Margaret Chase Smith
During the Nixon administration, Margaret Chase Smith served as a Republican United States Senator from Maine, a position she held until her departure from office in January 1973. As the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, she was a prominent legislative voice on military affairs and foreign policy during the Vietnam War era. Her tenure in the Senate overlapped with the majority of the Nixon White House taping period until she lost her 1972 re-election bid and retired.
When Smith is on the tapes
What Smith talks about on the tapes
Congressional relations 10Vietnam War 61972 election 5Revenue sharing 4Foreign Policy 4Economic policy 4Campaign Strategy 3Busing 3US-Soviet Relations 2Supersonic Transport 2SALT 2Republican Party 2
Conversations (25)
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders and cabinet members to discuss rural development initiatives and solicit support for the administration's policy agenda. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin and staff provided an extensive briefing on the status of rural America, highlighting demographic shifts and explaining the mechanics of proposed federal revenue-sharing programs designed to foster economic growth. Participants also reviewed legislative priorities, including the upcoming vote on the supersonic transport (SST) appropriation and other pending congressional business.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to secure support for two of his primary initiatives: the Supersonic Transport (SST) program and a major government reorganization plan. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe advocated for the SST by addressing environmental, economic, and technological concerns, arguing that the project was essential for U.S. aviation preeminence and long-term economic growth. Subsequently, John Connally detailed the work of the Ash Council, urging the legislators to embrace a fundamental restructuring of the executive branch to improve government efficiency, accountability, and public trust. Nixon emphasized that these measures were critical for ensuring that his administration could effectively manage federal programs and maintain the nation's competitive edge.
President Nixon met with key members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, including Senators John Stennis and Margaret Chase Smith, to coordinate legislative strategy on defense priorities. The discussion centered on securing a two-year draft extension, managing military manpower reductions, and timing the submission of the military procurement bill to avoid unfavorable Senate floor votes during a sensitive period of international negotiations. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a firm military position amid changing Soviet leadership and discussed his recent intervention in the Lt. William L. Calley Jr. case to maintain military judicial process.
On April 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and Republican Congressional leaders, including Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Norris Cotton, Gordon L. Allott, Peter H. Dominick, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Richard H. Poff, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Robert T. Stafford, Robert J. Dole, George P. Shultz, Peter G. Peterson, Peter M. Flanigan, Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Patrick J. Buchanan, Ernest Stern, C. Fred Bergsten, Jonathan C. Rose, Bryce N. Harlow, Herbert G. Klein, Ronald L. Ziegler, White House photographer, and members of the press, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:06 am and 9:44 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 054-003 of the White House Tapes.
On May 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Spiro T. Agnew, and Republican Congressional leaders, including John N. Irwin, II, John B. Connally, Melvin R. Laird, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Gordon L. Allott, Norris Cotton, Milton R. Young, John G. Tower, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, John J. Rhodes, Richard H. Poff, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Robert T. Stafford, H. Allen Smith, Frank T. Bow, William B. Widnall, George P. Shultz, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, Kenneth R. BeLieu, Herbert G. Klein, Ronald L. Ziegler, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Bryce N. Harlow, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 8:04 am to 10:04 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 055-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to announce a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Nixon informed the attendees of a forthcoming joint statement with the Soviet Union pledging to focus on limiting anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems and certain offensive strategic weapons. While some lawmakers advocated for immediate unilateral U.S. defense cuts to demonstrate good faith, the President and his advisors successfully urged the leaders to maintain existing defense programs during the negotiations to avoid losing vital bargaining leverage.
On July 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William P. Rogers, and bipartisan Congressional leaders, including Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield, Hugh Scott, John C. Stennis, Margaret Chase Smith, J. William Fulbright, George D. Aiken, Allen J. Ellender, Milton R. Young, Carl B. Albert, [Thomas] Hale Boggs, Gerald R. Ford, Edward Hébert, Leslie C. Arends, Dr. Thomas E. ("Doc") Morgan, William S. Mailliard, George H. Mahon, Frank T. Bow, Henry A. Kissinger, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Ronald L. Ziegler, and John A. Scali, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 10:11 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 064-005 of the White House Tapes.
