The President historical materials of Kenneth L. Khachigian, Staff Assistant to Herbert Klein, Staff Assistant to the President, and Deputy Special Assistant to the President, are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (P. L. 93-526, 88 Stat. 1695) and implementing regulations. In accordance with the act and regulations, archivists reviewed the file group to identify personal and private materials as well as non-historical items. No such items were identified or returned to Khachigian.
Materials covered by the act have been archivally processed and are described in this register. Items which are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (GSA Form 7279) with a description of each restricted document has been inserted at the beginning of each folder from which materials have been removed. A Document Control Record marks the original position of the withdrawn item.
Employees of the National Archives will review periodically the unclassified portions of closed materials for the purpose of opening those which no longer require restriction. Certain classified documents may be declassified under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to a Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.
- Linear feet of materials: 11.7
- Approximate number of pages: 23,400
1944 September 14 Born in Visalia, California
1966 B. A., University of California at Santa Barbara
1967 December-November 1968 Worked on Richard M. Nixon's Presidential campaign
1969 J. D., Columbia University, New York, New York
1970 January Joined the National Goals Research Staff, which had been established within the White House by Presidential Statement on July 13, 1969
1970 August-May 1971 Staff Assistant to Herbert Klein, Director of Communications
1971 May-November 1972 Assistant to Patrick J. Buchanan, Special Assistant to the President
1973-1974 Deputy Special Assistant to the President, President's speechwriting staff.
1975-1979 Editorial Consultant to Richard M. Nixon
1980 Speechwriter with the Ronald Reagan Presidential campaign
1981 January 20-May 3 Consultant to the White House and acting chief speech writer
Kenneth L. Khachigian joined the Nixon administration as Staff Assistant to Herbert Klein, Director of Communications, in August 1970. He described his work, done primarily for Klein and Jeb Stuart Magruder, as "generating ideas as how best to communicate President Nixon's goals and policies." He became involved in the 1970 congressional midterm elections, writing speeches and preparing political analyses. In the early months of 1971, his assignment was to generate support for specific administration proposals. Although in the spring of 1971 he was transferred with most of Klein's staff to Charles Colson, his duties remained unchanged.
In May 1971, Patrick J. Buchanan asked Khachigian to help him work on the 1972 Presidential campaign. In a memorandum of May 27, 1971, Buchanan described to H. R. Haldeman the duties which he proposed to delegate to Khachigian: "... to keep tabs on candidates, to keep the 'relevant' research on hand, to write materials needed to get into hands [sic] of various speakers, to communicate with party leaders and the like in states where opposition candidates appear." These were Khachigian's main responsibilities through election day. By late spring of 1972, he was regarded as the White House's major research source on the McGovern campaign and as a minor expert on State Presidential primary laws. In the early stages of the campaign, he coordinated his work with the Republican National Committee and the Committee for the Re-election of the President, but as White House participation in the campaign intensified this coordination ended. All during this period Khachigian assumed the duties of "an ad hoc unofficial writer." Besides his more official responsibilities, he wrote for anyone who needed a speech, article, or position statement. "... What I was considered," he explained in his interview, "was a broad generalist on the White House staff who could write...."
Sometime in early 1973, Khachigian transferred to the President's speechwriting staff, working under David Gergen and with the title Deputy Special Assistant to the President. At first his subject areas of expertise were agriculture, natural resources and the environment, and political and legal matters. Beginning in June 1973, however, Khachigian took on the tasks of researcher and writer on issues and problems evolving from the Watergate break-in. Khachigian left the White House Staff in the fall of 1974.
The materials of Kenneth L. Khachigian date from 1970 to 1973, with only five folders of materials dating from 1973.
The materials are arranged into seven series:
- Correspondence File
- Chronological File
- Name File
- Campaign Subject File
- Opposition Candidates File
- State File
- Miscellany
The two series, the Correspondence File and the Chronological File, are very closely related in the subject matter of materials they contain. Both files have materials that reflect Khachigian's duties as principal drafter of speeches and memoranda for Herbert Klein and Jeb Magruder and as political and public relations strategist. At the end of the Correspondence Files are two folders of Khachigian's own memoranda and a folder containing White House Action Memorandum P653, concerning peace demonstrations.
Approximately half of the materials in the Name File series is filed under Patrick Buchanan's name and relates to the 1972 Presidential campaign. In the Campaign Subject File there is a folder of notes taken by Khachigian during meetings of a White House staff group concerned with campaign strategy. Both the Opposition Candidates File and the State File contain political reports, research materials, and numerous newspaper clippings. Appointment calendars for 1971 and 1972 and a folder of memoranda describing Khachigian's meetings with the President are located in the Miscellany File.
