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Copy of a memo from RN to Haldeman RE: long-range political planning, particularly that relating to the 1972 election. 3 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/18/1971
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WHSF: Contested, 8-14
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WHSF: Contested, 8-14
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This file contains:
Copy of a memo from RN to Haldeman RE: long-range political planning, particularly that relating to the 1972 election. 3 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/18/1971
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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8
14
1/18/1971
Campaign
Memo
Copy of a memo from RN to Haldeman RE:
long-range political planning, particularly
that relating to the 1972 election. 3 pgs.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Page 1 of 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 18, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM THE PRESIDENT
1
I would like for you to have a discussion with Finch and Mitchell
prior to the time that you, Dole, Mitchell and I meet after the
State of the Union with regard to our long-range political activities.
Let us begin with the proposition that for the whole of 1971 I want
to keep my own political activities to an absolute minimum. The
tough question will come with regard to what we do in the primary
states in 1972. For example, if we have to make a decision to
enter the primaries, it will have to be made before the end of
1971 in order to handle the situation in New Hampshire. What
I see ourselves being drawn into is a whole year of campaigning
in 1972 in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Oregon, Nebraska and
California due to their laws which put candidates' names on the
ballots whether they approve it or not. There will be a tendency
for some of our people to want us to move in this direction in
order to preempt the field. My own view is that if possible
I ought to avoid getting involved in any of the primary states,
including California, even if it meant that this might open up
those states for someone else to get their votes at the Con-
vention. Far more important than getting support in such
primary states for the Convention is to allow me to conduct
myself in 1972 for as long a time as possible in a way that will
help us win the election.
In any event, I will under no circumstances agree to do any cam-
paigning whatever in the primary states. What I am thinking of
is going even further: avoiding becoming a candidate at all until
shortly before the Convention. I am sure that you can see the
great advantages of this approach. Talk this over with Finch
and Mitchell and then at a later time we will talk it over in a
broader group.
- 2 -
What led me to write this memorandum is the fact that several
of those who attended the National Committee reception asked
about coming in to see me about the political situation in their
states. Greg Evens (sp. ?) for example said he'd like to come
in to talk about the situation in South Carolina. Bill Fettridge
said that he had written me a letter about Sam Witwer, and I
assume that the letter dealt with either Witwer's being used
in our campaign or perhaps for some other appointment. When
Buz Lukens came in to see me, he talked about the situation in
Ohio and his desire to work for us in Ohio.
Taking each of these individuals in order, I should under no
circumstances have any discussions with Greg Evens (?) about
the political situation in South Carolina and this should be a
rule with regard to anybody during the year 1971. You, Mitchell
and Finch should find a way, however, to follow up with a fellow
like Evens (?) so that he feels that the message is getting through
to me. Incidentally, in his case, you will have to determine whether
or not Evens (?) and Dent get along. I am not sure that they do.
In the case of Witwer, the Illinois situation requires a very thorough
examination of all the power units there. In any event, a fellow
like Witwer should be used but it is important immediately as you
can see that we have some one man in charge in Illinois so that
when I get a question about somebody like Witwer, I will know
where to refer it.
In the case of Lukens, as you know, this involves John Andrews,
the Ohio political hierarchy and a lot of other wheels within wheels.
My general impression of him is about what yours is but, on the
other hand, he has a lot of drive, a lot of friends and could probably
turn out to be quite useful to us provided it will work out in coopera-
tion with Andrews and others in Ohio. I would like for you to see
that all three of these are followed up so that they know that I have
passed the information on. Lukens, incidentally, tells me that the
County Chairman in Cuyahoga County, Hughes, was the real culprit
in the 1970 elections and is bad news as far as we are concerned.
My guess is that Andrews is our best contact in Ohio but again
let's be sure that we just don't line up with one power faction against
another. Lukens, incidentally, also wants to talk about political
activities in other states where some of his PR people will be
working. Just see that somebody responsible handles him in a
proper way.
- 3
All of this, of course, points up the necessity at the earliest
time possible of having our political situation put down state
by state as far as the major states are concerned, in a way
that we can use the people who will be helpful to us and keep
them from getting me involved.