On July 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William P. Rogers, and Republican Congressional leaders, including Hugh Scott, John C. Stennis, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Gordon L. Allott, Norris Ctton, Peter H. Dominick, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, Richard H. Poff, Barber B. Conable, Jr., John J. Rhodes, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Robert T. Stafford, H. Allen Smith, Robert J. Dole, Henry A. Kissinger, Clark MacGregor, John D. Ehrlichman, George P. Shultz, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Richard K. Cook, Harry S. Dent, Herbert G. Klein, Patrick J. Buchanan, Bryce C. Harlow, and Ronald L. Ziegler, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 7:35 am and 10:23 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 065-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Republican Congressional leaders met to coordinate strategy on key foreign and domestic policy initiatives, emphasizing the administration's progress in achieving global peace and economic stabilization. Secretary of State William Rogers provided an assessment of U.S. leadership, focusing on the upcoming United Nations vote regarding Taiwan, the ongoing India-Pakistan crisis, and preparations for Nixon's summits in Moscow and Beijing. The group also discussed legislative tactics for securing Republican priorities, specifically the Economic Stabilization Act and the ongoing challenge of the Mansfield Amendment to Vietnam policy. Nixon urged the leaders to maintain a firm, unified front to avoid projecting vulnerability to foreign adversaries and domestic political opponents.
President Richard Nixon contacted Senator Margaret Chase Smith to offer birthday wishes while inquiring about her health during her stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The conversation shifted to political matters, with Nixon expressing appreciation for Smith’s legislative support and lamenting the difficulties faced with the continuing resolution. Both parties briefly discussed the exhaustion and partisan maneuvering within Congress, concluding with mutual well-wishes for the upcoming holidays.
In this meeting, President Nixon and his senior advisors, including H. R. Haldeman and John B. Connally, finalized their strategy regarding the recently negotiated international monetary agreement, often referred to as the "Azores Doctrine." The participants focused on managing public perception of the deal, emphasizing that it represented a successful and fair realignment of currencies rather than a unilateral devaluation of the dollar. Furthermore, they discussed the necessity of coordinating a unified message to the press through the Treasury Department and prepared for a briefing with Congressional leadership to solidify legislative support for their economic initiatives. The conversation also touched upon sensitive foreign policy matters, specifically the India-Pakistan conflict and the need to maintain delicate diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and France.
On February 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and bipartisan Congressional leaders, including Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, William P. Rogers, Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield, Robert C. Byrd, J. William Fulbright, John C. Stennis, Gale W. McGee, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, George D. Aiken, Milton R. Young, Barry M. Goldwater, Carl B. Albert, [Thomas] Hale Boggs, F. Edward Hébert; Dr. Thomas E. ("Doc") Morgan, George H. Mahon, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, William S. Mailliard, Henry A. Kissinger, William E. Timmons, Richard K. Cook, Thomas C. Korologos, John A. Scali, Ronald L. Ziegler, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., John D. Ehrlichman, the White House photographer, and members of the press, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 9:22 am to 10:00 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 091-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to provide a firsthand report on his recent diplomatic mission to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the briefing, the President discussed his interactions with Chinese leadership, the strategic importance of establishing communication channels, and the complex geopolitical dynamics concerning Taiwan and the broader Pacific region. The meeting emphasized the necessity of maintaining trust and diplomatic dialogue to navigate future international relations and manage long-term foreign policy objectives.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate legislative strategy on key domestic priorities, specifically revenue sharing, welfare reform, and Social Security legislation. The discussion focused on overcoming legislative stalemates in the Ways and Means Committee and the Senate, particularly regarding the influence of Chairman Wilbur Mills and the need for a unified Republican stance. The President urged the leadership to maintain pressure for compromise bills that align with administration goals while avoiding fiscally irresponsible mandates during an election year.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders and cabinet officials to strategize on the administration's legislative agenda, specifically focusing on revenue sharing, welfare reform, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act. The discussion addressed the political and procedural challenges of implementing a busing moratorium and the importance of countering Democratic criticism regarding the economy. Nixon emphasized the need for a unified party strategy to leverage economic accomplishments and maintain pressure on Democratic opponents leading into the 1972 election cycle.