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This file contains:
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's statement involving his ancestors' participation in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's academic and political background. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Buchanan RE: planned responses to McGovern statements, particularly ones facilitated by Connally. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/22/1972
From Colson to Chapin RE: planned speakers for the Republican National Convention. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Cashen RE: seeking support from new groups. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/28/1972
From Colson to Herb Stein RE: a recent "Business Week" article involving an interview with Pierre Rinfret. 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Malek RE: the political climate of Massachusetts. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Mickey Gardner RE: Hank Buchanan and Ben Lambert. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/17/1972
From Colson to Clawson RE: columnist Frank van der Linden and his use as a pro- RN public figure. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/15/1972
From Colson to Rodgers RE: the role of unions in the 1972 presidential campaign. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Koch RE: making sure Koch performs his job duties. 1 pg. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/12/1972
From Colson to Mike Balzano RE: obtaining "young, articulate ethincs" who support RN. 1 pg. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Ehrlichman RE: an attached document authored by Harris and intended for RN. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/5/1972
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26144715
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WHSF: Contested, 4-40
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document
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26144715
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document
title
WHSF: Contested, 4-40
description
This file contains:
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's statement involving his ancestors' participation in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's academic and political background. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Buchanan RE: planned responses to McGovern statements, particularly ones facilitated by Connally. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/22/1972
From Colson to Chapin RE: planned speakers for the Republican National Convention. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Cashen RE: seeking support from new groups. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/28/1972
From Colson to Herb Stein RE: a recent "Business Week" article involving an interview with Pierre Rinfret. 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Malek RE: the political climate of Massachusetts. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
From Colson to Mickey Gardner RE: Hank Buchanan and Ben Lambert. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/17/1972
From Colson to Clawson RE: columnist Frank van der Linden and his use as a pro- RN public figure. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/15/1972
From Colson to Rodgers RE: the role of unions in the 1972 presidential campaign. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Koch RE: making sure Koch performs his job duties. 1 pg. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/12/1972
From Colson to Mike Balzano RE: obtaining "young, articulate ethincs" who support RN. 1 pg. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Ehrlichman RE: an attached document authored by Harris and intended for RN. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/5/1972
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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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
4
40
8/25/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's
statement involving his ancestors'
participation in the Civil War on the side of
the Confederacy. 1 pg.
4
40
8/25/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Buchanan RE: Shriver's
academic and political background. 1 pg.
4
40
8/22/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Buchanan RE: planned
responses to McGovern statements,
particularly ones facilitated by Connally. 1
pg.
4
40
8/10/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Chapin RE: planned
speakers for the Republican National
Convention. 2 pgs.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Page 1 of 3
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
4
40
8/28/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Cashen RE: seeking support
from new groups. 1 pg.
4
40
8/25/1972
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Colson to Herb Stein RE: a recent
"Business Week" article involving an
interview with Pierre Rinfret. 2 pgs.
4
40
8/25/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Malek RE: the political
climate of Massachusetts. 2 pgs.
4
40
8/17/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Mickey Gardner RE: Hank
Buchanan and Ben Lambert. 1 pg.
4
40
8/15/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Clawson RE: columnist
Frank van der Linden and his use as a pro-
RN public figure. 1 pg.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Page 2 of 3
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
4
40
8/10/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Rodgers RE: the role of
unions in the 1972 presidential campaign. 2
pgs.
4
40
8/12/1972
White House Staff
Memo
From Colson to Koch RE: making sure Koch
performs his job duties. 1 pg.
4
40
8/10/1972
White House Staff
Memo
From Colson to Mike Balzano RE: obtaining
"young, articulate ethincs" who support RN.
1 pg.
4
40
8/5/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Ehrlichman RE: an attached
document authored by Harris and intended
for RN. 1 pg.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Page 3 of 3
August 25, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PAT BUCHANAN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
Note the New York Times article attached in which Shriver
talks with some pride of how his forebearers all fought on
the side of the Confederacy during the Civil War. That
probably went over fine with the hometown crowd in
Louisiana, but could sure raise hell with the Blacks.
