Lewis, Hobart D.
Hobart D. Lewis, the head of Reader's Digest, was a longtime acquaintance and informal advisor to President Richard Nixon. [1] During the White House taping period, Lewis did not hold a formal position within the administration but appears on the tapes in numerous telephone calls and meetings with the president. [2, 3] Their conversations suggest Lewis acted as a friend and a sounding board, for instance, calling Nixon to offer praise and support after a presidential speech in April 1973. [5]
What Lewis talks about on the tapes
Vietnam War 6Public relations 6Watergate 3Foreign Policy 3Watergate scandal 2Soviet Union 2Presidential travel 2Presidential address 2Media relations 2Labor relations 2John Ehrlichman 2H. R. Haldeman 2
Conversations (21)
President Richard Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis discuss the public and personal reception of Nixon’s recent televised address regarding troop withdrawals in Southeast Asia. Lewis commends the President for departing from his prepared text to share a personal anecdote about a soldier, which he found highly effective. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted exchange regarding gifts Lewis received from the President following a trip to Caneel Bay.
President Nixon consulted with Reader's Digest editor Hobart D. Lewis regarding political optics, the status of the economy, and the administration’s foreign policy initiatives. Nixon previewed his upcoming national travel schedule, emphasizing that his team was actively working to address public concerns about economic conditions. The discussion also touched upon engaging conservative opinion leaders and coordinating a forthcoming meeting between Henry Kissinger and William F. Buckley, Jr. to build broader support for the President's agenda.
President Nixon spoke with Hobart D. Lewis to express appreciation for Lewis's leadership of the Business Advisory Commission. The two men discussed the challenges of transitioning from the 90-day wage and price freeze into "Phase II," emphasizing the critical need for public support and self-policing to curb inflation. They also touched upon the necessity of maintaining firm relations with labor groups while promoting themes regarding the dignity of work.
President Nixon consulted with Hobart D. Lewis to celebrate the successful announcement of his Supreme Court nominees, Lewis F. Powell Jr. and William H. Rehnquist. Nixon expressed satisfaction with his strategy of misleading the press and the American Bar Association to secure appointments that prioritized conservative ideology over typical vetting pressures. The two discussed the long-term impact of these appointments on the Court's ideological balance, agreeing that the move successfully trapped critics who previously demanded judicial excellence.
President Nixon spoke with Reader’s Digest editor Hobart D. Lewis to discuss the President’s recent appearance at the AFL-CIO convention and the ongoing tensions with union leadership, specifically George Meany. The pair also discussed a request for an exclusive interview regarding the administration's foreign policy and Nixon's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Additionally, Lewis briefed the President on a legislative matter involving John Ehrlichman and George Shultz, pledging the magazine's editorial support for the White House's position.
President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis, the editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest, to discuss the possibility of a feature or interview piece for the magazine's upcoming 50th anniversary. The two men also touched upon political challenges, including concerns regarding board stability and legislative strategy. Nixon emphasized his commitment to maintaining a firm stance on controversial issues while coordinating with Lewis on the messaging strategy for the publication.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and later journalists Hobart D. Lewis and David Reed to prepare for an upcoming Reader's Digest interview. The discussion focused on Nixon’s foreign policy goals regarding Vietnam, the Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China, as well as the broader challenges of maintaining American global competitiveness. The President emphasized his desire to transition toward a "generation of peace" while maintaining military strength to ensure credibility in diplomatic negotiations. The meeting concluded with the President presenting gifts to Reed's children.
President Nixon initiated a Christmas Eve call to Hobart D. Lewis, the head of Reader's Digest, to exchange holiday greetings and discuss the President's recent media interview. Lewis praised the organization and articulation of the interview, expressing optimism for the President's upcoming political prospects. The brief conversation also touched upon the President's personal holiday schedule with his family and interest in collegiate football.
President Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis discuss the logistics and ceremonial details for an upcoming dinner and Medal of Freedom presentation honoring DeWitt and Lila Wallace. Beyond social arrangements, the conversation shifts to foreign policy, where Nixon expresses confidence that North Vietnam will eventually negotiate after a failed offensive. He emphasizes that his administration has already offered a comprehensive peace proposal, including prisoner of war releases and a ceasefire, despite ongoing rejection from Hanoi.
President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis to dictate a letter regarding a recent Republican Governors dinner held on January 28, 1972. The discussion centered on Nixon’s interaction with New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill and a previously published article in Reader's Digest. This meeting served to facilitate correspondence regarding the political landscape and media coverage surrounding the Republican leadership.
