Oral Histories

Interview of Dick Darling

President of the California Republican Assembly.
Subtitle:
Republican Activism: The California Republican Assembly and Ronald Reagan
Series:
Governmental History Documentation Project - Ronald Reagan Era
Topic:
Politics and Government
Biographical Note:
President of the California Republican Assembly.
Interviewer:
Stern, Stephen
Interviewee:
Darling, Dick
Persons Present:
Darling and Stern.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Interviewer Background and Preparation:
The interview was conducted by Stephen Stern, Senior Editor, UCLA Oral History Program; Ph.D , Folklore, Indiana University.
Length:
2 hrs.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Series Statement:
Interviews in this series were undertaken by the UCLA Oral History Program in conjunction with similar efforts at the University of California, Berkeley, Regional Oral History Office; Claremont Graduate School Oral History Program; California State University, Fullerton, Oral History Program; and the University of California, Davis, Oral History Project. Funds were provided by the state legislature through the office of the state archivist. The project was an outgrowth of earlier efforts of the Regional Oral History Office to document Earl Warren, Goodwin Knight and Edmund G. "Pat Brown, Sr., eras in California politics. All interviews in the series are deposited at each of the participating institutions and at the California State Archives in Sacramento. A full listing of interviews on the Reagan era can be located at the Regional Oral History Office. Individual efforts are listed in the catalogs of the various participating programs.
Abstract:
Initial political activity in Robert H. Finch congressional campaign, 1950; organizing South Bay Unit of California Republican Assembly (CRA); founding CRA groups in Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino counties after 1954; membership on Republican State Central Committee; struggles between conservatives and liberals within CRA; CRA and Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, 1964; promoting conservatism in California; George Christopher; Cyril Stevenson's presidency of CRA; Darling asked to run for CRA presidency by Ronald W. Reagan; CRA convention and election to presidency, 1966; Jack Schall; enhancing CRA effectiveness; Reagan's gubernatorial candidacy; dedication displayed by conservative volunteer workers; California Conservative Coordinating Council; Reagan's Kitchen Cabinet; emotions upon watching Reagan's presidential inauguration.