Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Source Description
This file contains:
From Gergen to Nixon RE: "Speaking Materials for Campaign Dinner" 6 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 5/8/1973
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
26147085
label
WHSF: Contested, 53-31
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
26147085
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
WHSF: Contested, 53-31
description
This file contains:
From Gergen to Nixon RE: "Speaking Materials for Campaign Dinner" 6 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 5/8/1973
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
26147085
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
b2afa00f64027205
ocrText
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
53
31
5/8/1973
Campaign
Memo
From Gergen to Nixon RE: "Speaking
Materials for Campaign Dinner" 6pg
Monday, June 25, 2012
Page 1 of 1
DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT]
DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
NUMBER
TYPE
SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS
DATE
RESTRICTION
N.1
Memo
Gergen to RN re; Speaking
[Doc#52]
5/8/73
C
Materials for Campaign Dinner
(Tab "C" key staff. GOP Recommendations
on References to Watergate in Dinner
Remarks"
N-2
memo
Gergen to RN re: "Speaking materials for
5/8/73
C
[DOC#53
11
Campaign Dinnee" [cover memo
for N-1, which is actually only Tabc]
AOH 4/8/96
FILE GROUP TITLE
STAFF SECRETARY
BOX NUMBER
115
Miscellaneous- FOLDER TITLE Speeches Press Conferences 1/73-6/73 [II]
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G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material.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H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material.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: 115
Folder:
Miscellaneous -- Speeches, Press Conferences 1/73 - 6/73
[II]
Document
Disposition
52
Return Private/Political
53
Retain Open
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 8, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAVID GERGEN DS
SUBJECT:
Speaking Materials for Campaign Dinner
Attached please find the following materials prepared by John Andrews
and others for your appearance Wednesday night at the New American
Majority Dinner:
Tab A: Fact Sheet
Tab B: Suggested Remarks of General Nature
Tab C: Summary of Staff, Outside Suggestions
on Handling of Watergate; Suggested
Remarks on the Subject
Tab D: Summary of Materials Submitted by
Paul Keyes and Bruce Herschensohn
(Andrews) DG
May 8, 1973
KEY STAFF AND GOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON REFERENCES
TO WATERGATE IN DINNER REMARKS
George Bush: RN must mention; it's on everyone's mind and these
friends and supporters are suffering the most from it. No need to
dwell on Watergate, but important to acknowledge awareness of
this audience's grave concern about it and to reiterate pledge of a
swift and thorough cleanup.
Bill Brock: Must allude to it in some fashion, emphasizing that
it won't divert U.S. from its role in the world or agenda at home.
RN's decisive action to deal with the situation puts him in a strong
position to address it with total frankness at this dinner, and such
an approach would be well-received.
Bob Michel: "Hell's bells yes". RN should meet the subject head
on. Emphasize that as captain of ship of state he has moved to deal
with "trouble on the bridge", taking helm himself to get us out of
rough seas and ba: on course.
General Haig: May be unnecessary to raise the subject at all. Any
teference to it certainly should be oblique, reassuring the audience,
emphasizing importance of Nation's larger tasks, but breaking no
new ground that would make news.
Bill Timmons: Should mention, in the context of GOP's opportunity
to grow stronger through adversity. Darkest hours can provide the
greatest insight. Invite the party to "join me in the road back.
to
an overwhehning expression of support" in '74.
Rav Price: Must acknowledge it. recognizing gravity with which this
group views it and stressing that he shares their view. In serious,
not light, tone RN should express confidence that the facts will show
both dob and the Presidency untainted, reiterating his determine 100
to unsarth all the Licts and to make the reforms that will preven
future abuses.
-2-
Dick Moore: Perhaps best not to mention Watergate at all. If
RN feels some mention is necessary, point out that neither GOP
nor New Majority was involved, that '74 elections will turn mainly
on individual candidates' records, and that principle of fair play --
innocence till guilt is proven -- must be protected.
Ron Ziegler will add his recommendation before event; Len Garment
declined to recommend. ]
FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FROM GOP LEADERS ON THEMES TO
COVER
George Bush: Resentment of CRP among both Hill and contributors
remains strong. RN should hit hard on the need to build the party
and to work through the RNC from here on out. Many present will
be nursing the feeling of a tarnished image from Watergate; stress
that nearly all political contributors, and the candidates they give
to, mean the contributions support only good government, not in-
fluence. Stress that the GOP remains strong and growing, with solid
achievements that can't be obscured. Pledge heavy effort in 174 to
re-elect incumbents and to recruit strong new candidates.
Bill Brock: This gathering will represent the staunch loyalists who
have decided "it's time to rally and put things back together and get
on with the job. 11 Some will be present in direct response to an
eleventh-hour mailogram appeal from Bush, Brock, and Michel
saying that now if ever is the time for Republicans to close ranks.
A rousing motivational speech from RN would help a lot.
Bob Michel: "He could make a heck of a lot of points by announcing
that CRP is hereby dissolved. " Expression of a desire to repair
damaged communications with Hill GOP WO: Id be most appropriate;
WH staff changes make the time eight for such a move. Indicato
appreciation of support on past and future vetoes. and point out that
fashioning of a New Majority and election of a GOP Con_ POST would
make veteen immecessary, moving COP from non ative into positive
position, able to enact signable legislation.
N-1 1
(Andrews) LH/DG
May 8, 1973
SUGGESTED REMARKS: WATERGATE-RELATED
I have some news tonight for the obituary writers.
Constitutional government in Washington is alive and well.
The Nixon Administration is alive and well. And the Republican
Party is alive and well.
We're going to prove it by cleaning up every last bit of the
Watergate mess and then getting on with the great work the
American people elected us to do last November.
As we gather here tonight, we are properly concerned with
the political future of our party. I pledge to you that justice will
be done, and when it's done, our credibility will not be compro-
mised, our future will not be jeopardized, and the election pros-
pects of our candidates will be as bright as ever.
No great political party can afford to grow complacent over
pant trin pphs or to indulge in despair over temporary setbacks
rather NO keep our sights 00 OPT great wals. especially roday,
who are closer 10 achieving them than ever before.
-2-
I said at the end of my inaugural address last January that
any President needs a lot of help to fulfill the trust of his office.
During the past weeks, as we have broken open the Watergate
coverup, I have received that kind of help from many quarters.
Many of you in this room have played leading roles in this process,
and I thank you for it.
Let me say to you what I said to the press last week: Just
keep giving me hell when I'm wrong. That's one of the things friends
are for - - and I feel like a very lucky man tonight to have such friends
as you.
***
If the phrase had not already been used once OF twice, I would
be tempted to say tonight that these are the times that Ley men's
souls. What I will say, with gratitude and with pride, is that your
souls have stood the trial magnificently.
Ours is not a party of summer soldiers or sunshine patriots; it
is a party of Americans for all seasons.
***
The reprehensible action, of d few unscrupatous people Plus
not and will not obscure the record of Republicans as the party (),
-3-
principle, the party of peace, and the party of solid prosperity.
As we build on this record, we can make this the party of the
New Majority at every level in every state in 1974.
###