President Richard Nixon?s Official Presidential Photograph, taken in 1971
Nixon?s Enemies List is the informal name of what started as a list of PresidentRichard Nixon?s major political opponents compiled by Charles Colson, written by George T. Bell[1] (assistant to Colson, special counsel to the White House), and sent in memorandum form to John Dean on September 9, 1971. The list was part of a campaign officially known as ?Opponents List? and ?Political Enemies Project.? The official purpose, as described by the White House Counsel?s Office, was to ?screw? Nixon?s political enemies, by means of tax audits from the IRS, and by manipulating ?grant availability, federal contracts, litigation, prosecution, etc.?
In a memorandum from John Dean to Lawrence Higby (August 16, 1971), Dean explained the purpose of the list succinctly:
The original 20 names in Colson?s memo (and his notes accompanying them) were as follows, although a master list of Nixon political opponents and another list, with a combined total of over 30,000 names, were developed later.
Verbatim text of Colson's original memo (with his comments)
"Having studied the attached material and evaluated the recommendations for the discussed action, I believe you will find my list worthwhile for status. It is in priority order."
Arnold M. Pickerss, United Artists Corp., New York; Top Muskie fund raiser. Success here could be both debilitating and very embarrassing to the Muskie machine. If effort looks promising, both Ruth and David Picker should be programmed and then a follow through with United Artists.
Alexander E. Barkan, national director of A.F.L.-C.I.O.?s Committee on Political Education, Washington, D.C.: Without a doubt the most powerful political force programmed against us in 1968 ($10-million, 4.6 million votes, 115 million pamphlets, 176,000 workers?all programmed by Barkan?s C.O.P.E.—so says Teddy White in The Making of the President 1968). We can expect the same effort this time.
Ed Guthman, managing editor, Los Angeles Times national editor: Guthman, former Kennedy aide, was a highly sophisticated hatchetman against us in '68. It is obvious he is the prime mover behind the current Key Biscayne effort. It is time to give him the message.
Charles Dyson, Dyson-Kissner Corporation, New York: Dyson and Larry O?Brien were close business associates after ?68. Dyson has huge business holdings and is presently deeply involved in the Businessmen?s Educational Fund which bankrolls a national radio network of five-minute programs, anti-Nixon in character.
Howard Stein, Dreyfus Corporation, New York: Heaviest contributor to McCarthy in ?68. If McCarthy goes, will do the same in ?72. If not, Lindsay or McGovern will receive the funds.
Sidney Davidoff, New York City,Lindsay?s top personal aide: a first class S.O.B., wheeler-dealer and suspected bagman. Positive results would really shake the Lindsay camp and Lindsay?s plans to capture youth vote. Davidoff in charge.
John Conyers, congressman, Detroit: Coming on fast. Emerging as a leading black anti-Nixon spokesman. Has known weakness for white females.