Scope and Contents note While interested in politics generally, it was after the 1964 presidential election when Lyndon Johnson (D) defeated Barry Goldwater (R) that Thornburgh's participation in rebuilding the Republican Party became pronounced. In his book, Where the Evidence Leads, Thornburgh writes of a dinner party where his hostess responded to his political diatribe by suggesting that he "...do something about it." He states that "over the next six weeks, I undertook a crash course in Practical Politics 101, [and by] studying census tracts and election results, I constructed a fairly reliable political profile of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, the extent of my immediate horizon" (Evidence, p. 22). These files are, in many ways, the documentary evidence of Thornburgh's research which resulted most notably in his article "The Republican Party in the City of Pittsburgh: A Tentative Analysis and Some Recommendations" which was circulated privately among local and state party leaders and is available here online.
Subsequently Thornburgh was appointed to the GOP Platform Committee, became increasingly involved in political organizations, wrote other articles, and participated in many campaigns at the local and state levels. At the national level, Thornburgh was active with the John Lindsay campaigns for Congress and Mayor of New York, and Nelson Rockefeller's team recruited Thornburgh as their Western Pennsylvania chairman in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968. These varying campaign files provide an excellent look at politics of the time, particularly in Allegheny County.
Those interested in campaigns should also refer to the section entitled "Campaign for U.S. Congress, 1966." One of the results of all Thornburgh's research was this determined campaign for Congress that is well documented in the archive. His loss was not surprising, running against a strong Democrat incumbent, but the experience served well to stimulate him into increasing political activity, particularly the Lindsay and Rockefeller campaigns, more national in import. The Campaign for U.S. Congress falls in the same time frame as these "Politics" files, but the campaign files are in such quantity and depth that they have been arranged separately.
Researchers also should note the unavoidable overlaps in time and even some content with files in "Early Legal Career," "Pittsburgh Civic Activity," "Campaign for U.S. Congress," " Constitutional Convention," and "U.S. Attorney." For example, correspondence in one section may well pertain to issues or situations in another area and political activity is represented in the "Campaign for U.S. Congress" as well as more generally here. Also valuable, Ginny Thornburgh put together scrapbooks of Thornburgh's clippings that effectively document his increasingly public career and activities during these years. This valuable resource has been reformatted and is available in the archives (Section 21).
The "Politics" files are organized into five sections: "GOP Committees and Activities"; "Research and Notes on Politics"; "Campaigns"; "John Lindsay Campaigns"; and "Rockefeller for President."
Subseries 1. GOP Committees and Activities Scope and Contents note The files here document the Republican committees and activities in which Thornburgh was involved in efforts to revitalize the party locally. The materials are arranged chronologically and consist of correspondence, annotated notes, minutes, memoranda, and reports. Included are two articles Thornburgh wrote about the Republican Party in Pittsburgh, both of which are available here online and indicative of Thornburgh's energetic participation in the political scene at the time.
Political Correspondence , 1964-1965 Containers box 17 , folder 8 Republican Platform Committee, Correspondence and Notes , 1965 Containers box 17 , folder 9 Republican Research and Planning Corporation, Notes and Research , 1965 Containers box 17 , folder 10 Proposed Allegheny County Republican Forum: draft memorandum by Dick Thornburgh and John Heinz, Co-chairmen of Committee , December, 1965 Containers box 17 , folder 11 "The Republican Party in the City of Pittsburgh: A Tentative Analysis and Some Recommendations," by Richard L. Thornburgh , 1965 Containers box 17 , folder 12 Republicans for Progress , 1965-1967 Containers box 17 , folder 13 Ripon Society , 1965-1974 Containers box 17 , folder 14 Political Correspondence , 1966 Containers box 17 , folder 15 Allegheny Republican Council By-Laws, Correspondence, and Minutes , 1966-1968 Containers box 17 , folder 16 Correspondence , 1967 Containers box 17 , folder 17 Allegheny County Republican Party Rules Committee , 1967 Containers box 17 , folder 18 Allegheny County Republican Research and Issues Committee: Memorandum, Correspondence, Notes, and Reports , 1967 Containers box 17 , folder 19 Republican Executive Committee of Allegheny County , 1967-1968 Containers box 17 , folder 20 14th Ward Republican Committee , 1967-1971 Containers box 18 , folder 1 Political Correspondence , 1968 Containers box 18 , folder 2 Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women , 1968 Containers box 18 , folder 3 1968 Republican Convention, Programs, Schedules, and Memorabilia , July-August, 1968 Containers box 18 , folder 4 Subseries 2. Research and Notes on Politics Scope and Contents note The files here successfully represent the political scene in Pittsburgh at the time, including several local campaigns and the state of Pittsburgh's finances and mayoral politics. Files are arranged chronologically and consist of annotated notes, newspaper clippings, reports, and news releases about Pittsburgh politics and issues. The news releases are available here online.
