies to
Magruder and Snyder. 4 pgs.
2
51
12/21/1970
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Chapin to Rob Odle RE: previous
memo and talk show hosts. 1 pg.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Page 1 of 1
Eyes Only
December 15, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. ZIEGLER
FROM:
H.R. HALDEMAN
It has been suggested that the following idea be implemented in
order to get across the "hard-working President" line that we
haven't been able to get across adequately in the past.
The President will be taking his physical examination some time
between now and the end of the year. After the examination is
finished the press will want to know the results. Normally you
would include this information in one of your daily briefings.
However, this time you should very carefully choose a small
group, including the two wire services, one or two good network
people - but no more than five or six - and let Dr. Tkach give
them the results of the examination.
The results of the examination should be routine. It will give
Tkach a chance to say, first, that the President's health is
excellent. Second, he might comment on one or two that are
particularly important from a public standpoint; the fact that the
President has an amazingly low blood pressure, which is an
inherited quality from his father and his mother, and that this is
something that has been remarkable for him (Tkach) to observe
through the years while he was Vice President as well as
President, even in periods of great stress.
Tkach may balk to an extent on revealing what he calls professional
information to the press, but, after all, Presidents are in the
position where doctors are supposed to put out the truth and nothing
but the truth with regard to the President's health and, if this is
done in a low-key way, it would be enormously effective.
Mr. Ziegler
- 2 -
But now comes the point where Tkach can really make some
points. He should then say that his major concern about the
President's health is that he does not take enough time off
and does not get enough recreation. He should say that this
has been the case throughout the time that he has known the
President - during the eight years that he was Vice President,
and now during the two years he has been President. He should
point out that even though the President has taken trips to
California and Key Biscayne he refuses to use these trips
adequately for recreation and usually works a full day either on
the phone or with his close, personal staff during these so-
called "vacation trips". He should point out that the President
does not have the relaxations of others in the office. He does
not play bridge. He has played golf only four times in the last
year. He has bowled five times and his only recreation
consists of an occasional swim when he is at the beach at Key
Biscayne or California, or in the summertime at the pool at
Camp David, and on weekends when he views a movie or
televised sports event. He should say that the President's daily
work schedule is the most back-breaking that he has ever
observed in a public figure; that the President never takes time
off for lunch and, unless he has an official dinner, he works
three hours or so after having dinner with the family.
He should point out, nevertheless, that the President remains in
excellent health due to very spartan habits - - a very light diet,
both at breakfast and lunch and even at the State Dinners where he
usually passes the dessert. Apparently his walking with the dogs
on occasion, and a one-minute running in place at a very high
speed early in the morning, seems to keep him in surprisingly
good health, but if he, Tkach, had any recommendation it would
be to call for more recreation.
Mr. Ziegler
- 3 -
As you can see this will get across our point very powerfully
and I think that Tkach could do it with complete credibility.
In fact, if he would be willing to do so, he could even make
these points on the morning show although probably the better
thing to do would be to limit it to the type of direct pool report
mentioned above.
Please contact Dr. Tkach and work out a plan for him to put
across the points described above and submit a report when
you have determined when the President will be taking his
physical and on what day Dr. Tkach will make the announcement.
CC: Mr. Chapin
HRH:LH:pm:LH:cg
C
December 7, 1970 Sat group
of
TALKING PAPER
PR and FRESH Group
Let's face a few facts - most of the media people are
(1) against us and (2) suspicious of us. In the main, they are
hard to fool although:they often fool themselves -- and that
usually gives them a more negative stance so far as we are
concerned. It is difficult for us to put anything over on them
it is practically impossible for us to subvert them. If they were
for us we could do these things; since they are not we can't.
When we try a gimmick they usually are waiting at the entrance
to the alley and they wind up making us look more devious that
we are. This gives us a credibility problem. The results more
often turn out to be counterproductive The media wind up being
more suspicious of us than ever.
HRH:LH:pm
12/7/70
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 21, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. CHAPIN
t
FROM:
ROBERT C. ODLE, JR.
Per our discussion, the attached is returned. As I mentioned, Al
was very careful to check each person out in a number of ways
and in Barbara Walter's case, she has told him she is a registered
Republican and a strong Nixon supporter.
Because we are taking great pains to closely look at each person,
we do not have too many on this list -- but more will be forthcoming
as they are checked.
Attachment
CC: Mr. Magruder
Mr. Snyder
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 21, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. ROB ODLE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
Ct
Attached is your memorandum of December 17th. You say that you
have attached a list of Talk Show personalities who are favorably
inclined toward the President. On that list you put down Barbara
Walters. Maybe we should clarify further what we mean by favorably
inclined. When I send the list on to Haldeman with some other sug-
gestions, I am sure that Barbara Walters, for example, will be
questioned. Maybe we could indicate by each person's name the
reason we feel they are favorably inclined.
Thank you.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 17, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. CHAPIN
FROM:
ROBERT C. ODLE, JR.
R
Attached is a list of talk show personalities who are favorably
inclined toward the President. To thoroughly check out these people
has been a lengthy process, and we are awaiting additional information
on several other possibilities to complete the list. As a result, more
names will be periodically added as reports are received and checked
out. We are sorry for the delay, but wanted to make certain everyone
was 100% in our corner.
Attachment
TALK SHOW PERSONALITIES
Bob Dornan, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles
Irv Kupcinet, WMAQ-TV, Chicago
John Madigan, WBBM-TV, Chicago
Bill Beyer, WLBW-TV, Miami
C. Douglas Mayes, WBT-TV, Charlotte, N. C.
Robert McClean, KYW, Philadelphia
Deena Clark, WRC-TV, Washington
Art Kent, KSL-TV, Salt Lake City
Barbara Walters, Today Show
Jesse Helms, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, N. C.
Virginia Graham, Syndicated, 9056 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, California 90069
December 21, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. ROB ODLE
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
Attached is your memorandum of December 17th. You say that you
have attached a list of Talk Show personalities who are favorably
inclined toward the President. On that list you put down Barbara
Walters. Maybe we should clarify further what we mean by favorably
inclined. When I send the list on to Haldeman with some other sug-
gestions, I am sure that Barbara Walters, for example, will be
questioned. Maybe we could indicate by each person's name the
reason we feel they are favorably inclined.
Thank you.
DLC:ny