In addition to these materials, the Nixon Library has 11 cubic feet of Khachigian's personal papers and printed materials, relating primarily to the 1968 and 1972 Presidential campaigns. This material was deeded by Khachigian to the United States in August 1980, and access to it is governed by the terms of the deed of gift.
Boxes: 1-2
Series: Correspondence File
Spans: 1970 - 1972
Description: Memoranda, correspondence, notes, drafts of speeches, clippings, and wire service stories reflecting Khachigian's duties as principal drafter of speeches and memoranda for Herbert Klein and Jeb Magruder and as political and public relations strategist. Arranged chronologically under Klein's or Magruder's names, as recipient or titular originator of the materials.
Boxes: 2-7
Series: Chronological File
Spans: 1971 - 1972
Description: Memoranda, correspondence, drafts of speeches and statements, notes, and clippings reflecting Khachigian's duties as principal drafter of speeches and memoranda for Herbert Klein and Jeb Magruder and as political and public relations strategist. Arranged chronologically.
Boxes: 8-9
Series: Name File
Spans: 1970 - 1972
Description: Memoranda, press releases, drafts of speeches and statements, and clippings. About half of the series is filed under Patrick Buchanan's name and relates to the 1972 Presidential campaign strategy. Arranged alphabetically under the surname of the White House staff members.
Boxes: 10-14
Series: Campaign Subject File
Spans: 1970 - 1972
Description: Memoranda, notes of meetings, drafts of speeches and statements, political reports and analyses, schedules, press releases, write service stories, and clippings. The folder labeled "[Campaign Strategy] Meetings" consists of notes taken by Khachigian during meetings of a White House staff group concerned with campaign strategy. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Boxes: 15-25
Series: Opposition Candidates File
Spans: 1970 - 1972
Description: Newspaper and magazine clippings, political research reports, memoranda, notes, schedules, wire service originals, transcripts of broadcast appearances, and drafts of speeches. Arranged alphabetically by name of candidate.
Boxes: 26-27
Series: State File
Spans: 1971 - 1972
Description: Newspaper clippings and political research reports. One folder labeled "72 Primaries" includes a wider range of materials - correspondence, memoranda, notes, newspaper clippings, and political research reports. Arranged alphabetically by state.
Boxes: 28
Series: Miscellany
Spans: 1970 - 1973
Description: Memoranda, notes, appointment calendars, press releases, newspaper clippings, and a briefing book. Subjects covered include the Senate Watergate hearings, the 1974 budget, Khachigian's meetings with the President, and appointment calendars for 1971 and 1972. Arranged by subject or type of material.
CORRESPONDENCE FILE, 1970-72
Box 1
Khachigian letters to Klein
Khachigian letters to Magruder
Letter K. K. writes going out under H. K.'s [Herbert Klein's] name
September '70 K.K. letters going out under Magruder's name
(November) [1970] K.K. letters going out under Jeb's name
Dec[ember 1970] K letters going out under JM's [Jeb Magruder's] name
K letters going out over JSM's [Jeb S. Magruder's] signature (Jan. '71)
Box 2
K K letters going out over JSM's signature, Feb. '71
K K letters going out over JSM's name, March 1971
Memos from K. to W. H. staff [1970-72]
[National Peace Action degree demonstrations, October 1970]
CHRONOLOGICAL FILE, 1972
January [1971] [1 of 2]
January [1971] [2 of 2]
February [1971] [1 of 2]
February [1971] [2 of 2]
Box 3
March [1971] [1 of 2]
March [1971] [2 of 2]
April [1971] [1 of 2]
April [1971] [2 of 2]
May [1971] [1 of 3]
May [1971] [2 of 3]
May [1971] [3 of 3]
Box 4
June [1971] [1 of 2]
June [1971] [2 of 2]
July [1971]
August [1971] [1 of 2]
August [1971] [2 of 2]
September [1971]
October [1971]
Box 5
November [1971] [1 of 3]
November [1971] [2 of 3]
November [1971] [3 of 3]