Only red necks brag about their family having fought
in the Civil War. One need only recall the issues in
the Civil War to realize how preposterous it is for a
candidate for national office to be bragging about this.
It would seem to me we should get out some attack material
and have perhaps some prominent Republican Blacks attack
Shriver and demand he say whether he is proud of the fact
that his ancestors fought to prevent slavery. In my opinion
this is not a good national issue, but is a pretty damn good
special appeal to Black groups and the Black media.
August 25, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PAT BUCHANAN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
As reported in the New York Times on August 6, Sargent
Shriver was a member of the "America First" movement
on the Yale campus. I have also learned that he, after
graduation from Yale, spent a considerable amount of
time in Europe, specifically in Germany, where he showed
distinctly pro-German sentiments. Of course, so did
Joseph Kennedy, his future father-in-law. It seenm to
me this point is worth some exploration and then an evalua-
tion as to how, if at all, it could be used. It certainly ought
to shake up the Jewish community a little bit. When
McGovern goes around charging the President with being
a modern day Adolf Hitler, one might remind George McGovern
that his own Vice Presidential candidate was a sympathizer
with Hitler.-The murderer of 6 million Jews.
August 22, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PAT BUCHANAN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
John Connally is going on Issues and Answers this
weekend. He would like some of our best attack
material and talking points. I would suggest that
we particularly hit hard on McGovern's refusal
to accept any briefings either with Kissinger
or, for example, yesterday from Carlucci on the
Wilkes-Barre situation.
Also, we should hit the McGovern interview last week-
end which was a complete sell-out to the Communists.
Connally is the perfect guy to do this. Christian
will be in the Connally suite at the Madi son this
Saturday and will be expecting to receive briefing
materials and current attack material from us.
Would you please field sure this gets done?
August 10, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DWIGHT CHAPIN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Convention Speakers
We will have five local labor leaders, all Republicans, in Miami.
The list is attached. I don't know how articulate or attractive
any of them are. I don't believe any of them are up to seconding
the President, but the only way to determine that is to have one
of your people interview each of them. They can be contacted
through Don Rodgers. My own recommendation after thinking
it through is that Peter Brennan would be the best person to
second the President's nomination. It's true, he looks like a
labor leader and not a rank and file worker. On the other hand,
he has a good Bronx accent, is nationally known among the
Building Trades and next to Fitzsimmons, with whom we have
had enough identification, is probably the President's favorite
labor leader. Another choice to second the President's nomina-
tion would be Mike Maye, who is the head of the Fire Fighters of
Greater New York, an ex-Army MP who still looks like one, is
a fire-brand speaker and a marvelous guy. He would stand them
on their ears and there is a certain identification of firemen all
across the country that might be a very good touch.
Finally, we should consider Joe DiSilva in California because he
is Italian and does represent Southern California and is, I believe,
nominally a Republican. In any event, he is with the President.
As for women speaking for senior citizens, attached is a list
submitted to me by Bud Evans. All four sound good, particularly
Margaret Chuchh.
2.
Among Catholic women, I think Irene Dunn or Clare Booth Luce would
be the best known, but to my mind Peggy Heckler is a bright new
star that we should make at this convention. Peggy is an Irish-Catholic,
41, attractive, lawyer and now has three terms in Congress. She is
an excellent speaker.
I regret to inform you that there are no attractive Polish women! I
am having Balzano continuing the hung, but the prospects don't look
good at the moment. I think if we dig out good old Ed Derwinski, and
Mayor Perk, that's pretty good ethnic coverage on the Republican
side for the Eastern European blec. Don't forget we have Cardinal
Krol who is Polish.
On the Italian side, Balsano, Volpe, Conte and Rizzo are all very good.
I will try to come up with more thoughts in the morning, but you might
want to sort these out and see where they fit into your overall plan.
