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From Colson to Malek RE: the former's political advice on Massachusetts. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Malek RE: the proper political mobilization of Massachusetts for RN in the election. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
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WHSF: Contested, 3-54
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This file contains:
From Colson to Malek RE: the former's political advice on Massachusetts. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/10/1972
From Colson to Malek RE: the proper political mobilization of Massachusetts for RN in the election. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/25/1972
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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3
54
8/10/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Malek RE: the former's
political advice on Massachusetts. 1 pg.
3
54
8/25/1972
Campaign
Memo
From Colson to Malek RE: the proper
political mobilization of Massachusetts for
RN in the election. 2 pgs.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Page 1 of 1
August 10, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FRED MALEK
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Massachusetts Situation
I did not express my true feelings when you were explaining to
Volpe and me what you had done in Massachusetts in terms of
state chairman. Please see my memo of July 14 to Clark
MacGregor, attached.
You will see from the attached that we have nothing but problems
up there as a result of the appointment of Don Dwight. I have
known Don for a long time, 20 years. He is a very nice guy
but the wrong person for this job, which he will only use as a
springboard for the Governorship. Someone had better get in
and straighten it out in a hurry. Conte and Hecker would have
been a perfect combination, but I guess it's too late now, but 1
dama well would see that they are actively and intimately involved
in the campaign. Also, somebody has got to be sure that the
staff is properly structured. It would be foolish to have Lloyd
Waring as upset as he obviously is, especially since I am sure
he is right. He has also been a great Nixon loyalist in good
times and bad.
Without sounding conceited, I think I know more about Massachu-
sette polities than anyone around here and since my advice has
been consistently disregarded to date, I should probably stop
giving it, but I hate to throw away a state which I know we can win.
Ed Brooke's advice has been similarly disregarded and he feels
as I do that we are blowing a golden opportunity.
August 25, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FRED MALEK
FROM:
CHARLES COLSON
SUBJECT:
Massachusetts Situation
Whoever wrote your memo of August 14 to me is a hell of a lot
more concerned about building a file and a record than in getting
the job done. It certainly doesn't sound like you, nor is it con-
structive to say that the points that Karalekas makes are factually
wrong.
I don't think your office is in any better position to assess the facts
than ours. Steve is from Boston and he does get frequent reports
from a lot of the local politicians and whose facts are correct is
really a lot less important than what people are saying and thinking.
I think you will have to admit, regardless of whose interpretation
is correct, or accurate, that there has been very unhappy feelings
towards the situation in Massachusetts.
Incidentally, Ed Brooke called me yesterday and among other things
that he wanted to discuss, was what he described as the "screwed up"
situation in Massachusetts. He too, had been pushing the Heckler-
Conte combination. He thinks that Dwight, while a lovely fellow,
has already gotten things in a hell of a mess.
Of course, Ed has to be careful; he's a candidate for office and doesn't
want to get into a disagreement with the Lt. Governor.
We have in the Democrate operation gotten John Collins to head our
Democratic effort in Massachusetts. I have had letters and calls from
old friends of mine saying that this will wrap up the state, that Collins
is highly regarded and that he has a very substantial following among
Massachusetts Democrate. One reported to me that he has been in a
lunchroom in Boston frequented by Democratic pols and to a man they
said they were going to work to support the President because of John
Collins. He really has a lot of the old timers with him. The publicity
up there from his announcement has been phenomenally good.
2.
Believe me, from everything I hear in the state, there has never been
a better shot at carrying it. The old white-Irish ethnic Democrate are
jumping ship in the droves. All I can say is let's not blow it with a lot
of little people quarreling over a lot of little things, or with you and I
exchanging lengthy memos. Let's get a damn pro to go up there and
talk to the people, get them all together, and get everyone working for
us. This happens to be one state where I think there is enough enthusiasm
that will be generated locally that if we just give them a little guidance
and keep them from fighting with each other, they can do the job them-
selves, Collins, for example, wants to raise his own funds to run a
Democrats advertising campaign. Let him go.
After the election somebody can pull your file copy out and do a detailed
analysis of how your facts were more nearly correct than mine. But
until that time, the hell with who's right or wrong. Let's get the thing
going and not mise a hell of an opportunity.