December [1971]
January [1972]
February [1972]
March [1972]
April [1972]
May [1972]
Box 6
June [1972]
July [1972]
August [1972] [1 of 2]
August [1972] [2 of 2]
September [1972] [1 of 2]
Box 7
September [1972] [2 of 2]
October [1972] [1 of 2]
October [1972] [2 of 2]
November [1972] [1 of 2]
November [1972] [2 of 2]
December [1972] [Empty]
NAME FILE, 1970-72
Box 8
Pat Buchanan I, May 8, 1970 thru September 30, 1971 [1 of 2]
Pat Buchanan I, May 8, 1970 thru September 30, 1971 [2 of 2]
Buchanan II (October 1, 1971 thru January 31, 1972)
Buchanan III (February 1, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [1 of 2]
Buchanan III (February 1, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [2 of 2]
Buchanan IV (July-November, 1972) [1 of 3]
Buchanan IV (July-November, 1972) [2 of 3]
Buchanan IV (July-November, 1972) [3 of 3]
Box 9
Chuck Colson
H. R. Haldeman
Dick Howard
Herb Klein
Jeb Magruder
Lyn Nofsiger
Gordon Strachan
John Whitaker
CAMPAIGN SUBJECT FILE, 1970-72
Box 10
Anti-Republics Campaign Practices [1 of 2]
Anti-Republics Campaign Practices [2 of 2]
Attacking the Dems
Campaign I (September 21, 1970 thru June 30, 1972) [1 of 3]
Campaign I (September 21, 1970 thru June 30, 1972) [2 of 3]
Campaign I (September 21, 1970 thru June 30, 1972) [3 of 3]
Campaign '72 II (July 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [1 of 4]
Campaign '72 II (July 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [2 of 4]
Box 11
Campaign '72 II (July 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [3 of 4]
Campaign '72 II (July 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [4 of 4]
Campaign '72 III [November 11-22, 1972]
Campaign Statements I (Sept. 1, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [1 of 4]
Campaign Statements I (Sept. 1, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [2 of 4]
Campaign Statements I (Sept. 1, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [3 of 4]
Box 12
Campaign Statements I (Sept. 1, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [4 of 4]
Campaign Statements II [Oct. 1-18, 1972] [1 of 2]
Campaign Statements II [Oct. 1-18, 1972] [2 of 2]
Campaign Statements III [Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 1972][1 of 2]
[Campaign Strategy] Meetings
Box 13
Campaign '72 Answer Desk
Candidate Schedules
Democratic Campaign Contributions
Democratic Campaign Convention [1 of 2]
Democratic National Convention [2 of 2]
Democratic Party
[Democratic Party] Scandal
Dem Difference
Box 14
Letters [to the Editor] [1 of 2]
Letters [to the Editor] [2 of 2]
Network News Clips
Opposition Research Planning
[Opposition Research Products, originals]
[Opposition Research Products, copies]
Political Media Analysis
Post-Election Analysis
Scammon-Wattenburg [The Real Majority]
Kevin Phillips Newsletter
OPPOSITION CANDIDATES FILE
Box 15
John Ashbrook
Shirley Chisholm
Thomas Eagleton [1 of 2]
Thomas Eagleton [2 of 2]
Senator Fred Harris
Harold Hughes
Humphrey I (October 1, 1970 thru January 31, 1972) [1 of 2]
Humphrey I (October 1, 1970 thru January 31, 1972) [2 of 2]
Humphrey II [November 1971 - August 1972] [1 of 2]
Box 16
Humphrey II [November 1971-August 1972] [2 of 2]
Jackson I, Feb. 17 thru Sept. 30, 1971
Jackson II
Senator Kennedy I, Sept. 14, 1970 thru October 29, 1971 [1 of 2]
Senator Kennedy I, Sept. 14, 1970 thru October 29, 1971, [2 of 2]
Senator Kennedy II [1 of 2]
Senator Kennedy II [2 of 2]
Box 17
Quotable Quotes, Kennedy [EMPTY]
Lindsay I (Sept. 3, 1970 thru February 25, 1972) [1 of 2]
Lindsay I (Sept. 3, 1970 thru February 25, 1972 [2 of 2]
Lindsay II
Quotable Quotes, Lindsay [EMPTY]
Eugene McCarthy
Quotable Quotes, McCarthy
Pete McCloskey
Quotable Quotes, McCloskey
McGovern I (September 1, 1970 thru March 31, 1972) [1 of 2]
McGovern I (September 1, 1970 thru March 31, 1972) [2 of 2]
McGovern II (March 31, 1970 thru May 31, 1972)[1 of 2]
McGovern II (March 31, 1970 thru May 31, 1972)[1 of 2]
Box 18
McGovern III (June 1, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [1 of 3]
