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This file contains:
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democratic Convention Second Night." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/12/1972
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democrat Convention - First Night." 4pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1972
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democratic Convention Second Night." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/12/1972
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Dwight L. Chapin RE: "Democratic Convention Coverage." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/10/1972
To: John N. Mitchell Through: Jeb S. Macgruder From: E.D. Failor RE: "Democratic Telethon." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/23/1972
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WHSF: Contested, 45-22
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26146218
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WHSF: Contested, 45-22
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This file contains:
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democratic Convention Second Night." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/12/1972
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democrat Convention - First Night." 4pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1972
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE: "Democratic Convention Second Night." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/12/1972
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Dwight L. Chapin RE: "Democratic Convention Coverage." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/10/1972
To: John N. Mitchell Through: Jeb S. Macgruder From: E.D. Failor RE: "Democratic Telethon." 3pgs [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/23/1972
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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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Document Type
Document Description
45
22
7/12/1972
Campaign
Memo
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE:
"Democratic Convention Second Night."
3pgs
45
22
7/11/1972
Campaign
Memo
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE:
"Democrat Convention - First Night." 4pgs
45
22
7/12/1972
Campaign
Memo
To: Dwight Chapin From: Dick Moore RE:
"Democratic Convention Second Night."
3pgs
45
22
7/10/1972
Campaign
Memo
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Dwight L. Chapin
RE: "Democratic Convention Coverage."
3pgs
45
22
6/23/1972
Campaign
Memo
To: John N. Mitchell Through: Jeb S.
Macgruder From: E.D. Failor RE:
"Democratic Telethon." 3pgs
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Page 1 of 1
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 12, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR DWIGHT CHAPIN
FROM:
DICK MOORE
SUBJECT:
Democratic Convention Second Night
1. The second night re-emphasizes the importance of
promptness. We must do everything we can to get dele-
gates to the hall on time, also gallery spectators. The
half empty hall gives a miserable effect, and gets the
session off to a very unimpressive start.
2. Whatever it takes to prevent people from standing and
walking behind the speaker on the podium should be done.
3. I have no firm opinion yet, but we should be giving
new thought to the look and tone of our convention. So
far the Democrats, with their 80% new delegates, have
come across as sincere people who are taking the con-
vention seriously. Despite the far out clothes and hair
styles of many of them, some of the new types are emerging
as very effective people, e.g. Yvonne Brathwaite. In
contrast, the old type conventioneer with funny hats, most
of whom wore Wallace buttons, looked kind of silly and
(pardon the expression) looked old hat. In watching the
next two sessions, let's keep in mind whether it makes
sense for us to have balloons, noise makers, hats and
the other props associated with past conventions; or do
we want to take on a more deliberative look. I am not
against an appearance of liveliness and fun, but I do
think we should be thinking about what our crowd will
look like in contrast to the new coalition.
4. The word coalition has a negative flavor, mostly
derived from the Communist "coalition" governments. The
term is getting a good deal of use in describing McGovern
supporters. Isn't this a word which we can turn against
them?
- 2 -
-
5. Shouldn't we allow more than one floor camora?
The floor interviews have been less effective because
the platform cameras make the interviewees appear to be
looking at the floor instead of into the camera.
6. The lighting and camera work on the keynote speech
was the most effective yet. Moreover, there was no
cutaway from the speaker or film. This emphasizes
again the importance of controlling the house lights.
7. I think all of us should be giving some creative
thought to the matter of floor interviews. If the
choice of a vice president is made known before opening
day, and if we have no serious platform fight brewing,
what in the heck are the network interviewers going to
ask about? So far, each network has spent more time covering
the floor than the podium, and we can assume, for instance,
that CBS will insist that a team like Mudd, Rather, Wallace and
Schorr not go to waste. We should also note that they
are attracted to celebrities, such as Marlo Thomas and
Gloria Steinem last night. I can't cover the subject in
full at the moment, but clearly we should develop some
topics on which we can encourage questions. For example,
by August 21, there may be some McGovern campaign tactics
or statements which have become controversial, and perhaps
we can get questions directed more toward the campaign
than toward the convention itself. In any event, I think
this whole subject requires special attention.
8. Will someone pursue the problem of reinforcing the
collapsible fence? Apparently a dozen demonstrators were
able to push the fence down easily and walk right through.
9. On the matter of promptness, I take it the biggest
problem was the buses. I don't know what the nature of
the problem was, but certainly this is something we should
look into. I assume there are delegation buses which leave
a hotel at a scheduled time. This means that people cannot
leave earlier and those who miss it are in trouble. Could
we not also have a continuous shuttle service on Collins
Avenue which could be hailed by people who want to get there
earlier and could also pick up people who missed their own
scheduled bus.
