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From Robert H. Finch to Haldeman RE: RN's political activities in California. 5 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 8/10/1970
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From Robert H. Finch to Haldeman RE: RN's political activities in California. 5 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 8/10/1970
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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6
48
8/10/1970
Domestic Policy
Memo
From Robert H. Finch to Haldeman RE:
RN's political activities in California. 5 pgs.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Page 1 of 1
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 10, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. H. R. HALDEMAN
SUBJECT: President's Participation in California
Events
The purpose of this memorandum is to outline recommen-
dations for scheduling President Nixon's participation
in major California political and public events this
fall. This schedule should be structured to achieve
three general objectives:
1.
Get maximum political equity for the
President in California;
2. Give recognition to California's Bicentennial
Celebration;
3. Lay the foundation for (1) organizing and
?
financing the restoration of President Nixon's
birthplace and (2) the financing of the Nixon
Foundation.
Additionally, coordination is needed to avoid conflicts
with a number of major political events (mostly fund
raisers) already scheduled in California. On August 20,
the Vice President will speak to a $500 a plate dinner
at the Century Plaza. Reagan and Murphy will be present,
but the proceeds will accrue to the Murphy campaign.
The Vice President will also speak at California fund
raising dinners on September 11 and October 30 (see
Tab A for list of California fund raising dinners)
There are three possible vehicles to achieve the above
objectives:
1. A "non-partisan" event honoring the President
with funds to be used primarily to help
California legislative candidates;
2. A California Evening at the White House;
2
3. Hosting a few groups at the Western White
House.
POLITICAL FUND RAISER
The procedes of the political fund raiser event would be
used by the California Republican legislative candidates.
Two basic strategies merit consideration for raising a
substantial amount of funds while simultaneously enhancing
the posture of the President. These strategies are:
(1) a small (i.e., 50 to 100 couples) dinner with a very
high contribution expected from each couple; (2) a very
large gathering with a rather low contribution rate.
Either of these strategies would be clearly differentiated
from, and, hence minimize the potential conflict with, the
Murphy dinner.
Small Dinner
The dinner would be a low key, but very elegant,
affair. The primary attraction would be that the
guests would have an opportunity to talk informally
with the President, Governor Reagan, Senator Murphy
and selected White House staff during the evening.
It would be held in some suitable location in
Orange County. (The location should naturally
be convenient for those coming from the San
Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego metropolitan
areas, as well as having suitable accommodations
close by for those guests who intend to spend the
night.) Locating the dinner in Orange County would
not only be convenient for the Nixons' return to
San Clemente, but also it would pay tribute to
Orange County's increasing importance to California
and its steadfast loyalty to President Nixon.
Some of the couples attending this function might
also attend the California Evening at the White House.
However, because of space limitations inviting all
of them would be impossible. Consequently, those
who do not attend this particular function should be
put at the top of the list for other prestigious
3
White House events. This commitment should be
discretely, yet clearly, communicated to all of
the guests. (Incidently, if we select this
strategy, we should first probably do some fence
mending with some of our major contributors.)
Large Gathering
There are two options to the large gathering
strategy: (1) an evening at Disneyland and
(2) dinner and entertainment at the Anaheim
Convention Center.
An evening at Disneyland would be a relaxed, but
very positive, forum for the President. It would
not only be great fun for the guests, it could be
very lucrative. I understand the park (with all
rides operating, concessions open, bands playing,
etc.) can be leased for one evening for $27,000.
It holds up to 17,000 people.
There is a problem with this option, however. I
understand that currently Disneyland has a policy
which prohibits the park from being used for a
fund raising event. This point could be explored
with Roy Disney.
Turning to the second option, the Anaheim Convention
Center rents for $1,250 and holds approximately 800-
1,000 people seated at tables (This estimate is
rough and needs to be refined.) The format for
this evening would be cocktails, dinner and enter-
tainment, with appropriate remarks by the President
to highlight the occasion. "Impromptu" piano playing
by the President would fit in well and would delight
the audience.
Depending upon which format is selected and the problems
which crop up in planning it, the fund raiser could be
held during the week just prior to, or just after, Labor
Day. This would coincide with the President's present
plans to be in California over that weekend. Additionally,
it would provide a breathing space after the Murphy dinner,
but still be early enough SO that the funds can be
utilized effectively in the campaign.
4
CALIFORNIA EVENING AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The purpose of this evening would be to give White House
recognition to California's Bicentennial Celebration.
It would also serve to give prominence to Governor Reagan
and Senator Murphy. The evening would be very festive,
and would be covered by the press, magazine writers, and
TV (hand-held cameras only).
The evening could be held on Monday, September 28, the
anniversary of Cabrillo's discovery of California. This
date is late enough so that the impact of the coverage
should last until the election. On the other hand, it
is early enough before the election so that preparations
for it and participation in it would not hinder the
campaign efforts during the last few critical weeks.
There are two aspects of the evening which need further
consideration: What rationale should be used to develop
a guest list and how should the evening be financed?
There are two approaches to selecting a guest list. One
way would be to invite those Californians who have played
a substantive role in the Bicentennial Celebration. This
would include the 15 voting membersof the California Bi-
centennial Celebration Commission (list attached at
Tab B). Depending on how many honored guests and White
House representatives will be present and how much seating
space is desired, from 30 to 45 additional couples can be
invited. (I understand a seating arrangement with 55
couples is quite gracious and seating 70 couples becomes
cramped.)
If this approach to the guest list is used, it may also
be appropriate to hold an afternoon reception on the
same day for the California State Society. This reception
would include the California Congressional delegation,
administrative assistants, and medium to high level
Federal Government appointees from California.
A second basis for developing a guest list would be to
invite those who will finance the Nixon Foundation or
the Yorba Linda homesite restoration.
5
Of these two approaches, I prefer the former substantive
involvement with the Bicentennial Celebration. It rein-
forces the basic theme --recognition of California's
200th anniversary. Moreover, the second approach may
possibly be subject to embarrassing criticism that the
White House is being used improperly.
The means of financing the event is closely tied to
the approach selected to rationalize the guest list.
Consequently, a financing strategy cannot be developed
until the guest list question is resolved.
GROUP VISITS TO THE WESTERN WHITE HOUSE
Assuming that involvement in the Bicentennial Celebration
is the basis for the California Evening at the White House
guest list, entertaining at the Western White House should
be utilized for launching the projects to restore the
Yorba Linda homesite and to establish the Nixon Foundation.
Meeting with the President at his San Clemente homeis
quite apropos for these functions. The best timing would
be sometime in October--after the events previously des-
cribed, but in time for favorable press coverage to have
an impact on the election.
* * *
I will be most interested to discuss these thoughts with
you and the President.
ROBERT H. FINCH
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