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This file contains: Author and recipient unk RE: draft on strategy between now and Wisconson. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 3/23/1972 Talking points (Democratic Situation): The New Hampshire Democratic Primary. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Other Document], no date

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WHSF: Contested, 47-34
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WHSF: Contested, 47-34
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This file contains: Author and recipient unk RE: draft on strategy between now and Wisconson. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 3/23/1972 Talking points (Democratic Situation): The New Hampshire Democratic Primary. 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Other Document], no date
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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 47 34 3/23/1972 Campaign Memo Author and recipient unk RE: draft on strategy between now and Wisconson. 4 pgs. 47 34 > Campaign Other Document Talking points (Democratic Situation): The New Hampshire Democratic Primary. 4 pgs. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 Page 1 of 1 DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT) DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION N-1 memos memorandum on Strategy Between 3/23/72 how and wisconsin, with C (min) [Doc 124] attached draft copy N-2 memo Khachyian 40 Buchanar, re: 3/8/72 [Doc 125] "nonpartinar Wotercdvcation cinfil with attached droft copy N-3 memo Taking Points (Demoratic situation 3/7/72 C (omyon) [Doc 126] - The new Hangushire Democratic N-4 memo Primary, with 2 draftcopies [Doc 127] Research Two to Research one, 3/3/72 re: Division of wsponsilitities N-5 notes "notes on attach material" 2/14/72 < (mg) [Doc 128] Lattached to N-4 case file N-G notes Handwritten, Phone descussion 2/10/72 (canife) with w/strachen [Doc 129] [attached TO NLY case file [Doc 130] attastments Handwritten notes, re: meeting, 2/22/72 Dide Howard, Bob Two chose, Van Pater millspaugh 2) AD -12/25/72 raft copies of N-4memo., 2/28/72 FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER 5 FOLDER TITLE march [1972] RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified information. financial information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NA FORM 1421 (4-85) Presidential Materials Review Board Review on Contested Documents Collection: Kenneth L. Khachigian Box Number: 5 Folder: March [1972] Document Disposition 124 Return Private/Political 125 Retain Open 126 Return Private/Political 127 Retain Open 128 Retain Open 129 Retain Open 130 Retain Open 3/23/72 DRAFT MEMORANDUM ON STRATEGY BETWEEN NOW AND WISCONSIN Because of unavailable data and because Wisconsin itself holds the keys for developing further strategy, it is somewhat difficult to plan effectively for the period between now and Wisconsin. On the surface, it would be in our distinct interest for George Wallace to once again upset the field -- or at least pull as many delegates away as he can. Continued success by Wallace simply drives him deeper into the Democratic National Convention and sets the stage even more clearly for the assertion that the national Democrats are out of step with their rank and file. Our impression is that Muskie will not do spectacularly well in Wisconsin. If he loses to Humphrey, Hubert will have many reasons to claim he's on his way again. If Muskie scores a poor third, Humphrey will be even stronger and the money will probably start falling in (with a drop-off to Muskie). Unless someone knows something we don't, there isn't enough good information to recommend continued targeted attacks on Muskie. Just leave him alone -- we don't want to elevate him now. Besides, the other Dems are beginning to smell the blood and they will be all over one another. And we shouldn't attack HHH yet because it's too early to know if he's on the way up. Page 2 Thus, our recommendation, strange as it may seem, is to sit back and wait until the Wisconsin primary is over when we can assess with more directness where our attention ought to lie. If anything be done, it is to help George Wallace. At the risk of repeating ourselves, opposition attack activities must serve a purpose which meshes with our own campaign strategy, which furthers RN's chances of winning and which strikesheavy blows with effectiveness. Lacking these aims, we should just sit back and wait. That is about where we are now, and our reluctance to go on the offensive is guided by our best judgment of the road to Miami at this point in time. 3/23/72 DRAFT MEMORANDUM ON STRATEGY BETWEEN NOW NND WISCONSIN Because of unavailable data and because Wisconsin itself holds the keys for developing further strategy, it is somewhat difficult to plan effectively for the