(
1
-
-
- 3 -
10. The Democrats were wise in limiting the official
podium appearance of their homosexuals to between 4 and
5 in the morning. Someone should be in charge of seeing
to it that we do the same with ours. Do you have a
candidate for this fulltime assignment?
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 11, 1972
FOR:
DWIGHT CHAPIN
FROM:
DICK MOORE
SUBJECT:
Democrat Convention - First Night
1. The pre-gavel warm up period is extremely important. Last
night the networks were on the air for an hour of interviews inside
the hall before the gavel fell. Even if we start on time, they will
undoubtedly be there a half hour before. We should not let these
interviews happen purely by chance, but should be certain that
our first team of hand picked people we would like to have inter-
viewed are there early and well versed in the evening's line. In
addition to delegates and political persons we should have celebrities
and any attractive spouses who are available.
2. The network showed relatively few shots of non-political
celebrities, such as Lorne Green. We should provide them with
a list and seat locations of our celebrities including famous people
other than entertainers.
3. Control of the house lights is absolutely essential. The O'Brien
speech was carried in full, including films, without cutting away
once to spectators or delegates. The speech was dull and they
would have cut away except that the house lights were out for the
full half hour. When we have a speech we want on TV, we should
always be in a position to turn the lights down.
4. The speeches from the party were totally devoid of humor,
and O'Brien is something of a undertaker to begin with. We must
plan some good cracks and laughs at the expense of the Democrats
right from the beginning.
5. The gavel has a tinney sound. We should have a solid sound of
wood on wood.
- 2
6. Last night a couple of delegates were interviewed sitting
down. Our people should be told to stand when they are talking
to a TV interviewer, so they can be seen.
7. We should note the songs which are carried on TV and not
repeat them ourselves. For example, "This Is My Country"
sung by the New Dimension Group.
8. The invocation was too long and the Archbishop got too
political. We should be tough on both counts.
9. The invocation and the pledge are important because they are
among the few things we are assured the camera will cover and the
nets will carry.
10. The floor microphones for delegates often didn't work or
delegates did not know how to use them. We should check out each
microphone just before the session and we should be sure that those
who will speak for a delegation know how to talk into this particular
mike.
11. Obviously delegates still don't realize that if they read a
newspaper or fall asleep they are likely to be put on camera. We
should make a renewed effort through the delegate caucuses before
the convention to educate them on this point.
12. Lest there be any doubt about it, last night proved again that
what we program for the arena audience has nothing to do with what
the millions actually see. For about an hour from 8:30 to 9:28 the nets
not only did not
carry the podium proceedings at all, but never even told us what
was going on in the hall. This full hour of prime time was
entirely improvised and subject to the whim of the networks as
to what the national audience saw. Thus it becomes inecreasingly
clear that we must anticipate the dull spots where networks will
cut away, and try to have something favorable to us which they
can cut to. This should include interview possibilities or
other happenings outside the pall as well as in. We can also note
that in several cases the networks cut to a taped interview which
had taken place earlier, and we should provide plenty of such
opportunities during the day.
13. We should be sure to get a few minority accents among the
delegates who may have an occasion to speak from the floor. We
certainly should have at least one foreign accent doing the pledge
of allegiance, which can't be cut.
14. I trust that our podium microphones will be less visible and
obtrusive.
15. We should note that last night had a strong element of
suspense which must have kept people tuned in waiting for the roll
calls. We can expect the media to keep the suspense alive through
Wednesday even though McGovern undoubtedly has everything in full
control. In our case opening session will have no suspense, which
is all the more reason for us to keep concentration on pace and
variety so that at least we may be entertaining.
16. In closing I would emphasize again that speeches are an
archaic form of communication. Almost everything last night was
too long, and therefore, dull, We plan short speeches and
short everything, but it is plain that human nature will get
in the way unless we monitor this item constantly and ruthlessly.
MEMORANDUM
C.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 12, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR DWIGHT CHAPIN
FROM:
DICK MOORE
:
SUBJECT:
Democratic Convention Second Night
1. The second night re-emphasizes the importance of
promptness. We must do everything we can to get dele-
gates to the hall on time, also gallery spectators. The
half empty hall gives a miserable effect, and gets the
session off to a very unimpressive start.
2. Whatever it takes to prevent people from standing and
walking behind the speaker on the podium should be done.
3. I have no firm opinion yet, but we should be giving
new thought to the look and tone of our convention. So
far the Democrats, with their 80% new delegates, have
come across as sincere people who are taking the con-
vention seriously. Despite the far out clothes and hair
styles of many of them, some of the new types are emerging
as very effective people, e.g. Yvonne Brathwaite. In
contrast, the old type conventioneer with funny hats, most
of whom wore Wallace buttons, looked kind of silly and
(pardon the expression) looked old hat. In watching the
next two sessions, let's keep in mind whether it makes
sense for us to have balloons, noise makers, hats and
the other props associated with past conventions; or do
we want to take on a more deliberative look. I am not
against an appearance of liveliness and fun, but I do
think we should be thinking about what our crowd will
look like in contrast to the new coalition.