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leadership to coordinate administration talking points on sensitive domestic and foreign policy issues. The discussion focused primarily on the ongoing military situation in Vietnam, emphasizing the success of Vietnamization, the importance of maintaining public support, and the necessity of keeping political opposition from undermining the war effort. Additionally, the President and his advisors briefed members on key legislative priorities, specifically the administration's stance against forced busing and efforts to address rising food prices and drug-related crime. The participants discussed strategies for distributing these fact sheets and maintaining a unified front to influence public perception and legislative outcomes.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leadership to coordinate strategy on key domestic and foreign policy issues during an election year. The discussion focused on distributing fact sheets regarding economic improvements, crime reduction, and unemployment to bolster support, while also strategizing to defeat restrictive anti-war amendments in Congress. Additionally, the President announced his decision to appoint an acting FBI director to ensure institutional stability following the death of J. Edgar Hoover, aiming to shield the bureau from partisan political controversy.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and key Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate legislative strategy on critical administration priorities, specifically revenue sharing, the defense procurement bill, and Vietnam-related war powers resolutions. The discussion focused on overcoming Democratic resistance to the President’s revenue-sharing program and maintaining a firm legislative stance on maintaining military strength. Nixon emphasized that American foreign policy, including negotiations with the Soviet Union, remains contingent upon the credibility of U.S. defenses and a unified national commitment.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to analyze the current political landscape and formulate electoral strategies heading into the 1972 campaign. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the perceived bias of the media in their treatment of Democratic candidate George McGovern compared to historical GOP figures like Barry Goldwater. Nixon encouraged leadership to coordinate closely on legislative and campaign messaging, noting that the Republican party must remain disciplined to capitalize on the internal divisions within the Democratic party.
President Nixon called Senator Margaret Chase Smith to congratulate her on a narrow victory in her recent primary election. The two discussed her campaign strategies, expenditures, and the overall outlook for the 1972 Republican electoral prospects. Their conversation also touched upon the political landscape in Maine, including references to Edmund Muskie and the President's historical familiarity with the state.
President Nixon spoke with Senator Margaret Chase Smith to congratulate her on a significant primary victory in Maine. The discussion touched upon her low-budget campaign strategy and the political landscape in Maine following the exit of Edmund Muskie. Nixon expressed his desire to visit the state and urged Smith to focus on securing strong Republican candidates for upcoming congressional races.
President Nixon consulted with Senate leaders Margaret Chase Smith and Mike Mansfield regarding the formal adjournment of the Senate. During the call, the President granted permission for the adjournment and briefly discussed Mansfield's upcoming diplomatic trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon also expressed his personal support for Senator Smith's reelection campaign in Maine.
President Nixon met with Senator Margaret Chase Smith and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to exchange brief pleasantries and acknowledge their recent collaborative efforts. The discussion primarily focused on the conclusion of congressional business and the challenges of the upcoming three-week period. The participants expressed mutual appreciation for their service and implicitly acknowledged ongoing legislative or administrative matters requiring future attention.
President Nixon and his senior staff, H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, coordinated campaign messaging in the final days before the 1972 election. Much of the discussion focused on refuting George McGovern’s criticisms regarding Vietnam, specifically emphasizing the administration's stance that they had achieved a breakthrough toward "peace with honor" while clarifying that remaining "central points" were merely details requiring resolution. To reinforce these themes, Nixon made a series of telephone calls to various Republican candidates across the country to offer his endorsement, boost morale, and provide talking points for their final campaign appearances.
President Nixon called Senator Margaret Chase Smith three days before the 1972 election to express his support for her campaign and discuss their mutual electoral outlook. The conversation focused on the political climate in Maine, the impact of local media opposition, and Nixon's strategy for achieving "peace with honor" in the Vietnam War. Nixon provided Smith with specific talking points to defend his administration's peace negotiations and firm stance against a coalition government, encouraging her to remain confident as she campaigned for re-election.