period between now and Wisconsin. On the surface, it would be in our distinct interest for George Wallace to once ggain upset the field -- or at least pull as many delegates away as he can. Continumed success by Wallace simply drives him deeper into the Democratic National Convention and sets the stage even more clearol y for the assertion that the national Democrats are out of step with their rank and file. Our impression is that Miskie will not do spectacularly well in Wisoonsin. If he loses to Humphrey, Hubert will have many reasons to claim he's on his way again. If Muskie scores a poor third, Humphrey will be even stronger and the money will probably start falling in (with a drop-off to Muskie). Unless someone knows something we don't, there isn't enough good information to recommend continued targeted attacks on Muskie. Just leave him alone we don't want to elevate him now Besides, the other Dems are being to smell the blood and they will be all over one another. And we page 2 shouldn't attack HHH yet because it's too early to know if he's on the way up. Thus, our recommendation, strange as it may seem, is to wait sit back and until the Wisconsin primary is over when we can assess with more directness where our attention ought to lie. If anything be done, it is to help George Wallace. At the risk of repeating ourselves, opposition attack activities must serve a purpose which mesh with our own camapaign stragegy, which furthers RN's chances of winning and which strike heavy blows with effectivebess. Lacking these aims, we should just sit back and wait. That is about where we are now, and our reluctance to go on the offensive is guided by our best judgment of the road to Miami at this point in time. - TALKING POINTS (DEMOCRATIC SITUATION) -- THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY -- If Muskie gets less than 50% of the vote, the outcome is "astonishing." Coming in a state whose border is 25 miles from the place where Muskie was born and raised; a state to which Muskie is regarded as a "neighbor;" Muskie's back yard; and a state where Muskie visits every year the results must be considered a setback to his candidacy. -- Muskie had virtually no opposition, especially considering his opponents insignificance ratings in national public opinion polls. Such an outcome indicates Muskie's support is soft and that Muskie was less than a heavyweight. Frankly, we had considered Muskie to have the nomination virtually sewed up. To win by such a narrow margin indicates that Muskie, as of now, might not make the distance and that Hubert Humphrey must be considered a very real challenge to the Muskie candidacy. Humphrey is a much better campaigner, and as the titular head of the Democratic party has a great deal of broad-based support throughout the country. The bigwinner of the N.H. Primary was the man who didn't even appear on the ballot -- Hubert Humphrey. If Muskie scores between 50% and 60%, much of the same above applies. It should be considered the most minimal of victories for Muskie and a pyrrhic victory. Anything less than 60% in his political back yard indicates a great weakening of Muskie's support. If he gets around 65%, it should be noted that this was very much expected -- that we thought he would get at least 65%, especially con- sidering his lack of major opposition and his geographic proximity. Only a Muskie victory of 70% could be considered anything near the proportions of a candidate who is supposed to be so clearly a "frontrunner." -- In light of Muskie's small margin of victory, Republicans will surely reassess Muskie's strength. He certainly is no longer the formidable "Lincolnesque" figure that he might have been considered. Asked about the crying incident, we have no comment on how it affected the election. The public should be the judge of a presidential candidate's loss of composure over one or two isolated news articles. There is some question on how Muskie would hold up against the pressures of a full-blown presidential campaign and the pressures of the Oval Office. After all, it is just starting. Most likely, Muskie's indecisiveness and the uncertainty on where he stands probably hurt Muskie more than anything else. In general, the primary shows the disarray that pervades Democratic party ranks. They have no true leadership -- nothing like the FDR--Truman- Kennedy--Johnson tradition. They are confused, disunited, and leaderless and must do better to merit the public's support in November over a strong President. (Demonatic Interation) TALKING POINTS THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY If Muskie gets less than 50% of the vote, the outcome is "astonishing. 