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From Bob Finch to the President. RE: California Strategy (Action Memo P1214). 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/1/1971
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This file contains:
From Bob Finch to the President. RE: California Strategy (Action Memo P1214). 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/1/1971
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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
49
46
6/1/1971
Campaign
Memo
From Bob Finch to the President. RE:
California Strategy (Action Memo P1214).
4pgs.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Page 1 of 1
DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT]
JMENT
DOCUMENT
JMBER
TYPE
SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS
DATE
RESTRICTION
NI
MEMO
From Finch to RN
6/1/71
C(NIXON
[143]
Re: California Strategy
(action Memo P1214)
Copy of pp 2 +3 follow
N2
MEMO
from Dent to RN
6/4/71
Re: Watson
c(wixon
[144]
N3
MEMO
from Whitaker to Ehrlichman
6/9/71
c(NIxon
[145]
Re: Secretary Stans,
Secretary Morton
N4(7)
MEMO
from Hughes to Huntsman
6/10/71
C(NIXON)
[146]
Re: Break by POW family
Group w/the administration
w/attached Tab A+B
N5
MEMO
from Huntsman to Hughes
Ra: Administration POW family Group &
6/22/71
C(NIXDN,
[147]
N 6 Omemo
from Whitaker to Ehrlichman
6/10/71
C(NIXON,
[148]
Re: Decision to contisive
special milk program
FILE GROUP TITLE
BOX NUMBER
POF
11
Presidents FOLDER TITLE Handwriting RESTRICTION CODES June ,three 10, 1971
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G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material.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H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material.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:
President's Office Files
Box Number:
11
Folder:
President's Handwriting June 1 thru 10, 1971
Document
Disposition
143
Return
Private/Political
144
Retain
Close
Invasion of Privacy
145
Retain
Close
Invasion of Privacy
146
Retain
Open
147
Retain
Open
148
Retain
Open
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT NHJ
FROM:
BOB FINCH
RE:
California Strategy (Action Memo P1214)
Factual Summary
1. The recent public and private polls taken in
California which I have forwarded to you show that
the Presidential race would be very close or that
we would lose the State against any major Democratic
contender at the present time. On the other hand,
McCloskey has not exceeded 9% against the President
among Republicans in any poll.
2. The California State Republican Central Committee
and County Committees are in bad disrepair with
generally a very poor quality of membership and
leadership. Good talent has been absorbed into
national and state government. Volunteer organi-
zations are equally impotent and increasingly
dominated by the far right.
3. Intense maneuvering vis-a-vis 1974 races (Governor
and Senator) is going on by Reinecke, Younger,
Flournoy in particular with a prejudicial effect
in terms of fund raising, organizing and carrying
the state for the President in 1972.
4. Against this background and the present vacuum of
activities on behalf of the President, key members
of the Governor's staff have been making contacts
among corporate heads party officials and prominent
personalities in the following areas:
a
Seeking staff and speakers to support the Governor's
welfare reform proposals as against the Administration.
b. Holmes Tuttle (after two meetings with the Governor)
contacting prominent personalities with regard to
serving on the Delegation.
- 2 -
C. Calls from Bob Walker with prominent leaders
saying "the Governor's office will run the
campaign--Finch to have nothing to do with
it" and discussions on his part as to who
might be city and county chairmen in the
Presidential campaign.
(Specific examples of the above with names, places and
dates can be provided to support these contentions)
Recommendations
1. A decision should be made as soon as possible for a
Nixon Advisory Committee headed by Firestone or
someone else. (clearly loyal to the President and
acceptable to Reagan) to send out the broadest
possible mailing for "Friends of Nixon" in California--
getting people signed up with their indicated areas
of interest and a chance to offer suggestions and
gojo
comments. These lists are organized and ready to
go and I believe the mailing should go forward
immediately after the wedding. The Governor should
be notified of the action just prior to the mailing
but without any option to veto. This organizing
committee should include the Governor and all appro-
priate elected Republican officials in California as
well as the key "fat cats" and "movers and shakers."
It should not include members of the White House
staff or Cabinet from California. Wives of such
key persons on the Federal payroll might be listed
on the organizing committee.
2. The Governor in his key position as Chairman of the
Delegation should be asked to submit some names he
would like to have considered for the Delegation. At
the same time, all other statewide officials should
likewise be asked to submit names, i.e., Younger,
Reinecke, Flournoy and Priest, as well as Congressmen,
Monagan, Seantor Marler, State Chairman Livermore,
Vice Chairman Luce and Ralph Rosedale, head of the
County Chairmen's organization. These names could
be considered for both Delegation and organizational
purposes.
PRESERVATION COPY
- 3 -
3.
It should be made clear to Reagan and other key
elected officials that he is not to head the
Presidential campaign in California, even in a
mithol
so-called honorary capacity. The President, in
other words, will run his own campaign in his
native state. If he is allowed to be "Honorary
Chairman," his staff will take this as having the
franchise for the whole campaign itself.
4. Movement should begin immediately following the
mailing to put in place new blood as acting
county and city Nixon chairmen, i.e. Russell Green,
Forrest Shumway, etc.
Finch Role
In connection with his general campaign assignments, it
should be made clear that Finch will have input in
political decisions and campaign personnel affecting
California. After discussion with the President, it has
been concluded that since RHF is a possible 1974 candidate,
he should not again serve as state chairman as the '74
implications would be counterproductive to the '72 effort.
There have been discussions about Finch working with or
chairing a small advisory strategy committee which I
think from the standpoint of "overview" ought to be
implemented as soon as possible. It would be antici-
pated that Finch would have a very important responsibility
in helping select city and county chairmen which are the
critical spots to be filled in carrying California.
Finch should campaign heavily and publicly, particularly
between the convention and the election in California,
as well as nationally, in those areas where he can be of
assistance among youth, minorities, etc.
Present Status in California
We have a small beachhead operation tied to the Kalmbach
law firm where John Flanigan is serving as a volunteer,
working with various groups like Waller Taylor, George
St. Johns, Fred Martin and others, in compiling lists,
but without authority to take any definitive action at
this time.
PRESERVATION COPY
- 4 -
Immediate Recommendation
There should be a meeting as soon as possible with the
President. Attorney General, H. R. Haldeman and Robert
H. Finch to discuss.
If agreement along these lines is reached, another
meeting with HRH, Kalmbach and RHF should be set for
June 11 to implement.
Firestone will be here for Patricia's wedding and, if
agreed. Mitchell could provide marching orders to
Firestone and Kalmbach at that time.
CC'
Attorney General
H. R. Haldeman
Pomona, Calif.
Progress-Bulletin
(Cir. D 40,063 40,742).
APR 281971
Allen's
P.C.B.
Est. 1888
Reinecke Sketches
Actions as Governor
WASHINGTON (UPI)
gan who has declared he will
-California's lieutenant gov-
not seek re-election in 1974.
ernor promises frequent
The governor, he said, suf-
meetings with students if
fers from a "lack of commu-
elected to the state's top of-
fice.
nication" with students, part-
ly because of security prob-
"If I were governor, I
lems and partly because of a
would try to have period-
lack of time.
ic-perhaps once-a-month -
"The governor is a very
meetings with students," Lt.
compassionate man, even if
Gov. Ed Reinecke told a news
he doesn't read that way,"
conference this week.
Reinecke said. "I have not
"They know I am perfectly
been painted all one color, as
willing to talk about any sub-
the governor has."
ject."
Reinecke said he did not
Reinecke, 47, was picked by
differ with Reagan philosophi-
Gov. Ronald Reagan as his
cally but that he "might dif-
lieutenant governor and has
fer" on methods. As an ex-
become the Reagan Admin-
ample, he told of his acti-
istration's chief ambassador
vities on campuses.
and spokesman to California
in discussing his political
youth.
chances, Reinecke said other
Mc-hopes to succeed Rea-
potential Republican guberna-
torial candidates are Houston
Flournoy, state controller;
Robert Finch, presidential ad-
viser; and Evelle Younger,
state attorney general.
He said that Younger was
the "better financed," Flour-
noy the "biggest vote getter"
and Finch the "most popu-
lar."
San Pedro, Calif.
News Pilot
(Gir. 6XW 15,514)
APR 271971
Allen's P.C.B.
Est. 1888
Reagan declines re-election
Reinecke
bids
for
WASHINGTON 1170-34 (UPI) -- California's
governor
$
post
He hopes to succeed Reagan who has
In discussing his political chances, Rel-
licutenant governor promises frequent
declared he will not seek re-election in
necke said other potential Republican 8"
meetings with students if elected to the
1974.
bernatorial candidates are Houston Flour-
state's top office.