President Nixon met with Reader's Digest editor Hobart D. Lewis to advocate for a follow-up article highlighting the administrative successes of New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill. Nixon emphasized Cahill’s accomplishments in environmental policy, education reform, and his efforts to combat corruption, contrasting these achievements with past negative portrayals of the state. The discussion served as an editorial pitch to improve the public perception of the Cahill administration through the magazine's national platform.
President Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis discuss the success and geopolitical implications of the President’s recent trip to the People's Republic of China. Lewis praises the media coverage of the visit, particularly the performances of the President and First Lady Pat Nixon, while both men emphasize the strategic impact of the trip on Soviet-American relations. They also touch upon upcoming Reader's Digest coverage by James Michener and dismiss critical newspaper reporting regarding the administration's policy on Taiwan.
President Nixon held a phone conversation with Hobart D. Lewis to discuss Lewis’s recent trip to the Soviet Union and the positive impact of the President’s earlier visit on trade relations. The two men also touched on the media industry, specifically the financial struggles of Life magazine and the outlook for Reader’s Digest, as well as the future career path of David Eisenhower. Finally, Nixon discussed his plans for executive branch reorganization and expressed his intent to host Lewis and his associates for a weekend gathering once the pressures of the Vietnam negotiations subsided.
President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis, John H. Kauffmann, and Michael J. O'Neill to discuss their recent experiences and observations from a trip to the Soviet Union. The participants exchanged views on the stark differences between Soviet and American systems, the challenges of managing U.S.-Soviet trade and information programs, and the necessity of maintaining a realistic, self-interested foreign policy. Nixon also explored potential future professional opportunities for his son-in-law, David Eisenhower, and evaluated leadership options for the U.S. Information Agency and the Bicentennial Commission.
President Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis discussed the positive public impact of returning American POWs from Vietnam and the strategic success of the December 1972 bombing campaign. They explored the potential for a high-profile media narrative to document these events and emphasize the administration's resolve in achieving the cease-fire terms. The conversation concluded with a plan for Lewis to facilitate a meeting between Admiral Thomas H. Moorer and journalist Hanson Baldwin to begin coordinating this coverage.
President Nixon received a call from Hobart D. Lewis shortly after delivering a televised address regarding the Watergate scandal. The two men discussed the resignation of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, with Lewis offering strong praise for the President's tone and sincerity in handling the difficult situation. Nixon characterized the original Watergate break-in as an ineffective and amateurish operation, and the pair concluded by affirming the need to move forward beyond the scandal.
President Nixon met with communications director Herbert G. Klein to discuss the administration's ongoing Watergate crisis and strategies for handling press inquiries. Nixon advised Klein to remain silent regarding specific details of the scandal and to refer all questions to Special Prosecutor Elliot Richardson to avoid self-incrimination or fueling further speculation. They also addressed morale among White House staff following the recent departures of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of team loyalty and his own commitment to supporting his staff against external criticism. Additionally, they discussed Klein’s future career prospects and personal transition out of the administration.
President Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis discuss the public reaction to Nixon’s recent televised address regarding the Watergate scandal. Lewis offers encouragement, suggesting that the President’s speech successfully cleared the air and provided a path to move forward. Nixon acknowledges the positive feedback and affirms his commitment to shifting the administration’s focus toward constructive policy initiatives.
President Nixon initiated this brief call to check on the morale of Hobart D. Lewis amidst the intensifying Watergate scandal. The discussion centered on the President's public image and the strategic difficulty of defending himself against various allegations, including cover-up and clemency claims. They expressed mutual admiration for a recent supportive letter written by John S. D. Eisenhower to the New York Times, contemplating potential future use of the text to shift public focus toward broader international interests like the upcoming Soviet summit.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss ongoing personnel conflicts within the White House, specifically the tensions between Roy Ash and other senior staffers, and George Shultz’s role and potential future in the administration. They evaluated the political and economic implications of the President’s domestic programs, with a focus on managing energy policy, labor relations, and Congressional relations. Additionally, the President and Haig touched on the unfolding Watergate investigations, including the credibility of key witnesses like Jeb Magruder and the potential political fallout for the administration.
President Nixon consulted with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. regarding schedules before speaking with Reader’s Digest editor Hobart D. Lewis. Lewis requested a private meeting with the President to discuss an undisclosed matter of concern that he had previously touched upon with H. R. Haldeman. Due to the President’s travel schedule to Illinois and Florida, coupled with the upcoming summit with Leonid Brezhnev, the parties agreed to defer the meeting until after the conclusion of the Brezhnev visit.