Dwight L. Chapin
Dwight L. Chapin began his service in the Nixon administration as a Special Assistant to the President in January 1969, a role in which he acted as the President's appointments secretary. During the taping period, he was promoted to Deputy Assistant to the President in 1971, where he continued to manage President Nixon's schedule and travel arrangements. His responsibilities also included the crucial task of supervising the advance team for presidential trips, such as the historic visit to China, before he left the White House in March 1973.
19 conversations about Dwight L. Chapin → (where Chapin is the subject, not only a participant)
When Chapin is on the tapes
What Chapin talks about on the tapes
Public relations 6Presidential scheduling 6White House administration 51972 election 4White House logistics 3Presidential travel 3H. R. Haldeman 3Economic policy 3Scheduling 2Revenue sharing 2Public Opinion Polling 2Presidential communication 2
Conversations (28)
President Nixon and Dwight Chapin discuss strategic political outreach, specifically focusing on building support among rural populations in the Midwest. The President instructs Chapin to reallocate staff resources to emphasize rural and state policy issues in collaboration with Senator Robert Dole. They also briefly touch upon economic concerns regarding wage and price controls and the necessity of maintaining political flexibility in their administrative messaging.
President Nixon met with White House staffer Harriet Elam and her family, accompanied by Dwight L. Chapin and David N. Parker, to express his appreciation for her government service. The session served as a formal acknowledgment of Elam's work and included the presentation of commemorative gifts. A White House photographer was present to document the meeting, which focused on recognizing Elam’s career contributions.
President Nixon and Dwight L. Chapin discussed logistical arrangements for upcoming White House events, specifically a reception involving John Quincy Adams' portrait and a dinner honoring astronauts. They reviewed seating plans, the program structure, and potential guest list additions, including the possibility of inviting prominent golfers. Nixon also addressed the travel arrangements for John B. Connally to Camp David and decided against inviting an MIT scientist who had contributed to the Apollo 14 mission due to concerns over his appearance.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and several staff members met to discuss administrative scheduling, public relations strategies, and domestic political polling. The President emphasized a preference for radio over television for addressing the public, citing its effectiveness for targeted messaging and avoiding excessive media scrutiny. Additionally, they reviewed recent polling data regarding Congress and discussed personnel arrangements, including the roles of Bryce Harlow and Donald Rumsfeld in managing intergovernmental relations.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed the President's recent public relations efforts, focusing specifically on the impact of his recent eulogy for Whitney M. Young, Jr. and the need to strategically manage the President's press interviews. They discussed concerns regarding the influence and tactics of speechwriter William Safire, as well as the importance of maintaining an image of accessibility through controlled media engagements rather than traditional press conferences. Additionally, the President provided specific instructions to his staff regarding future press outreach and the upcoming funeral arrangements for Thomas E. Dewey.
On April 26, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Dwight L. Chapin met in the Oval Office of the White House from 2:54 pm to 2:55 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 489-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon inquired with Dwight Chapin about a hotel, specifically the Marriott, where an advance man was reviewing floor plans and logistics for an event or visit by Tricia Nixon Cox. Chapin confirmed that Bill Marriott, Jr. was present and that he would review the details later that afternoon to determine if Tricia could attend.
President Nixon and Dwight L. Chapin discuss logistics for an upcoming event involving Tricia Nixon and her mother, specifically regarding hotel accommodations. The conversation focuses on ensuring the arrangements meet the President’s expectations for the guests' attendance. No major policy decisions were made during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller to discuss a variety of domestic policy issues, most notably the implementation of federal revenue sharing and strategies to address New York's fiscal challenges. They explored the potential for a Hoover-type commission to examine municipal corruption and inefficiency, and coordinated on the President's upcoming travel plans, including a trip to Rochester. Additionally, the conversation touched upon managing political optics regarding diplomatic visits by foreign leaders and the legislative hurdles for revenue-sharing bills in Congress.
President Nixon met with his senior staff and Caspar Weinberger to develop a political and economic strategy centered on job creation and tax policy. The discussion focused on leveraging construction projects to stimulate the economy, addressing the regressive nature of property taxes, and crafting a messaging strategy that emphasizes the President's leadership and strength. Nixon directed his team to prioritize projects that provide immediate employment and instructed them to present these efforts as a decisive counter-argument to the spending agendas proposed by Congress.
President Nixon consulted with Dwight L. Chapin to ensure that commemorative certificates were being distributed to the various groups involved in his recent travel, including musical ensembles and police departments. Chapin confirmed that the administrative staff was actively handling these requests for both the Tulsa and West Point visits. The President emphasized the importance of these routine acknowledgments as a public relations tool for the White House.
