Robert J. Dole Republican National Committee Chairman Papers, 1969-1973 | Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections

By Sarah Gard

Collection Overview

Title: Robert J. Dole Republican National Committee Chairman Papers, 1969-1973

ID: 01/011

Primary Creator: Dole, Robert J. (1923-2021)

Extent: 59.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement: This collection is arranged into four series based on the functions of Chairman Dole and the Republican National Committee: Election to and Exit from Chairmanship, Chairman’s Files, Office Management, and RNC Publications and Research. Based on the collection’s history, original order could not be verified, but all attempts were made to preserve the order of the collection as it came to the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Photographs, oversize manuscripts, and audio-visual materials have been housed separately from manuscript materials for preservation purposes, and where possible, removal forms link the items intellectually to the corresponding series and sub-series.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2006

Subjects: Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021, Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Robert J. Dole Republican National Committee Chairman Papers, which spans the years 1969-1973, contains correspondence, photographic and audio-visual materials, invitations, newspapers and clippings, speeches, itineraries, research, and publications from Senator Bob Dole’s tenure as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971-1973.

The collection represents the efforts to re-elect President Richard Nixon, principles of the Republican Party, as well as the beliefs and attitudes of the citizens identifying as Republicans on a national level during the early 1970s. Chairman’s Files, the largest series in the collection, documents Dole’s efforts to support other Republican candidates in their elections; the Republican National Committee’s plans for the 1972 convention; Dole’s travel schedules and speeches; opposition research on Democratic candidates; as well as correspondence with constituents on a variety of issues from abortion, Vietnam, and civil rights to the Cold War and economic policy.

Materials pertaining to the Republican National Committee’s office management as well as publications are also included in the collection.

Collection Historical Note

The Republican National Committee was founded in 1856 and provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It organizes and runs the Republican National Convention, promotes the platform of the party, coordinates fundraising and election strategies.

Senator Bob Dole served as Chairman from 1971-1973. He succeeded Rogers C. B. Morton after Morton accepted the position as United States Secretary of the Interior under President Nixon. Initially, Republicans were uncertain about Dole assuming the chairmanship because of his inability to serve full time. In a show of support, twenty-eight Republican Senators sent President Nixon a telegram in December 1970, saying that Dole would make an outstanding National Chairman. Dole was officially elected on January 15, 1971, and served through the campaign season of 1972. He stepped down from the Chairmanship on December 11, 1972, in order to focus on his Senatorial re-election in 1974. Dole was succeeded as Chairman by George H.W. Bush, who was officially elected on January 19, 1973.

Subject/Index Terms

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Administrative Information

Repository: Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research, however, some materials within the RNC Chairman Papers are restricted because of their sensitive nature or because they contain personal or confidential information. These records are protected by federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Examples of restricted records are personnel files and any materials containing personal information such as addresses and social security numbers. Restricted materials are identified at the box and/or folder level within the finding aid. Questions about these materials may be directed to the Senior Archivist of the Dole Archives.

Use Restrictions: Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different kinds of materials. Some of the documents and other historical materials in the Dole Archive are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way; however, there are other materials that carry a copyright interest that must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Dole Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted materials.

Acquisition Method: This collection was originally donated in 1973 to the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) in Topeka, Kansas. In late 2006, with the aid of Senator Dole and Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy, the records were transferred to the Dole Institute of Politics at The University of Kansas. They were partially processed under the tenure of Senior Archivist, Jean Bischoff, in early 2007, and processing was completed by Archivist Sarah D’Antonio from 2012-2013.

Processing Information:

View a full series list of this collection here (PDF will open in a new window): rnc_papers.pdf

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Election to and Exit from Chairmanship, 1970-1973],
[Series 2: Chairman's Files, 1970-1973],
[Series 3: Office Management, 1969-1973],
[Series 4: RNC Publications and Research, 1970-1973],
[Series 5: Oversize Manuscripts, 1969-1971],
[Series 6: Audio Visual Material],
[All]

Series 3: Office Management, 1969-1973

Sub-Series 1: Employment

Box 27

Folder 1: Applications for Jobs, A-C, 1971: [RESTRICTED]

Box 53

Folder 1: Applications for Jobs, D-G, 1971: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 2: Applications for Jobs, H-K, 1971: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 3: Applications for Jobs, L-M, 1971: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 4: Applications for Jobs, N-S, 1971: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 5: Applications for Jobs, T-Z, 1971: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 6: Ernie Minor Files, Applications, 1971-1972: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 7: Ernie Minor Files, Personnel, 1971-1972: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 8: Positions, A-G, 1972: [RESTRICTED]
Folder 9: Positions, H-Z, 1972: [RESTRICTED]

