Moynihan as Presidential Counsellor
Nixon Legacy Form
American Enterprise Institute
Washington, DC
November 10, 2010
Hosted by the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., the 10th Richard Nixon Legacy Forum discusses the Nixon-era accomplishments of one of the most admired statesmen of the past half-century, Pat Moynihan.
The panel consisted of Steve Hess, Chris DeMuth, Checker Finn, and John Price, all former members of Moynihan’s White House staff. Steve Weisman, author of ‘Daniel Patrick Moynihan: A Portrait in Letters of an American Visionary,’ moderated this forum on Moynihan’s relationship with President Nixon and the progressive and innovative domestic policy initiatives that they developed together.
Legacy Forum Transcript
View Transcript Here
Panelists
Steve Hess: Deputy Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs under Nixon (1969-1970), also served as White House Staff under Eisenhower and an Advisor to the President under Ford and Carter.
Chris DeMuth: White House Staff member under Nixon, Administrator for Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget under Reagan (1981-1984)
Checker Finn: White House Staff Assistant under Nixon, counsel to U.S. Ambassador to India Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1973–74), Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1977–81)
John Price: Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs under Nixon (1969-1971)
Steve Weisman: Moderator, Vice President for Publications and Communications at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Editor of Daniel Patrick Moynihan: A Portrait in Letters of an American Visionary (2010)
Background
As president, Richard Nixon sought a genuine exchange of ideas among his close advisers as a basis for developing domestic policy.
Prior to the creation of the Domestic Council in 1970, President Nixon was advised on domestic issues primarily by two men: Arthur Burns and Dr. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Each man proposed their ideas from different political perspectives —Burns a committed conservative, Moynihan a longtime liberal— while both had the title Counsellor to the President.
Moynihan served as Assistant to the President on Urban Affairs from January 1969 to December 1970. He was the administration’s leading proponent to reform of America’s welfare system through the development and adoption of the Family Assistance Plan, which included significant reforms to the Aid to Assist Families with Dependent Children Plan. These reforms centered around qualifications to receive government welfare benefits, namely limiting applicants who were relatives in the same household, the creation of a work training program for applications, and requiring able-bodied applicants to attempt to attain work as a requirement of welfare assistance. Benefits under the plan would be reduced at a gradual rate as work related income rose, but at a rate that incentivized working. The Family Assistance Plan would also create a guaranteed minimum household income through a negative income tax.
Moynihan was also an advocate for the idea of revenue-sharing to replace the Model Cities plan. Moynihan recognized that in the fight against poverty, providing pathways back into the workforce was critical, while a one-size-fits-all approach to fighting poverty was not as effective. Under the revenue-sharing plan, states were granted local controls as to how federal funds could be spent in the fight against poverty. Moynihan, like President Nixon, recognized that for anti-poverty measures to be effective, the dignity of the recipient must be protected. Employment and a stable family environment were both seen as key to fighting muti-generational poverty.
In order to adopt these policies, Nixon and Moynihan needed to work across political aisles. This included reaching out to various members of Congress by phone, and meeting with Senate leadership in person, in the Oval Office, to secure sufficient support for passage. The polling conducted related to public opinion of the Family Assistance Plan was positive, but reservations persisted in the Senate. While FAP failed to pass the U.S. Congress, the Nixon administration’s welfare reform plan served as the model for that which President Clinton proposed, and secured congressional approval of, in 1996.
Moynihan departed the Nixon administration in December 1970 to resume his career at Harvard but his influence continued, shaping the administration’s forward-thinking, bipartisan approach to domestic policy for years to come. He was appointed by President Nixon as U.S. Ambassador to India in 1973; by President Ford as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 1975; and he was elected U.S. Senator from New York in 1977, served four terms and was succeeded by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2001.
Many of Moynihan’s farsighted, bipartisan ideas are still relevant today and time has shown these ideas to be worthy of further attention and review.
(Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum – WHPO, 3476-04)(Frame: WHPO-3476-04; “Presidential Assistant Daniel Patrick Moynihan sitting at his desk.” 5/7/1970, unknown, White House, office of Mr. Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
Essential Documents
20 January 1970 Moynihan memo on Nixon Domestic Record
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [11/17/1969 – 01/21/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
21 October 1969 Cole memo to Moynihan on coverage of Family Assistance Plan
(Folder: Edward L. Morgan [08/22/1969 – 10/14/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
6 November 1969 Moynihan to Safire on National Institute of Education
(Folder: Bill Safire [11/06/1969 – 03/10/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 November 1969 Moynihan to Safire on Commission on Educational Finance and Organization
(Folder: Bill Safire [11/06/1969 – 03/10/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
22 January 1970 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on issues of the day
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [01/22/1970 – 01/23/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
30 March 1970 White memo to Moynihan on support for Moynihan’s role in the Nixon Administration
(Folder: Edward L. Morgan [08/22/1969 – 10/14/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
22 April 1970 Moynihan address “A Moment Touched with Glory”
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [2 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
17 June 1970 Moynihan memo to RN on candidates for Commissioner of Education
(Folder: Kenneth Cole [03/13/1970 – 12/01/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
31 July 1970 Moynihan memo to Safire on points to touch upon
(Folder: Bill Safire [11/06/1969 – 03/10/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
5 November 1970 Moynihan memo on final thoughts
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [08/13/1970 – 12/01/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
30 November 1970 Moynihan memo on bias in television reporting
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [08/13/1970 – 12/01/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
1 December 1970 Moynihan memo to Haldeman on position as Consultant to the White House
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [08/13/1970 – 12/01/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
Background Documents that Led to the Proposed Changes
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [1 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
23 January 1969 Burn memo to Moynihan on related portions of cabinet meeting
(Folder: Arthur F. Burns [01/23/1969 – 01/20/1970]; Box: 6; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [01/21/1970 – 03/10/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
21 April 1969 Treasury Department Summary of Tax Reform Proposals