August 28, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
HENRY CASHEN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
I want to review with you at your earliest convenience the work
you are doing with each organized association to enlist campaign
support. I realize that in the case of many associations like the
NAHB, they cannot act as an organization. On the other hand,
there is absolutely nothing to preclude individuals from entering
into campaign activities on their own behalf. For example,
Stastny and Barber could be sending letters out to every
member of the NAHB suppliers, homebuilders, etc. for
Nixon -- asking for money and political support. This is
where we really explait the advantages of being incumbent.
These are groups we have worked with. We should be able to
do this; McGovern should not. Also, one beauty of this is that
it is independent to campaign activity, which, of course, does
not come within the spending ceiling limiations that we have.
Please pursue this. Go through each of the groups that we are
dealing with and then be prepared to give me a report on how we
are doing with each one, what activites we have under way of this
kind.
EYES ONLY
August 25, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
HERB STEIN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Pierre Rinfret
Pierre Rinfret called me this morning very upset over the latest
Business Week; he reports that both you and George Shultz cut
him down rather badly in an interview.
I am, of course, totally agreeable to having Pierre be simply one
of several economic spokesmen for us in the campaign. As of this
point, however, no other attractive, articulate economic spokesmen
have been produced by anyone and Rinfret is bouncing all over the
country for us, giving good, tough speeches attacking McGovern's
economic proposals.
The President did have Rinfret in to talk to him, basically in order
to give him some portfolio and credentials with which to speak. The
President was very strong in the meeting on the point of Rinfret's
getting out and making our case for us and attacking McGovern's
proposals.
If we can get other economic spokesmen of Rinfret's abilities, we
should certainly do so. But until such time as we have some others,
I don't think it is really productive for us to be clipping Rinfret's
wings, certainly not gratuitously.
I fully appreciate the point that you have made to the President and
he in turn has made to Bob Haldeman and myself, that you should not
be asked to undertake partisan appearances during the campaign. Since
you will be somewhat limited at least in strictly partisan appearances,
it does seem to me all the more important that we should be encouraging,
not discouraging, those who do wish to speak out for us.
2.
I haven't seen the Business Week article but I would have to conclude
hastily from Rinfret's call to me that his complaints were somewhat
justified. I do think also that it is kind of silly for the President to
spend a half hour building someone up only to have others tear him
down.
I am well aware of the sensitivities towards Rinfret but for God's sake,
for the next 74 days, let's milk him for everything he's worth!
CC: George Shultz
August 25, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FRED MALEK
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Massachusetts Situation
Whoever wrote your memo of August 14 to me is a hell of a lot
more concerned about building a file and a record than in getting
the job done. It certainly doesn't sound like you, nor is it con-
structive to say that the points that Karalekas makes are factually
wrong.
I don't think your office is in any better position to assess the facts
than ours. Steve is from Boston and he does get frequent reports
from a lot of the local politicians and whose facts are correct is
really a lot less important than what people are saying and thinking.
I think you will have to admit, regardless of whose interpretation
is correct, or accurate, that there has been very unhappy feelings
towards the situation in Massachusetts.
Incidentally, Ed Brooke called me yesterday and among other things
that he wanted to discuss, was what he described as the "screwed up"
situation in Massachusetts. He too, had been pushing the Heckler-
Conte combination. He thinks that Dwight, while a lovely fellow,
has already gotten things in a hell of a mess.
Of course, Ed has to be careful; he's a candidate for office and doesn't
want to get into a disagreement with the Lt. Governor.
We have in the Democrats operation gotten John Collins to head our
Democratic effort in Massachusetts. I have had letters and calls from
old friends of mine saying that this will wrap up the state, that Collins
is highly regarded and that he has a very substantial following among
Massachusetts Democrats. One reported to me that he has been in a
lunchroom in Boston frequented by Democratic pols and to a man they
said they were going to work to support the President because of John
Collins. He really has a lot of the old timers with him. The publicity
up there from his announcement has been phenomenally good.
2.
