J. Philip Campbell
J. Philip Campbell, a former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture throughout the Nixon administration and the taping period. Appointed in January 1969, he held this position until 1975, serving under Secretaries Clifford Hardin and Earl Butz. As Under Secretary, Campbell was involved in discussions on agricultural policy and represented the U.S. Department of Agriculture at various events.
Key conversations
- The milk price decision 472-021 · March 23, 1971
When Campbell is on the tapes
What Campbell talks about on the tapes
Inflation 4Foreign Policy 3Vietnam War 2Public relations 2Nixon Doctrine 2Legislative strategy 2Food prices 2Energy policy 2Economic policy 2Watergate investigation 1United Nations 1Unemployment 1
Conversations (20)
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and key staff to discuss the status of the administration's revenue sharing legislative agenda and receive briefings on various international developments. Administration officials reported on their outreach efforts to build public and Congressional support for revenue sharing while addressing opposition from labor and minority groups. Additionally, Cabinet members provided updates on their recent foreign travels, emphasizing the geopolitical successes of the Nixon Doctrine in Southeast Asia and the strengthening of international cooperation on transportation and environmental safety.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin and a large delegation of dairy industry representatives to discuss federal agricultural policy and industry concerns. The meeting served as a forum for stakeholders to engage directly with the administration regarding price supports and the economic interests of the dairy sector. This engagement took place amidst broader administration efforts to manage agricultural production and solidify support among industry leaders.
President Nixon met with John Connally, Clifford Hardin, George Shultz, and other advisors to discuss the political implications of raising federal milk price supports. Connally argued for the increase, emphasizing the political necessity and potential electoral costs of a veto, particularly in key Midwestern states. Nixon ultimately agreed to raise the price supports, overriding his Agriculture Department's recommendation, a decision that would later become a focus of Watergate investigations due to alleged campaign pledges from dairy cooperatives.
President Nixon hosted a bipartisan group of congressional members and administration officials in the Cabinet Room for the ceremonial signing of the Telephone Bank Bill (S. 70). The meeting featured general discussion regarding rural telecommunications policy, the recognition of Agriculture Day, and the presentation of commemorative gifts. Attendees also engaged in casual conversation concerning the President's upcoming schedule and domestic matters.
President Nixon met with Under Secretary of Agriculture J. Philip Campbell to express personal appreciation for his recent performance and regional outreach efforts. During the brief exchange, Nixon encouraged Campbell to increase his administrative visibility and impact within the administration. The President further directed Campbell to communicate specific feedback regarding these outreach efforts to John Ehrlichman.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and his Cabinet to discuss the administration's foreign policy objectives and the state of the national economy. Agnew briefed the attendees on his recent international tour, highlighting the global reception of the Nixon Doctrine and the challenges posed by the Arab-Israeli conflict, East Pakistan, and the increasing Soviet and Chinese presence in various regions. Nixon and his advisers subsequently addressed the economic outlook, emphasizing the need for an aggressive, unified defense of administration policies regarding inflation and unemployment, while dismissing the viability of permanent wage and price controls. Finally, the President mandated a strict reduction in government personnel and grade-level escalation to improve budget management across executive departments.
On August 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew, and Cabinet officers, including William P. Rogers, John B. Connally, David Packard, John N. Mitchell, William T. Pecora, Clifford M. Hardin, Maurice H. Stans, James D. Hodgson, John G. Veneman, George W. Romney, David M. Kennedy, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, George P. Shultz, George H. W. Bush, John N. Irwin, II, Charls E. Walker, J. Philip Campbell, James M. Beggs, James T. Lynn, Laurence H. Silberman, Richard C. Van Dusen, Peter G. Peterson, Herbert G. Klein, Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Raymond K. Price, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, Alexander P. Butterfield, Robert J. Brown, Paul W. McCracken, Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger, Arthur F. Burns, General George A. Lincoln, Herbert Stein, General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Frank J. Shakespeare, and Stephen B. Bull, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 10:10 am to 11:27 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 069-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet Committee on Executive Reorganization to coordinate strategy for the administration's departmental restructuring proposals. The discussion focused on overcoming bureaucratic resistance, navigating complex Congressional committee jurisdictions, and addressing concerns regarding constituency-based programs like the Rural Electrification Administration. To advance these reforms, Nixon directed his Cabinet members to personally engage with key Congressional leaders and exert stricter control over their respective bureaucracies to ensure support for the legislative agenda.
