Conversation: 382-013
Prev: 382-012 Next: 382-014Start Date: 16-Dec-1972 3:45 PM
End Date: 16-Dec-1972 5:25 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); White House operator; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Sanchez, Manolo; [Unknown person(s)]; Armstrong, Anne L.; Higby, Lawrence M.;Recording Device: Old Executive Office Building
NARA Description:
On December 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, Ronald L. Ziegler, Manolo Sanchez, unknown person(s), Anne L. Armstrong, and Lawrence M. Higby met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:45 pm to 5:25 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 382-013 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 382-13
Date: December 16, 1972
Time: 3:45 pm - 5:25 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
White House renovation
-Bowling alley
-Driveway
-Locker room, whirlpool, sauna, shower
-Costs
-Donations
-Construction
-Sauna, pool
-Maintenance
-Air conditioning, electrical, CO2 system, satellite [?] systems,
fire protection
-Construction
-Donations
-Sauna, whirlpool
-White House
-Maintenance
-Air conditioning
-Donations
-Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo
-Funds
-Whirlpool, sauna
-27-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Locker room facility
Second term reorganization
-Announcement
-Agency heads and Under Secretaries
-Dr. Edward E. David, Jr.
-John D. Ehrlichman
-Atomic Energy Commission [AEC]
-George P. Shultz
-Ehrlichman
-Departure
-Ehrlichman’s view
-National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA]
-[John C. Fletcher]
-Ehrlichman’s view
-AEC
-[Dixy Lee Ray]
-Anne L. Armstrong
-Conversation with Haldeman
-Intelligence
-View of organization chart
-Positions of Haldeman, Ehrlichman and Henry A. Kissinger
-Compared to Counselors to the President
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Robert H. Finch
-Counselor to the President
-Cabinet rank
-Withdrawal
-Italian-American
-Ehrlichman’s view
-Rumsfeld
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Responsibilities
-Bicentennial
-Prisoners of War [POWs] and Missing In Action [MIAs]
-Voluntarism
-Ehrlichman
-Women
-White House staff
-Concerns
-28-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Counselor to the President
-Peter M. Flanigan
-Shultz
-Treasury Department
-Counselors to the President
-Armstrong
-Staff
-Kissinger
-National Security Council [NSC]
-Armstrong
-Announcement
-Timing
-Women’s group meeting
-Ray
-Leak
Haldeman talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 3:45 pm and 4:27
pm.
Haldeman talked with Ronald L. Ziegler at an unknown time between 3:45 pm and 4:27 pm.
[Conversation No. 382-13A]
[See Conversation No. 34-100]
Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Responsibilities
-Bicentennial
-POWs
-Announcement
[End of telephone conversation]
Second term reorganization
-Statistics on appointments of women
-Instruction for Ziegler
-Announcement
-Alexander P. Butterfield
-Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]
-29-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
Press relations
-Ziegler
-Barbara Walters
-“Today Show”
-Ziegler’s possible conversation with Virginia Sherwood [of American
Broadcasting Corporation] [ABC]
The President’s schedule
-Elmer H. Bobst
-Recommended telephone call from the President
-Library dedication
-Cabinet members’ schedule
-Cancellation
-Birthday party
-White House
Rose Mary Woods’s schedule
-1972 campaign
-Oval Office
Vietnam negotiations
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
-The President’s view
-Possible trip to Saigon
-The President’s letter [to Nguyen Van Thieu]
-The President’s conversation with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Haldeman’s view
-Possible telephone call from Ronald W. Reagan
Second term reorganization
-Status of Cabinet in second term
-Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Responsibilities
Manolo Sanchez [?] entered at an unknown time after 3:45 pm.
Refreshments
-30-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:27 pm.
Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Status
-White House staff
-Protocol
-Responsibilities
-POWs, MIAs
-Announcement
-Recruiting of women
-Bicentennial
-Agnew
-Counselor to the President
-Special assignments
-Policy
-Work with the President and Cabinet
-Women
-Interests
-Role in government
-Credibility
-Blacks
-John A. Scali
-Ambassadorship to United Nations [UN]
-Press relations
-UN
-Press relations
-Qualifications
-Qualifications
-William P. Rogers
-Conversation with Haldeman
-ABC
-Diplomatic correspondent experience
-The President’s trips to the People’s Republic of China [PRC]
and the Soviet Union
Haldeman talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 3:45 pm and 4:27
pm.
[Conversation No. 382-13B]
-31-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
[See Conversation No. 34-101]
[End of telephone call]
Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Meetings
-Compared to Finch
-Role as spokesperson
-Staff
-Size
-Barbara H. Franklin
-Administrative assistant
-Schedule
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Seating arrangements
-Armstrong
-Josephine (Brickley) Brennan
-Carol (Girard) Simon
-Instruction for Butterfield
-Cabinet
-Sub-Cabinet
-Armstrong
-Announcement
-Press relations
-The President’s possible remarks
-Edward R. G. Heath
-Visit to US
-Timing
-1973 Inauguration
1972 campaign funds
-Surplus
-Disposition
-The President’s meeting with Maurice H. Stans
-Confidentiality
-32-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Disposition
-Alternatives
-Republican National Committee [RNC] debts
-Stans’s view
-Return to contributors
-Carry over
-1974, 1976
-Republican National Command Committee
-Senate and House campaign committees
-Republican state committees
-Congressional and Senatorial candidates’ debts
-GOP endowment fund
-Income
-Use
-Recruitment
-Bicentennial
-Reporting
-Campaign clean up fund
-Timing
-December 1972
-Post-campaign expenses
-Litigation
-Taxes
-Stock sales
-Refunds
-Appointments
-Nixon Foundation
-Tax deductions
-Campaign committees
The White House operator talked with Haldeman at an unknown time between 3:45 pm and 4:27
pm.
[Conversation No. 381-13C]
[See Conversation No. 34-102]
[End of telephone conversation]
1972 campaign funds
-33-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Post-campaign expenses
-1974 campaign
-Stans
-Peter H. Dominick, Bob Wilson
-Conversation with Stans
-Congressional campaign funds for incumbents or challengers
-Herbert Brownell
-Daniel K .Ludwig
-Dan Evans
-Washington State
-Jack Eckerd
-Florida
-Thomas Spencer Shore
-Wiley Buchanan
-Ohio
-Stans
-Contribution amounts
-Compared to pledges
-Refunds
-Clifford Folger
-Stans
-Charles W. Colson, John B. Connally
-Stans
-Surplus
-Disposition
-Candidates
-1970
-Clean up fund
-The President’s meeting with Stans
-Reporting
-RNC
-January 1973
-Liabilities
-1968 campaign
-Nixon Foundation
-Fundraiser
-Capitol Hill Club
-Dwight D. Eisenhower Center
-Nixon wing
-Library
-34-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
Ziegler entered at 4:27 pm.
Armstrong’s location
Ziegler’s press conference
-Timing
Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Leak
-Cabinet rank
-Responsibilities
-Work with the President, Cabinet
-Women
-Interests
-Bicentennial
-Agnew
-Politics
-Donald H. Rumsfeld, Finch
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Daniel P. (“Pat”) Moynihan
-Arthur F. Burns
-Special assignments
-EOB office
-Cabinet rank
-Leak
-Texas
-Dallas Morning News
-Jackson B. Krueger
-Dallas Times Herald
-John Taylor [?]
-Press
-Houston
-San Antonio Light
-Houston Chronicle
-Dallas newspapers
-Hearst newspaper
-San Antonio Light
-35-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-1972 election
-Texas newspapers
-Washington Star
-Washington Post
-Morning editions
Vietnam negotiations
-Kissinger’s press conference
-Press relations
-Kissinger’s “peace is at hand” comment, October 26, 1972
-News summary
-Ziegler’s view
-Tone
-Format
-Paragraph
-The President’s memoranda
-Ziegler’s efforts
-Points
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Cease-fire
-US bombing north of 20th Parallel
Press relations
-Washington Star
-Washington Post
Ziegler left at an unknown time before 5:25 pm.
