The original documents are located in Box 131, folder “Mar. 28, 1974 - Speech, Mobile Homes Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC” of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. . Digitized from Box 131 of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library • T HILTO
P SID T JO DA • VIC- P cSID~ T
.CLAUGHL I • OT HER OFF IC S. A JD ~'""r.;3ER S A D GUESTS OFT E ,A 10 T-LEVISIO CORR,..SPOJO-,tTS ASSOCIATIO •
I THA 'K YOU FOR I 'VITI JG 1iE TO YOUR
A1' UAL I I,,, • AS I LOOK A30UT 2 .E T0 'I G' T. ~ ,, IT IS CO.J.rORTING -- AT A Tl .. E ,J .... ' THE FU~OS
FOR OUR ~FE 'S~ 3UDGET ftAY E CUT -- T SEE SO .A1 Y OF THE BIG GUNS IN YOUR I DUST Y A\ STILL TTI G LOADED . - 2 -
~ ISH TO APOLOGIZ IF I LITTL 4 1 ~ - u PR-PA r TONIG T1 YOU SEE, P -LL LAST 'IG T. I K PT HAVI 1 IS TERR I FY I !G I l~ T 1A ~ • I DR A 1 I lAS STUC' I STALL-o L-~ATOR r IT1 P SI 0,.. 'T 'I XO -/ A1 10 DA ' RATH: •
. . - 3 -~
I ISH TO TALK~ TO 'IGHT A OUT T E PRO LEf11S o- RAD I 0 A 0 T L VI SlO SCASTERS . T. DST SERIOUS PR03LE T' AT I SEE
CONFRO Tl 'G YOU AT THE 1~ 0 i 'T ---HOJ TO s·o~
STREAK RS O~ TH V NING NE ·1 S.
T Ai S R - USE A R _ ---- G IS A V RY IG T~I G TH SE DAYS, UT so ~c. T 1r. s 1T G:Ts co Fus 1 G. LAST t I GHT I SA"J A FELLO RUN 'I G PAST OUR HO ,r: I~ ALEXA JDRIA A OUT 1: oo A . ~ •• -- STARK JAKED . . LL. II GOT CUR I ous . so I ASK 0 HI I: STREAK R? -- OUT LATE? SA I : '0 -- ARLY . --
I TRUST '~ ALL G T HO I ARLY TONIGHT . I U DERST . '0 THc- LAST VICE PR .SIDE T TO
ADJRESS YOUR GRO P T 0' SO LAT~ JOH 'JY
CARSO De: .. ANOE UAL TI ~E . - 5 -
UT T IS IS Y FIRST AP ~ARA 'CE AT YOUR DI JN AS VICE PRESIDE 'T , M~A 'T 10 .AKE TH BEST I .~PRESS I ON POSSIBLE . SO YOU 'LL BE H PPY TOK O· I HAV T: ROVN AIAY ALL THE JOK S I GOT FRO A THE ' HI TE HOUSE SPEEC 1 I TERS.
THEY'D ALL E USED I GUSTO , ANY AY .
. . - 6 -
T AT ' S T U . OF .~OST VICE PR;:SIDE TS -- ALL
.. - 7 -
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED HO'J POLITICIA S AND RADIO -TV CORRESPO DE TS HAV A LOT I car, 10 1? ' E BOT. LEAD LIVES FILLED ' IT U'C RTAINTY . FO I STA C , AT TH GRI IRO DI '*'ERS YOU AL AYS S - THc- SAi', FA ES YEAR AFTER YEAR . UT AT YOUR DI RS , YOU EVER ------H RE . HAS A y 0 'r SEr' - 8 -
I AY3E THAT'S \HY A RADIO -TV CORRESPO 'DENT HAS BcE' DEFINED AS SO~EONc ITH HIS EEFI 0' THE GROU , IS EYE 0 T E - 7 BALL . ' IS NOSE IN T ,... 'E' S, A ~O HIS RESU-...... ;:::: ~E, I N TH · r~ AI L • AND HAV OUR SUD E POLITICAL SHIFTS I' T L VISIO TO • PRESID. T 'IXO AS GO PU LIC APO S ATOR RVI HAS GO E PRIVATE . IT HAPP 'ED SO FAST T AT St 'ATOR a~~'ARD 8 KR ASK 11 .TO rl,;aK T IS ~74~ A 'OU 'CE~ ~T : "A YO,,.. TO UY 12 LU,.. SHI TS -- CHEAP?" - 10 - 0 E OF THE ADV ANT AGES OF 8 Ir'G VICE P ESIDENT IS EING P .R .ITTED OCCASIO AL
USE OF THE ~ HIT HOUSE SY STE. , THAT ALLO 'JS US TO SEE A R PLAY OF A Y ' S PROGRA1 · E'D LIKE TO SE • SO N0 1 I G T A CHA C TO S E fLJCH ,ORc OF THE JOB YOU TV CORRrSPOJDE 'TS
ARE DO I G -- 0 · ~E . - 11 -
A '0 I ALSO FI ND .YSELF DO I G sor~E lr'STA 'T ANALYS I S 0 YOU . AFTER LL. I 'AVE
THAT RIG T SINC I A,~ HISTORY ' S FIRST I, 'ST ANT VI CE PRES I DENT . - 12 -
FRA KL v. r..v A. 'AL vs 1s HAS RA 1s o so . SER I OUS ·UEST I 0 S A OUT YOU A 'D 0 ''JO, K. I HOPE YOU ,. 0 ' T d D IF I RI 'G A F OF ,,.... f THE .10ST S RIOUS TO YOUR ATTE TIO' · f:
. . - 13 -
FIRST -- HO STYLES 30 PIE POI IT'S. AIR?
S CO' -- .HY IS JO ~CCA FFR~Y T 0 LY 0 ' HO CAR S A OUT CO G 1..SS?
T I RD -- V' Y DO S JO CHA CELLOR AL.. YS SIT SID-- SAOJL ?