Believe me, from everything I hear in the state, there has never been
a better shot at carrying it. The old white-Irish ethnic Democrats are
jumping ship in the droves. All I can say is let's not blow it with a lot
of little people quarreling over a lot of little things, or with you and I
exchanging lengthy memos. Let's get a damn pro to go up there and
talk to the people, get them all together, and get everyone working for
us. This happens to be one state where I think there is enough enthusiasm
that will be generated locally that if we just give them a little guidance
and keep them from fighting with each other, they can do the job them-
selves. Collins, for example, wants to raise his own funds to run a
Democrats advertising campaign. Let him go.
After the election somebody can pull your file copy out and do a detailed
analysis of how your facts were more nearly correct than mine. But
until that time, the hell with who's right or wrong. Let's get the thing
going and not miss a hell of an opportunity.
August 17, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MICKEY GARDNER
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
Two items I would like a report on from you:
Hank Buchanan whose brother, as you know, is Pat, was dispatched
by the Committee for the Re-election of the President to go over
some of the accounting aspects of the Democrats for Nixon operation.
Apparently then he was told he wouldn't be needed any further. I
think he feels that his professional talents have been impugned --
I gather that at least from what Pat tells me. Obviously the
reason is, I assume, that you would want your own accountant
so that you don't have any overlap with 1701. On the other hand,
I would suppose that where Hank is already trained in all these
complex requirements under the new statutes, that it might make
sense to use him and for some reason he's a little sensitive about
this. Maybe you could just let me know what's happened or if he
could be kept in the picture. Just handle it that way.
Secondly, some time ago, I think I mentioned to you that Ben Lambert,
President of East-Dill, which is the real estate subsidiary of Eastman-
Dillon in New York, very much wanted to be involved in Democales
for Nixon. He called this morning to say that he was hurt that he hadn't
been asked to join, that he not only would like to sign the ad, but buy
a few and very much wants to get involved. He is a good Jewish name
in New York, he's been very active in the business community, he's
one of the youngest up and coming bright stars in Wall Street and I
would think you would want to make very active use of him. Would
you please pursue this for me?
August 15, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
KEN CLAWSON
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
I know that Frank van der Linden is one of our captive columnists
who pretty much puts out anything we would like. Since he is now
apparently part of the United Features Syndicate he is probably
getting a lot more coverage than he used to, I noticed for example,
that he's been in the Washington Post several times in the last few
weeks.
This brings me to the point that you should be cultivating him to try
to get him picking up anti-McGovern material. We should be using
him just the way you have used Evans and Novak on occasion, Bill
White and others who will be receptive.
This morning's column in the Post, which you may not have seen and
I am, therefore, enclosing a copy, is an unmitigated catastrophe in
my opinion. It paints the President in precisely the wrong posture.
There is a certain arrogant tone to it: the President can't spare the
time to get into the campaign with George McGovern and, I quote,
"let McGovern buy his own TV time if he can scare up the money for
it.
The column then goes on to tell about the evening on the
Sequoia quite inaccurately I might point out. It ends up by discussing
our campaign strategy which apparently someone has seen fit to show
van der Linden again not very accurately, however -- and ends up
with some total non sequitor ending of a nice little vignette from John
Whitaker's memory book.
The column is not only not a plus, it is a negative and this is ridiculous
to be feeding this kind of stuff to van der Linden k-- obviously someone
has. What we should be feeding to him is material that we really want
to get out, perhaps that will rattle McGovern, keep him off base or
directly hatchet him. If we want to get out positive material on the
President, that's fine, but let's be sure that it is useful stuff, not the
kind of thing that is in this morning's column which is distinctly counter-
productive. Please get control of this and fast.
August 10, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DON RODGERS
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
You will be happy to know that the Secretary of Labor has a
consistent and perfect batting average now in terms of matching
his promises with his performance on union endorsements.
Usery told me last week that he would have some railroad en-
dorsements and the airline pilots this week. Thus far they have
not come through.