President Nixon and Dwight L. Chapin met to coordinate administrative logistics, including staffing roles for Stephen B. Bull and Lucy A. Winchester, as well as gift arrangements for the Tricia Nixon wedding. The discussion primarily focused on analyzing the timing and release strategies of public opinion polls, specifically comparing White House phone polls with Gallup poll cycles. They concluded by reconciling the timing of recent polling efforts with the President’s travel schedule to ensure optimal public relations impact.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to assess the overwhelmingly positive press coverage and market reaction following the administration’s recent economic policy announcements. The discussion focused on leveraging the current momentum, including potential political strategies for dealing with Democratic opponents and coordinating a strategic, unannounced visit to the New York Stock Exchange. Additionally, the President reviewed pending matters such as textile negotiations with Japan and decided against meeting with the Mayor of West Berlin to avoid political complications.
President Nixon and Dwight Chapin met to discuss administrative tasks and urgent scheduling matters. The President requested a copy of a memorandum from George H. Gallup and reviewed a meeting request from Attorney General John N. Mitchell. Noting that Mitchell’s sudden request for an audience was atypical, Nixon instructed Chapin to determine the degree of urgency behind the Attorney General’s outreach.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss logistical arrangements for the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, emphasizing the need for strict control over media coverage to prevent unauthorized exclusives. They decide against granting early commitments to networks like ABC, opting instead to utilize a White House-contracted film unit to manage output. Additionally, the President deliberates on his post-trip schedule, specifically debating whether to stop in Anchorage to allow for a prime-time arrival in Washington, D.C., and expresses his personal disdain for hosting social dinners as a political outreach tool.
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 appointments secretary, Dwight L. Chapin, to review and discuss the President's upcoming daily schedule. The conversation focused on the logistical arrangements and timing for his scheduled engagements. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative check-in.
President Nixon met with Dwight L. Chapin to discuss the logistics of the President’s recent campaign travel and the preparation of commemorative certificates for supporters. The conversation focused on the administrative distribution of these materials to police, bands, and local figures in towns visited during the tour. Nixon emphasized the importance of these gestures as a strategic effort to bolster electoral support.
On October 26, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and Dwight L. Chapin talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:01 am and 11:04 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-047 of the White House Tapes.
On October 26, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, and Dwight L. Chapin talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:01 am and 11:04 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-048 of the White House Tapes.
H. R. Haldeman coordinates with Dwight L. Chapin to manage the President's upcoming campaign itinerary, specifically focusing on an appearance in West Virginia. The discussion outlines logistical arrangements, including outreach to Governor Arch Moore and potential events in Huntington and Ashland, Kentucky. They aim to finalize these details following a note sent by Clark MacGregor to the Governor.
On October 26, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and Dwight L. Chapin talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:01 am and 12:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-050 of the White House Tapes.
On October 26, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and Dwight L. Chapin talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:01 am and 12:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-051 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate administration strategy regarding the Vietnam peace negotiations and the final stages of the 1972 presidential campaign. They discussed the political implications of a potential peace settlement before the election, emphasizing the need to maintain an image of progress while avoiding the appearance of being rushed or coerced into a flawed agreement. Additionally, they reviewed campaign tactics, including the President’s travel schedule and strategies to counter Democratic accusations regarding campaign practices and corruption.
On October 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Dwight L. Chapin talked on the telephone from 9:52 am to 9:54 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-071 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon instructed Dwight Chapin to arrange for a lunch stop during the motorcade the following day, specifying a preference for a Howard Johnson's or Holiday Inn, and explicitly stating that box lunches should not be eaten in the car.
President Nixon met with J. Willard Marriott, Jeb Stuart Magruder, and Dwight L. Chapin to discuss the organizational preparations for the 1973 presidential inauguration. The conversation included a presentation of gifts for the President, specifically a Hopi Indian doll, and a review of various commemorative items, including watches, cuff links, and presidential glassware. The participants coordinated photograph sessions and touched upon the administrative logistics and fundraising efforts associated with the upcoming inaugural events.
President Nixon met with Ronald H. Walker and Dwight L. Chapin to discuss reforming the National Park Service by eliminating special privileges and private facilities previously reserved for members of Congress. Nixon expressed disapproval of the exclusive use of government-maintained properties, such as Coco Lobo, and directed his staff to repurpose these assets for public use as an economy measure. Additionally, the President criticized the agency's lack of promotional support for his administration and emphasized the need for better public relations and the promotion of loyal personnel within the organization.