Arthur J. Sohmer
Arthur J. Sohmer served as the chief of staff and assistant to Vice President Spiro T. Agnew from 1969 until Agnew's resignation in 1973. In this capacity, he was a participant in various high-level meetings and conversations within the Nixon administration. His presence is documented in the White House tapes on several occasions between 1971 and 1973.
When Sohmer is on the tapes
What Sohmer talks about on the tapes
Inflation 4Vietnam War 3Energy policy 3Economic policy 3Watergate 2Foreign Policy 2Federal Budget 2Wage and price controls 1US-Soviet Relations 1US Foreign Policy 1Unemployment 1Southeast Asia 1
Conversations (15)
President Nixon and his Cabinet met to discuss the ongoing military operations in Indochina and the development of the administration's national health reform agenda. Regarding the war, officials reviewed the progress of South Vietnamese incursions into Laos and Cambodia, noting that the strategy was successfully disrupting enemy supply lines while shifting the burden of ground operations away from American forces. The conversation then transitioned to a detailed proposal from Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot Richardson regarding healthcare reform, with the group debating the costs, tax implications, and administrative feasibility of implementing Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and national health insurance standards.
On April 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and members of the Cabinet, including John N. Irwin, II, Paul A. Volcker, Melvin R. Laird, Richard G. Kleindeinst, Winton M. ("Red") Blount, Hollis M. Dole, Clifford M. Hardin, Maurice H. Stans, James D. Hodgson, John G. Veneman, George W. Romney, John A. Volpe, David M. Kennedy, George P. Shultz, Robert H. Finch, Donald H. Rumsfeld, George H. W. Bush, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, Ronald L. Ziegler, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Peter M. Flanigan, John C. Whitaker, William E. Kriegsman, Arthur J. Sohmer, Robert J. Brown, Paul W. McCracken, Gen. George A. Lincoln, S. David Freeman, Milton Shaw, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger, Chet Holifield, John O. Pastore, Howard H. Baker, Jr., and John B. Anderson, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 8:04 am to 9:07 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 053-001 of the White House Tapes.
On April 27, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and members of the Cabinet, including John N. Irwin, II, John B. Connally, Melvin R. Laird, John N. Mitchell, Winton M. ("Red") Blount, Jr., Rogers C. B. Morton, Clifford M. Hardin, James T. Lynn, James D. Hodgson, Elliot L. Richardson, George W. Romney, John A. Volpe, George P. Shultz, George H. W. Bush, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Raymond K. Price, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, Alexander P. Butterfield, Robert J. Brown, Robert J. Dole, Arthur J. Sohmer, Donald E. Johnson, and Malcolm R. Lovell, Jr., met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 8:04 am to 9:43 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 055-003 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and his Cabinet met to receive a briefing on international affairs and domestic policy, with a focus on Secretary of State William P. Rogers' recent diplomatic travels to the Middle East and the feasibility of desalinization technology. Rogers reported on his efforts to stabilize the Middle East through ceasefire maintenance and discussed the geopolitical concerns of various regional leaders. Dr. Edward E. David Jr. and other experts presented a detailed plan to advance domestic water desalinization and nuclear power capabilities, with the President calling for a major, accelerated federal effort to ensure American technological leadership. The meeting concluded with a brief status report from Treasury Secretary David M. Kennedy regarding the current international monetary situation and the fluctuations of the dollar.
President Nixon convened a meeting with Vice President Agnew and his Cabinet to discuss the upcoming joint announcement with the Soviet Union regarding strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). The core issue was breaking the deadlock, with the US seeking limitations on both offensive and defensive weapons, while the Soviets initially focused only on defensive ones. A breakthrough was achieved through a high-level communication in January, leading to an agreement to jointly announce that both sides would concentrate on limiting Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) systems this year, while also agreeing on certain measures for offensive weapon limitations. The announcement aims to create favorable conditions for further negotiations, with the understanding that the hard work of negotiation will continue in Vienna and Helsinki.
President Nixon, Vice President Agnew, and a large group of Cabinet members and senior staff met to establish a strategic framework for domestic policy, budget planning for the 1973 fiscal year, and the development of the 1972 Republican legislative and election platform. Participants reviewed polling data regarding national, community, and family concerns, noting that the economy, inflation, and unemployment are primary public priorities while other issues like pollution and consumerism are often driven by media visibility. The President and attendees emphasized the need for better communication to receive credit for administration accomplishments, focusing on a limited number of 'gut issues' rather than overextending on too many programs. Ultimately, the group discussed the necessity of coordinating policy initiatives and messaging to ensure visible progress on key economic and social concerns ahead of the 1972 election.
