Idanell Connally
Idanell "Nellie" Connally was the wife of John Connally, who served as President Nixon's Secretary of the Treasury. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1971 when her husband was appointed to this cabinet position. As the spouse of a high-ranking administration official, she would have attended various social and official events during the taping period and is noted as a participant in conversations recorded on the White House tapes.
When Connally is on the tapes
What Connally talks about on the tapes
Vietnam War 4White House staff 2White House social events 2Stock market 2Public relations 2Pat Nixon 2White House personnel 1State of the Union 1San Clemente 1Presidential travel 1Presidential health 1Personal correspondence 1
Conversations (13)
President Nixon and Nellie Connally discussed the positive public and media reception following a recent press conference held by Treasury Secretary John Connally, specifically noting praise from CBS executive Frank Stanton. The President outlined his upcoming travel itinerary, which included stops in New York, Illinois, Dallas, and California. Additionally, Mrs. Connally urged the President to ensure her husband received necessary rest due to exhaustion, while also expressing her personal support for the President’s leadership.
On September 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met with Cabinet officers and their wives, including William P. Rogers, Adele (Langston) Rogers, John B. Connally, Idanell ("Nellie") (Brill) (Connally), Melvin R. Laird, John N. Mitchell, Martha (Beall) Mitchell, Rogers C. B. Morton, Clifford M. Hardin, Martha L. (Wood) Hardin, Maurice H. Stans, Kathleen Stans, James D. Hodgson, Maria (Denend) Hodgson, Elliot L. Richardson, Anne Richardson, George W. Romney, Lenore L. Romney, John A. Volpe, Jennie (Benedetto) Volpe, David M. Kennedy, Lenora (Bingham) Kennedy, George P. Shultz, Helena M. ("Obie") Shultz, Robert H. Finch, Carol (Crothers) Finch, Joyce (Pierson) Rumsfeld, George H. W. Bush, Barbara (Pierce) Bush, Robert J. Dole, Dr. Arthur A. Fletcher, Robert E. Hampton, Dr. John A. Hannah, Thomas S. Kleppe, Virginia H. Knauer, Robert L. Kunzig, Gen. George A. Lincoln, Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Frank J. Shakespeare, Paul W. McCracken, Arnold R. Weber, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Peter M. Flanigan, Peter G. Peterson, Herbert G. Klein, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, Herbert Stein, and Alexander P. Butterfield, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:01 am and 3:07 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 073-005 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Gerald R. Warren to discuss media strategy regarding the Jack Anderson papers and the defense of Henry Kissinger. The group evaluated upcoming administrative priorities, including the State of the Union address, budget messages, and potential announcements concerning Vietnam troop withdrawals. Additionally, the President reviewed logistical arrangements for the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, specifically addressing press attendance limits, and coordinated details for First Lady Pat Nixon's return from her trip to Africa.
President Nixon and Nellie Connally engaged in a brief, cordial exchange to discuss personal matters following the President’s birthday. The conversation centered on the Connallys' gift of a San Clemente photograph and an expression of gratitude for a thoughtful anniversary letter sent by the President. They concluded the call by discussing future social plans and commending First Lady Pat Nixon’s recent television appearance regarding her trip to Africa.
President Nixon held a phone conversation with John and Nellie Connally to exchange get-well wishes following a flu outbreak that affected both the Connallys and several guests at a recent White House dinner. The President and John Connally discussed current economic conditions, specifically the strength of the stock market and the appointment of Marina von N. Whitman to the Price Commission. Additionally, Nixon recounted a protest incident at the dinner involving a member of the Ray Conniff Singers who spoke out against the Vietnam War, and the two finalized plans to reschedule their upcoming trip to Texas to later in the spring.
President Nixon and Nellie Connally discuss the health of John Connally, who is recovering from the flu, while also touching upon recent economic trends and market sentiment. Nixon recounts a tense incident at a White House performance where a singer disrupted the event with a protest against the Vietnam War and the Nixon administration, noting that the performer was subsequently removed. The two conclude by briefly coordinating personal scheduling matters and upcoming social engagements.
President Nixon held a wide-ranging meeting with H.R. Haldeman and several other key staff members to discuss political strategy, personnel matters, and public relations. Key topics included the appointment of Marina von Neumann Whitman to the Council of Economic Advisors, the political fallout and press handling of a protest at a recent White House dinner, and the administration’s strategy regarding potential 1972 Democratic presidential challengers. Additionally, Nixon and his staff reviewed polling data and preparations for his upcoming trip to the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing the positive reception of his recent Vietnam peace proposals.
H. R. Haldeman contacts Nellie Connally on behalf of President Nixon to extend an invitation for John and Nellie Connally to join the President at Camp David for a change of pace. The discussion focuses on checking the recovery status of John Connally's health to determine if he is well enough to travel. Mrs. Connally agrees to consult with her husband and promises a return call to confirm whether they will accept the invitation.
Nellie Connally contacted H. R. Haldeman to inform him that her husband, John B. Connally, would remain at home to recover rather than traveling to the White House as the President had offered. Haldeman expressed appreciation for the President's thoughtfulness and emphasized that John Connally’s priority should be resting until he is fully recovered. The two concluded the call with a mutual agreement to keep lines of communication open regarding his health and eventual return to duties.
Following the assassination attempt on Governor George Wallace, President Nixon and his aides, including H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson, discussed strategies to manipulate public perception of the assailant's political affiliations. They explicitly directed staff to leak a story portraying the gunman as a supporter of Democratic candidates George McGovern and Edward Kennedy to associate the act with the political left. Additionally, the President reviewed the security implications for his own public appearances and coordinated with John Connally regarding future travel assignments.
President Nixon spoke with John and Nellie Connally by phone, discussing the success of a Blue Room reception and Mrs. Nixon's role. The President informed Nellie Connally of plans to send her and John on a trip to Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina after the Moscow Summit to report on its outcomes and strengthen relations, addressing Nellie's security concerns. John Connally also reported on the attack on George Wallace and agreed to call the President if any issues arose.
President Nixon called Nellie Connally to congratulate her on receiving a prestigious award from the University of Texas, noting that she shares the honor with Lady Bird Johnson. The two also discussed the logistical challenges of the Connally family's recent household relocations between Fort Worth, Dallas, and Jamaica. The conversation served primarily as a personal gesture of support and courtesy from the President.
President Nixon and Nellie Connally met briefly to discuss her upcoming receipt of an award from the University of Texas Council. Nixon congratulated Connally on the recognition, noting that she was following Lady Bird Johnson as a recipient. The conversation served primarily as a personal interaction to acknowledge this honor and clarify the timing of the award ceremony.