Press relations
-Leaks
-Ziegler
-Washington Post
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Armstrong
-Church service
-Meeting with Stans
-Meeting with William D. Ruckelshaus
-Meeting with Richard G. Kleindienst
-36-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Ehrlichman’s recommendation
-L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
-Loyalty
-Personality
Second term reorganization
-Patrick J. Buchanan’s and Lyndon K. (“Mort”) Allin’s analysis
-News summary
-The President’s conversation with Colson
-Personalities
-Changes
-Ziegler, Colson
-Compared to Theodore Roosevelt, 1904
-Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936
-Eisenhower, 1956
-Rogers
-Cabinet
-Labor Department
-Rogers C. B. Morton
-Kleindienst
-Press relations
-Labor Department, Agriculture Department, State Department
-Ambassadorships
-Agencies
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Seating arrangements
-Armstrong
-Carol Simon
-Josephine Brennan
New Majority
-Snobs
-The President’s constituency
-Compared to intellectual elite
-Suburbanites
-The President’s conversation with Colson
-Church service
-Reception for 1972 election supporters
-37-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Andrew Jackson analogy
-Democrats
-Previous visitors to the White House
-Receiving line
-Red, white, and blue attire
-Press relations
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
Party affiliation
-Connally
-Robert S. Strauss
-Potential Presidential candidates
-Agnew
-Charles H. Percy
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Appointments and commissions
-Vietnam War
-US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-Diplomatic credentials
-Surrogates reception
-Number of guests
-Surrogates
-Departures
-Sally (Hornbogen) Peterson
-Cabinet dinner
-Seating arrangements
-Sally Peterson
-Under Secretaries
-Cabinet
-Young voters
-Volunteers and staff
-Surrogates reception
-White House staff
-38-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Cabinet dinner
-The President’s role
-Hand-shaking
-Surrogates reception
-Young voters
-The President’s possible comments
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Role in 1972 campaign
-Celebrity
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Personality
-Tricia Nixon Cox
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Physical examination
-Mrs. Nixon’s schedule
-Tea
-Diplomatic children’s reception
-The President’s role
-Hand-shaking
-Vietnam War
-US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-The President’s telephone calls
-Howard R. Hughes
-Birthday
Second term reorganization
-Compared to 1968
-Campaign advance men
-Recruitment
-Who’s Who
-39-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Cabinet
-Assistant Secretaries
-Introductions
-Checking
-Staffing
-Harry S. Flemming
-Compared to Frederic V. Malek
-Cabinet transitions
-Malek’s role
-Surrogates
-Departures
-1972 campaign
-James M. Beggs
-Transportation Under Secretary
-Cabinet dinner
-Mary Elizabeth (Harrison) Begg’s role in 1972 campaign
-Organization of wives
-Departure
-Fundraising
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Herbert G. Klein
-Colson
-Reception for 1972 election supporters
Second term reorganization
-William J. Baroody, Jr.
-Haldeman’s view
-The President’s conversation with Colson
-Physical appearance
-Compared to William J. Baroody
-Lebanese-American background
-Personality
-Compared to Colson
-Politics
-Previous work with Melvin R. Laird
-White House staff
-Adversary role
-Policy
-40-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
1972 campaign
-Mrs. Nixon
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Tricia Nixon Cox
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
Second term reorganization
-Michael J. Balzano, Jr.