11 Coming in a state whose border is 25 miles from the place where Muskie was born and raised; a state to which Muskie is regarded as a "neighbor;" Muskie's back yard; and a Pstate where Muskie visits every year the results must be con- sidered a setback to his candidacy. Muskie had virtually no opposition, especially considering his opponents ratings in national public opinion polls. Such indicates Muskie's support is soft and that Muskie was less than a heavyweight. Frankly, we had considered Muskie to have the nomination virtually To win by such a low margin indicates that Muskie, as of now, might not make the distance and that Hubert Humphrey must be considered a very real challenge to the Muskie candidacy. Humphrey is a much better campaigner, and as the titular head of the Democratic party has a great deal of broad-based support through- out the country. The WH the Man who didn even If Muskie scores between 50% and 60%, much of the same above applies. It should be considered the most minimal of victories for Muskie and a pyrrhic victory. Anything less than 60% in his political back yard indicates a great weakening of Muskie's support. mayor If he gets around 65%, it should be noted that this was very much expected that we thought he would get at least 65%, especially considering his lack of opposition and his geographic proximity. Only a Muskie victory of 70% could be considered anything near the proportions of a candidate who is supposed to be so clearly a "frontrunner. 11 In light of Muskie's small margin of victory, Republicans will surely reassess Muskie's strength. He certainly is no longer the formidable "Lincolnesque" figure that he might have been considered. Asked about the crying incident, we have no comment on how it affected the election. The public should be the judge of a presidential candidate's loss of composure over one or two isolated news articles. There is some question on how Muskie would hold up against the pressures of a full-blown presidential campaign After all, it is just starting. Most probably, Muskie's indecisiveness and the uncertainty on where he stands probably hurt Muskie more than anything In general, the primary shows how they disarra blath pervades Democratic party ranks. They have no true leadership -- nothing like the FDR--Truman--Kennedy--Johnson tradition. They are confused, dis- united, and leaderless and must do better to merit the public's support in November over a strong President. draft - Khachigian 3/7/72 ING POINTS -- THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY -- If Muskie gets less than 50% of the vote, the outcome is "astonishing." Coming in a state whose border is 25 miles from the place where Muskie was born and raised; a state to Muskie is regarded as a "neighbor;" Muskie's back yard; and a state where Muskie vis its every year the results must be considered a set- back to his candidacy. -- Muskie ha virtually no opposition, especially considering his opponents extremely low ratings in national public opinion polls. Such a los indicates Muskie's support is soft and that Muskie was less than a heavyweight. -- Frankly, we had considered Mukkie to have the nomination virtually in the bag. To win by suc a low margin indicates that Muskie, as of now, might not make the distance and that Hubert Humphrey must be considered a very real challenge to the Muskie candidacy. Humphrey is a much better campaigner, and as the titular head of the Democratic party has a great deal of broad-based support throughout the 8 untry. -- If Maskie scores between 50% and 60%, much of the same above applies. It should be considered the most pyrhic (SP) minimal of victories for Muskie and a victory. Anyhhing less than 60% in his political back page2 yard indicates a great weakening of Muskie's support. -- If he gets around 65%, it should be noted that this was very much expected -- that we thought he would get at least 65%, especially considering his lack of heavy opposition and his geographic proximity. Only a Muskie victory of 70% could be considered anything near the proporitions of a candidate who is supposed to be so clearly a "frontrunner." -- In light of Muskie's small margin of victory, Republicans will surely reassess Muskie's strength. He certainly is no longer the formidable "Lincolnesque" figure that he might have been considered. -- Asked about the crying incident, we have no comment on how it affected the election. The public should be the judge of a presidential candidate's loss of composure over one or two isolated news articles. There is some question on how Muskie would hold up against the pressures - blown of a presidential campaign. After all, it is just starting. Most probably, Muskie's indecisiveness and the uncertainty on just where he stands probably hurt Muskie more than anything. -- In general, the primary shows how much disarry pervades the Democratic party ranks. They have no true leadership -- FDR-- nothing like the/Truman--Kennedy--Johmmon tradition. They are confused, disunited, and leaderlèss and must do better to merit the public's support in November over a strong President.