Oral history transcript, Lawrence F. O'Brien, interview 28 (XXVIII), 9/24/1987, by Michael L. Gillette

Title:

Oral history transcript, Lawrence F. O'Brien, interview 28 (XXVIII), 9/24/1987, by Michael L. Gillette

Number of Pages:

51

Description:

the state of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) when O'Brien became chairman; O'Brien's immediate reorganization of the DNC and new priorities; efforts to build the relationship between the DNC and Congress; DNC help with 1970 off-year elections; O'Brien's desired role as spokesman for the Democratic Party during Richard Nixon's presidency; Bob Strauss' efforts to raise money for DNC programs and to pay off debt; going to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and networks to try to get television time; O'Brien's televised speech regarding Nixon's decision to invade Cambodia and reaction to the speech among Democrats; Spiro Agnew's attacks on O'Brien; Frank Stanton and CBS agreeing to give the DNC four thirty-minute loyal opposition programs and to sell the DNC sixty-second television spots; the content of the first programs, showing how Nixon's promises and commitments had not been carried out; Republican response to the DNC program and the FCC's decision that the Republican National Committee (RNC) should have an opportunity to respond; White House and Republican congressmen's efforts to intimidate Stanton; Stanton's decision to delay the second, third, and fourth programs, and the reasons he gave for the change in plans; ABC's one-time special on Cambodia; the timeline for withdrawal from Vietnam under Nixon; the Democratic Policy Council; Jim Hagerty's offers to allow Democrats equal time on television; an informal Democratic group led by Averell Harriman, which was able to purchase television time and allow Edmund Muskie to speak; 1970 election results nationwide; the Chappaquiddick incident involving Edward Kennedy; a February 1971 meeting between O'Brien, Carl Albert, Mike Mansfield, and potential 1972 potential presidential candidates; discussion of cooperation in planning the 1972 Democratic National Convention, support for the party's reforms, and fund raising; an agreement to work together in opposition to Nixon and limit candidates' media spending; George Tames' photographs of the meeting; O'Brien's speeches and travel during the 1970 congressional elections; O'Brien's stop in Chicago and Mayor Richard Daley's influence there; Hubert Humphrey as the titular head of the DNC rather than LBJ; LBJ's and Truman's interest in politics after their presidencies; O'Brien's 1971 trip to Russia with his son; the unusual treatment O'Brien and his son received while in Russia.

Contributor:

O'Brien, Lawrence F. (Lawrence Francis), 1917-1990

Collection:

LBJ Library Oral Histories

Collection Description:

Go to List of Holdings

Series:

Transcripts of LBJ Library Oral Histories

See Also:

See all online interviews with Lawrence F. O'Brien

Relation:

Go to Interviewee bio page

Rights:

Possibly copyright restricted: see deed at end of transcript for details