The governor, he said, suffers from a
noy, state controller; Robert Finch, presi-
"If I were governor, I would try to have
"lack of communication" with students,
dential adviser; and Evelle Younger, state
periodic -- perhaps once-a-month-meetings
partly because of security problems and
attorney general.
with students," Lt. Gov. Ed Reinecke told
partly because of a lack of time.
He said that Younger was the "beller
a news conference Monday.
"The governor is ii very compassionate
Enanced," Mourney the "biggest vote get.
"They know I am perfectly willing to
man, even if he doesn't rend that way,"
ter" and Finch the "most popular."
talk about any subject."
Reinecke said. "I have not been painted
Among Democrais, he mentioned Rep.
Reinecke, 17, was picked by Gov. Ron-
all one color, as the governor has."
Jerome R. Waldie who has announced he
ald Reagan as his lieutenant governor and
Reinecke said he did not differ with
will run.
has become the Reagan Administration's
Reagan philosophically but that he "might
"And Sam is always there," Reinecke
chief ambassador and spokesman to Cali-
differ" on methods. As an example, he told
said, referring to Mayor Sam Yorty of Los
fornia youth.
of his activities ON campuses.
Angeles.
- 2 -
C. Calls from Bob Walker with prominent leaders
saying "the Governor's office will run the
campaign--Finch to have nothing to do with
it" and discussions on his part as to who
might be city and county chairmen in the
Presidential campaign.
(Specific examples of the above with names, places and
dates can be provided to support these contentions)
Recommendations
1. A decision should be made as soon as possible for a
Nixon Advisory Committee headed by Firestone or
someone else (clearly loyal to the President and
acceptable to Reagan) to send out the broadest
possible mailing for "Friends of Nixon" in California--
getting people signed up with their indicated areas
of interest and a chance to offer suggestions and
comments. These lists are organized and ready to
go and I believe the mailing should go forward
immediately after the wedding. The Governor should
be notified of the action just prior to the mailing
but without any option to veto. This organizing
committee should include the Governor and all appro-
priate elected Republican officials in California as
well as the key "fat cats" and "movers and shakers.'
It should not include members of the White House
staff or Cabinet from California. Wives of such
key persons on the Federal payroll might be listed
on the organizing committee.
2. The Governor in his key position as Chairman of the
Delegation should be asked to submit some names he
would like to have considered for the Delegation. At
the same time, all other statewide officials should
likewise be asked to submit names, i.e., Younger,
Reinecke, Flournoy and Priest, as well as Congressmen,
Monagan, Seantor Marler, State Chairman Livermore,
Vice Chairman Luce and Ralph Rosedale, head of the
County Chairmen's organization. These names could
be considered for both Delegation and organizational
purposes.
Preservation Copy
- 3 -
3.
It should be made clear to Reagan and other key
elected officials that he is not to head the
Presidential campaign in California, even in a
mith
so-called honorary capacity. The President, in
other words, will run his own campaign in his
native state. If he is allowed to be "Honorary
Chairman," his staff will take this as having the
franchise for the whole campaign itself.
4. Movement should begin immediately following the
mailing to put in place new blood as acting
county and city Nixon chairmen, i.e. Russell Green,
Forrest Shumway, etc.
Finch Role
In connection with his general campaign assignments, it
should be made clear that Finch will have input in
political decisions and campaign personnel affecting
California. After discussion with the President, it has
been concluded that since RHF is a possible 1974 candidate,
he should not again serve as state chairman as the '74
implications would be counterproductive to the '72 effort.
There have been discussions about Finch working with or
chairing a small advisory strategy committee which I
think from the standpoint of "overview" ought to be
implemented as soon as possible. It would be antici-
pated that Finch would have a very important responsibility
in helping select city and county chairmen which are the
critical spots to be filled in carrying California.
Finch should campaign heavily and publicly, particularly
between the convention and the election in California,
as well as nationally, in those areas where he can be of
assistance among youth, minorities, etc.
Present Status in California
We have a small beachhead operation tied to the Kalmbach
law firm where John Flanigan is serving as a volunteer,
working with various groups like Waller Taylor, George
St. Johns, Fred Martin and others, in compiling lists,
but without authority to take any definitive action at
this time.
Preservation Copy