FOURTH -- ~y OO~SJ ' T P IL J ES GET ON CA, RA ~;ORE ? (HE ASKED .E TO ASK T Al) . FIFTH -- HO RITES T OSE UcSTIO S FOR ROGER IU J?
s1x1H -- A D •. o R .ADS 1 E , 10 • 1n? , ••• C'~ - 1 -
LL , I .. Y LI ST , UT IT ' S LAT- . APS I C AO Tl SE c.XT y AR ' IF I ' I I v IT D CK AFl THE vie P s10 , Tl L ov~LT ~ As o. F •
. . - 15 -
UT I DO 'T T TO L .AVE TONIGHT
A 'D TH Is Is SER I ous -- I TH OUT !::XPRc-ss I 'G l ~y
APPR CI AT I CJ TO YOU FOR TH . ~ AY YOU HA~ 1 DL YOUR TR- .E '00USL Y 0 I FF I CULT TASK OF T·RY I 'G TO CO !DE SE INTO A FE ·d UTES T DAILY ~v TS OF A V RY TROU LED Tl •
A TASK v- I OR - DIFFICULT I T SE DAYS OF DE P ElOTIONS AND GRAV- ATIO L
PROBL ~S . - 16 -
THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT YOUR 1 'T RPR-TATI 'SOR c-0111 ECISIO'S AR AL AYS THOS THAT I JOULO \' JlAK IF I HAD YOU
JOB . OR IF Y U :IAD I r- •
. . - 17 -
. UT I RESP CT YOU AS RESPOJSI L~. THI CAL . PROF SSIO AL JOUR 'ALISTS . A'0 , AS OUR CURRENT PROBL aS REACH T' E D CISIVE STA s 1 TdE 'JEEKS AJD .a 11 s AHEAD . 1 ·Av CONFID 'CE YOU', ILL PORT THOS1:. EVE TS 'ITH THE DISPASSIO'ATE FAIRN SS THAT IS THE rARK OF THE PROFESSIONAL REPORTER -- A DISPASSIONATE FAIRN SS OUR TROUBLED ATION N EDS AS N VER BEFORE .
~J I SH YOU WE LL. THANK YOU A!D GOOD IGHT. T ILTO
PRESID~ 'T JO AN , VI - PRESIDE T ~LAUG LI • OTHER OFFIC S, ~A GUESTS OF .T:: ADIO T~L VISION CO ESPO '0 TS ASS DC I AT I ' •
I THA 'K YOU FOR INVITI G 1· E TO YOUR HI! TbNJ'T A ' 'UAL 0 I ' 'ER . AS I LO K ASOUT, IT IS C0 1 .F~TI 'G -- AT A Tl E ~J N TH~' FU 'OS FOR OUR ~!ti~::APONS .AY · CUT -- TO S E ~ SO .A Y OF TH · IG GU1 S W YOUR I DUSTRY ~ STILL GETTING LOADED. ,, - 2 - ~ '!!ANT TO APOLOGIZ_ IF I SE- .. A LITTLE UNPREPARED TO'IGHT . YOU SE~, I DID. 'T SL EP ''::LL LAST 'I GHT . I KEPT HAV I 'G TH IS
TE R I Fy I 'G • I GHT I AR • I D AIW .ED I I As STUCK IN A STALLE LEVATOR ITH PRESIDE 'T 11XON --/ AND J RATHrR . . - 3 - ~ ~ IA~ !1 T0 TALK T0 I GHT ABOUT T!
PRO Le S OF RADIO A 0 TEL'=VISIO E ' ~SCAST RS .
THE "'~OST SER I US PRO LE A THAT I S CO 'FRO TI NG YOU AT THE ~O ~ENT • --- HO J TO
S. 0 J STREAK RS ON T EV NI NG , ' . S.
THE A S. ER --- lJNLY IF ¥.fill) USE A REAR P OJECT I O • f/ - 4 - A. ,,u1 ~ STR AKI JG IS t-Oe IG A THING TH S DAYSJ
1 ~ IT GETS CON~I ~ Jf.~ASJ!"'- n1 SA ~ A FELL0 RU I ~'G PAST 11iE JJJll I TE llOU8k: A OUT 1 :oo A. rv.• --- STARK AK • '-LL , I GOT CU IOUS. SO I ASKED HI ti~ : STREAKER?---OUT LATE? 1E SA I 0: NO --- HUSBA 0 -- or ..E EA Ly.
