Clawson, Kenneth W.
Kenneth W. Clawson served as the Deputy Director of Communications for the Nixon administration, a role he began in February 1972. Within the White House taping period, he was known for being a staunch and aggressive defender of President Nixon as the Watergate scandal unfolded. He was a key figure in the administration's media relations, tasked with countering what was perceived as anti-Nixon bias in the press.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Kenneth Clawson, and others to discuss public relations strategies regarding the burgeoning ITT controversy and the authenticity of the Dita Beard memorandum. The participants expressed concerns that the memo was a fabrication, likely manipulated by Jack Anderson or his staff, and strategized on ways to discredit the document while navigating negative media coverage orchestrated by political opponents, including Senator Ted Kennedy. The President emphasized his belief that the memo was logically inconsistent and forged, instructing his staff to aggressively investigate its origins and use the findings to protect the administration from scandal.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson, to coordinate a strategy for neutralizing the ongoing ITT controversy and the accompanying negative press coverage. The discussion focused on discrediting the 'Beard memorandum' through forensic typewriting analysis and managing the potential damage from Senate hearings regarding Attorney General Richard Kleindienst’s confirmation. Nixon emphasized a policy of aggressive pushback against smear campaigns, referencing his past experience with the Alger Hiss case, while also firming up his administration's position to avoid any personnel resignations under political pressure.
Charles W. Colson and Kenneth W. Clawson discuss the ongoing investigation into the attempted assassination of George C. Wallace. Clawson provides intelligence updates, noting that the FBI traced the perpetrator's gun to a recent purchase in Milwaukee by Arthur H. Bremer. Colson instructs Clawson to keep him updated every 15 minutes and to ensure any new findings are immediately relayed to him at the Oval Office.
Charles W. Colson initiated a series of telephone calls to coordinate a conversation between President Nixon and Kenneth W. Clawson. The purpose of these communications was to facilitate direct contact between the President and Clawson regarding undisclosed administrative matters. While the specific substance of their discussion remains undocumented due to the lack of a transcript, the administrative efforts reflect an urgent need to connect the President with his staff.
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 met with Charles Colson, Kenneth Clawson, and John Scali to assess media coverage of his administration's foreign policy and the ongoing presidential campaign. The discussion focused on how international developments, such as the situation in Thailand and broader Cold War dynamics, impacted public and press perception of the President versus his opponent, George McGovern. Additionally, Nixon directed his staff to monitor media relations more closely and advised that Vice President Spiro Agnew should exercise more rhetorical discipline to maintain his political effectiveness.
President Nixon met with journalist Frank van der Linden and aide Kenneth Clawson to receive a copy of van der Linden's book, *Nixon's Quest for Peace*. The discussion focused on the role of the press, with Nixon distinguishing between the necessary bias of columnists and the objective reporting responsibilities of news journalists. The participants also shared anecdotes and commentary regarding political figures, the influence of alcohol on public conduct, and the professional risks journalists face regarding their personal behavior.
President Nixon met with a delegation of Spanish-speaking campaign surrogates and administration officials to discuss Hispanic representation in the federal government and political outreach efforts for the 1972 election. Emphasizing his commitment to merit-based recruitment, Nixon urged the attendees to inspire Hispanic youth by demonstrating that progress is achievable through participation in the existing system. The participants shared their experiences regarding the administration's impact on their communities, specifically highlighting successes in urban mass transportation and economic advancement, while reinforcing their support for the President’s reelection.
President Nixon and his Cabinet met to launch a strategic public relations campaign, titled the Presidential Spokesmen program, aimed at pressuring Congress to support his budget priorities and oppose spending-heavy legislation. Nixon urged his officials to frame the budget debate not as a constitutional conflict, but as a direct choice between the economic interests of the 'New American Majority' and the fiscal irresponsibility of the opposition. The session included briefings on foreign policy, defense spending, and law enforcement, emphasizing the need for administration spokesmen to maintain a positive, disciplined narrative while avoiding defensive posturing on 'false issues.'
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.
In this meeting, President Nixon addressed his Cabinet and senior staff regarding the recent departures of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, framing the transition as a necessary move to restore stability amidst the escalating Watergate investigation. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust, directed the staff to cooperate fully with investigators, and insisted that the White House avoid any appearance of a cover-up. Cabinet members and staff discussed the administration’s focus on governance, foreign policy, and economic management, reaffirming their collective commitment to the President's agenda despite the political crisis.