Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 38
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY April 18, 1974 (Wed. nets, wires) The major stories of the day: Reaction to Mich. election led all nets (NBC briefly mentioned Frank McGee's death to start show) w/6-8 minute reports RN was "neither dismayed nor disheartened" by results said Warren. Burch on all nets asserted gap was closed from 9% to less than 3% as a result of RN visit which he called a "plus. 11 On ABC (NBC noted) he said impchmnt's too solemn, too meaningful to be decided by a poll on the courthouse steps of Bad Axe and he hopes no message re: impchmnt emanates from the election. On NBC (ABC noted) VP called the results "a licking", but he, like Burch believed RN "effectively narrowed gap" and hopes RN will participate in future campaigns because he can be and will be an asset. NBC noted VP's concerned that Dem majority will become overwhelming on Hill and said GOP can avoid that if proper strategy's used. VP on NBC/CBS said he believes we have to be honest and candid and admit we lost. Now, he continued, we must analyze results and see what can be done to be successful in other elections and in Nov. Mudd VP for loss. NBC only net to note Percy statement that RN resignation would "probably" be politically advantageous to GOP and "possibly" to US. Chancellor noted statement was similar to Buckley's -- tho not as clear and precise -- and from a different kind of GOP. ABC w/a very negative report on voter reaction w/2 voters saying they voted against RN, the one because she's "lost faith" in GOP saying "things don't seem to jell up" in GOP, the other expressing dissatisfaction w/way RN's running US and what he's done in DC. On film, Traxler said his opponent all along had been the occupant of "the big white house on Pa. Ave 11 and RN's trip acknowledged it. But Sparling said trip wasn't a factor and that if the election was lost, he, not RN lost it. On film the crowd cried "No and reporter Reynolds said few GOPs any- where in US "believe Sparling was the big loser. 11 NBC's Paxton also noted other GOPs disagree w/Sparling's assessment and think inviting RN was a mistake. NBC film on Traxler showed supporters yelling "Impeach RN" as Traxler said the "profound message" of election was that other good people are going to