McDonald Davis & Associates Political Products, 1964-1983

Contents List

Container Title
Part 1 (SC 1251, Audio 1102A/1-36, PH 6814, film call numbers): Original Collection, undated
Physical Description: 0.1 cubic foot (1 folder), 37 audio recordings, 61 films, 7 videorecordings, and 0.1 cubic foot of broadsides (1 oversize folder) 
Scope and Content Note

These records of McDonald Davis & Associates consist almost entirely of radio and television spot advertisements prepared or distributed by the firm for a number of national and Wisconsin candidates. The exceptions to this are a few paper items pertaining to the 1970 campaigns of Jack Olson and Henry Schadeberg (transferred to the Visual and Sound Archives), and an incomplete file, 1965-1966, transferred from the State Archives, of Wisconsin on the Line, a newsletter published by the agency. Subjects discussed generally include state and national politics.

The relative absence of paper means that all documentation which would have carried the original idea for each campaign from conception to completion was destroyed prior to donation to the Historical Society. A notable exception to this is a sound recording of a strategy meeting held in October 1967 by various members of the firm in order to discuss the issues to be stressed in the upcoming Nixon primary campaign in Wisconsin. In addition, there is some unedited sound footage and extensive rough film footage from which the filmmaking aspect of ad production may be studied. The footage on the 1966 Knowles campaign is of particular interest for it was shot by the independent filmmaker Maysles Film Inc.

The collection is organized alphabetically by the name of the candidate and then divided chronologically and by length and type of ad. In a limited number of cases -- the 1966 and 1968 Knowles campaigns and the 1970 Olson campaign -- there is also unedited sound, video, and negative footage.

Much of the videotape material was originally received in two-inch format. These tapes have been re-recorded on 3/4-inch cassette format for preservation and access.

More detailed information on the contents of each title is available on the sound and film control sheets completed at the Archives.

Bush, George
Television spots, 1980
VBA 479
Counter   7
Biography
Counter   34
Interior
Counter   55
Mill
Counter   72
Montage
Counter   88
Exterior
Counter   104
Rescue
Counter   122
Denton
VBA 480
Counter   12
Interior
Counter   33
Mill
Counter   53
Montage
Counter   72
Exterior
Counter   91
Governor Gregg
Counter   108
Victory
Counter   124
Concerned
Counter   140
Excellent in government
Counter   155
Biography
Counter   180
Five-minute biography
VBA 565
Counter   586
Revision
Counter   604
In spite of
Counter   617
Fed up
Counter   629
Cases
Counter   651
Defense
Counter   662
Energy
Counter   667
Biography
Counter   693
Interior
Counter   705
Mill
Counter   717
Montage
Counter   727
Exterior
Counter   737
Rescue
Counter   748
Admiral Denton
Ceci, Lou
AC 323
Television spots (Crime, Interview), 1966
Dean, Douglas
VBA 476
"Sunday After New: The Douglas Dean Story"
Dwyer, Robert
1102A/10
One-minute radio spots, 1968
Note: Statements in Dwyer's own voice.
Cut   1
Henry Reuss does not live in Milwaukee (D1-60-68)
Cut   2
Reuss allies himself with anarchist New Left (D2-60-68)
Cut   3
Reuss has not repudiated Barbee for statements about Huey Newton (D3-60-68)
Cut   4
Reuss wants non-producers to run country/Dwyer is a working man (D4-60-68)
Cut   5
Reuss' extreme views have been rejected by Democrats (D5-60-68)
Cut   6
Reuss offers no real help to Milwaukee poor (D6-60-68)
Cut   7
Reuss studies foreign economics, not Milwaukee problems (D6-60-68)
Cut   8
Reuss wants taxes/does not understanding workingman/is too far removed from our problems (D8-60-68)
Erickson, John
AC 292
Television campaign spots, 1970
Construction (E30-1)
Save the School (E30-2)
Campus-Drugs (E30-3)
Commitment (E30-4)
Campus-Politics (E30-5)
Campus-Voting (E30-6)
Campus-Draft (E30-7)
Revenue (E30-8)
Welfare (E30-9)
Military-Industry (E30-10)
Polly Erickson (E30-11)
Pollution (E30-12)
Knowles endorsement (E30-13)
Pollution (E30-14)
Packers-Youth, with Carroll Dale and Bart Starr (E60-1)
Kasten, Robert
VBA 477
Television spot, Spending, 1980
Knowles, Warren
DD 370
30-minute campaign film, featuring Melvin Laird, Jack Olson, Wilbur Renk, and Knowles made as part of the Knowles gubernatorial campaign, 1964
1102A/1, 31
60-second radio spots, 1966, “Voices of the People of Wisconsin and their Newspapers” series
AC 326
Television spots (13), 1966
CA 966
20-second television spots, 1966
Note: More complete descriptions of rough footage [AC 327-330, CA 940-949, DD 520-527], negatives [CA 967-971, DD 536-539], sound footages [AC 333-338], and audio outs [DD 534-535, FE 515-516] shot for 1966 campaign by Maysles Film are available in the Film Archives.