(Folder: Tax Reform Proposals [1 of 5]; Box: 56; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
17 July 1969 Moynihan memo to RN on constitutional convention
(Folder: Domestic Hours (with the President) [1 of 3]; Box 23; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
13 August 1969 Finn memo to Moynihan on Education Subcommittee in Urban Affairs Council
(Folder: Chester Finn [08/13/1969 – 04/28/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
4 November 1969 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on Heineman Commission report on Income Maintenance(
Folder: Dick Nathan [11/04/1969 – 05/04/1970]; Box: 8; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
4 November 1969 Summary of Positions Taken By President Nixon on Domestic Program Reform
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [10/24/1969 – 11/12/1969]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
15 January 1970 Moynihan to Haldeman Thoughts on effectiveness of government
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [06/18/1969 – 01/19/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
11 February 1970 Moynihan memo on decentralization and effective government
(Folder: Bob Haldeman [01/21/1970 – 03/10/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
4 August 1970 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on Domestic Affairs Council
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [07/07/1970 – 12/03/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
Support Documents for Further Study
1 July 1969 Price memo to Moynihan on meeting with Council on Urban Affairs
(Folder: Memos – Price – CUA [1 of 3]; Box: 76; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
11 August 1969 Perrin memo on Office of Economic Opportunity Reorganization
(Folder: Memos – OEO; Box: 76; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
16 October 1969 Klebanoff memo to Moynihan on immigration data
(Folder: Memos – Klebanoff – CUA; Box: 75; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
29 October 1969 Price memo to Moynihan Notes from Meeting with the President
(Folder: Memos – Price – CUA [3 of 3]; Box: 76; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
24 November 1969 Miller memo for Moynihan on recommendations on the urban and racial crisis(
Folder: Memos – Price – CUA [3 of 3]; Box: 76; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
9 December 1969 Price memo to the Vice President on the “Nixon ethos” and Moynihan’s thoughts(
Folder: Memos – Price – CUA [3 of 3]; Box: 76; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
9 January 1970 Ehrlichman to Moynihan on name of Family Assistance Plan
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [11/17/1969 – 01/21/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Welfare 16: O.E.O [2 of 2]; Box: 49; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
2 February 1970 Moynihan memo on Southern concerns related to federal involvement in schools
(Folder: Kenneth Cole [01/07/1970 – 03/05/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
26 February 1970 Moynihan memo to Cole on suggestions for meeting on public service
(Folder: Kenneth Cole [01/07/1970 – 03/05/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
5 March 1970 Moynihan memo on comments on Buchanan article of 30 January 1970
(Folder: Kenneth Cole [01/07/1970 – 03/05/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
10 March 1970 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on Population Commission Bill
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [02/07/1970 – 03/11/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
28 April 1970 Moynihan memo to Timmons on proposed amendments to the Family Assistance Plan
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [2 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
8 June 1970 Moynihan memo to Editor of the New York Times on Family Assistance Program
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [3 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
1 July 1970 Moynihan remarks to the Urban Coalition Action Council
(Folder: Moynihan Speeches (Salt Lake; urban coalition; ANPA); Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Katz/ Moynihan Exchange (The New Republic); Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
9 July 1970 Webster memo to Moynihan on Welfare Reform and Family Assistance Program
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [6 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [6 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
15 July 1970 Webster memo to Moynihan on pending RN meeting with the Finance Committee
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [6 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
17 July 1970 Moynihan memo to Richardson on Family Assistance hearings
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [6 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
22 July 1970 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on Regional Planning Commission
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [07/07/1970 – 12/03/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Organizations “for” FAP [2 of 2]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [7 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
5 August 1970 Memo to Moynihan on Impact of Family Assistance Act
(Folder: Impact of FAP – Illinois; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 August 1970 Finn memo to Moynihan on Heard report on education
(Folder: Chester Finn [05/05/1970 – 11/30/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
13 August 1970 Moynihan memo to Ehrlichman on International Environmental Activities
(Folder: John Ehrlichman [07/07/1970 – 12/03/1970]; Box: 7; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
28 August 1970 Moynihan address to the National Legislative Conference on the Family Assistance Plan
(Folder: Moynihan Speeches (Salt Lake; urban coalition; ANPA); Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [11 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
15 September 1970 Moynihan memo on impact of the Family Assistance Plan on the states
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [11 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
1 December 1970 Moynihan memo to Shultz on breaking the deadlock on the Family Assistance Plan
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [13 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Folder: Correspondence (FAP) [13 of 13]; Box: 50; White House Central Files: Staff Member Office Files: Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
(Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum – WHPO, 0972-05)
(Frame: WHPO-0972-05; “President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Daniel Moynihan and John Ehrlichman.” 5/6/1969, Washington, D.C., White House, Oval Office; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
Supporting Clips from the Nixon Tapes
7 October 1971 Moynihan on education and legislation 10-116
(TELEPHONE, 010-116; October 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 October 1971 Moynihan on Study on Schools 10-116
(TELEPHONE, 010-116; October 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 October 1971 Moynihan on limits of Family Assistance 10-116
(TELEPHONE, 010-116; October 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 December 1971 Moynihan and Ehrlichman on Busing and Education 631_008
(OVAL, 631-008; December 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 December 1971 Moynihan and Ehrlichman on Education Bill 631-008
(OVAL, 631-008; December 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
7 December 1971 Moynihan and Ehrlichman on Education 631-008
(OVAL, 631-008; December 7, 1971; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)
14 August 1972 Nixon and Moynihan on the need for reform 768-24
(OVAL, 768-024; August 14, 1972; White House Tapes; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA)