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Political Media Analysis-Three Weeks. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 10/17/1972
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 11/4/1972
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 10/27/1972
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WHSF: Contested, 48-29
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Political Media Analysis-Three Weeks. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 10/17/1972
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 11/4/1972
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 10/27/1972
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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48
29
10/17/1972
Campaign
Report
Political Media Analysis-Three Weeks. 2 pgs.
48
29
11/4/1972
Campaign
Report
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg.
48
29
10/27/1972
Campaign
Report
Political Media Analysis. 1 pg.
Wednesday, June 03, 2015
Page 1 of 1
IT
POLITICAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
October 17, 1972
Three Weeks
Last night on the tube, we did far better than we had any reason to expect
yesterday morning. The President's appearance before families of the
POWs led all networks; the footage was variously moving, effective and
favorable. The TV types themselves noted tears and cheers as RN departed.
All gave excellent coverage of the event the lead story of last night.
This morning the play is generally front-page with pictures. The implied
attack on McGovern's amnesty and war positions, was effective politically
directly, as well.
Other plusses for the Admin are these: Continuing analyses that are
favorable to President and damaging to us, continue to pour in from all
over the country. The polls which got noted on the tube last night cannot
have induced any sense of confidence in the McGovern camp.
Also note: RN's criticism of "opinion leaders" got a good ride -- not extensive,
but good and one expects to see reaction from elite media that we are
not the "cheer-leaders" of the Administration - Γ upcoming. Again, however,
the POW story swept Watergate-bugging-espionage-sabotage off the lead.
MCGOVERN -- His lead story of the day is his charge that we hired fifty
saboteurs to disrupt and harass the Democrats. Gets extensive, not great,
coverage. His lead of today, and probably of last night. Shriver, picking
up the theme in today's wires. Last night, however, McGovern's edge
was blunted by screw-ball fire marshal who disrupted -- on two networks
his rally to order press around, hullaballoo developed, his aides denoucing
marshal general screw-up which made McGovern footage on nets
somewhat comical.
On the down side for McGovern are the polls and analyses mentioned.
WATERGATE-ESPIONAGE Again, on this matter we did better than one
expected in the early morning hours of Monday. McGovern's charges made
the nets, in fashion stated above, but MacGregor was on all three networks
denoucing the charges. On ABC we did well -- on NBC (Valeriani) not SO well.
Theme developing is that while we are "denoucing" the charges, we are
not "denying" the charges. Dole and MacGregor in Post quotes are getting
good rides on press and in wires -- in these stories.
SHRIVER Last night's report on Shriver picked up theme reported in here
previously. Shriver asserting people were leaving RN in droves to go into
undecided questioned critically by Jack Perkins of NBC who then went
into theme of resignation in Shriver camp, with victory written off and hope
now being to hold down RN's margin.
-2-
OBSERVATIONS -- 1) While we effectively counter-attacked on Watergate,
etc., last night, this is not our issue, but theirs; and further focus on
their issue, making this story of the day seems unwise. 2) The way the
W. Post hyped our attacks upon them this moring, with Bradlee's smug
assertion to wait for "time" to judge accuracy of charges -- suggests we
may be raising into a pat hand; and Post may have wherewithall to chop
us off, if we move too far out on limb. However, "denoucning but not
denying" theme is one that nee$consideration for handling. 3) Howls
from both Shriver and McGovern suggest that the "attack" commericals have
gotten to them. 4) The Allin "Atlanta Report" contained in final pages
of news summary for leisurely reading.
#####
(
POLITICAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
November 4, 1972
Vietnam was the political issue of yesterday. The President, the Vice
President, McGovern & Shriver all focused upon it - - it led most stories
on all candidates. With the President and Vice President, however,
there was a sub-theme of "hecklers" upon whom the media focused very
heavily -- both TV and press. Politics has come to dominate television
almost to the exclusion of other news -- but not so with the writing press.
The McGovern attack on the President -- hitting us on a point of maximum
political vulnerability according to some polls, i. e., alleged "political"
timing of cease-fire -- was given the lead in the Times this morning but
nowhere else.
One negative from yesterday was the handling of the pre-April donors
release. Names and contributions were probably stunning to average fellow --
also, Common Cause came off as hero of the hour.
But both the President and Vice President, however, made their points
loud and clear about peace with surrender and McGovern meddling in delicate
foreign policy negotiations of the United States.
McGovern's Kiss My Ass comment got a surprising second day ride in a
number of stories this morning -- page one in the Philly paper with a
story essentially focusing upon the remark.
Negative story making the rounds is alleged Secret Service transmission
of information on McGovern "private" visits to White House aides.
And now for the Good News -- Technicians and others in a contract dispute
with CBS have walked off the job -- and here it is only three days to
election night. And that's the way it is, Saturday, November 4th.
#####
POLITICAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
October 27, 1972
11 To Go
"Peace is at hand" dominates television and press last night and this morning
as no story in recent mory. Watergate-Espionage has been inundated
completely for the time being.
MR. MCGOVERN- At present here is how McGovern is handling the issue;
lead on his remarks is that he welcomes peace, even on election eve; sub-
themes: why didn't we get it four years ago; and let's not let President
Thicu stand in our way. McGovern will move cautiously on this, as press
reports, waiting for perhaps a deadlock or a hitch, before going on attack.
Perhaps we ought to consider the pre-emptive strike - i.e., the Vice
President saying on Sunday television that the President's achievement
proves the wisdom of his bombing and mining; and also, shows how close
to disaster McGovern would have brought America as not a week ago, even
after Hanoi had secretly made concessions, McGovern was still calling for
an American surrender and a dishonorable peace. The fact of the peact
treaty is to prove the peace-at-any-price leftists.Jike McGovern as dreadfully
mistaken and wrong for the last four years, and the President right.
One problem here is that we (Dole, MacGregor) have been calling on McGovern
et al. not to play politics; and McGovern has not breached that call yet
though Shrive has; and he may be the hinge on which to go after McGovern
for offering a surrender to the enemy, and betrayal - - even while secret
peace terms had been agreed to.
Secondly, President has achieved peace despite the fact that here at home,
he had been harassed, and attacked and undercut every step of the way.
Note: Shriver's remark of two weeks back that Kissinger's trip to Paris was
the "most immoral thing Richard Nixon ever did, 11 or words to that effect.
Question: Should we wait for McGovern to attack if things go awry which
could redound to our benefit -- or go after him first?
#####