1102A/16
60-second radio spots, 1968, Newspaper endorsement series
Cut   1
Milwaukee Journal editorial endorsement (K1-60-68)
Cut   2
Fond du Lac Reporter endorsement (K2-60-68)
Cut   3
Beloit Daily News endorsement (K3-60-68)
Cut   4
Dunn County News endorsement (K4-60-68)
Cut   5
Wisconsin State Journal endorsement (K5-60-68)
AC 332
Television spots, 1968
Note: More detailed information on rough footage [AC 331-332, CA 957-965, DD 531-533] is available in the Film Archives.
Leonard, Jerris
1102A/9
One-minute radio spots, 1968 (Humorous)
Cut   1
Who's Jerry Leonard? (L1-60-68)
Cut   2
What ever happened to Gaylord Nelson? / It's time he came home (L2-60-68)
Cut   3
No one has heard of Gaylord Nelson since he was governor / You'll know Leonard's around (L3-60-68)
Cut   4
If you want change, Leonard gets things done (L4-60-68)
VBA 566
Television spots, 1968
Counter   16
Forgotten Man
Counter   70
Shrinking dollar
Counter   107
Law and order
Counter   142
Soldier
Counter   165
Agriculture
Counter   188
Shrinking dollar
Counter   206
Law and order
Counter   224
Law and order
Counter   242
Funnel
Counter   257
Agriculture
Counter   272
Shrinking dollar
Counter   287
It's that basic
Counter   306
Nixon
Counter   330
Leonard for Senate
AC 323
Television spot (L-4-60), 1968
Lucey, Patrick
1102A/32
Lucey for Governor, 1974 radio spots
1102A/33
Governor Lucey radio spots
1102A/34
Governor Lucey spot #9
1102A/35
Lucey general radio spots
1102A/36
Lucey general election spots
McCullough, Walter
VBA 566
Counter   416
Four television spots, 1968
Myse, Gordon
VBA 478
Television spot, “Gordon Myse: Victim's Rights,” circa 1983
Nixon, Richard
AC 257
30-second television spot used to appeal to farm vote, 1968
VBA 565
Counter   535
Television spot, “November group,” 1968
60-second radio spots, “Nixon's the one” series, 1968
1102A/19
Cut   1
Vietnam
Cut   2
Other nations must pay their share of foreign aid
Cut   3
World peace
Cut   4
Courts have given criminals too many rights
Cut   5
War on crime promised
Cut   6
Black America
Cut   7
Wealth of America
Cut   8
Time for new leadership
1102A/18
Bart Starr endorsement of Nixon (NA5-60-68)
1102A/21
Medicare views (RN 150)
60-second radio spots, 1968, “This time vote like your whole world depended on it / This time Nixon” series
1102A/22
Law and order (RN 158)
1102A/23
Cut   1
Farm costs
Note: All agriculture spots are RN 93.
Cut   2
Farm prices
Cut   3
Secretary of agriculture will be true farm man
Cut   4
Farm exports
Cut   5
Bargaining for farm prices
Cut   6
Agricultural program changes planned
1102A/25
Individual statements from Democrats for Nixon
1102A/19
30-second radio spots, 1968, “Nixon's the one series”
Note: Many are shortened versions of the 60-second series.
