Collection Guide
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An Inventory of the Republican National Committee (U.S.) Opposition Research Group records
85085
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Table of contents
Title: Opposition Research Group records
Dates: 1960-1984
Collection Number: 85085
Creator: Republican National Committee (U.S.) Opposition Research Group.
Collection Size:
64 Manuscript Boxes, 2 cubic foot boxes
(27.5 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: The records include research materials accumulated and acquired by the Republican Opposition Research Group during the 1984
presidential election for use in the campaign against Democratic presidential candidates. The records consist of materials
such as clippings, press releases, other printed matter, speeches, debate transcripts, memoranda, and video tapes regarding
specific Democratic Party leaders such as Walter F. Mondale, John Glenn and Geraldine Ferraro, and specific political issues
and special interest groups.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Archives
Languages:
English
Collection is open for research.
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
[Identification of item], Republican National Committee (U.S.) Opposition Research Group records, [Box number], Hoover Institution
Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1985.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number
of boxes listed in this finding aid.
Ronald Reagan subject collection, Hoover Institution Archives
Ronald Reagan radio commentary sound recordings, Hoover Institution Archives
The Opposition Research Group operated as part of the Communications Division within the Republican National Committee, chaired
by Michael Bayer. The group was formed "in 1984 with its own budget of $1.1 million, to create a master data bank of computerized
voter research and opposition research. Staff amassed information on eight Democratic presidential candidates based on data
from voting records, Congressional Record speeches, media clippings and transcripts, campaign materials, all of which was
stored on a computer for easy access. In this way the party was able to track inconsistencies of its opponents and attack
them. This original data base evolved into a network that linked information gleaned by Republicans in all 50 states, creating
a master data base accessible to high-ranking Republican staff, even aboard Air Force One when Ronald Reagan was president."
Source:
J. M. Bayer & J. Rodota, "Computerized Opposition Research,"
Campaigns & Elections, 6, p. 26-27.
Scope and Content of Collection
The records include research materials accumulated and acquired by the Republican Opposition Research Group during the 1984
presidential election for use in the campaign against Democratic presidential candidates. The records consist of materials
such as clippings, press releases, other printed matter, speeches, debate transcripts, memoranda, and video tapes regarding
specific Democratic Party leaders, such as Walter F. Mondale, John Glenn and Geraldine Ferraro, and specific political issues
and special interest groups.
Materials contain information about the Democratic Party presidential and vice-presidential nominees, Walter Mondale and Geraldine
Ferraro, including speeches, financial information, and political background and history.
Also present are the records generated by the Opposition Research Group regarding its work, including materials regarding
the Republican National Committee's innovative electronic research database and communications system, Voices for Victory,
which allowed key members of the Republican Party to maintain constant communication and disseminate information quickly and
efficiently regardless of geographic location.
Materials are arranged as they were received from the creator. Materials such as clippings files are arranged chronologically,
while other files are arranged alphabetically by topic. Topical folder names created by the organization have been retained.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Mondale, Walter F., 1928-
Glenn, John, 1921-
Ferraro, Geraldine.
Reagan, Ronald.
Democratic Party (U.S.)
Presidents--United States--Election 1984.