Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Consists of documents and A/V materials related to Birch Bayh's campaigns from 1972 through 1980, the rise of the New Right, and research and resources for Blaemire's biography of Bayh, and political memorabilia.
- Extent:
- 10 linear feet
- Language:
- English and Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
[item and date], [folder], [Subseries, if any], [Series], Robert Blaemire Papers, Modern Political Papers Collection, Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Robert Blaemire has been an active participant in politics all of his adult life. Born and raised in Indiana, his career began at the age of 18 upon entering George Washington University. His employment with Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN) began in 1967 during Blaemire's freshman year and concluded with Bayh's unsuccessful re-election campaign in 1980 against Dan Quayle. Those 13 years saw Blaemire rise from volunteer worker to office manager to executive assistant in the Senate office. His campaign experience with Bayh began by traveling with the can¬didate throughout the 1974 re-election campaign, continued with a variety of responsibilities in the 1976 Presidential campaign and, finally, he became political director of the 1980 campaign.
Also during this period, Blaemire completed his B.A. in political science and his M.A. in legislative affairs at George Washington University.
After Bayh's 1980 defeat, Blaemire founded a political action committee, The Committee for American Principles, an organization seeking to combat the growing role and influence of the New Right in political campaigns.
Blaemire began his career providing political computer services in 1982, eventually joining with and starting the Washington Office of Below, Tobe & Associates. In 1991, Bob created Blaemire Communications, a political computer services firm serving Democratic campaigns, progressive organizations and political consultants. During that time, Blaemire Communications managed more Democratic state party voter file projects than any other vendor. In 2003, Blaemire Communications introduced Leverage, an online voter file management system that was used extensively across the country in Democratic campaigns. In late 2007, Blaemire Communications was acquired by Catalist. Blaemire served there as Director of Business Development until leaving at the end of 2016 to pursue other consulting and writing opportunities.
Blaemire's first book, Birch Bayh: Making a Difference, was published in 2019, a biography of his former boss. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland and has two sons, Nick and Dan, two daughters-in-law, Ana and Carly, and two grandchildren, Cooper and Faye.
- Scope and Content:
The collection focuses on the 1980 campaign for which Blaemire was political director, with some materials from earlier campaigns, and on the research and resources gathered during his work with Senator Bayh to write Bayh's biography.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift, 2012-2021.
- Processing information:
Processing of the The collection was completed by Kate Cruikshank in January 2023.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in 13 series. Folders are arranged alphabetically in the first seven series: Campaign 1972, Campaign 1974, Campaign 1976, Campaign 1978, Campaign 1980; Indiana Department, New Right; and chronologically in the last six series: Post-1980 Birch Bayh Materials, Book Research, Book Research – Interviews, Book Resources, Memorabilia, and Woodward Book Research.
- Rules or conventions:
- DACS-Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed Terms
- Names:
- Blaemire, Robert
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Portions of collection indicated as unprocessed are not yet accessible to researchers.
Prior arrangement is necessary to use the collection, as materials are stored offsite.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Constituent correspondence may be used only after signing an agreement to protect correspondent privacy.
Photocopying and digitization by researchers are possible with permission.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[item and date], [folder], [Subseries, if any], [Series], Robert Blaemire Papers, Modern Political Papers Collection, Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Herman B Wells Library E4601320 East Tenth StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-1538congpprs@indiana.edu