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From Higby to Haldeman RE: "the Dole situation." 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 11/20/1972
From Higby to Haldeman RE: Bob Dole. 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 11/21/1972
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This file contains:
From Higby to Haldeman RE: "the Dole situation." 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 11/20/1972
From Higby to Haldeman RE: Bob Dole. 2 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 11/21/1972
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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6
3
11/20/1972
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Higby to Haldeman RE: "the Dole
situation." 2 pgs.
6
3
11/21/1972
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Higby to Haldeman RE: Bob Dole. 2
pgs.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Page 1 of 1
November 20, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR :
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM :
L. HIGBY
SUBJECT :
Dole Situation
I talked to Dent, Harlow, and Timmons, on the Dole situation. I have
not reached Colson yet, These three gentlemen will be getting together
tomorrow afternoon to discuss this whole situation in more detail, but
each one of them brought forth some interesting facts.
1. Timmons - Timmons agrees completely with the idea and will
move toward instituting the plan. He will get to his contacts out int
the field as well as try and work something with some of our closest
people on the Hill. He indicates that the Senate Campaign Chairman-
ship is really no problem - that Brock is already moving in on this -
that a conversation this morning with Brock indicated that he already
had enough votes to secure the Chairmanship of the Senage Campaign
Committee.
Timmons indicates that Wilson is planning on leaving the House Campaign
Committee this term and that they are already working in this area. He
did not have details, but will be getting them.
In addition, he'll have Cook and possibly one or two people on the Hill
try and get out some stories on the Dole leadership and the House and
Senate leadership.
2. Dent - Dent had a meeting yesterday with the 12 Republican Chairmen
from the South. He indicated that when he raised the point of the need for
a fulltime Chairman, that they all unanimously agreed. They are already
looking for someone to fill this role. Dent indicated that the problems are
as follows: We cannot have 1) a creep individual, or 2) an Administration
individual. He feels that the best selection for the RNC slot, by far, is
Bush. He feels that this needs to be done shortly before the 1st of the
year, that the Chairmen across the country are eager to get going on '74
now.
2
3. Harlow - Harlow indicated that he agreed with the basic philosophy
but did not feel that we should be kicking the Congress very hard - that
they are very testie right now and any excuse that we use on them in
terms of kicking them will have a strong rebound effect on us. He said
that there is already a growing movement in the House that is being
conducted very confidentially to replace Wilson - that Kuykendall, is,
in fact, heading the movement, and that Harlow is going to be having
breakfast with Kuykendall tomorrow morning.
This would present an interesting situation with two Tenesseeans
controlling the campaign committees.
During the meeting tomorrow between Dent, Harlow, and Timmons,
additional strategy sill be discussed. Timmons and Dent felt that
the easiest way to get rid of Dole is to have Harlow call him in - that
Harlow is really the one who hired him, or made the deal at least, and
that Harlow would be in a unique position to get rid of him. Bryce did
not feel nearly as comfortable with this as did Timmons and Dent, but
I'm sure will discuss it tomorrow with Bill.
LH:pm
November 21, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR :
H.R. HALDEMAN
FROM :
L. HIGBY
SUBJECT :
Bob Dole Situation
I had a long talk with Colson this morning about getting the ground
work going on the outside with regard to Dole. He indicates that
he's been trying to sell the basic fact that the RNC blew the election,
but he said we are making a serious mistake to try and pin any sort
of blame, or be calling for new leadership, with regard to Bob Dole.
If we want Dole to leave, Colson feels strongly that the best way to
do it is to simply call Dole in and talk to himand indicate that we
think he's done a great job, but now is the time for a change. He
says that building the ground swell on the outside will only force
Dole to defend his position and be set in concrete on staying. Then,
if we try to ask him to stay, he's not going to be able to.
Harlow agrees completely with this position. He said we should
not try and guild a ground swell on the outside, but should have Dole
up for a long chat here at Camp David. He said there are some very
persuasive arguments for Dole's departure now.
1. For Dole to stay as Chairman could easily ruin
him in Kansas. The President'is going into a new
term and will taking some positions that will be
contrary to what Dole should take as a Senator from
Kansas. The President cannot afford to have his
National Chairman be against him, and Dole cannot
afford to overlook his Kansas constituency.
2. The change should be made now as we are going
into a new term. It's the season of change - we're
going to be changing several other posts, and Dole
certainly won't stand out.
2
J
Harlow indicates the obvious problem is the President's pledge
that Dole will stay on. He feels, however, that this can be
handled Dole. fairly graciously by having a long conversation with
Colson feels you should be the one to have the conversation with
Dole, but indicates that it could be done by Mitchell. Harlow
thinks it should be the President.
LH:pm