President Nixon met with the Cost of Living Council and members of the press to discuss the successful launch of Phase II of his economic program, emphasizing the efforts of the Pay Board and Price Commission in controlling inflation and aiming for a two to three percent inflation rate in 1972. The President highlighted the balance between necessary economic controls and preserving economic freedom, while also noting the Senate's delay on crucial legislation and the potential impact of a continuing resolution lapse.
President Nixon hosted a large gathering in the Oval Office, including Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz, several members of Congress, and various agricultural officials, to discuss the state of the American agricultural sector. The President highlighted the efficiency of American farmers and the affordability of food for domestic consumers as a significant national achievement. The meeting served as a public relations event to underscore the importance of agriculture to the nation's overall well-being and to reinforce support for administration policies.
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.
On March 23, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and members of the Cost of Living Council, including John B. Connally, Herbert Stein, Donald H. Rumsfeld, J. Philip Campbell, Peter G. Peterson, James D. Hodgson, George W. Romney, George P. Shultz, Gen. George A. Lincoln, Virginia H. Knauer, Arthur F. Burns, James W. McLane, Albert E. Abrahams, Joseph Mullaney, Marvin H. Kosters, Richard B. Cheney, James Connor, Richard J. Alfultis, Donald Smith, Clark MacGregor, William L. Gifford, Charles R. Perry, and the White House photographer, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 3:02 pm and 3:56 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 096-004 of the White House Tapes.
On May 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and Cabinet officers and staffers, including William P. Rogers, John B. Connally, Richard G. Kleindienst, Rogers C. B. Morton, J. Philip Campbell, James D. Hodgson, Elliot L. Richardson, George W. Romney, John A. Volpe, David M. Kennedy, George P. Shultz, Robert H. Finch, Donald H. Rumsfeld, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, Peter M. Flanigan, Clark MacGregor, John A. Scali, Herbert G. Klein, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, General Brent G. Scowcroft, Alexander P. Butterfield, Charles W. Colson, General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Herbert Stein, Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger, and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 12:07 pm and 11:59 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 101-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with the Cost of Living Council to review the performance of his administration's economic stabilization program, including successes in lowering inflation and fostering rapid economic growth. The discussion emphasized the necessity of maintaining fiscal discipline through a proposed $250 billion federal spending ceiling to prevent future inflationary pressure. Participants also addressed specific challenges, particularly rising food prices and the potential impact of government spending on tax rates, while strategizing on how to communicate these economic gains to the public ahead of the election.
President Nixon met with his senior environmental and interior officials to coordinate a public relations strategy for the administration's environmental and energy policies. The discussion focused on framing the upcoming energy message and budget as a positive, proactive agenda rather than a series of cutbacks, while emphasizing the restoration of the environment as a central legacy of the 1970s. The group specifically discussed the need to promote land-use planning and to advocate for the repurposing of the Highway Trust Fund to support mass transit as a solution to urban congestion and smog.
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.
On March 13, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and selected Cabinet officers and Administration officials, including Earl L. Butz, J. Philip Campbell, Claude S. Brinegar, Henri F. Rush, Jr., William E. Simon, John T. Dunlop, James W. McLane, Herbert Stein, Marina von Neumann Whitman, John D. Ehrlichman, Roy L. Ash, Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Frederic V. Malek, Kenneth W. Dam, Philip A. Odeen, Tod R. Hullin, Richard M. Fairbanks, III, William Morrill, and Gary L. Seevers, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 3:13 pm and 11:59 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 119-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and key staff to coordinate messaging and strategy on pressing administration priorities, specifically energy policy, economic inflation, and the ongoing Watergate investigations. Nixon urged his officials to actively support the administration's legislative agenda, particularly in the face of rising economic concerns and energy supply challenges. He emphasized the necessity of a unified, firm stance against political pressure, framing the current crises as manageable problems rather than catastrophic failures. Additionally, Nixon underscored his commitment to a thorough investigation into Watergate, stressing the need to maintain public order and confidence while the legal process unfolded.
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 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.