Oral history transcript, Lawrence F. O'Brien, interview 30 (XXX), 11/4/1987, by Michael L. Gillette

1972 discussions with George McGovern regarding whether or not O'Brien should remain Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman; O'Brien's role as national chairman of McGovern's campaign; Gary Hart's campaign experience and view of O'Brien's role; the McGovern campaign's relationship with the DNC and its new chair, Jean Westwood; organized labor support for McGovern; a meeting of congressmen and senators to discuss Democratic discontent related to party reforms; attempts to increase congressional involvement in the McGovern campaign; O'Brien's efforts to increase order and coordination in the campaign; encouraging McGovern to identify himself as a Democrat and to publicize the work of the Democratic Party; press reports that O'Brien was leaving the campaign; O'Brien's relationship with McGovern's campaign staff; campaign fund raising; Tony Schwartz's and Charles Guggenheim's television advertisements for McGovern; press claims that O'Brien was a figurehead; Frank Thompson's disenchantment with the campaign; the work of Ted Van Dyke and Frank Mankiewicz; the McGovern campaign's stance on Vietnam; efforts to call attention to Watergate during the campaign; Tom Eagleton's medical records; McGovern's personal versus political confidence in Eagleton as a running mate; how the Eagleton situation might have been handled differently; the process of replacing Eagleton with a new running mate; McGovern's consideration of O'Brien as a running mate; the selection of Sargent Shriver to replace Eagleton; 1972 election night; candidates for DNC chairman following the presidential election and the selection of Bob Strauss to replace Jean Westwood.