This program is 27 minutes long
#1530
(Studio) California Governor Ronald Reagan candidate for Republican President nomination California delegation asked him to become active candidate. Reagan declaration to try to stop 1st ballot nomination for Richard Nixon. ABC projection for Wednesday's 1st ballot: Nixon 601; Nelson Rockefeller 306; Reagan 209 and others 217. 667 needed. 1st session of 1968 Republican Convention now history. Delegates ignored almost everything said.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Miami Beach, Florida) [Chairperson Republican National Committee Ray C. BLISS - opens convention.] Convention floor shown. Florida Governor showed that extremism in pursuit of publicity is not vice. Delegate, Reagan, Governor George Romney shown. At second session, Republicans will pay tribute to past and anticipate future. Ex-President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send message from Walter Reed Army Hospital. Senator Barry Goldwater to speak Washington Governor Dan Evans to give keynote speech concerning domestic problems. 56 members of 58 member Ohio group to stay with Governor James Rhodes. Michigan group committed to Governor George Romney. Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew called news conference; reported preparing to support Nixon. Maryland has 26 votes; 16 to go for Nixon. Rockefeller visits Agnew, apparently to convince him to stay favorite son. Rockefeller says didn't press Agnew not to support Nixon.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1531
#1532
(Studio) 3 top President contenders optimistic. Nixon has not arrived yet. [ROCKEFELLER - says doesn't think nomination will go on first ballot. Nixon's position will begin disintegrating by 3rd vote.] Reagan attends first session.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Miami Beach, Florida) [REAGAN - says convinced it'll be open convention; feels there'll be more than 1 ballot. No intention ever of accepting Vice President position.]
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
(Studio) Nixon supporters prepare airport welcome. Report on Nixon appearance.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(New York City) Ex-Vice President Nixon came to Immigration Building to nail down 2 votes for November Acted as character witness for 2 members of his household staff: Manuel and Josepha Sanchez. [NIXON - thinks I'll get 2 votes in November. Told Sanchezes that American has secret ballot but little bird tells me how they'll vote.] [Immigration REPRESENTATIVE - tells Sanchezes when they will become citizens and procedure.] [NIXON - asks if Sanchezes get to be citizens before election.] [REPRESENTATIVE - says no.] [NIXON - tells Sanchezes to vote for him in 1972.]
REPORTER: Roger Grimsby
#1533
(Studio) Report on how voters here feel about candidates.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Miami Beach, Florida) Nixon now the "new new Nixon". Talks of Nixon changes every time he loses or wins an election. Nixon against urban rioting and federal aid school dinners. Reagan remains conservative. Favors staying in Vietnam; opposed to poverty; tells poor to shape up; against Marshall Plan. Rockefeller is oldest cheerleader His stands are for garbage collection and against appointed of successor for Robert F. Kennedy, unafraid to spend on ad. what Louisiana cost. Candidate to be picked from quick-change artist; performing artist, and well-heeled Hamlet.
REPORTER: Ralph Schoenstein
#1535
(Studio) Humorist said can't be put in jail for being Vice President but it's disgrace. Considered for Vice President post: Senators Mark Hatfield, Charles Percy and Howard Baker. Hatfield and Baker invited to Nixon headquarters for reception buffet in their honor. Supporters of New York City Mayor John Lindsay encourage support of Lindsay for Vice President Lindsay trying to stop Vice President tactics feeling it could hurt Rockefeller's chances for nomination
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1536
(Studio) American troops from 9th dis. fight Viet Cong near Saigon, South Vietnam. Casualties reported SOUTH of Saigon, enemy fires on South Vietnam riverboats. Shrapnel wounds Brigadier General Franklin Davis, Junior, commander 199th light infantry brigade.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1537
(Studio) Gunfire across Jordan River between Arabs and Israelis. Israel says Jordan fired mortars and bazookas on 3 Israeli towns. Israel returns fire.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1538
(Studio) 1,333 delegates at convention. Report on one who's having great time.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1540
(Studio) Wooing delegates is profound and sophisticated art. Report on life of 1 convention representative
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Miami Beach, Florida) Attorney O'Dell Pollard heads Arkansas's 18-member group. Sees Convention as chance to promote party, state and self. Pollard and wife Sammy shown; visit Rockefeller headquarters, chat with Rockefeller's floor chairperson Leonard Hall. [HALL - says this will be open convention.] Pollard buys elephant souvenir saying "I love Rocky". Visits Nixon hospitality room also; received soft-sell from girls. Pollard guides delegates through details. [POLLARD - asks 2 to pass out delegate envelopes.] Pollard questioned about convention activities. [POLLARD - impressed with sincerity of delegates with regard to convention business Circus hoopla helps delegates to relax and have good time. (Scenes show examples of hoopla.) Americans would be reassured to see hard work here. Had good time.] Pollard shown dancing on stage of Ray Anthony floor show.
REPORTER: Jim Burnes
#1542
(Studio) Goldwater arrives. Will stay only shortly.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Miami Beach, Florida) Goldwater feels Reagan would make good Vice President choice and Nixon-Reagan ticket would be strongest. Delegates basically conservative.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1543
(Studio) Guest commentator talks of conservative slant.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
(Studio) 2/3 delegates still for Goldwater. All things relative with regard to Nixon conservatism. Rockefeller conservatism warming up; Reagan's hotter. Nixon's is just about right.
REPORTER: Jim Kilpatrick
#1544
(Studio) Republican Steel Corporation backs off on steel price increases Administration fighting increases.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1545
Texas White House reports President Lyndon B. Johnson to undergo routine physical Tuesday in Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#1547
(Studio) Agnew will be 1st forgotten man at convention as he prepares to support Nixon. Romney would probably like to take Nixon and Rockefeller for long walk on short pier. Romney passed all opportunities to help Rockefeller. Rhodes believed to support Rockefeller. Nixon people say Rhodes waited too long to help Rockefeller and Nixon doesn't need him. Will be remembered as man who outsmarted all, including self.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
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