Cut   9
Leadership
Cut   10
Law enforcement
Cut   11
Crime
Cut   12
Wealth of America
Cut   13
After 40 years it is time for restoration of power to states and cities
Cut   14
Foreign aid costs
Cut   15
Our nation is troubled today because our leaders have failed
1102A/24
60-second radio spot, 1968
Note: Paid for by Nixon-Agnew volunteers, this spot asks for volunteers.
1102A/26
60-second radio spots, 1972
Cut   1
Four cuts of individual Wisconsin voters endorsements (CT 502)
Miscellany
1102A/20
Unedited footage of Nixon's Bart Starr Day airport statement to hecklers, 1968
Note: See also Olson radio spots.
1102A/27
Unedited footage of Nixon advertising planning session to develop concepts and ideas, circa 1967
Olson, Jack
1102A/14
Five-minute audio statements, 1970
Cut   1
Views on environment (O-5-70)
One-minute radio spots, 1970
Note: Note on box explains how spots were to be rotated.
1102A/17
Cut   1
Interview format/Lucey will increase state spending, Olson won't (O-60-1)
Cut   2
Nixon response to hecklers at Green Bay as expression of his true free speech views (O-60-2)
1102A/8
Nixon response to heckler at Green Bay as expression of his free speech views
Note: Differs from O-60-2; this tape uses Nixon's own voice.
1102A/17
Cut   3
Newspapers including Sentinel, Portage Daily Register, and Wisconsin State Journal endorse Olson (O-60-3)
Cut   4
Lucey is promiser and spender (O-60-4)
Cut   5
Withholding is high, but Lucey wants to raise it (O-60-5)
1102A/19A
Cut   1
Two hippies say Olson has always been for law and order (O-60-6)
Cut   2
A father advises daughter to study record on how to vote; Lucey never did anything as Lt. Gov. (O-60-7)
Miscellaneous sound footage, 1970
1102A/13
Nixon endorses Olson and Erickson, October 1970
1102A/15
Olson announces his candidacy for governor, 1970
VBA 565
Television spots, 1970
Counter   20
Beautiful state
Counter   49
Next generation
Counter   72
Open and honest
Counter   97
Together
Counter   118
Expression
Counter   140
Bart Starr
Counter   163
Budget
Counter   183
Home
Counter   200
Public employees
Counter   218
Problem solver
Counter   236
Revenue
Counter   253
Money
Counter   271
Campus
Counter   293
Farm
Counter   308
Quality
Counter   326
New Left
Counter   346
Nixon
Counter   363
Knowles endorsement
Counter   379
Hecklers
Counter   395
Governor
Counter   411
Great state
Counter   432
Man on the move
Counter   454
Issues
Counter   474
Environment
Counter   497
David Martin
Counter   570
Olson and Nixon
Note: Silent rough footage.
AC 323
Rough film footage of Olson and Nixon, 1970
PH 6814
Campaign broadside, 1970
Schadeberg, Henry C.
Five-minute report to district campaign spots, 1968
1102A/4
Cut   1
Cost of living / Inflation is the result of Johnson administration overspending (SC1-5-68)
Cut   2
Vietnam War / Problem is that administration has not communicated its policy nor exercised its strength (SC2-5-68)
1102A/5
Cut   1
Farm problem / Johnson administration's inconsistent policies talking the nation into farm depression (SC3-5-68)
1102A/6
Cut   1
Crime / Problem arises from failure of administration to understand moral values of society / Money will not wipe out the misery of the poor
Note: Includes musical jingle for HCS.
One-minute radio spot series, 1968
1102A/3
Cut   1
Inflation caused by government spending (SC1-60-68)
Cut   2
LBJ fails to indicate where our defense perimeter is in the Pacific (SC2-60-68)
Cut   3
LBJ does not have will to fight organized crime / Nation needs to be set on moral course (SC3-60-68)
Cut   4
LBJ has ignored farm problem (SC4-60-68)
1102A/2
Cut   1
North Vietnamese are stalling the peace talks / U.S. should act accordingly (SC5-60-68)
Cut   2
Government programs must be cut; much waste in poverty programs, foreign aid (SC6-60-68)
Cut   3
Crime problem (SC7-60-68)
Note: Short version of campaign jingle included.
Cut   4
Nation not getting its money's worth on foreign aid (SC8-60-68)
Note: Same campaign jingle with different music.
1102A/7
Cut   1
HCS is for peace in Vietnam, but only by being strong (SC9-60-68)
Cut   2
HCS is for enforcement of the law, no right to riot (SC10-60-68)
Cut   3
Inflation is greatest threat to economy / This is caused by wasteful government spending (SC11-60-68)
Cut   4
HCS is for rights of the individual / Cites soldier/rifle incident (SC 12-60-68)
Note: First version of campaign jingle included.
Cut   4
Agriculture problem (SC13-60-68)
Note: Second version of jingle.
PH 6814
Campaign broadside, 1970
Smith, Bill
60-second radio spots, 1966
1102A/29
Cut   1
Humorous spot, How to spell Smith
Cut   2
Kastenmeier has done nothing in eight years in Congress
Cut   3
Inflation
1102A/30
Kastenmeier has no answer on Vietnam, Smith has a plan
AC 321
Television campaign spots, 1966
Humorous, Smith (B-60)
Supermarket, Smith (20-I)
Vietnam, Smith (60-C)
Steiger, William A.
1102A/28
60-second radio spots, 1966
Cut   1
John Race's views on use of atomic bomb in Vietnam
Cut   2
Democrats are for inflation, so is Race
Cut   3
Race and Lucey believe in high spending
Cut   4
Steiger says what he thinks
Note: Recording is in Steiger's voice.
1102A/12
“New young leader” radio spots, 1968
Cut   1
Endorsement from Rep. Ayres (Ohio)
Cut   2
Editorial from Plymouth Review
Cut   3
Editorial from Oshkosh Northwestern
Cut   4
Editorial from Hartford Times-Press
Cut   5
Statement of support from Rep. James Scheurer (NY)
AC 322
Television campaign spots, 1968
Steiger Story (St-75-M)
Pollution (St1-60-68)
Education (St2-60-68)
Steiger Story (St-20-68)
Testimonial (St1-20-68)
Warren, Robert
1102A/11
One-minute radio spots, paid for by Republican Party of Wisconsin, 1968
Cut   1
Policemen's wives support Warren for Attorney General (W1-60-68)
Cut   2
The ideal attorney general would be a person much like Robert Warren (W2-60-68)
Cut   3
Statement on his leadership (W3-60-68)
Cut   4
He authored clean water legislation, now wants to enforce it (W4-60-68)
SC 1251
Wisconsin on the Line newsletter, 1965-1966
Note: Incomplete file.
Scope and Content Note: State and national politics discussed.
M95-224
Part 2 (M95-224, Audio 1102A/37-48): Additions, 1965-1968, 1972, 1975-1976, 1979
Physical Description: 2.6 cubic feet (2 records center cartons and 2 archives boxes), 4 videorecordings, 20 film reels (in 1 box), and 11 audio recordings 
Scope and Content Note: Files of Charles O. Davis, partner in McDonald Davis and executive director of the Wisconsin Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP) in 1972. These files provide budget and other financial information on the advertising campaigns of Richard Nixon (1968, 1972) and George Bush (1980), and state Republican candidates in the 1964 and 1966 general elections. Files for the 1972 Nixon campaign include press releases, campaign strategy reports, canvassing manuals, budget information, radio and television spots, and correspondence with state and national members of CREEP. There are similar materials for the Bush campaign. Also included are two Knowles for Governor campaign spots.
Box   1
Folder   1
The Governor of Wisconsin, 1965-1966
Box   1
Folder   2
Knowles campaign manual, 1966
Box   1
Folder   3
Political: budget vs. actual spent, 1966
Box   1
Folder   4-5
Political budgets and authorizations, 1966, 1968
Box   1
Folder   6
Wisconsin: Nixon for President campaign manual
Box   1
Folder   7
Media budget and general plan, Wisconsin Nixon for President Committee
Box   1
Folder   8
Wisconsin Committee for the Re-election of the President
Box   1
Folder   9
Fund raising
Box   1
Folder   10
Door-to-door
Box   1
Folder   11
Budgets
Box   1
Folder   12
Presidential Committee
Box   1
Folder   13
Key cities campaign
Box   1
Folder   14
Miscellaneous
Box   1
Folder   15
Agriculture Committee
Box   1
Folder   16
Ad copy
Box   1
Folder   17
Campaign materials
Box   1
Folder   18
How to raise a fundraising dinner
Box   1
Folder   19
S. 3378, 92d Congress, 2d Session, (Tax Reform Act of 1972)
Box   1
Folder   20
Budget highlights, fiscal year 1973
Wisconsin Finance Committee to Re-elect the President
Box   1
Folder   21
State report
Box   1
Folder   22
Federal report
Box   1
Folder   23
Get-out-the-vote
Box   1
Folder   24
Area chairmen
Box   1
Folder   25
Black vote division
Box   1
Folder   26
Campaign organization
Box   1
Folder   27
Citizens committee
Box   1
Folder   28
Collateral
Box   2
Folder   1
Committee for Reelection of the President
Box   2
Folder   2
Democrats for Nixon
Box   2
Folder   3
Dental ream
Box   2
Folder   4
Districts
Box   2
Folder   5
Economic policies
Box   2
Folder   6
Endorsements
Box   2
Folder   7
Federal Election Campaign Act
Box   2
Folder   8
Financial
Box   2
Folder   9
Headquarters
Box   2
Folder   10
Heritage
Box   2
Folder   11
Industrial recruiting
Box   2
Folder   12
Elliot Judd
Box   2
Folder   13
Labor
Box   2
Folder   14
Democrat candidates
Box   2
Folder   15
Lawyers for Nixon
Box   2
Folder   16
Letters to the editor
Box   2
Folder   17
John MacIver
Box   2
Folder   18
Newspaper
Box   2
Folder   19
Miscellaneous
Box   2
Folder   20
Youth committee
Box   2
Folder   21
November Group
Box   2
Folder   22
Older Americans
Box   2
Folder   23
Polls
Box   2
Folder   24
Presidential speech
Box   2
Folder   25
Press releases
Box   2
Folder   26
Radio
Box   2
Folder   27
Résumés
Box   2
Folder   28
Small towns
Box   2
Folder   29
Politicon
Box   2
Folder   30
Media budget
Box   2
Folder   31-32
Surrogate program
Box   2
Folder   33
Talking papers
Box   2
Folder   34
Telephone campaign
Box   2
Folder   35
Television
Box   2
Folder   36
Veterans
Box   2
Folder   37
Volunteers
Box   2
Folder   38
Voters' rights
Box   2
Folder   39
Weekly media reports
Box   2
Folder   40
Wisconsin primary
Box   2
Folder   41
Nixon campaign, 1972
Box   2
Folder   42
Wisconsin Committee
Box   2
Folder   43
President Nixon TV spot; thank you letters
Box   2
Folder   44
Nixon Finance Committee
Box   2
Folder   45
Miscellaneous - Nixon
Box   2
Folder   46
Legal
Box   2
Folder   47
Budget and finance: Ford, 1975-1976
Bush for President
Box   2
Folder   48
Advertising
Box   2
Folder   49
Speeches
Box   2
Folder   50
State Steering Committee
Box   2
Folder   51
Volunteers
Box   2
Folder   52
Wisconsin Bush for President Committee
Box   2
Folder   53
Agreement
Box   2
Folder   54
Appearances
Box   2
Folder   55
Appearance requests
Box   2
Folder   56
Artwork-MDA
Box   3
Folder   1
Collateral material
Box   3
Folder   2
Correspondence
Box   3
Folder   3
Field report
Box   3
Folder   4
Press list
Box   3
Folder   5
Finance and budget
Box   3
Folder   6
Headquarters employees
Box   3
Folder   7
Headquarters lease
Box   3
Folder   8
Home headquarters kits
Box   3
Folder   9
Issue briefs
Box   3
Folder   10
Legal information
Box   3
Folder   11
Minutes
Box   3
Folder   12
Miscellaneous
Box   3
Folder   13
Miscellaneous incoming correspondence
Box   3
Folder   14
Opponents
Box   3
Folder   15-16
Organization
Box   3
Folder   17
Polls, 1979
Box   4
Folder   1
Press releases
Box   4
Folder   2
Publicity
Box   4
Folder   3
Purchase orders
Box   4
Folder   4
Résumés
Videorecordings
Physical Description: 2-inch open reel 
Box   5
Video   1
N-60-1 with Wisconsin disclaimer, 60 seconds, Think, Nixon, Producer: Feeley & Wheeler, 1968 February 16
Box   5
Video   2
N-60-2 with Wisconsin disclaimer, 60 seconds, Gates, Nixon, Producer: Feeley & Wheeler, 1968 February 15
Box   5
Video   3
N-60-3 with Wisconsin disclaimer, 60 seconds, Newspaper Rev., Producer: Feeley & Wheeler, 1968 February 15
Box   5
Video   4
Nixon November Group (Wisconsin): includes WISC-N-60-1, 60 seconds, WISC-N-30-1, 30 seconds and WISC-N-30-2, 30 seconds
Film reels (16 mm)
Box   5
Reel   1-2
Knowles for Governor Committee campaign spots (K-20-7 and K-20-8)
Nixon Campaign spots
Note: A majority of the campaign spots were done for the Wisconsin Nixon for President Committee.
Box   5
Reel   3
Woman, ESJ-16-60TVC, October 19
Box   5
Reel   4
Social Security, ESJ-20-60-TVC, October 28
Box   5
Reel   5
N-60-5, Crime-60, (#5-CL-60), 1968 April
Box   5
Reel   6
N-60-6, 1968
Box   5
Reel   7
N-60-7, 1968
Box   5
Reel   8
N-60-8, 1968
Box   5
Reel   9
Nixon MDS campaign, 1968
Box   5
Reel   10
Senate Multiple-North, CP 1014-TVC
Box   5
Reel   11
N-20-1, 1968
Box   5
Reel   12
N-20-2, 1968
Box   5
Reel   13
N-20-3, 1968
Box   5
Reel   14
N-20-4, 1968
Box   5
Reel   15
N-20-5, 1968
Box   5
Reel   16
N-20-6, 1968 April
Box   5
Reel   17
Law and Order 2, ESJ-2-60-TVC, October 17
Box   5
Reel   18
Failure, ESJ-8-60-TVC, October 21
Box   5
Reel   19
Youth, ESJ-9-60-TVC, October 21
Box   5
Reel   20
Reach Out, ESJ-15-60-TVC, October 17
Audio 1102A
Audio recordings
1102A/37-38
Campaign '76 special radio group (2 copies)
Note: PFC - HQ - general pool (all 60 second spots)
1. Jobs
2. Peace
3. Ford, Happy
4. Carter, No Guv
5. TV Atlanta-A
6. TV Atlanta-B
7. TV Stabilizing Man
8. TV Vote (Dems)
9. TV Comeback
10. TV Feel Good No. 1
11. TV Feel good No. 2
Nixon
1102A/39
Nixon for President, No Disclaimer
Note: Band 1 Bart Starr
Band 2 Jimmy Stewart
Band 3 Dorothy Lamour
1102A/40
New Hampshire Radio Spots
1102A/41
Richard M. Nixon
Note: 1. John Tower, 60 seconds
2. Ronald Reagan, 60 seconds
3. Ronald Reagan, 30 seconds
4. John Wayne, 30 seconds
5. Edward Brooke, 60 seconds
1102A/42
Social Security, 59 seconds, Nixon/Agnew
1102A/43
1972 Nixon Primary, November Group, revised radio spots, four 60 second spots
1102A/44
[unidentified]
1102A/45
Green Bay, Jaycee Dinner, 1968 February 5
1102A/46
DWB from working session
1102A/47
Green Bay press conference, 1968 February 5
1102A/48
Appleton - receptions