I TRUST '~ ALL ET or~c EARL y TO I G: T. U'DERSTA '0 T E LAST VIC PR SID 'T TO ADDR SS YOUR GROUP GOT 0 SO LATE JOH , Y vARSON
orr~A 1DED "UAL TI ''- . - 5 - UT THIS IS MY FIRST APPEARANCE AT YOUR DIN ER AS VICE PRESIDENT , A '0 ~l~ r AKc. T E BEST I .PRESS ION POSS I L • SOA I HAVE THRO~N A~AY ALL TH JOKES I GOT FRO~ THE ~HITE HOUSE SPEEC RITERS . THEY ' D ALL BEEN USED I HOUSTO , A Y'' AY •
. . - 6 -
THAT 'S TRU OF ·;OST ~IC PRESID~i-- ALL GET AR LEFTOVERS . I FACT . I 801 TO ~TALKING I TH HU LRT HU PHREY THE OT ER DAY ,f ABOUT O~Z I JG A U ION FOR V~RESID TS . 3UT IT HAgf~ '1 ·, ORKED OUT . ' a: -SAN '=f AGR 0 ~JHO SHOULD BE PRES IDE T•
. . ~~~P~ BUT 3ASIGALL¥. P LITICI SA, DR~ -TV CORRESPONDE 'TS HAVE A LOT IN CO 1v~01J . ' ~LEAD LI v s FILLED ~ ITH UttC RT AI 'TY ?:;rr~- E GRIDIRO' DINNERS YOU AL"AYS SE~ THE SA~E FACES Y AR AFTER YEAR . BUT AT YOUR DI 'c-Rs. YOU EVER KNO' 1 0 ' LL E HER • HAS A 'YO E SEE SALLY ~u I 1N? MAYB THAT 'S ~HY A A 10- TV CORRESPO 'DE T HAS BEEN DEFI ED AS SO . 0 E ' ~ I TH HI S FE c. T 0 l HE GR OU 'D , HI S EYE 0 THE ALL , HIS NOS I THE E S, AN HIS RE SU ~E"' I ' T E .A IL • - 10 -
A '0 ~~E HAVE OUR SUDO ' POL IT I CAL SHIFTS I TL VISIO' TOO . PRESIO: T 'IXO HAS GO - PU LIC A 0 SE ATOR -RVI ' HAS GO~ PRIVATE . IT ~ H PPE1 ED SO FAST T AT
S TOR O '~ AR AS'-0 TO .AK T IS
AN 'OU c I T: "ANYO E 'JA 'l TO BUY 12 9LU SHI TS -- CHc.APC" - 12 -
ONc OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BEl~G. VIC~ PRESIDENT IS .ING PERAITTE OCCASIOJAL USE OF ! WHIT HOUSE SYSTq~ THAT ALLOr s 1!f'p; lbf.'' TO SEE ~. }~.\~ ~ r p~ f . ~Y E 'J S PROGRA~ • ..I •e LI KE TO S ~ · SO 10~~ I GET A CHA CE TO SEE UCH 10RE OF TH JOB YOU TV CORRESPO 10 ~TS ARE DO I tG -- 0 .E • - 13 - ~ .t l>~ND MYSELF DO I NG SO,J.E INST~ A'ALYSIS 0 YOU. AFTER ALL , I HAVc 50Mf ;2. ~ RIGHT TO ltlAl s I 'CE BECOMI r~s HI STORY 'S FIRST INSTANT VICE PR~SIDE T.
ff < )
. . - 14 -
FRA KLY, AY ANALYSIS HAS RAIS 0 SO. E SERIOUS nuESTIO'S A OUT YOU A 0 YOUR vORK. I OPE YOU or ·1 ~ I 0 IF I 3RING AF ~ OF THE vlOST S RI DUS TO YOUR ATTE TI 0 •· [NOT F9R
A-NS\JERS. ~11 ND YOU. I JUST llOPE YOU 'LL PON9ER THE UESTIONS AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR~
. . - 15 -
FIRST -- ~ 0 STYLES OB PlcRPOI T'S HAIR ? ~~~ SEGO '0 -- ' 9U1:15'Hlc3''JARD ,, • S~1. I I H SC MER- -ESTEB IN A JOB AS "4H I TE ftQUSa ~H"1RtT-R ?
THIRD -- WY DOES JOHJ CHA CELLOR ALWAYS SIT SI oc- - ADJLE ? FOURTH -- HY DOESN ' T P, I l JO c-s G T 0 CA ..ERA 10R.- ?(: ASKED .E TO ASK T Al). FIFT -- \HO RIT ST. OS UESTIO S FOR ROG ... R r .UDJ ?~o .. 0 READS TH v TO Ii~ ?
" <,... - 16 -
:c-LL , I HAVE A LOT ~~OR ON r. Y LI ST, BUT IT ' S. LAT • li_RHAPS I CAN AD THOSr !EXT YEAR , ASturn NG ffiU""&I 'V I T .E 3ACK AFTER THE VICE PRES IDE 'TIAL OVELTY WEARS OFF •
. . - 17 -
UT I 0 'T ~A 'T TO L .AV TOHG T ---
AND T, IS IS S IOUS --- ITHOUT 1-XPR SS I G ~y APPR CIAT I O' TO ¥OU FOR THE AY YOU A OLE
YOUR TRE~. tOOUSLY IFFIC LT TASK OF TRYI G TO CO D 'SE I '10 A F Ml 'UT S THE DAILY EV TS OF A VERY TROU Lc:.D TIJE .
PRO L r~s .
. . - 18 - TH IS IS 'OT TO SAY THAT YOU I 'TER PRETAT 10 SOR EDITING DECISIO SAR~ AL 1 AYS
T~OSE THAT I ~ OULD A'E IF I I AD YOU JO •
•
. . - 1 - UT I R'SPECT YOU AS RES 0 'SI L , THI CAL , PROF SSIO 'AL JOUR ALISTS . A 0, AS OUR CURR T PRO L ~ R-ACH T 0 CISIV STAG S IN TH ~ KS A 0 ~O T S A: EA , I AVE CQ!FIDE 'CE YOU ILL R PORT T OS ~E TS HT. TH DISPASSIO AT- FAI SST AT IS Tdc. . RK OF 1 TH PROFESSI AL I I RT-R -- DISPASSIO T 1 FA I ' U. T 0 L 0 AT I ' ' OS S i, - V R ~FOR •
TAK YOU AD GOD IG T•
. . DRAFT OF REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD ; FOR THE RADIO-TV CORRESPONDENTS' ASSOCIATION DINNER· WASHINGTON HILTON HOTEL, MARCH 28, 1974
I do appreciate the honor you have accorded me here tonight. This, although I understand the last Vice President to address this group got on so late that Johnny Carson demanded equal time. Could that have been the real reason for the famed Des Moines speech? Regardless, since this is my first appearance as Vice President at your annual Dinner, I want to make the best impression possible. So I have thrown away all the jokes the White House speechwriters gave me. They'd all been used in Houston, anyway. You know how it is, a Vice President is always being upstaged. In fact, I have been talking with Hubert Humphrey over the last few weeks about organizing a club for Vice Presidents. But we can't agree on who should be President. But, if all those stories about network Vice Presidents I hear are true--we should have plenty of potential members here tonight. Including that new network Senior Vice President Bill Small. We're all haopy about Bill's promotion. In fact, every political figure I've talked with has seemed pleased. The farther Bill gets away from Washington, the happier most politicians feel. Incidentally, does anyone know if Bill ever found the key to the men's room? It's easy to see tonight he did locate the key to the liquor cabinet. Page 2
A ther network change has me a little worried. I mean that move of Don Meridith from ABC to NBC. I hear NBC is grooming him for guest appearances on talk shows. That means dangerous cornpeition for every man in political life--but dangerous with a big D for me. After all, Don's football stories are much more recent than mine. And the quarterback--even in my day--always told the center what to do. But--if necessary-- I'll put on my helmet and meet Dandy Don head to head. It's getting so a politician has to watch the tube all the time. He's got eornpetition corning from every direction. I assume yoy've all heard Howard Cosell talking about running for the Senate. Imagine Howard as a Senator. In one of my favorite day dreams, I'm presiding as Senator Howard Cosell makes his maiden speech. To an ernphy chamber of course. He solves the energy crisis, stops inflation, balances the budget, dismisses the Supreme Court, and writes the Arab-Israeli peace treaty. And then I rule him out of order. Well--it's only a day dream. And while we're talking about TV personalities.in politics- what IS Dan Rather campaigning for? I mention this because I am watching television news much more these days. And enjoying it less and less. Particularly since Atlantic City. But as Vice President I have discovered I can order any TV program played back at any time I want it. So, now I get a chance to see much more of the work you TV correspondents are doing. And I find myself undertaking some Instant Analysis. Page 3
You know--it's a lot of fun. I can see why so many of you do it. Anyway--this Instant Analysis of the delay replay has stirred some serious questions.in my mind. I hope I won't offend you if I mention a few of the most serious tonight. I don't expect answers, mind you--I just hope you would consider them as you go about your job.
First----Who styles Bob Pierpoint's ~air? Second---Would anything make Ron Nessen smile? Third----Would Howard K. SMith be interested in joining the White House speechwriters? Fourth---Why does John Chancellor sit side-saddle so much? Fifth----Why doesn't Phil Jones get on camera more often? (He told me to ask that) Sixth----Who writes those questions for Roger Mudd? Well--I could go on--but it is getting late. However, I don't want to leave without--and this is serious- without expressing my appreciation to you for the way you handle the tremendously difficult task of trying to condense into a few minutes the daily events of a very troubled time. A task even more difficult in these days of deep emotion and grave governmental problems. I respect you for the part you play in helping to make our democracy work better, for the help you give to the preservation of our freedoms. I don't pretend that I always like your interpretations, or your editing decisions. Page 4
But I respect you as responsible, ethical, professional journalists. And, as our current problems reach the decisive stages in the weeks and months ahead, I have confidence you will report those events with the dispassionate fairness of professional journalists. A dispassionate fairness our troubled nation needs as never before. It is a heavy responsibility you bear. And I wish you well. Thank you and good night.
##### I do appreciate the honor you have accorded me here onight. This, although I
ur:rlerstand the last Vice President to adcress this group got on so late that Johnny
Larson demanred eq:1al time o C0uld that have been / l U L J xft=t ._ he rP.al r"'ason for the ~ amed es Moi '1.es speechi s ~e i,i sis r-r f..i..:-• t cc: as Vice Pr s· lem, at.. ., uv.._ inner, ..... ,arc'llessrtif& Jszt:a i .a • s n a £& ci7 1ww:acs0iii:r
T want to make the best im~ress,on poss1bleo
So T have thrown amw all the jokPs the TThi. te House sneechwriters gave tr."'o
Thev'd all heen used in Houston, anywayo You know how it is, a ~ice President is
n:=,;;m But 'e --c I H I IA £&£55i *'' But, if all those stories about should ha~ .:.1zllii•••
lP.nty of potential members here t i~hto -----3'7 S~N16~ j«;;lf!l!liiiiiiiiaE·Et,l,11!11'1il~~s~ ncludi.ng that new• nPtwo¥0 P,..esident Bill <\nallo
' re all happy ano~u J~ll 1 s pro~ottono Tn facv, ~~el"Y nolitical figure I~vee talked
with has seem pleased. ~EiilmllllllJ!••im'J•111&:tax•11+m;m1111illRS•·••S?.7.'fhB farther Bill pet, ~ray from
p·~shi..ngton, the harypi . ~f~o itician~ eeltto
Incidenta11J, oes anyone know if ••;ll- '.11 ever f o 1n0 the key to the men 1 s room?
'9 t 1 s easy to see toniPht that he cfid loC"ate thA key to the liquor cabineto
Another network change h'lS '!'IP a little worriedo I mnan that 'lDVe of :9.,. Don Meridith from APC to NBCo
t hear Ni:IC is p,roowni rw hi fo,,. puest ,..,pearances on talk shows. That
'l"'-'R"ls 0anpArous C'omoetition for everv man in oolitical 11.fe---but dangerous with a big
n fnr meg After all, non's football storiP.s are much mor~ r~cent than mineo
.. -2-
1 u But---if necessary---! 11 put on my helmet and meet D=mdy non hP.ad to h a.do
Tt's gettin~ so a nolitician has to watch the tube al1 the timeo He's ~ot conpetition co ..:n,.. fro'"'l e Pry clirE"~tion.. T "Ss11nc .,.,.,...u,..,.. a,, }. ... ~~ %ward Cosell talking about
.,_:magi pe H3wg.£cL~ ~~nator 8 11 runn-.,g for the Senate. =5!:: • 11 •• ;: ..1111 ~~-~"'ai!'•RI11 •11 75 n•lisa'• Httll , hL 'tl$2'1n-
0
of CO\Il" eo as Senator Howard Cosell makes hls mai.den speech.io an empty chamber/
.e ~elves the e~~rry crisis, stops inflation, balanc~s the budget, dismie'3as the
Suprene Court, and writes the ""'ab-Israeli .,. e t atyo 1 And then T r 11le hi..in on+, of orriero W ~.·ell--+*;ittP Xsa/ C:iY-dreamo
1 re ... 8 thi nJdni:r a.ho11t
Aro whil 'W•1 .. e . J t TV pe:rs:> nalities in politics----what IS
~n "Pather camnaigning for?
I menti-in this b~se I am watching tel.b"ision news much more these dayso
And enjoying it less aria lesso Particularly since Atlantic City.
But as Vice President T have Cliscov rod I can order any 'l'iT program played hack at' any time T wa.nt ito So, now 1 pet a chane to see tmlch 'TlOre o f' the work you 'l'V correspondents are doingo Ann I find myself unce~taking someTns~ant Analysiao
You know--it's a lot of fun. I ca~ see why so many of you do it. . ~~ Anyway--this Instant Analysis of the delay rep'ay has stirred some Bertou::f,~,... in
T hope T T.Ton 't offend you if I ention a few of the most fserfot.s tonighto
T cton1t emP.Ct arnra:ers m"nd you--T just hope you would consider them as you fO about I your job.
irst----'*10 styles Fob Pierpoint's hair?
, cond---\e(,uld anyth"ng make Ron Nessen smile?
Third---1fould Howard K. Smith ""'e- in-erested ~n joining the ,.fuite House Speechwrite11
Fourth---·Thy ~oes John "hancellor sit side•sa.ddle so r'IU.ch?
1i'ifth---Why0 doesftht Phil Jones get on camera More often ? (FP tolr me to ask that) . ... •
~xth---r-lho wrttes those '"'Uest i "lns for Roger Mudd?
WPll--T co·1ld go on---but it is getting lateo
However, I don't wart to leaire wi.thout---and trts is serious---without expressing v
arypreciati.on to you for the way :vo11 harrle the ~ tremendously 0i.fficult tac::k of
trvi.. p to condense into a few Minutes the natly events o a VP,ry troubled time.
A ~ask even more difficult i~ these days of deen emotion and grave ~overrrrnental
1)1'.'~S.
I respect you for the part you "'.lla.y i.n helping to make our democracy work better, _,,
for the help you give to the pl"Ps"rvati.on of our freedomso
T don't pretPnd that I always like vour interpretati0ns, or your editing decisionso !/ But \(e.s'e:,J('you as responsible, ebhical, professional j')urnal ists.
And, as our current prohlems r~ach the a~·isive stares in the weeks arrl months ahe,~,
T hav-P co1•idence you will renort tlose events with the dispasslmon"te fairness
of profP.ssional ?jrurnaliStso A dis,ass1nnR+.e fa""rnese> !""""" troub,ed n~ion needs as neve!' bP..forea -lw·1l:tTtJIRili~R)flxW*~~~~~t:Mr~iX·nP FJJ~ P~ro
:ix M @ 5 [Lx;iiiiweli~ b ; dt
~ndi T -i sh - wello
.. REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD FOR THE RADIO-TV CORRESPONDENTS DINNER WASHINGTON HILTON HOTEL f ' THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1974
:,
President Jordan, Vice President McLaughlin, other officers, and members and guests of the Radio Television Correspondents Association. I thank you for inviting me to your annual Dinner. As I look about it is comforting -- at a time when the funds for our strategic weaoons may be cut -- to see so many of the big guns of your industry still getting loaded. I want to apologize if I seem a little unprepared tonight. You see, I didn't sleep well last night. I kept having this terrifying nightmare. I dreamed I was stuck in a stalled elevator with President Nixon -- and Dan Rather. I want to talk tonight about the problems of Radio and Television newscasters. The most serious problem that I see confronting you at the moment is -- how to show streakers on the evening news. The answer -- Only if you use a rear projection. Streaking is too big a thing these days. It gets confusing. Last night I saw a fellow running past the White House about 1 AM stark naked. Well, I got curious. So I asked him: Streaker? Out late? He said: No"-- Huseand -- home early. I trust we all get home early tonight. I understand the last Vice President to address your group got on so late Johnny Carson demanded equal time. Page 2
But this is my first appearance at your Dinner as Vice .. President, and I want to make the best impression possible. So I have thrown away all the jokes I got from the White House speechwriters. They'd all been used in Houston, anyway. That's true of most vice Presidents -- all we get are left- overs. In fact I got to talking with Hubert Humphrey the other day about organizing a union for Vice Presidents. But, it hasn't worked out. We can't agree on who should be President. I could do some organizing here tonight. With all the net- work Vice Presidents we could get a silent majority right here. Including, of course, one of the newest -- Senior Vice President Bill Small. Every political figure I've talked with has expressed pleasure at Bill's promotion. Most politicians feel happier the farther Bill gets from Washington. But basically, politicians and Radio-TV Correspondents have a lot in common. We lead lives filled with uncertainty. At the Gridiron Dinners you always see the same faces year after year. But at your dinners, you never know who'll be here. Has any one seen Sally Quinn? Maybe that's why a Radio-TV correspondent has been defined as someone with his feet on the ground, his eye on the ball, his nose
I in the news, and his resume in the mail. And we have our sudden political shifts in television too. President Nixon has gone public and Senator Ervin has gone private. It's happened so fast that Senator Howard Baker asked me to make this announcement: "Anyone want to buy 12 blue shirts -- cheap?" I guess I'm talking about TV personalities so much this evening because I am watching television news more these days. Page 3
One of the advantages of being a Vice President is being permitted occasional use of a White House system that allows me to see a replay of any news program I'd like to see. So now I get a chance to see much more of the job you TV correspondents are doing on me. I find myself doing some Instant Analysis on you. After all, I have some right to that since becoming history's first Instant Vice President. Frankly, my analysis has raised some serious questions about you and your work. I hope you won't mind if I bring a few of the most serious to your attention. Not for answers, mind you. I just hope you'll ponder the questions as you go about your job. First -- Who styles Bob Pierpoint's hair? Second -- Would Howard K. Smith be interested in a job as White House speechwriter? Third -- Why does John Chancellor always sit side-saddle? Fourth -- Why doesn't Phil Jones get on camera more? (He asked me to ask that). Fifth -- Who writes those questions for Roger Mudd? And who reads them to him? Well, I have a lot more on my list, but it's late. Perhaps I can add those next year, assuming you'd invite me back after the Vice Presidential novelty wears off. But I don't want to leave tonight -- and this is serious - without expressing my appreciation to you for the way you handle your tremendously difficult task of trying to condense into a few minutes the daily events of a very troubled time. Page 4
A task even more difficult in these days of deep emotions and grave governmental problems. This is not to say that your interpretations or editing decisions are always those that I would make if I had your job. Or if you had mine. But I respect you as responsible, ethical, professional journalists. And, as our current problems reach the decisive stages in the weeks and months ahead, I have confidence you will report those events with the dispassionate fairness that is the mark of the professional reporter -- a dispassionate fairness our troubled nation needs as never before. I wish you well. Thank you and good night.
##### REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD FOR THE RADIO-TV CORRESPONDENTS DINNER WASHINGTON HILTON HOTEL THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1974
President Jordan, Vice President McLaughlin, other officers, and members and guests of the Radio Television Correspondents Association.
I thank you for inviting me to your annual Dinner_- O,.~ As I look about it is comforting at a time when the rftir-~ !fat; Q!:! k" St -r ti ·tr. ;A·:~. W't.~fc ~- s 'M9'1 ~f'.. c ... 4. - .-.... • I a . Ill st r• • • 1 L 9i- ~ 'r!o se~so many of the big guns of your industry .. still getting loaded. I want to apologize if I seem a little unprepared tonight. You see, I didn't sleep well last night. I kept having this terrifying nightmare. I dreamed I was stuck in a stalled elevator with President Nixon -- and Dan Rather.
1111" a
eilllllilllillllllllllllllilllllllilllllllllll.... llillilllm. I want to talk tonight about the problems of Radio and Television newsCrAc~£.f...1 .. The most serious problem that I see confronting you at the moment is -- how to show streakers on the evening news,., The answer -- Only if you use a rear projection. Streaking is too big a thing these days. It gets
.. - 2 -
confusing. Last night I saw a fellow running past the White House about 1 AM - - stark naked. Well, I got curious. So I asked himte Streaker? -- Out late? He said: No ,•- Husband -- home early.
I orr¥'early tonight. I understand the last Vice President to address your group got on so late Johnny Carson demanded equal time. But this is my first appearance at your Dinner as Vice President , and I want to make the best impression possible. So I have thrown away all the jokes I got from the White House speech writers . They'd all been used in Houston, anyway. 4'lmt. lhat's true of most Vice Presidents -- all we get are left-overs. In fact I got to talking with Hubert Humphrey
tp,e ot~~r day abo~t organizing a union for Vice Presidents . ~~~' ~ ·t w ~- - . ..,,,. ~can ' t agree on who s ould be President. I could do some organizing here tonight . With all the network Vice Presidents we could get a silent majority right here. Including, of course , one of the newest -- Senior Vice President Bill Small. Every political figure I've talked with has expressed pleasure at Bill's promotion. Most politicians feel happier the farther Bill gets from Washington. But basically, politicians and Radio-TV Correspondents have a lot in common . We lead lives filled with uncertainty. At the Gridiron Dinners you always see the same faces year after year. But at ~ Dinners , you never know who'll be
. . - 3 - <,. here. Has any one seen Sally Quinn?
Maybe that's why a Radio-TV correspondent has been ~ defined as someone with his feet on the ground, his eye on the ball, his nose in the news, and his resumeI in the mail . And we have our sudden political shifts in Television .. 6 too. President Nixon has gone public and Senator Ervin has gore_private. It's happened so fast that Senator Howard Baker asked me to make this announcement: "Anyone want to buy 12 blue shirts -- cheap?" I guess I'm talking about TV personalities so much this evening because I am watching television news more these days.
. -- ~- ~- -,,, .., ' ' i jWJ TT 3 5Ob ] •, ' (Jne of the advantages of being a Vice President is being permitted occasional use of a White House system that allows me to see a replay of any news program I'd like to see. So now I get a chance to see much more of the job you TV correspondents are doing -- on me . I find myself doing some Instant Analysis on you . After all, I have some right to that since becoming history's first Instant Vice President. Frankly, my analysis has raised some serious questions about you and your work. I hope you won't mind if I bring a few of the most serious to your attention. Not for answers, mind you. I just hope you'll ponder the questions as you go about your job. First -- Who styles Bob Pierpoint's hair? Second -- Would Howard K. Smith be interested in a job as White House speechwriter?
. . - 4 -
Third -- Why does John Chancellor aways sit side-saddle? Fourth -- Why doesn't Phil Jones get on camera more? (He asked me to ask that). Fifth -- Who writes those questions for Roger Mudd? And who reads them to him?
Well, I have a lot more on my list, but it's late. Perhaps I can add those next year, assuming you'd invite me back after the Vice Presidential novelty wears off. But I don't want to leave tonight -- and this is serious without expressing my appreciation to you for the way you handle your tremendously difficult task of trying to condense into a few minutes the daily events of a very trouble/time. A task even more difficult in these days of deep emotions and grave governmental problems. This is not to say that your interpretations or editing decisions are always those that I would make if I had your job. Or if you had mine. But I respect you as responsible, ethical, professional journalists. And, as our current problems reach the decisive stages in the weeks and months ahead, I have confidence you will report those events wit~passionate fairness that is the mark of the professional reporter -- a dispassionate fairness our troubled nation needs as never before. I wish you well. Thank you and good night.