McGovern III (June 1, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern III (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [3 of 3]
McGovern IV (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [1 of 3]
McGovern IV (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern IV (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [3 of 3]
McGovern V (August 1, 1972 thru August 31, 1972) [1 of 3]
Box 19
McGovern V (August 1, 1972 thru August 31, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern V (August 1, 1972 thru August 31, 1972) [3 of 3]
McGovern VI (Sept. 1, 1972 thru Sept. 15, 1972)
McGovern VII (Sept. 16, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [1 of 2]
McGovern VII (Sept. 16, 1972 thru Sept. 30, 1972) [2 of 2]
Box 20
McGovern VIII (October 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [1 of 3]
McGovern VIII (October 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern VII (October 1, 1972 thru October 31, 1972) [3 of 3]
McGovern IX
McGovern, Backup for McGovern Attack Book [1 of 2]
McGovern, Backup for McGovern Attack Book [2 of 2]
McGovern Compromise
[McGovern-] Democrats against McGovern
Box 21
McGovern Extremism I (June 17, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [1 of 3]
McGovern Extremism I (June 17, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern Extremism I (June 17, 1972 thru June 30, 1972) [3 of 3]
McGovern Extremism II (July 1, 1972 thru July 31,1972) [1 of 3]
McGovern Extremism II (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [2 of 3]
McGovern Extremism II (July 1, 1972 thru July 31, 1972) [3 of 3]
Box 22
McGovern Extremism III
McGovern on the Issues, H. R. Haldeman
McGovern Rhetoric
McGovern, Tax and Welfare Programs
[McGovern Campaign Practices I]
[McGovern Campaign Practices II]
Wilbur Mills
Walter Mondale
Muskie I, August 30, 1970 to July 11, 1971[1 of 2]
Box 23
Muskie I, August 30, 1970 to July 11, 1971[2 of 2]
Muskie II, July 7, 1971 thru Sept. 27, 1971
Muskie III, October 1, 1971 thru November 30, 1971 [1 of 2]
Muskie III, October 1, 1971 thru November 30, 1971 [2 of 2]
Muskie IV, December 1, 1971 thru February 8, 1972 [1 of 2]
Muskie IV, December 1, 1971 thru February 8, 1972 [2 of 2]
Box 24
Muskie V (February 9, 1972 thru March 31, 1972)[1 of 2]
Muskie V (February 9, 1972 thru March 31, 1972)[2 of 2]
Muskie VI
[Muskie] Campaign Debates
[Muskie - Mary Finch Hoyt]
Quotable Quotes, Muskie
Muskie's Black Veep Gaffe
Muskie - Texas, August 11, 1971
Muskie's California, 9/5/71 thru 9/8/71
Muskie, Chicago and Wisconsin, Sept. 26-27, 1971
Muskie - Ohio Trip, October 2, 1971
Muskie - New Jersey, October 14-15, 1971
Muskie - Florida, October 21-22, 1971
Muskie - Phoenix, November 5, 1971
Muskie - Colorado, November 6, 1971
Muskie - Florida - North Carolina, November 18-22, 1971
Muskie - California, November 6, 7 and 8, 1971
Muskie - DNC Collusion
O'Brien
Terry Sanford
Francis Sargent
Box 25
[Shriver I]
Shriver [II] [1 of 2]
Shriver [II] [2 of 2]
John V. Tunney
J. Tydings
Nicholas von Hoffman
George Wallace
Sam Yorty
Whitney Young
STATE FILE
Box 26
California Primary [1 of 2]
California Primary [2 of 2]
D.C. Primary
Florida Primary
Illinois Primary
Indiana Primary
Maryland Primary
Massachusetts Primary
Michigan Primary
Nebraska [Primary]
New Hampshire [Primary]
New Jersey Primary
New Mexico Primary
New York Primary
North Carolina Primary
Box 27
Ohio Primary
Oregon Primary
Pennsylvania Primary
Rhode Island Primary
Tennessee Primary
West Virginia Primary
West Primary
Wisconsin Primary
Non-Primary States
'72 Primaries
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington State
Wyoming
MISCELLANY
Box 28
[Personal Observations]
Executive Planner, 1971
Executive Planner, 1972
Executive Privilege/Ervin Watergate Hearings [1 of 3]
Executive Privilege/Ervin Watergate Hearings [2 of 3]
Executive Privilege/Ervin Watergate Hearings [3 of 3]
Battle of the Battle [Budget, 1973] [1 of 2]
Battle of the Battle [Budget, 1973] [2 of 2]