By Sarah Gard
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
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.
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.
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:
