This program is 27 minutes long
#18730
(Studio) President Richard Nixon wins reelection by largest absolute majority ever in American history, with 45,767,218 votes to Senator George McGovern's 28,357,667, and Schmitz' 1,045,048. Nixon wins 61%, close to record 61.1% reached by Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater. McGovern gets 38%; Schmitz 1%. 74 million votes counted; more Americans than ever voted before, but smallest proportion of eligible voters since 1948.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#18731
(Studio) President celebrates early, returns to business as usual.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) Nixon concentrates on Vietnam war problem, and contemplates a major staff shake-up. Dispatches General Alexander Haig to Saigon to consult with South Vietnam President Thieu. Every President appointee ordered to resign before end of year so President can decide whether or not to continue their service. US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Romney, Defense Secretary Laird, Secretary of State Rogers, Attorney General Kleindienst expected to leave. President takes Bob Haldeman, Johm Ehrlichman, and Henry Kissinger with him to Florida retreat for planning session.
REPORTER: Tom Jarriel
#18732
(Studio) Senator George McGovern concedes defeat, sleeps 8 hrs.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(South Dakota) McGovern leaves South Dakota for Washington, DC en route to Caribbean vacation. (DC) Band of supporters greet him at airport. [McGOVERN - says cause is just as bright as it ever was.] Says he will not run again. Accepts defeat serenely.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#18734
(Studio) Western world leaders pleased with Nixon reelection and firm commitment to NATO. USSR favors Nixon's policy of improving US-Soviet relations. South Vietnam leaders relieved, as McGovern win would have meant end of United States aid.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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#18736
(Studio) In House of Representatives, Republicans pick up 11 additional seats, but fall far short of 39 needed to win control. Congress black caucus members reelected, 3 new members added. Democrats gain 2 Senator seats. 4 Republican incumbents toppled: ME's Smith, Colorado's Allott, Iowa's Miller, and DE's Boggs. Democrats win 11 of 18 contests for governor Nixon landslide, thus, result of widespread ticket-splitting. In Illinois, Nixon won easily, but Democrat Dan. Walker won gov. seat over Republican incumbent Richard Ogilvie.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Chicago, Illinois) Walker made 1200 mile handshaking walk across Illinois. Insisted machine politics could be defeated by taking campaign to people. He wins, despite support for Nixon and Senator Charles Percy, because of massive ticket splitting. [WALKER - says election proves people make up own minds on basis of individual candidates.]
REPORTER: Ron Miller
#18737
(Studio) City, considered reflective of nation in general, summarized after election.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Columbus, Ohio) ABC polls at state fair showed Nixon well ahead. Youth vote found to be complex. Tricia Nixon Cox, George McGovern. Vice President Agnew drew crowds, but Ohio State University football team drew larger ones. Citizens of all types interviewed. 62% Columbus voters went for Nixon.
REPORTER: Jim Kincaid
#18738
(Studio) Colorado voters reject state's playing host to 1976 winter Olympics. (Lake Placid, New York, and Vancouver, BC, Canada, considered possible alternative sites.) California votes to reinstate death penalty, reject proposition to tighten anti-obscenity laws, deny outlawing of boycotts such as Cesar Chavez' on nonunion lettuce. Michigan and North Dakota voters turn down proposals to liberalize standards for abortion. New York and Florida approve expensive envtl. protection plans.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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#18740
(Studio) Senator Edward Brooke says Vice President Agnew is not heir apparent for 1976 Republican Presidential nomination Black Senator Brookemay try for post.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Hyannis Port, Massachusetts) Senator Edward Kennedy expected to work to pull Democratic party back together again. [KENNEDY - says it's too early to consider possible candidacy for President in 1976. More concerned with immediate work in Senate Says his Senate subcommittee will hold public hearings into Watergate.]
REPORTER: Bob Clark
(Studio) Senator Kennedy only Democratic leader to deliver state to McGovern.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#18741
(Studio) Strong vote from labor helped in Nixon landslide. AFL-CIO President George Meany announced neutral stand at outset of campaign. Today says voters repudiated neo isolationism in choosing Nixon over McGovern. Says American wants peace in Vietnam, but not surrender or dishonor.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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#18743
(Studio) American Indians occupy Bureau of Indian Affairs.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) "Trail of Broken Treaties" ends. Militant Indians evacuate building Promised they will not be prosecuted and that grievances will be studied. [Caravan coordinator Russell MEANS - says destruction to building doesn't mean a damn thing because Bureau of Indian Affairs has never meant a damn thing. Says Indian frustration has caused no physical harm to anyone.] Indians take papers they say will incriminate prominent politicians in thefts of Indian lands and mineral rights.
REPORTER: David Schoumacher
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#18745
(Studio) American B-52 bombers strike in DMZ (demilitarized zone) area. Both sides build up supplies in anticipation of cease-fire. Air strikes made on Communist supply rtes. to South Vietnam. American civilian technicians in South Vietnam assemble fighter-bombers for South Vietnam.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#18746
(Studio) In Mexico, 5 hijackers seize jet en route from Monterrey to Mexico City. 104 passengers, 7 crew aboard. Hijackers demand release of 6 people held on bank robbery charges, guns and ammo, $300,000 in cash. Fly to Cuba.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#18747
(Studio) Pilot error or failure of steering mechanism causes freighter to ram side of open drawbridge over Brunswick River in Georgia. Cars topple into deep water. 5 dead, 6 missing.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Brunswick River, Georgia) Coast Guard copters and drivers help in search operations. Sidney Lanier Bridge collapsed with ship's impact, causing cars on it to be cast into water. Freighter African Neptune hit span. [Charles WELLS - describes accident.]
REPORTER: David Snell (narrates from Jacksonville, Florida)
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#18749
(Studio) President Nixon is now in position to dictate details which remain in way of Vietnam settlement. USSR and China relieved that improvements in US relations, made with Nixon, can be relied on to last. Nixon, good with for. affairs but not so talented in domestic affairs, has large mandate to continue policies. Commentator reveals seriocomic hallucinations during election coverage.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
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