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This file contains:
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California Delegation, Convention and Campaign" 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1971
From Huntsman to Finch RE: "California Strategy (Action Memo P-1214)" 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1971
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California strategy (Action Memo P1214)" 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/1/1971
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WHSF: Contested, 53-8
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This file contains:
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California Delegation, Convention and Campaign" 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/20/1971
From Huntsman to Finch RE: "California Strategy (Action Memo P-1214)" 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/11/1971
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California strategy (Action Memo P1214)" 4 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 7/1/1971
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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
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
53
8
7/20/1971
Campaign
Memo
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California
Delegation, Convention and Campaign" 4pg
53
8
7/11/1971
Campaign
Memo
From Huntsman to Finch RE: "California
Strategy (Action Memo P-1214)" 1pg
53
8
7/1/1971
Campaign
Memo
From Finch to Nixon RE: "California
strategy (Action Memo P1214)" 4pg
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Page 1 of 1
DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT]
DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
NUMBER
TYPE
SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS
DATE
RESTRICTION
N-1
memo
Finch to RN re: "Status of National
9/30/71
C (Nixon)
[106]
Center for Voluntary Action (NCVA)
N.2
memo
Finch to RN re: "California Delegation,
7/20/71
C (Nixon)
TOT]
convention and Campaign".
N.3
Memo
Huntsman to Finch re: "California
6/11/71
strategy (Action Memo P.1214)".
C(Nixon)
[108]
N-4
memo
Finch to RN re. "California strategy
6/1/71
c(Nixon)
[109]
(Action memo P1214):
N-5
memo
secretary of Labor to RN re:
12/28/70
[110]
"Juggestion made by others that the
C(Nixon)
Administration should shift its posture
towards organized Labor and "Take off
the gloves and enter open battle".
FILE GROUP TITLE
BOX NUMBER
STAFF SECRETARY
84
FOLDER TITLE
Presidential Memos 1971 Finch
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:
Staff Secretary
Box Number:
84
Folder:
Presidential Memos - 1971 Finch
Document
Disposition
106
Retain
Open
107
Return
Private/Political
108
Return
Private/Political
109
Return
Private/Political
110
Retain
Open
[Item N-2]
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
INFORMATION
July 20, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ROBERT H. FINCH
SUBJECT:
California Delegation, Convention
and Campaign
The two attached memoranda from Tom Reed regarding the
selection of the California delegation represent a power
play with potentially disastrous consequences.
The very existence of this material and the polls in them
is inexcusable.
Several things are obvious:
1. In terms of fund raising party unity and symbolism, you
can not separate the delegation from the California campaign.
This is strongly reinforced if San Diego is the convention
site.
2. The delegation must be structured solely on the basis
of what will help carry California in November.
Any delegation picked by a committee chaired by Reed and
composed of Reagan, his designee (Bob Walker), Tuttle,
Eleanor Ring, and your designee (i.e. Firestone it is
presumed) will not meet this standard.
In 1968 you will recall, Tuttle "assessed" each delegate
$5,000 or $10,000 for the "Reagan Fund.' As in 1956 and
1964, a so-called "Host Committee" headed by the national
committeeman, national committeewoman and state chairman,
will raise a substantial sum of money for favors and gifts
to delegates. This is money which will be denied us for
the campaign.
I plan to meet with John Mitchell as soon as he returns
and would like to recommend the following:
1. Reed should be advised that suggestions for delegates
would be welcomed from each of the persons Reed proposed
for his committee (except Bob Walker), plus each statewide
Republican office holder as well as Republican congressmen
from California and state legislators.
To keep it away from the White House, I would suggest
Firestone or someone else -- clearly your man -- be
designated as the person who will make final recommendations
to Mitchell for the composition of the President's delegation.
2. There should be an agreement as soon as possible on
"assessments" or other monies raised from delegates or
others in connection with the convention. I would suggest
that a given quota be established with one-half to be set
aside for convention purposes and one-half for the Nixon
campaign in California. There must be an accounting of these
funds.
3. The other steps in the memos which must be countered are:
(a) No public announcements in August about delegation
selection.
(b) "Records and Files" not in Reed's office.
(c) If further polls in California are taken someone
from the Nixon organization should help formulate
as well as have access to results -- who is paying
for them? We certainly don't need any other polls
on "If Richard Nixon does not run for President
"
(d) OR memos saying "Nixon is in trouble in California. "
4. This is your delegation, your convention, your campaign.
Reagan should be chairman but if the Reeds and Walkers run
wild with the kind of stupidity reflected in these documents
and if they run the campaign we are in trouble.
POLICY FOR SELL TON OF THE CALIFORNIA DEL ATION
TO THE 1972 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
MAKEUP:
96 delegates: 2 from each congressional district, 10 at large (no more
than 4 from each congressional district), and 96 alternates.
LEADERSHIP:
Governor Reagan, Chairman of delegation. T. C. Reed, Vice-Chairman.
Delegation firmly pledged to the renomination of President Nixon.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:
T. C. Reed, Chairman; Eleanor Ring; Governor Reagan (to be represented
by one staff member); Holmes Tuttle; Leonard Firestone.
Counsel (not for public announcement): W. F. Smith.
Staff: To be selected by Chairman (Reed) with approval of the Committee.
Initially, Helen Healey will act as Secretary of the Committee.
Records and Files: Office of the National Committeeman.
SCHEDULE:
August 1971 - Public announcement of organizing committee.
September-December 1971 - Informal "hearings." Luncheon meetings
with key leadership. Somewhat formal "hearings" by Reed and
Ring at RSCCC State Convention, October 1-3.
January 1972 - Committee commences deliberations as a group,
including others as appropriate.
Late March 1972 - (After New Hampshire, Wisconson, primaries)
Submit list to Governot for approval. List to include suggested
officers of delegation. No "draft" lists to be released prior
to this date.
March 8, 1972 - Earliest date to file for primary.
April 7, 1972 - Latest date to file for primary.
PRIMARY CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT:
To be determined by the President and the Governor in the spring of
1972 in light of apparent challenges.
PROCEDURES:
Every effort will be made to Involve the rank and file of the Republican
Party in Culifornia in the nominating process; to avoid problems under
rule 14 adopted at the 1968 convention; to assure that as many
communities and constituencies as possible are represented; and to
build political strength for the President and the Governor consistent
with the above. Computer time-sharing and file maintenance will be
used to assure the retention and analysis of all nominations.
POLLING:
The Organizing Committee will undertake regular surveys to analyze
the probability and nature of a primary challenge to this delegation,
and to ascertain the opinions of all Republicans.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CALIFORNIA DELEGATION AT THE CONVENTION:
To be the responsibility of the National Committeeman and Committee-
woman (Reed and Ring). Financial arrangements to be started by the
Organizing Committee.
The above discussed with and approved by RR, 7/5/71, Sacramento.
The above policy, but not specific memo, discussed with and approved by
John Mitchell, 6/29/71, Washington, D.C.
[Item N-3]
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
DETERMINED TO BE AN
WASHINGTON
ADMI STRATIVE MARKING
E.O. 12065, Section 6-102
By few NARS, Date 10/13/82
June 11, 1971
CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ROBERT H. FINCH
FROM:
JON M. HUNTSMAN
JMH
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
[Item N-4]
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
BOB FINCH ANJ
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