TLS signed “Duke,” two pages, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, May 9, 1968. Letter to Governor Ronald Reagan regarding the 1968 presidential primaries, focusing on the potential Republican candidates: Nelson Rockefeller, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan. In full: "I know that the enthusiasm in the heat of battle and excitement of this election year must be a hectic strain on you in your position. I know that the feeling and high hope of an honorable peace is stimulating thoughts and actions that are being made without careful consideration. The people are gay, the stock market goes up, everything is repeating itself, as at Munich.
All the politicians have jumped on the band wagon, Rockefeller in particular. He had Emmett Hughes write a speech for him that out-doved the doves, but even the 'Eastern Establishment' wouldn't let him deliver that one to the editors and publishers of our country. Everything this man has done has been opposite to the wonderful image that you now have in the minds of the American people.
I am sure you are surrounded by many enthusiastic and perhaps ambitious people with a little self-advancement unconsciously in their minds. Rockefeller stands for everything opposed to a practical, clear-thinking approach to our country's situation.
He is a picture of accommodation, regardless of cost. I pray for and plead with you to avoid any political move that will put you in their pocket. I remind you that Nixon is now acting like he isn't taken in by them. He is certainly more qualified than Rockefeller or the 'Eastern Establishment' to represent our country. They talk of Kennedy and the Indiana election, but the facts are that he received one-sixth of the votes cast. Nixon received close to one-half the votes in that State. Money and liberal newsmen have obviously overlooked this fact.
If you are going to compromise for less than the top, please think of Nixon. I am not trying to give you a sermon from the mount, but merely an arms-length impression of a friend who is not caught up in the day-to-day reactions of our political situation.
My love to Nancy, and remember that your personal image is terribly needed by the mainstream of the American public." In fine condition. Accompanied by a carbon copy of Reagan's response, dated May 18, 1968, in part: "I'm as upset as you are about that talk, and I am convinced someone is pulling a little political hanky panky. You can rest assured I have no intention of taking that spot. It would be impossible for me to do so for the very reasons you yourself stated."
John Wayne would become deeply involved in the 1968 presidential campaign as a supporter of Richard Nixon, even giving a speech at the Republican National Convention on August 5, 1968.
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