On February 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Cabinet officers and staffers, including William P. Rogers, John B. Connally, Melvin R. Laird, John N. Mitchell, Rogers C. B. Morton, J. Philip Campbell, Peter G. Peterson, James D. Hodgson, Elliot L. Richardson, George W. Romney, John A. Volpe, David M. Kennedy, George P. Shultz, George H. W. Bush, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, Henry A. Kissinger, Peter M. Flanigan, Clark MacGregor, Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Herbert G. Klein, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, Alexander P. Butterfield, John A. Scali, Harry S. Dent, Frederic V. Malek, William L. Safire, Charles W. Colson, General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Robert J. Brown, Dwight L. Chapin, Virginia H. Knauer, Rose Mary Woods, John A. Hannah, Richard M. Helms, Frank J. Shakespeare, Herbert Stein, Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger, Maurice H. Stans, Arthur J. Sohmer, and the White House photographer, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 12:02 pm to 1:20 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 093-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and senior staff to discuss strategies for achieving a balanced federal budget by 1975, emphasizing the necessity of immediate spending cuts and potential vetoes of congressional legislation to curb inflation. Budget Director George Shultz outlined the administration’s plan to issue "ceiling letters" to agency heads to enforce strict fiscal guidelines and reduce government deficits. The participants also reviewed recent positive economic indicators, including growth in the Gross National Product and declining unemployment, while noting that the public generally views government spending as a primary driver of inflation.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew, Cabinet members, and key staff to discuss recent foreign policy developments and economic strategy. Vice President Agnew briefed the group on his recent tour of Southeast Asian nations, while Treasury officials and Cabinet members deliberated on international monetary policy, trade barriers, and the need for a more competitive U.S. industrial posture. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining international engagement, securing legislative tools for trade negotiations, and justifying reconstruction aid for Vietnam as a strategic security necessity rather than purely humanitarian relief.
President Nixon and his Cabinet met to launch a strategic public relations campaign, titled the Presidential Spokesmen program, aimed at pressuring Congress to support his budget priorities and oppose spending-heavy legislation. Nixon urged his officials to frame the budget debate not as a constitutional conflict, but as a direct choice between the economic interests of the 'New American Majority' and the fiscal irresponsibility of the opposition. The session included briefings on foreign policy, defense spending, and law enforcement, emphasizing the need for administration spokesmen to maintain a positive, disciplined narrative while avoiding defensive posturing on 'false issues.'
On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and Cabinet officers and staffers, including William P. Rogers, George P. Shultz, Elliot L. Richardson, Rogers C. B. Morton, Frederick B. Dent, Peter J. Brennan, Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger, James T. Lynn, Claude S. Brinegar, Roy L. Ash, Anne L. Armstrong, John A. Scali, J. Philip Campbell, Richard G. Kleindienst, William P. Clements, Jr., George H. W. Bush, William E. Timmons, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Henry A. Kissinger, Peter M. Flanigan, Ronald L. Ziegler, Kenneth W. Clawson, William J. Baroody, Jr., Richard A. Moore, W. Richard Howard, David R. Gergen, Patrick J. Buchanan, David N. Parker, Frederic V. Malek, Lawrence M. Higby, Bruce A. Kehrli, Stanley S. Scott, Stephen B. Bull, Rose Mary Woods, Arthur J. Sohmer, Lee W. Huebner, Jerry H. Jones, Donald F. Rodgers, Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Herbert G. Klein, Thomas C. Korologos, Gerald L. Warren, Andrew T. Falkiewicz, Max L. Friedersdorf, Lyndon K. Allin, Fred F. Fielding, Michael J. Farrell, James H. Falk, Richard M. Fairbanks, III, James H. Cavanaugh, Dana G. Mead, Geoffrey C. Shepard, and C. Gregg Petersmeyer, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 3:10 pm and 11:52 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 120-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his Vice President, Cabinet members, and senior staff to receive departmental updates and reinforce the administration's policy goals. The discussion spanned a wide array of topics, including minority recruitment, the status of the Watergate special prosecutor search, energy policy, and the administration's foreign policy record. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong national defense and a unified front against political challenges while encouraging his team to continue their work with confidence.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and key legislative leaders to discuss the restructuring of domestic policy operations, the appointment of Clarence M. Kelley as FBI Director, and strategies for improving congressional cooperation. Nixon emphasized a team-based approach to policy formulation, delegating significant oversight to Mel Laird, and urged Cabinet members to actively engage with Congress to pass the administration's legislative agenda. The discussion also addressed the administration's response to inflation, the importance of maintaining public morale amidst the Watergate crisis, and the necessity of presenting a unified, forward-looking policy front to the American people.
President Nixon met with his Vice President, Cabinet members, and senior staff to announce the implementation of a 60-day price freeze as part of a strategy to combat inflation. He explained that this measure, aimed at stabilizing food and gasoline prices, was a necessary pragmatic step to preempt more extreme, mandatory controls favored by Congress. Nixon emphasized his commitment to maintaining a free-market economy and tasked his Cabinet with actively promoting this policy to the public and opinion makers. He also highlighted the administration's broader accomplishments in foreign policy, including the end of the draft and the upcoming U.S.-Soviet summit.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and his Cabinet to discuss the transition from the current wage and price freeze to a "Phase IV" economic policy. The President emphasized the need to balance controlling inflation with maintaining domestic production, while acknowledging the political difficulty of removing controls due to congressional and public pressure. Key developments included the administration's resolve to move toward a free-market economy as quickly as possible, coupled with a renewed commitment to fiscal austerity and a balanced federal budget to bolster economic confidence.