-Ehrlichman’s view
-1972 campaign
-Michigan
1972 campaign
-Balzano’s role
-Compared to John C. Whitaker
-Michigan
-Colson’s view
-Colson’s conversation with Ehrlichman
-Busing
-Michigan
-Busing
-Colson’s role
-Martin S. Hayden’s view
-Edwin L. Harper’s view
-Ehrlichman staff
-Robert P. Griffin’s view
Second term reorganization
-Balzano
-Haldeman’s view
-The President’s view
-Education
-41-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Compared to Donald F. Rodgers
-Rodgers
-Haldeman’s conversation with Colson
Public relations [PR]
-Administration performance
-Credit
-Ehrlichman’s view
-Eisenhower administration
-Eisenhower’s administration
-Ehlrichman’s staff
-Whitaker
-Balzano
-Finch
-Work in 1960 campaign
-Leonard Hall
-Value
-Travel
-Herbert G. Klein
-Managerial ability
-Possible departure
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
-Colson
Press relations
-CBS
-Washington Post
-New York Times
-Washington Post
-Effect
-Congressmen and Senators
-Compared to CBS, New York Times
-Congressmen and Senators
-News summaries
-Colson’s view
-News summaries
-Tone
-Buchanan
-1972 election
-Cartoons
-42-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Hebert L. Block
Personnel
-Vacations
-The President’s conversation with Ehrlichman
Speeches
-1973 Inauguration
-William L. Safire
-Theodore Roosevelt’s Inaugural address
-Length
Second term reorganization
-Budget
-Revenue sharing
-Caspar W. (“Cap”) Weinberger
-Ehrlichman
-Summer Youth Program
-Agnew
-Weinberger
-Ehrlichman
-Weinberger
-Defense Department
-Elliot L. Richardson, William P. Clements, Jr.
-Duplication
-Research and development [R & D]
-Air Force
-Haig
-Dr. James R. Schlesinger
-Central Intelligence Agency [CIA]
-Budget
-Defense Intelligence Agency [DIA]
-“Washington cocktail set”
-Meeting with John C. Stennis
-Timing
-Stennis’s meeting with Richardson
-Harry S. Dent
-Relationship with Stennis
-Meeting with Stennis
-43-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Richard M. Helms
-Helms
-Cabinet dinner
-Ambassadorship to Iran
-The President’s conversations with Kissinger and Henry M. (“Scoop”)
Jackson
-Saudi Arabia
-Connally’s location
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Toast
-Rogers
-Christmas
-1972 election
-Cabinet, wives
-New Majority
-Peter J. Brennan
-Reaction
The President left and entered at an unknown time before 5:25 pm.
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Toast
-Armstrong
-Moynihan
-Scali
-Armstrong
Haldeman talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 4:27 pm and 5:25
pm.
[Conversation No. 382-13D]
[See Conversation No. 34-103]
An unknown person entered and left at an unknown time before 5:25 pm.
[End of telephone conversation]
-44-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Toast
-Rumsfeld
-George H. W. Bush
-Armstrong
-Moynihan
-Harlow
-Moynihan
PR
-Bowling alley
-Harry S. Truman
-Basement
-Pool
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Toast
-Armstrong
-Moynihan
An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 4:27 pm.
Request for Manolo Sanchez
The unknown person left at an unknown time before 5:25 pm.
White House
-Bowling alley
-Costs
-Donations
-Rebozo
Haldeman talked with Armstrong at an unknown time between 4:27 pm and 5:25 pm.
[Conversation No. 382-13E]
[See Conversation No. 34-104]
-45-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
[End of telephone conversation]
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Toast
-Armstrong
-Conversations with Haldeman and the President
-Agnew
Haldeman talked to an unknown person [Lawrence M. Higby] at an unknown time between 4:27
pm and 5:25 pm.
[Conversation No. 382-13F]
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Seating arrangements
-Armstrong
-Armstrong’s schedule
-Transportation
-Mayflower Hotel
-Young voters
-Greetings by the President and Mrs. Nixon
-Hand-shaking
-East Room
[End of telephone conversation]
The President’s schedule
-Cabinet dinner
-Armstrong’s schedule
-Transportation
-Hand-shaking
Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Responsibilities
-Politics
-46-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 382-13 (cont’d)
-Women
-POWs
-Organization chart
-Haldeman
-Compared to Finch, Rumsfeld
Haldeman left at 5:25 pm.