Of course, Hodgson and Usery assured us that the Retail Clerks
would be neutral that was the very worst that would happen;
as we know, they endorsed McGovern and now, Tonnelli, who
it was almost impossible to lose, in my opinion, has apparently
been lost. You may recall Hodgson telling us that Tonnelli and
his union would endorse us, that he was merely waiting for the
merger to be concluded so that he could get a new executive
council together and have the executive council vote an endorse-
ment. When I saw Hodgson at Camp David Tuesday night, I asked
him if there was any way to accelerate this so that we could come
up with a union endorsement this week, trying to break McGovern's
momentum in the union area. He said perhaps he could get Tonnelli
to endorse us this week personally, and then have him convene his
executive council for a formal union endorsement the week after the
Republican Convention.
This morning Hodgson called to say that he had not gotten Tonnelli's
personal endorsement, but thought he could get it if I could arrange
for a breakfast with Tonnelli, the President and Hodgson. I said to
him that that seemed to me to be unnecessary in view of the fact that
he already had the commitment he wanted and he told me that it was
quite unecessary and that "of course" there wouldn't be an endorse-
ment by the union since he couldn't get his executive council to agree.
I reminded him of what he had said earlier and he said that "you fellows
in the White House have to live in the real world". I, of course, don't
mind living in the real world, but I do like to be told the facts straight.
We now have a consistent record of Hodgson overstating his case right
from the beginning.
2.
Since you know Tonnelli as well or perhaps better than Hodgson, I
would strongly urge that you go back and start working your own
route with him. I am convinced that if there is a way to screw up
a favorable situation, Hodgson will find it.
Last week he told me to be sure that we stayed away from the Building
Trades because he was obtaining their endorsement as a department.
This week Usery tells me that there is no way the department can
endorse, which of course is what I've been telling Hodgson all along.
and that the only way we will get the Building Trades is on a one by one
basis, precisely what you and I have discussed from the outset. Since
we now have at least four instances where Hodgson has blown major
labor support, I think you have got to move into this area yourself.
I will take this up with MacGregor, Ehrlichman and Haldeman to get
a green light. Jim just is not political, does not understand what is
going on and gets terribly misled.
This now may become a much bigger task than we had thought in view
of the fact that we have lost 3 or 4 weeks waiting for Hodgson to deliver
things which it is apparent he can't deliver. You may have to bring in
some big guns for help. I don't mind spending time myself with some
of the Building Trades leaders whom I have developed some relation-
ships with over the past three years and, of course, you should start
spending a great deal of time in this area. Frankly, I think we have
something of a crisis on our hands because we have been assuming
that Hodgson would do things which he is not doing. Nor unfortunately
is Usery and there has been nothing this week from the airline pilots
or the railroad unions and again, of course, we have stayed away from
them because of Usery's assurances that he had them in the bag.
Please keep me advised, but keep this ball rolling and rolling hard!
August 12, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
NOEL KOCH
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
I noticed the absence of a weekly staff report from you this week
which is especially distressing to me in the light of our conversa-
tion yesterday. I hope you do not take what was occasionally
light-hearted banter light-heartedly.
When I picked you to do this job, it was because I was convinced
you had talents beyond those of a mere writer. I am deadly
serious. With 87 days left, I will not allow any personal feelings
to stand in the way of getting the job done and you have got to
start jumping through hoops to make it happen!
I don't think I need to point out how important to you personally it
is that you perform. If you don't think you can, you would be better
off letting me know right now and we'll simply keep you writing
and let someone else get into the operational side. From your own
personal standpoint, you would be better off to do that than to come
out of the campaign with black ma rks which I think would be damaging
to you in the future.
I mean by this not only to reinforce what I said to you yesterday, but
also to be sure that the point is made how important it is that you do
not misunderstand this.
August 10, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MIKE BALZANO
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
You are not doing well for me at all on coming up with
bright, young, articulate ethnics. Derwinski and Perk
are old hacks. Come on, get with it and get me people
fast -- first thing Friday morning. Where in hell is
your network if you can't produce for me any better
than this?
August 5, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JOHN EHRLICHMAN
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
You might be interested in the attached. It should be
kept very confidential, however, because it was written
by Lou Harris for the President and if the impression
were to get out that Harris was advising us, it would
hurt his credibility for this election and we don't want
to do that.