Sub-Series 2: Memos and Correspondence

Box 53

Folder 10: Rogers Morton Correspondence, Republican National Committee Background, 1969-1971
Folder 11: Election Report, 1970
Folder 12: Anne Armstrong, 1971
Folder 13: Colleague Mail - Senate, 1971
Folder 14: Communications, 1971
Folder 15: Domestic Programs Briefing Book, 1971
Folder 16: Domestic Proposals of Nixon Administration, 1971
Folder 17: Elections and Resignations - Members of the Republican National Committee, 1971
Folder 18: General Council File, 1971
Folder 19: Memorandum, 1971
Folder 20: Memorandum - Chairman Dole, 1971
Folder 21: Memorandum - Headquarters, 1971
Folder 22: Memorandum - Tom Evans, 1971
Folder 23: Reports, 1971
Folder 24: Capitol Hill Association, 1971-1972
Folder 25: Ernie Minor Files, General Correspondence, 1971-1972

Box 54

Folder 1: Ernie Minor Files, Personal, 1971-1972
Folder 2: Media Suggestions, 1971-1972
Folder 3: Ed Sexton, 1971-1972
Folder 4: Dr. Armitage Funeral, 1972
Folder 5: Pat Buchanan, 1972
Folder 6: Capitol Hill Club, 1972
Folder 7: Charles W. Colson, 1972
Folder 8: Communications, 1972
Folder 9: Ed DeBolt File #1, 1972
Folder 10: Ed DeBolt File #2, 1972
Folder 11: Ed DeBolt File #3, 1972
Folder 12: Harry S. Dent, 1972
Folder 13: Diplomacy, 1972
Folder 14: John E. Ehrlichman, 1972
Folder 15: General Council, 1972
Folder 16: Memos, J. Harbaugh (includes Pre-Chairman Papers), 1969-1970
Folder 17: A. B. Hermann, 1972
Folder 18: John Lofton, 1972
Folder 19: Memorandum, 1972
Folder 20: Memorandum - Anne Armstrong, 1972
Folder 21: Memorandum - Tom Evans, 1972
Folder 22: Memorandum - Barry Mountain, 1972
Folder 23: Barry Mountain, 1972
Folder 24: Patrick E. O'Donnell, 1972
Folder 25: Returned Republican Membership Cards, Anti-Nixon Statements, 1972
Folder 26: Republican National Committee Chairman, Headquarters, 1972
Folder 27: Stanley S. Scott, 1972
Folder 28: Fred Slight, Special Programs, 1972
Folder 29: Telephone Messages, 1972
Folder 30: Bob Tuttle, 1972
Folder 31: Bernard S. Van Rensselaer, 1972
Folder 32: Tom Wilck, 1972
Folder 33: Curtin Winsor, Jr., 1972
Folder 34: Anne Armstrong, 1972-1973
Folder 35: Laszlo Pasztor, 1972-1973

Box 55

Folder 1: Ernie Minor, Phone Memos, undated
Folder 2: Miscellaneous Notes, undated
Folder 3: Lynn Nofziger, undated

Sub-Series 3: Committees

Box 55

Folder 4: Republican National Committee, 16-Aug-71
Folder 5: Committee on Arrangements, 1971-1972
Folder 6: Permanent Organization Committee, 1972
Folder 7: Reports of the Chairman, 1972
Folder 8: Republican National Committee, A-F, 1972
Folder 9: Republican National Committee, G-P, 1972
Folder 10: Republican National Committee, R-Z, 1972
Folder 11: Republican National Committee Executive Committee, 1972

Sub-Series 4: Form Letters

Box 55

Folder 12: January - July, 1971
Folder 13: August - December, 1971
Folder 14: Form Letters, 1971

Sub-Series 5: Meetings

Box 55

Folder 15: Republican National Committee Meeting, 16-Jan-71
Folder 16: Republican National Committee Executive Meeting, Washington, D.C., 29-Jun-71
Folder 17: Republican National Committee Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 22-Jul-71
Folder 18: Meeting at Republican National Committee Headquarters (re: Coming Elections), 11-Nov-71
Folder 19: Republican National Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C. [1 of 2], December 10-11, 1971
Folder 20: Republican National Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C. [2 of 2], December 10-11, 1971
Folder 21: Republican National Committee Meetings, A-L, 1971
Folder 22: Republican National Committee Meetings, M-S, 1971
Folder 23: Republican National Committee Meetings, T-Z, 1971

Box 56

Folder 1: Republican National Committee Meeting, 1-Mar-72
Folder 2: Republican National Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C., 15-May-72
Folder 3: Republican National Leadership Conference, 1972
Folder 4: Republican National Committee Meetings, 1972

Sub-Series 6: Finance

Box 56

Folder 5: Finance Division, 1971
Folder 6: Budget, 1971-1973