Notes and research on statistical material regarding politics , 1960-1965 Containers box 18 , folder 5 Research on the Republican Party , 1964-1966 Containers box 18 , folder 6 Biographical information, notes, and clippings on Honorable Michael J. Musmanno , 1964 Containers box 18 , folder 7 Thornburgh's research and notes on politics , 1965 Containers box 18 , folder 8 "The State of Allegheny: The Republican Party in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from 1930-1961," by H. Sheldon Parker , 1965 Containers box 18 , folder 9 Republican Party in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, reports and notes , 1965-1977 Containers box 18 , folder 10 Research on election reform matters , 1967-1974 Containers box 18 , folder 11 Mayor Joseph Barr regarding Pittsburgh's financial crisis , 1968 Containers box 18 , folder 12 News Releases regarding politics in Pittsburgh , January, 1969 Containers box 18 , folder 13 Item 1. Thornburgh hits Barr tax plan as "last ditch and half-hearted" , April 24, 1968 Item 2. Thornburgh charged that provisions of the City's 1969 budget calling for a pay raise for Mayor Joseph M. Barr are "unauthorized by law an therefore illegal." , December 30, 1968 Item 3. Thornburgh hits Barr for "unqualified" magistrate appointment , 1968 Item 4. Thornburgh suggested that it was "unwise" of Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Craig to accept position of general counsel for ACTION-Housing, Inc., area's largest non-profit corporation concerned with housing matters , January-February, 1969 Item 5. Bar Official raps District Attorney on legal aid to poor , undated Item 6. Average citizen in Pittsburgh need somewhere to go with complaints (Ombudsman) , undated Research and correspondence regarding elections and polls in Pennsylvania , 1961-1972 Containers box 18 , folder 14 Information regarding Mayor Zoran Popovich , 1972 Containers box 18 , folder 15 Observations on the Pennsylvania political scene , 1972 and 1974 Containers box 18 , folder 16 Subseries 3. Campaigns Scope and Contents note The breadth and depth of Thornburgh's political participation is well documented in these numerous and various campaigns during the sixties and seventies. Many are local (Cohill for Judge, Bob Friend for Comptroller, Gary for Alderman, for example), some statewide (Scranton for Governor, Judge Hannum, State Senator Clark, and McGregor for State Senator, for example) and others national (Heinz for Senator, Eisenhower-Nixon, for example). These files consist of correspondence, annotated notes, and campaign material. There is also material about a potential Thornburgh Pittsburgh mayoral candidacy (1972).
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1965 Containers box 18 , folder 17 Judge Maurice Cohill campaign management , September-November, 1965 Containers box 18 , folder 18 Judge Cohill Campaign Correspondence , July, 1965-January, 1966 Containers box 18 , folder 19 Bob Friend: Candidacy for Comptroller, Allegheny County , 1967 Containers box 18 , folder 20 Algia Gary: Republican Candidate for Alderman, 13th Ward of Pittsburgh , 1967 Containers box 18 , folder 21 Republican Party of Allegheny County, Richard Thornburgh, City Coordinator, Primary , March, 1967 Containers box 19 , folder 1 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Political Scene , 1967-1968 Containers box 19 , folder 2 Political Party Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 3 Candidate Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 4 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1969 Containers box 19 , folder 5 Campaign materials , 1969 Containers box 19 , folder 6 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1970 Containers box 19 , folder 7 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene, Primary , 1971 Containers box 19 , folder 8 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1971 Containers box 19 , folder 9 Catarinella for Congress (14th Ward, Pittsburgh) , ca. 1971 Containers box 19 , folder 10 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1972 Containers box 19 , folder 11 Information generated in response to Thornburgh's potential Pittsburgh Mayoral candidacy , 1972 Containers box 19 , folder 12 Pittsburgh and Allegheny County political scene , 1973 Containers box 19 , folder 13 Pennsylvania Citizens for Scranton-VanZandt, correspondence and notes , June-November, 1962 Containers box 19 , folder 14 Citizens for Scranton-VanZandt, county citizens checklists , 1962 Containers box 19 , folder 15 Senator Jack E. McGregor, correspondence , 1965 Containers box 19 , folder 16 Judge John B. Hannum, Superior Court of Pennsylvania Campaign , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 17 U.S. Senate Campaign in Pennsylvania , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 18 Joseph S. Clark: Campaign for State Senator in Pennsylvania, campaign mailings , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 19 Richard Schweiker: U.S. Senate Campaign in Pennsylvania, campaign mailings , 1968 Containers box 19 , folder 20 Jim McGregor: Campaign for State Senator , 1970 Containers box 19 , folder 21 Jack McGregor: Campaign for PA Governor , 1970 Containers box 19 , folder 22 John Heinz, U.S. Senate Campaign in Pennsylvania, correspondence, notes, and news releases , 1976 Containers box 19 , folder 23 National Eisenhower and Nixon, Presidential Campaign , 1956 Containers box 19 , folder 24 Johnson and Goldwater, Presidential Campaign , 1964 Containers box 19 , folder 25 Election '64: A Ripon Society Report , 1965 Containers box 19 , folder 26 Subseries 4. John Lindsay Campaigns (Mayor and Congress) Scope and Contents note Thornburgh's interest in John Lindsay was due to "his rising stature as a symbol of moderate Republicanism," ("Evidence" draft, p. 91). Thornburgh had first heard him speak in Pittsburgh at a 1961 campaign rally for Pittsburgher John Tabor, then running for city council. Lindsay at the time was a U.S. Congressman and went on to a surprising victory in the New York mayoralty campaign in 1965. The files here consist of campaign material, correspondence, annotated newspaper and magazine clippings, statements and news releases.
Campaign Material for Lindsay's Re-Election Campaigns for Congress , 1962-1964 Containers box 20 , folder 1 Correspondence between Thornburgh and Lindsay , 1963-1965 Containers box 20 , folder 2 Newspaper and Magazine Clippings about John Lindsay (annotated) , 1964-1967 Containers box 20 , folder 3 Campaign Material for Lindsay's Campaign for Mayor of New York , 1965 Containers box 20 , folder 4 Newspaper and Magazine Clippings regarding Lindsay's Campaign for Mayor of New York (annotated) , 1965 Containers box 20 , folder 5 Lindsay's Statements and Press Releases , 1967-1968 Containers box 20 , folder 6 Campaign Material for Lindsay's Re-Election Campaign for Mayor of New York , 1969 Containers box 20 , folder 7 Magazine Articles Post Lindsay's Election to Mayor of New York , 1965-1978 Containers box 20 , folder 8 Subseries 5. Rockefeller for President Scope and Contents note Shortly after Dick Thornburgh's participation in Pennsylvania's Constitutional Convention (see extensive files here in Section 6) the national political scene in 1968 included New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, contesting former Vice-President Nixon. The Rockefeller forces had recruited Thornburgh as their Western Pennsylvania chairman. These files are organized into the "Presidential Campaign Scene in 1968," "Campaign fact sheets, mailings and handouts" and "Western Pennsylvanians for Rockefeller for President." The material consists of reports, correspondence, campaign handouts, mailings, Rockefeller speeches, news releases, position papers, and annotated notes that together well represent national politics in action at the local level.
Presidential Campaign Scene in 1968 "Metropolitan Areas and Key Counties in the Presidential Election of 1964," by the Republican National Committee , June, 1965 Containers box 20 , folder 9 "Presidential '68," in Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report , September 29, 1967 Containers box 20 , folder 10 Correspondence, Notes, and Clippings on 1968 Presidential Campaign , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 11 Humphrey for President, Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 12 Nixon for President, Campaign Mailings , 1966-1968 Containers box 20 , folder 13 GOP Truth Squad Information for 1968 Presidential Campaign , October, 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 14 McCarthy for President, Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 15 Wallace for President, Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 16 Campaign Fact Sheets, Mailings and Handouts Fact Sheets and Information on Rockefeller , 1964-1968 Containers box 20 , folder 17 Campaign Mailings , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 18 Media and Handouts , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 19 Memoranda , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 20 "News from Rockefeller for President" , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 21 Rockefeller's Speeches and Position Papers , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 22 Newspaper and Magazine Clippings , 1968 Containers box 20 , folder 23 Western Pennsylvanians for Rockefeller for President Pennsylvanians for Rockefeller News Releases , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 1 Western Pennsylvanians for Rockefeller News Releases , May-August, 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 2 Western Pennsylvania for Rockefeller, Correspondence and Notes , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 3 Rockefeller for President Committee, Correspondence, News Releases, and Notes , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 4 Endorsements for Rockefeller , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 5 Anti-Rockefeller Correspondence , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 6 Letter from Rockefeller to Thornburgh , June 11, 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 7 Campaign Correspondence , 1967-1968 Containers box 21 , folder 8 "The Case for Nelson Rockefeller," by Dick Thornburgh , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 9 Campaign Headquarters Notes , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 10 Campaign Headquarters Staff and Volunteers , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 11 Young Republicans and Pennsylvania Students for Rockefeller, James Seif Correspondence and Notes , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 12 Resumes for Campaign Headquarters Staff , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 13 Campaign Supplies , 1968 Containers box 21 , folder 14