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From John M. Huntsman to Robert H. Finchman RE: California Strategy (Action Memo P-12l4). 1 pg. 2 copies. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/11/1971
From Bob Finch to RN RE: California Stategy (Action Memo P1214). 4 pgs. 2 copies. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/1/1971
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WHSF: Contested, 52-28
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WHSF: Contested, 52-28
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This file contains:
From John M. Huntsman to Robert H. Finchman RE: California Strategy (Action Memo P-12l4). 1 pg. 2 copies. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/11/1971
From Bob Finch to RN RE: California Stategy (Action Memo P1214). 4 pgs. 2 copies. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 1/1/1971
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
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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
52
28
6/11/1971
Campaign
Memo
From John M. Huntsman to Robert H.
Finchman RE: California Strategy (Action
Memo P-1214). 1pg. 2 copies.
52
28
1/1/1971
Campaign
Memo
From Bob Finch to RN RE: California
Stategy (Action Memo P1214). 4pgs. 2
copies.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Page 1 of 1
DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT]
DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
NUMBER
TYPE
SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS
DATE
RESTRICTION
N-1
memo
Huntsman to Finch re: "California
6/11/71
strategy (Action memo P-1214)".
C (Nixon)
[188]
N-2
Memo
Finch to RN re:" California strategy
6/1/71
C (Nixon)
[189]
(Action Memo P1214)
N-3
Memo
Huntsman to Dent re: "Albert Watson".
6/11/11
C (Nixon)
[190]
N-4
Memo
Colson to Staff secretary re!
6/7/71
C
[577]
Action Memorandum Log No.
P-1749
FILE GROUP TITLE
BOX NUMBER
STAFF SECRETARY
48
FOLDER TITLE
Action Memo File [P1734-P1749; incomplete]
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.
: Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's
F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law
rights.
enforcement purposes.
'elease would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy
G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material.
a libel of a living person.
H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material.
'AL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
NA FORM 1421 (4-85)
Presidential Materials Review Board
Review on Contested Documents
Collection:
Staff Secretary
Box Number:
48
Folder:
Action Memo File [P1734-P1749; incomplete]
Document
Disposition
188
Return Private/Political
189
Return
Private/Political
190
Retain
Open
577
Retain Open
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
PETHEMINED TO BF. AN
ADMINISTRATIVE
June 11, 1971
E.O 6-102
CONFIDE NILAL /SENSITIVE 9/30/82
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ROBERT H. FINCH
FROM:
JON M. HUNTSMAN
SMH
SUBJECT:
California Strategy (Action Memo
P-1214).
The California Strategy (Action Memo P-1214) that you submitted to the
President was read with interest. A copy of your memorandum is
attached.
It was noted that your first recommendation dealing with the organization
of 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" was a good recom-
mendation and should be implemented as soon as possible.
It was further suggested that Attorney General John Mitchell be involved
in your third recommendation that it be made clear to Reagan and other
key elected officials that he is not to head the Presidential campaign in
California, even in a so-called honorary capacity.
It was further noted, that relative to your own role, that you should "work
with or chair a small advisory strategy committee" which you felt from
the standpoint of "overview" ought to be implemented as soon as possible.
There were no notations on the fourth page of your memorandum relative
to the immediate recommendations you made.
Please submit a report to the office of the staff secretary. Thank you.
cc:
H. R. Haldeman
Alexander P. Butterfield
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 11, 1971
DETERMINED TO BE AN
CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE
E.O. 18005, Section 6-102
ME By MORANDUM FOR:
NARS Date 9/30/82
ROBERT H. FINCH
FROM:
JON M. HUNTSMAN
Im#
SUBJECT:
California Strategy (Action Memo
P-1214).
The California Strategy (Action Memo P-1214) that you submitted to the
President was read with interest. A copy of your memorandum is
attached.
It was noted that your first recommendation dealing with the organization
of 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" was a good recom-
mendation and should be implemented as soon as possible.
It was further suggested that Attorney General John Mitchell be involved
in your third recommendation that it be made clear to Reagan and other
key elected officials that he is not to head the Presidential campaign in
California, even in a so-called honorary capacity.
It was further noted, that relative to your own role, that you should "work
with or chair a small advisory strategy committee" which you felt from
the standpoint of "overview" ought to be implemented as soon as possible.
There were no notations on the fourth page of your memorandum relative
to the immediate recommendations you made.
Please submit a report to the office of the staff secretary. Thank you.
cc:
H. R. Haldeman
Alexander P. Butterfield
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT ANJ
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
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 " Eat 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.
- 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
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.
- 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
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT ANJ
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
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 "Eat 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,
Reinccke, 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.
- 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
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.
- 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