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This file contains:
From Colson to MacGregor RE: strategies for RN to use to win Massachusetts. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/5/1972
From Colson to Mitchell RE: a meeting with Lou Harris on key electoral counties around the country. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 5/19/1972
From Colson to Mitchell RE: problems with "Monday." 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 4/5/1972
From Colson to Magruder RE: speechwriting advice prompted by a poorly-written piece to be delivered by Rog Morton. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 2/4/1972
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26144593
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WHSF: Contested, 3-55
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This file contains:
From Colson to MacGregor RE: strategies for RN to use to win Massachusetts. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/5/1972
From Colson to Mitchell RE: a meeting with Lou Harris on key electoral counties around the country. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 5/19/1972
From Colson to Mitchell RE: problems with "Monday." 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 4/5/1972
From Colson to Magruder RE: speechwriting advice prompted by a poorly-written piece to be delivered by Rog Morton. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 2/4/1972
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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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3
55
7/5/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to MacGregor RE: strategies
for RN to use to win Massachusetts. 2 pgs.
3
55
5/19/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Mitchell RE: a meeting with
Lou Harris on key electoral counties around
the country. 1 pg.
3
55
4/5/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Mitchell RE: problems with
"Monday." 1 pg.
3
55
2/4/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Magruder RE: speechwriting
advice prompted by a poorly-written piece to
be delivered by Rog Morton. 1 pg.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Page 1 of 1
July 5, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
CLARK MACGREGOR
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Massachusetts Polling
Based on the latest Becker poll which was published in yesterday's
Boston Globe, Massachusetts is a real battleground. McGovern leads
Nixon, 47 to 44. It is true that as the campaign heats up the Democratic
strength might increase, but one shouldn't overlook the fact that Ed
Brohke will be running on the ticket and should win by at least 2 to 1,
perhaps even better. If this is the case, there would be enough rub-
off for us to carry the state if the situation remains as it is today.
Also, McGovern's anti-Catholic issues can hurt him very badly in
a state that is 60% Catholic.
If we are running this well in Massachusetts, then we probably won't
need the state because we'll have enough electoral votes Misewhere.
On the other hand, it would be a damn shame not to make some effort
in the state. So far as I know, we do not even have a chairman appointed
yet which is a situation that I know you will quickly remedy. If you want
any help in this area, I know the personalities up there, as do Richardson
and Colpe. 1 would.net appoint the Governor, who wants the job. He is
very unpopular, in a lot of trouble and he will from time to time during
the campaign badmouth us which puts him, it seems to me, in quite an
awkward position. Believe me, the Governor is not worth a damn, even
for fund-raising and he has alienated most of the Republican Party. Ed
Brooke would make a superb campaign chairman but Ed may not be able
to do it in view of the fact he is running for the Senate. Peggy Heckler
may have no opponent in which case she would be first rate. Silvie Conte
may have no opponent and a combination of Heckler and Conte would be
tremendous. Also, there is a gal by the name of Malone who is very,
very effective and was a co-chairman, I believe, in the '68 campaign.
2.
From my previous experience in Massachusetts politics, I can make one
observation. The polls will never be completely accurate. The Republicans
can be gotten out to vote, whereas the Democratic turnout will not be as
heavy as it should be. This is just the way things are and, therefore, a
poll which shows a two or three point spread can be overcome at election
time by getting the Republican areas well organized. We learned this in
1960. We were reaning only two points ahead in the polls in Saltonatall's
campaign, but we won 56-44 simply by virtue of better organization. That
was even in a year when Kennedy was heading the ballot on the Democratic
side.
The conclusion of this is that I would put some effort, make a show, work
hard on organisation and we might have fourteen electoral votes that we
haven't been counting on. Also, the impact of our campaigning there rubs
off in Connecticut which is a state that we, in my opinion, should make a
major effort to carry.
May 19, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JOHN MITCHELL
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
Lou Harris offered today to spend some time with us analyzing
key counties around the country that can be influenced by
specific issues. Lou said that he has spent years studying
poll data in specific areas and he could possibly give us some
advise and help in this area. I suggested that he meet with
Teetor. Lou said in viewoof his great concern with not
compromising his position publicly, he would prefer to meet
with me and one or two other trusted, closed-mouthed political
operatives. He, by the way, has a very high regard for Teetor.
Therefore, if you think he could be helpful, perhaps you would
like to suggest someone he might want to sit down with who could
pick his brains. For whatever it is worth, in passing he observed
that McComb County can swing the entire state of Michigan. It
is always over 60% Democratic in Presidential elections. On the
busing issue, Harris believes it can be flipped the other way and
If we get a majority in McComb County, we would win the balance
of the state. As Lou puts it, he has a very good feel of the
political map of the country. He may not know any more than we
know and perhaps he knows even less, but on the other hand, we
might get some benefit from listening to his views. It also doesn't
hurt in our effort to keep Harris friendly, To have him feel helpful,
The more vested interest, the better.
1701
April 5, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JOHN MITCHELL
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
As we discussed this morning, you might find the attached from
Tom Evans of some interest. I was pressing Lofton for two things:
1.
Get the attack in Monday off Muskie and spread it around to
some other Democrats, a position which I know you and I
strongly felt to be correct. You remember we discussed it
on a couple of occasions.
2. To defend Kleindienst and attack the Democ ratic smear
campaign being waged against him. I just can't understand
Monday making the unilaterial decision that they wouldn't
defend the Administration and Kleindienst's nomination without
at least calling us to discuss it.
All that this points up is what has been a continuing problem: refusal
from time to time to deal with the issues we ask them to deal with,
but much more important than that, a tremendous need for profession-
alism in the communications operation. One good man would be
better than the 30 half-wits they have sitting around right now.
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
E.O. 12065, Section 6-102
By yew NARS, Date 10/22/80
CONFIDENTIAL
February 4, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JEB MAGRUDER
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Attached Speech
I don't know who you have writing political material for people
going into key states, but I have just read Rog Morton's speech
for tonight in New Hampshire. It's awful. It wouldn't get a single
line of press anywhere except in the Concord Monitor which I
suppose would have to cover the speech because he is speaking
in Concord. The basic trouble is that it is pure fluff. It says
nothing except a lot of political platitudes that could be written
in any campaign about anyone at anytime.
The particular speech tonight has been rescued by a speech insert
dealing with Muskie's upsetting of our peace negotiations which
conceivably will make it newsworthy. What bothers me is if the
first draft is an example of what we're giving to people who go into
states, we aren't going to make political points and we aren't going
to make news. Maybe the problem here is Morton who I know has
to be pushed hard and cranked up hard.
On major speeches like Morton's we would be glad to help and now
have some writers who have been producing some good substantive
material. This is not intended as criticism but rather as a con-
structive suggestion.I I think If you yourself read the original Morton
speech you will see that it is a total zero.
Also, it is going to be very important, and I know Van Shumway
understands this, that major speeches like this be released here
in Washington as well as in Concord, New Hampshire and at the
top of the release the contact should not only be the New Hampshire
press person, but the Washington press person as well. A Regers
attack on Muskie moving out of Washington news bureaus will get
a hell of a lot more play around the country than if it moves only on
the wires out of New Hampshire.
CONFIDENTIAL