Hoopes, David C.
David C. Hoopes began his service in the Nixon administration in April 1971 as a staff assistant to the President. In this capacity, which he held throughout the White House taping period, he was responsible for managing briefing papers and follow-up memoranda for President Nixon's meetings. He worked on special projects for the Staff Secretary and, along with Alexander P. Butterfield, was responsible for ensuring that meetings attended by the President were documented. In June 1974, he officially became Special Assistant to the President.
President Nixon met with Lorenzo and David Hoopes, along with H. R. Haldeman and a White House photographer, to facilitate a brief photo opportunity and exchange presidential cufflinks. The discussion touched upon Lorenzo Hoopes’s professional background at Safeway, his reactions to the President's economic policies, and regional matters regarding California education appointments. The encounter served primarily as a social engagement and a platform for establishing interpersonal connections with the business-affiliated guests.
President Nixon met with a delegation of business and civic leaders to discuss non-partisan outreach initiatives, specifically regarding the 'Honor America Day' ceremonies and associated promotional films. The discussion touched on the administration's efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., and the ongoing legislative challenges regarding the city's baseball team. The participants also shared updates on various administrative projects, including the distribution of gifts from the People's Republic of China, such as pandas and trees.
President Nixon met with Clark MacGregor to discuss congressional reactions to the Vietnam War, specifically focusing on opposition to the blockade of Haiphong harbor and concerns regarding Senate negotiations with the National Liberation Front. They reviewed recent Harris Poll data indicating public support for the President’s policies despite negative media coverage and critical Senate maneuvers. The conversation also touched upon the assassination attempt on George Wallace, the management of the Black Lung bill, and upcoming changes in the Treasury Department.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes in the Executive Office Building for a brief one-minute session. The discussion primarily focused on the President providing specific instructions regarding the operation of the office buzzer system. No other policy or political matters were addressed during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met briefly with David C. Hoopes in the Old Executive Office Building to facilitate the delivery of materials. The primary focus of the discussion concerned items related to Henry A. Kissinger. No further substantive developments were recorded during the brief one-minute exchange.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Clark MacGregor held an extensive meeting to discuss legislative business, specifically the Social Security bill, alongside a major focus on the emerging Watergate scandal. The participants coordinated efforts to manage the political fallout and investigation regarding the Committee to Re-elect the President, including the involvement of G. Gordon Liddy, E. Howard Hunt, and John Mitchell. They deliberated on creating a strategic 'scenario' to handle the cover-up, addressed campaign finance irregularities, and managed the optics of John Mitchell's potential resignation.
President Nixon met with Elliot Richardson and several senior staff members to discuss political strategy regarding the welfare reform bill, H.R. 1, and the potential impact of a new amendment offered by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III. The group analyzed the risks of appearing inconsistent if the administration supported the Stevenson proposal, which closely mirrored the President's original welfare plans, while balancing the need to preserve the administration's credibility as the bill faced likely defeat. Ultimately, they discussed using a parliamentary tactic—having Senator Hugh Scott support the amendment—to expose the lack of substantive differences between the two parties and ensure the administration would not be blamed if the legislation failed.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, Raymond Price, and other staff members to coordinate his campaign messaging and media strategy for the final weeks of the 1972 election. The discussion centered on drafting a series of radio speeches covering foreign policy, economic issues, and social concerns, specifically addressing paternalism and property tax reform for the elderly. Nixon emphasized maintaining a non-partisan, uplifting tone in his speeches and decided against directly attacking George McGovern, opting instead to focus on his own "New American Majority" and the broader philosophy of his administration.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other aides to manage the political fallout of the Watergate scandal and coordinate the public messaging regarding Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon emphasized adopting a low-key, defensive posture toward Watergate allegations while directing staff to manage public perception of Henry Kissinger's upcoming trip to Saigon. Additionally, the President stressed the importance of maintaining a stern public image for Kissinger during his diplomatic travels, specifically warning against any optics that might suggest friendliness toward the North Vietnamese.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes to discuss administrative logistics and scheduling, including the management of an unknown woman’s office space and the removal of specific items from her desk. The brief exchange also touched upon travel or personnel logistics involving labor considerations and scheduling, concluding with requests for refreshments. The conversation served primarily as a coordination meeting for the President’s immediate office operations.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and David C. Hoopes to coordinate White House press strategy regarding the administration's second-term reorganization, staff reductions, and ongoing Vietnam War negotiations. Nixon instructed Ziegler to maintain a calm, objective demeanor when handling aggressive media, particularly in light of critical coverage from the Washington Post. They decided to adopt a policy of distributing press access and attention more broadly across national outlets to diminish the influence of the Washington-based press corps, which Nixon viewed as unfairly hostile.
President Nixon briefly met with David C. Hoopes in the Oval Office. The purpose of this meeting is unclear, as the transcript is largely undefined and Hoopes departed quickly. The meeting appears to have been scheduled in conjunction with a meeting with Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief morning discussion. The primary subject of the meeting was the coordination of the President's personal schedule. The conversation concluded quickly after addressing these logistical arrangements.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and David C. Hoopes to coordinate his upcoming schedule, including a trip to Florida for a commencement address and various cabinet and congressional meetings. The participants discussed speech preparation and the logistical management of his time. Additionally, Nixon addressed the security and custody of White House tapes, confirming that recordings were being placed under lock and key to restrict access.
President Nixon met briefly with David C. Hoopes in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss the President’s upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the session was facilitating a telephone call between the President and Charles W. Colson. The meeting concluded after two minutes, serving as a brief administrative coordination point for the President's communications.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes for a brief one-minute discussion regarding legislative matters. The dialogue focused on congressional relations, specifically concerns involving the Senate and a potential ticket. No further substantive developments were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met briefly with David C. Hoopes in the Oval Office to address administrative matters regarding the presidential schedule. The discussion focused primarily on coordinating an upcoming meeting with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. Following this brief exchange, Hoopes departed the office.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes to coordinate logistical details regarding the President's upcoming schedule and a photographic opportunity with George Putnam. The conversation focused on the precise timing of events and the specific arrangements for photography equipment and distribution. No broader policy decisions were reached, as the discussion remained strictly focused on the administrative management of the presidential calendar.
President Nixon met with David C. Hoopes to coordinate the public announcement of Bryce N. Harlow’s return to the administration. The President emphasized the need for high-quality photography and media coverage to effectively highlight Harlow’s appointment. Nixon directed that Ronald Ziegler and his staff, including photographer Ollie Atkins and a Navy film crew, facilitate the necessary arrangements for the press opportunity.