4. The word coalition has a negative flavor, mostly
derived from the Communist "coalition" governments. The
term is getting a good deal of use in describing McGovern
supporters. Isn't this a word which we can turn against
them?
- 2 -
:
5. Shouldn't we allow more than one floor camera?
The floor interviews have been less effective because
the platform cameras make the interviewees appear to be
looking at the floor instead of into the camera.
6. The lighting and camera work on the keynote speech
was the most effective yet. Moreover, there was no
cutaway from the speaker or film. This emphasizes
again the importance of controlling the house lights.
7. I think all of us should be giving some creative
thought to the matter of floor interviews. If the
choice of a vice president is made known before opening
day, and if we have no serious platform fight brewing,
what in the heck are the network interviewers going to
ask about? So far, each network has spent more time covering
the floor than the podium, and we can assume, for instance,
that CBS will insist that a team like Mudd, Rather, Wallace and
Schorr not go to waste. We should also note that they
are attracted to celebrities, such as Marlo Thomas and
Gloria Steinem last night. I can't cover the subject in
full at the moment, but clearly we should develop some
topics on which we can encourage questions. For example,
by August 21, there may be some McGovern campaign tactics
or statements which have become controversial, and perhaps
we can get questions directed more toward the campaign
than toward the convention itself. In any event, I think
this whole subject requires special attention.
8. Will someone pursue the problem of reinforcing the
collapsible fence? Apparently a dozen demonstrators were
able to push the fence down easily and walk right through.
9. On the matter of promptness, I take it the biggest
problem was the buses. I don't know what the nature of
the problem was, but certainly this is something we should
look into. I assume there are delegation buses which leave
a hotel at a scheduled time. This means that people cannot
leave earlier and those who miss it are in trouble. Could
we not also have a continuous shuttle service on Collins
Avenue which could be hailed by people who want to get there
earlier and could also pick up people who missed their own
scheduled bus.
<
1
-
- 3 -
10. The Democrats were wise in limiting the official
podium appearance of their homosexuals to between 4 and
5 in the morning. Someone should be in charge of seeing
to it that we do the same with ours. Do you have a
candidate for this fulltime assignment?
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 10, 1972
10:00 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
DWIGHT L. CHAPIN
SUBJECT:
Democratic Convention Coverage
Several of us from the White House staff and the 1701 group
are monitoring the Democratic Convention here at the White House.
Our purpose is to examine as closely as we can the Democratic
Convention and to try to reach some conclusions as to how we
can better produce the Republican Convention for August.
One point which we are emphasizing is to examine in detail the
patterns of the networks in terms of how they handle their coverage.
For example, the Democrats are programming the Convention from
the podium while the networks are programming the Convention from
the points they feel should be covered. We are logging in the
coverage patterns for all three networks and comparing that against
what takes place from the podium. From this we hope to be able
to better judge what activities that we will present that the networks,
assuming they follow their pattern from this convention, put on the
air. We can, therefore, plan when we want to have people on the
floor available for interviews, when we want planes to land, etc.
The full report on the network coverage and the suggestions that we
will make regarding our convention will be to you on Tuesday, the 18th.
You may want to be aware that Timmons has called a convention review
meeting for Monday, the 17th where we will work up our final
recommendations to be passed on to you and Clark MacGregor.
Random Points:
1.
ABC programmed the Olympics against the opening of the
Democratic convention. We will try to insure tha ABC covers
the first evening activities of the Republican convention live.
This probably can be handled since our program that night will be
2
very short in length as compared to the long session
which the Democrats are facing on their opening night.
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) we'll have the overnight
rating figures and we expect to see ABC with a very
high share of audience.
2.
We need to figure out a pattern for our key surrogates
that we want to have interviewed on television for each
convention session. We should also work up the lines
which these people are to use. We know that the networks
are going to be wanting floor interviews, as well as interviews
at hotels and it's up to us if we use our heads to determine
who goes on at what particular time.
3.
We noticed that McGovern tonight had a new hairstyle. He
looked much cleaner cut and slicked down and he looked much
better than any of us had ever noticed before. Maybe we can
slap this as a slicker TV image?
4.
We need to do a thorough analysis of the Republican convention
delegates in terms of their annual salaries, what walks of
life they come from, etc. to see what we will have in terms
of propaganda to put out. The Democrats have been very
effective in proving that they are a party of the people. We
should not give up fighting back on this some until we
examine exactly who all our delegates are and what
propaganda possibilities we might have.
5.
The Democrats have really blown it on their podium. It looks
like a corrugated steel set-up. The microphones are placed
poorly. People are walking behind the podium, etc. Our
whole podium plan should work much better. It will give us
a clean look.
6.
The Democrats have obviously picked up on our idea of dimming
the house lights in order to direct the attention to the podium.
It was done for Larry O'Brien's opening address and worked
very effectively for them. It quiets the audience and directs will the
attention where it belongs which is on the podium. We/undoubtedly
try this more than the Democrats.
7.
When the Democratic convention opened with O'Brien wheeling
the gavel, no one in the hall really knew it. We're going to open
3
it with some fanfare and enthusiasm.
8.
You may have noticed, if you watched, the young people bring
in the flags at the start of the Democratic convention. We
have a very similar thing worked out with the young aides
from each of the delegations who will bring the flags in and
we should have just as good a youth look as did the Democrats.
9.
We have the question of what we put on the front of our podium.
We think we're going to go with the United States seal rather
than with the mod-looking Republican elephant.
10.
In Senator Lawton Chiles' opening remarks he made reference
to the fact that there was no prepared script for this convention,
nor were there any rigged demonstrations, no yes men, no
friends of politicians, etc. We must be careful not to overstage
our convention. What we do is going to look slicker and
more railroaded than the Democrats, just because of the kind
of convention we're going to lave. Our extra touches should be
applied carefully, not to exemplify our convention being only
a party, a multi-million dollar fiesta.
11.
If we're lucky they'll keep letting Jerry Reuben and Hoffman
on the floor. Hoffman's calling the President a Nazi and that
we have to get out of the White House does nothing but help us.
They undoubtedly will want to get on the floor of the Republican
convention and maybe we ought to let them on the floor, then the
delegates could boo them out and we could have them removed.
12.
The Democrats had about a 15-minute musical number after
Lawton Chiles spoke. The networks went completely off the
convention, did floor interviews and never really came back
until Larry O'Brien appeared which was thirty minutes to
forty-five minutes after Chiles' speech. We've got to keep
ours much tighter. However, we've got to program the time
for the commercial breaks and some floor time. When we go
to long delays, that's when we've got to arrange for something
to be happening either at a hotel, at an airport or somewhere.
13.
The look of their convention is standard very much like one
of the '68 conventions. The emphasis is on the party of the people.
The delegates for the most part look very neat, attractive, are
articulate and obviously intelligent. They are not necessarily the
bums that we thought would be there.
Committee for the Re-election of the President
MEMORANDUM
DETERMINED TO BE AN
June 23, 1972
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
By
Section 6-102
Date 6-4-80
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE JOHN N. MITCHELL
THROUGH:
JEB S. MAGRUDER
FROM:
E. D. FAILOR
SUBJECT:
DEMOCRATIC TELETHON
The attached news article presents an opportunity to mount an
effort against the Democratic Telethon. Apparently, there is
a serious conflict between McGovern's chief contributor and
Robert Straus, Democrat party treasurer. We should immediately
make every effort to exploit this controversy.
Techniques
Techniques to be used in exploiting this controversy are:
1. Generating stories through contacts with:
a) UPI investigative reporter
b) LA Times
c) Wall Street Journal
d) Newsweek
e) Broder
f) Evans/Novak
g) Others
2. Endeavor to obtain interviews by reporters from Straugs
and Mott which would, hopefully, get into name-calling.
3. Endeavor LO obtain reporter interviews with Hurphrey money
men to whom large CUTS of money are owed by the Democrat
party.
4. After the story has started to build, if it does, and during
t.l.e week before the Telethon, endouvor to obtain TV network
news coverage.
Polin N. Pircholl
+
in or airicitad project:
1. Generate additional controversy between Straus (the regular)
will time CTCO extremist):
Turnhrey, and the Democrat
order
by
Cate to control Ene
3. That Mott McGovern's biggest contributor) is a man of
certify $5.11. in issue;
4. 10 colling C.T. of his feller "Tet Case" that
vont assay paid back:
ind
in So to the Keryleay
"Fat Cats" and not to the ReGovern carpaign.
6. That the Dececral porty her been remiss in letting their
party newbers kind : where the money that is raised is going;
7. That it really den't fair to pay off old debts because
Desectats are interested in supporting their presidential
condidate (people are most reluctant to give money to pol-
itical "denc horee,"). ;
10
37 39 chli withing 07:11 Americans to DAY their debtist
0.
of the supportions of other pro- (dential hope-
ruis in Life controversy.
relatives crincis
-Vint Va immediated proceed to emploit and widha
St.c. (ch.
CONF IDENTIAL
Inc Monorable John N. Mitchell
7 ?
::.: ANY in 11 media, acc.
:- unin! party intervicks of
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