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This file contains:
From W. Richard Howard and Higby to Haldeman RE: a comprehensive voter database created during the election of 1972 and potential non-election uses for it. 4 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 4/18/1973
From Higby to Patty RE: a reminder to call Mrs. Burgess. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 4/17/1973
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26145437
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WHSF: Contested, 10-16
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26145437
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WHSF: Contested, 10-16
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This file contains:
From W. Richard Howard and Higby to Haldeman RE: a comprehensive voter database created during the election of 1972 and potential non-election uses for it. 4 pgs. [Subject: Domestic Policy] [Memo], 4/18/1973
From Higby to Patty RE: a reminder to call Mrs. Burgess. 1 pg. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 4/17/1973
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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
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No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
10
16
4/18/1973
Domestic Policy
Memo
From W. Richard Howard and Higby to
Haldeman RE: a comprehensive voter
database created during the election of 1972
and potential non-election uses for it. 4 pgs.
10
16
4/17/1973
Personal
Memo
From Higby to Patty RE: a reminder to call
Mrs. Burgess. 1 pg.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Page 1 of 1
April 18, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
W. RICHARD HOWARD
L. HIGBY
SUBJECT:
Future of the Data Base
DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA BASED
During the 1972 Campaign as a result of our Direct Mail
program and canvassing efforts, a very substantial data
base was established. It is presently housed in a data
center in Dallas. It has more than $1,000,000 invested in
its development, socio-economic characteristics, algorithms,
software and technical know-how. It consists of a
computerized listing of nearly 22 million households (almost
30 million registered voters) in the nine large states and
now has the capacity for the following:
- Produce computerized lists of registered
voters for canvassing and get-out-the-vote,
by precinct, and in alphabetical or street
address sequence.
- Record voter responses from canvassing on
the master file (i.e., those voters who are for,
against or undecided toward the candidate).
- For specialized mailings:
Select surnames indicating ethnic
origin: Spanish, Polish, Jewish,
Irish, Italian.
Estimate the age and income level of
each household listed.
Page 2
Identify the Census tract, and therefore,
the general demographic characteristics
of each household.
It is currently the property of the Committee for the
Re-election of the President. George, Bush, the RNC,
individual candidates, Congressmen, State Committeemen
and various private concerns would all like to obtain a
copy of it for use during the 1974 and 1976 campaigns
as well as other commercial purposes.
Below are listed some alteraative routes that the President
might want to consider for use of the data base:
ALTERNATIVE #1
- Establish separate entity (corporation or trust)
to house the Data Base.
- The manager of the Data Base could also be part
of the RNC staff in their Data Processing operation.
- Decisions on which requests for use of the Data
Base would be made by someone outside of the RNC,
acting in the President's interest.
DISCUSSION
This alternative retains Presidential control for 1976. By
keeping the Data Base independent of the RNC, the Chairman is
not placed in a position where he has to honor all requests and
make the total system (computer tapes and programming)
available to anyone who requests it. At the same time, by the
presence of the manager in the RNC, the Data Base can be readily
used in conjunction with Republican campaigns whenever the
President so desires. For example, the decision might be made
to allow the Chairman of the RNC to make copies of the voter
lists and mailing labels available to selected candidates in
1974. Up to a point, the information could even be made avail-
able in computer tape form, although the distribution of the
system software (programming) is not recommended. Then after
1974, the President could once again assume control for 1976.
Any lists would only be marginally useful on 1976 unless sub-
stantial investment were made to keep it up. An obvious dis-
advantage of Alternative #1 is that it may, to some degree,
alienate party leaders.
Page 3
ALTERNATIVE # 2
- Turn the Data Base over to the RNC.
- Assure that a manager capable of using the
system is placed on the RNC staff.
DISCUSSION:
The President would be donating the Data Base to the
Republican Party. He could assure that adequate resources
are applied to maintaining it for 1974 and 1976. The RNC
Chairman would have complete discretion to make it available
to all candidates and all state parties. Undoubtedly, the
systems and software would also soon be disseminated. Most
of the 1976 candidates for the Presidential nomination would
be sure to obtain it.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Magruder, Marik, Kehrli, Higby and I agree that the owner-
ship of the Data Base should be in the name of some separate
legal entity and not be in the name of the RNC. This is
necessary in order to preserve the control of the Data Base.
If the Data Base were legally a part of the RNC, Chairman Bush
could conceivably be sued in the future by dissident or
opposing Republican candidates for the use of the Data Base.
Putting the ownership in a separate legal entity will fore-
stall any problems of this kind before they exist. We believe
Chairman Bush would agree with this arrangement. Bob Marik
has met with him.
APPROVE:
DONATE TO RNC:
2. Magrader, Marik and Howard have agreed that the control
over the Data Base should be maintained by an individual on
the White House staff, either by Howard or anyone you wish
to designate. In all activities involving the Data Base,
Page 4
the manager would be responsible to this White House
staffer, but for all other activities, he would operate
under the direction of George Bush.
APPROVE:
DISAPPROVE:
COMMENTS:
3. Funds will be required to maintain the Data Base. All
estimates range near the million dollar mark over the next
four years. This money should not come from the RNC because
if it did, it would cloud the legal ownership issue. There-
fore, Magruder, Marik and Howard recommend the establishment
of a fund for the continuation of the Data Base as a part of
the new legal entity. This fund should be established out of
the surplus of the Finance Committee for the Re-Election of
the President.
APPROVE:
DISAPPROVE:
COMMENTS:
DH/LH/pp
562
April 17, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PARTY
FR:
L.
MAKE SURE I CALL MRS. BURGESS ABOUT TENNIS.
I