# # #
' . REMA.PK~ BY VlrCE PRG'SlD"llll;>r ~ALD R. FOF..D ~·
FOR THE RAD10*TV CORRESPQNDli~FTS DINNER
W ~HT}Trn'01'T*HILT0N HOTEL, M.v?.CH 28, 1974
(Rli'.A Dl}Tfi C0PY ONLY)
1 i!l Jwm: • resident Jordan, Vice Pre ident McLaughlin, __. other offi C'E:. . s J '-nd "Illembers
and guests d! f the Roo io Television CorreS1'.>ondent s ssociatio..10 -'\ST look ;:ihou£$'2'o!~t I thank vou fer ; nviting !'n'7 to ;vour annual Dinner.. Ah I • d a ~' sleep well last night. I kept hav.irig ~is +,errifyi.ng nightmareo I dr ~amed I wwas stuck in a stalled e1.e Tator with President !-Tj.xon-----and Dan Rathero But, T 1 m only joking.. Dan P .· ;Af· A Im talented, arressive newsman .. And there is absolutely no truth to the rumor th~ the White House pronounces· Dan with an Jt 11M1• .. a J3ut that i..s 4'it 1i. te House oroblem.. I • Jae want to talk tonight ahout and the nroblems of fuo/W '"elevis' on news., The most serious problem that T see confronting you a~ the mo~ent is--how to show streakers on the evening newsi 1 ~ ~ The arswer--Gnly if yo l use a re r projection.. ,,,.<" Streaking is too1'big a tring these rhys.. • iiM Jt gets con using .. Last night I saw a fellow rimning nast the White 'ouse about l AM--stark naked .. Well, I got curious .. So I asked himl~trA aker?- --Out late? He said: No .. ~~.. sband----home early<> <>t home e.q_rl t T unil erstan to R.dd1 s s v -iur grrup gcton so l~tA Johnny r, p~~s on dernanc'ed equa}. time .. But this is m:y first aryp iarance at your Dinner as Vic-e Presi.de.,t ~n mt to make the best .;_npress::i on possibleo So I have thrown away all the jokes : got from the :'1hi te House speech writer so . - • - 2- They'd all been used in Houston, arryway. I Fut that s true of most ~ice Presidents---all we get re lp,~-ouers. In fact I got to talking with Hubert !IumphrE ;~ st a L the other day about organizing a u~_on for ~ice Presidents. But we c-an 1 t q:- ree on who should be f'r~ident .. I co11ld do some or.c:rarozing here tonipht. l·lith all the network Vice )..nsidents we could get a silent Majority right here. Including, of course, one of the ne•oTest---Senior Vice President Bill Small. ~very political ~igu'l"e nve talked with has expresS'ed pleasure at Bill' s promot;one .aLW? ltr Most noliticians feel barypier the farther 'Rill gets from ·r. But basically, politicians and Radio-TV Col'Tes orrlents ha".i A.II lot b;i. comor. ·e lea rn~i•••Blil•'•Jrzz l v-esf ..~illed with "ncertainty. t i!;:he Gridiron e L~ cos ~rter year. But at these Dinners, you never kno ~~ ~'f\'"JoMft...S'iLd\1 :C ; ' ~ <='all;r l).uinn. -fay-be thatLs why a 'Padio-TV correspondent has been de n.eC'- as someone with his feet nn the ground, his eye on the ball, his nose in the news, an0 his r~sume~in the mail. And we have onr sur'lden political shifts in Telertri qi.on too. Presi.nent 'Nixon has rone TJUblic an0 Senator ~n has gone Drivate., ~ I~' s happened so· fast tMt ~enator reward Baker asked me to make t.hl.S announcenent: "Anyone want to buy 12 blue shirts---cpeaJi'? I guess T•"" ~'llnnp about TV personali tiPs so much this evening bocause I Am wn.+;ch"'.~ t lP.vision nevs nore these days. And enjoying it less. I've ai~covered thRt onP of the advantages o~ bP.ing a Vice P~ident is being oerrnitt.ed O"casional use of a ,..Thite f.l"ouse systeri that allo IS ,,.., to see a reolay of any news program T 1d 11ke to seeo So row. I P'P.t a cha.r:c e to see much "lDre of the job you T1T corrA~oondents are doing----on meo --iz~ifiiiiii••ltJS~t!il;~:!!! ~ll±~..&!Mi1iiiili'iiii1111tll!l'iZ• , ~l!;,. I finn myse1f ooin some Tnstant Analysis on yo'J• fter all, T hav~ SOMP right t w:fkfiliili~M•••!!l!lllllll!l!i?_...,., ...... ~x inc p r omff\I} ... tory' s 0 first Tnstant Vice Pr::.sident . ' . -3- Fra kly, my analys;_s has ,,.~isAd soMn sAri ous quP,stbns about you am~ vour work. T hope you won ' t rn..; nd if T 't"i.Ilr' ~ f Pw of tho "lost s"Tious to vour at tenti. on . Not for P.nswers, "l. nd you. T just hope you' ll "Oonde>r the questions as you ro ,,rout yo·1r job .. Ti'irst-- lho styles Bob ierpoin~ ' s hair? S cond---vould howara K. Smith be in erested in a job s 'bite house sryeechwriL9r? Third---Why does John Chai.cellor awE°'ys sit side-saddle? T<'ourth---1iJhy coesn' t Dhil Jones get on camera more? (He asked 'tie to asktt that) o 1i'ifth--- 1 !ho writes those que.:;ti ns for ,.,ager fot:ici'? And who reads. them to him? Sixth---Fow does Joe M~c ffrey ~ind the tine to meet all th::>se members? L 27 TTell, T have a lot "'!10'."'e on my l i.~t, but it' s lateo P rhaps T can add those next y~ar , assurid.ng you' d tnvite IDP, hack ~~ter the Vice P~esidential novelty wea,,.s offo But T con~t want to leavP. tonipht---ann tri.s lq ser.;ous--wlthout P,XP~essing my aryo~eci t.;on to rou for the waF you handle vour tre~endously difficult task of trying to ~ondense into a f P.W minutes the daily events of a rery trou~le timeo A task fl'tP n "'lQrA difficult in these days of dee-o emotions and grave POV"rmnenta.l nroblemso Thts is rot t,o sp:y that youif n eroretiltl.ons or edit1ng decistons ar• al ways those that T "t«> uld make if I had your i ob. 01" if you had m·_ne .. But T resryect you as ~~suonsible , ethical, professional j~urnalists . And, as our cu ~Ent prorl~'TlS reach the dP.cisivP. stages ~n the weeks and no ths ahead, T hav. oonfid nC'e you· iJl rrmort t"ose eiient.s wtth the dispassi nate f'airness that is .he mark of the @SJ professional -reoe!Jter.---a. r"isoassionate ·a.; :rness our trrul-100. n~tion nAeds s never beforeo I wish vou welL .. EXCERPTS FROM VICE PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD SPEECH BEFORE THE RADIO-TV CORRESPONDENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1974 But I don't want to leave tonight -- and this is serious -- without expressing my appreciation to you for the way you handle your tremendously difficult task of trying to condense into a few minutes the daily events of a very troubled time. A task even more difficult in these days of deep emotions and grave national problems. This is not to say that your interpretations or editing decisions are always those that I would make if I had your job. Or if you had mine. But I respect you as responsible, ethical, professional journalist. And, as our current problems reach the dee ive stages in the weeks and months ahead, I have confidence you will report those events with the dispassionate fairness that is the mark of the professional reporter -- A dispassionate fairness our troubled nation needs as never before. I wish you well. Thank you and good night. ' * c:Racfw and Cldec:ri1,lon C!.o•c!c£¥2ondmfa clhwaiatl.on * Clfw.ucfay, a'lll.a"'* 28, 1974 CJl'z.e, .. • fJJa~t fPu~ufent~ of the cf?adw and 'Jefe_r:rl~n Co'tu~j:wndenb. EX£autb:re C!ommittu clf.~walatlon of th£ * MR. FuLToN LEWIS, Ja., 1939-40 cf?adio and 'Jefe.r:rl~lon C!cYr.u~j:wndenl:~ Ma.ALBER.TL. WARNER, 1940-41 Ma. H. R. BAUKHAGE, 1941-42 Ma. FRED w. MORR.ISON, 1942-43 clf."-Oa.lal:lon MR. ERIC SEVAREID, 1943-44 MR. EARL GODWIN, 1944-45 Ma. RICHARD HARKNESS, 1945-46 1973-1974 MR. REX R. GOAD, 1946-47 MR. WILLIAM M. (BILL) HENRY, 1947-48 MR. ALBERT L. WARNER, 1948-49 Ma. ELMER DAVIS, 1949-50 * MR. WILLIAM R. McANDR.EW, 1950-51 MR. WILLARD F. (BILL) SHADEL, 1951-52 Ma. HoLus M. SEAVEY, 1952-53 MR. MARTIN AGRONSKY, 1953-54 President: FRANK J. JORDAN, NBC News MR. RICHARD HARKNESS, 19 5 4-5 5 MR. WILLIAM CosTELLo, 1955-S'6 Ma. JosEPH F. McCAFFREY, 1956-57 Vice President: MARYA McLAUGHLIN, CBS News MR. ROBERT F. HURLEIGH, 1957-58 MR. EDWARD P. MORGAN, 1958-59 MR. JULIAN GOODMAN, 1959-60 Secretary: WILLIAM GREENWOOD, Mutual Broadcasting System MR. DAVID BRINKLEY, 1960 MR. LEWIS w. SHOLLENBERGER, 1960-61 Miss ANN M. CoRR.IcK, 1961-62 Treasurer: RoBERT FosTER., WGN, Omtinental Broadcasting Company MR. ROBERT H. FLEMING, 1962-63 MR. WILLIAM B. MONROE, JR., 1963-64 MR. WELLS CHURCH, 1964-65 MR. STEPHEN J. McCoRMICK, 1965-66 Member at Large: SAM A. DONALDSON, ABC News MR. J. W. (BILL) ROBERTS, 1966-67 Ma. JoHN F. LYNCH, 1967-68 MR. RoBERT K. McCoRMicK, 1968-69 Member at Large: RICHARD BRAsm, Westinghouse Broadcasting Company MR. RoGER H. Munn, 1969-70 MR. CHAR.LES WARR.EN, 1970-71 MR. JOSEPH F. MCCAFFREY, 1971-72 Member at Large: JoHN BEssoR, CBS News Mil. ROBERT E. CLARK, 1972-73 • CREAM OF ALMOND SOUP • GUEST OF HONOR. THE VICE PRESIDENT BURGUNDY • BROILEDPR!MEFILETMIGNON Sauce Periogourdine ENTER.TAlNMENT SPEARS OF ASPARAGUS DISCUSSION OF THE ENERGY ClusIS Sauce Hollandaise PoTATO BoULANGERE * • Fn.M REVIEW OF THE y EAll SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD • * RASPBERRY SoUFFLE Strawberry Sauce UNITED STATES MARINE BAND COFFEE C7HE Radio and Television Correspondents Association represents • Association is two organizations in one. First, it is an the radio and television news fraternity in Washington and through C7HE administrative body. Its Executive Committee, under Congressional its membership virtually every radio and television station in the authorization, directs the operation of the Radio and Television United States. It has grown from a charter membership of twenty Correspondents Galleries of the Congress. It acts from time to time six in 1939 to its present active roll of more than mo members for as a national accrediting agency for radio and television, as during the radio and television networks, independent stations, and the a political convention or presidential inauguration. The Association radio news and television film services. operates in the international field also, having had accredited corre spondents during the organization of the United Nations in 1945. Secondly, the Association is a professional body. As its Constitution states, the Association "strives to protect the rights and privileges" of its members and aims "in every way possible to maintain high standards of reporting news" by radio and television.