Goode, Mark I.
Mark I. Goode served in the Nixon administration as a media consultant and television producer. In 1971, President Nixon appointed him as a special assistant and the first full-time television advisor to the White House, a role in which he was responsible for overseeing radio and television matters. He held this position until early 1973, during which he was a participant in several conversations recorded on the Nixon White House tapes.
President Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, and Mark I. Goode met to coordinate the logistics and orchestration for an upcoming welcoming ceremony for the Italian Prime Minister. The discussion focused on scheduling the event and planning a tour of the East Wing, including the display of specific works of art by painters such as Charles Willson Peale, Rembrandt Peale, and Gilbert Stuart. The participants finalized the sequence of the event to ensure proper presentation of these cultural highlights during the state visit.
President Nixon consulted with Mark I. Goode regarding the technical logistics and camera setups for an upcoming media appearance, specifically debating the use of a teleprompter to maintain a natural presentation. Simultaneously, the President conferred with George P. Shultz to analyze economic indicators, focusing on inflation, food prices, and recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The discussion addressed concerns about how wholesale price index changes might impact future retail costs and the potential for negative media framing regarding economic reporting.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode to discuss the technical and production aspects of filming White House events, specifically focusing on camera angles and proximity during press segments. They reviewed a recent "60 Minutes" interview with Morley Safer and addressed concerns regarding intrusive filming practices during a forthcoming dinner. The President instructed Goode to manage the production to ensure high-quality coverage while minimizing disruption to guests and maintaining professional standards.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode to coordinate logistics for an upcoming signing ceremony with farm leaders in the Roosevelt Room. The discussion focused on administrative details, including the participation of Alexander P. Butterfield, the strategic placement of cameras, and the protocol for pen distribution. These arrangements were finalized to ensure the smooth execution of the event.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Mark Goode to rehearse and block the visual presentation for his upcoming televised address on Vietnam troop withdrawals. The discussion focused on the precise timing of camera switches between the President and two specific charts, as well as staging details such as microphone placement and the use of pointers. Nixon finalized his preference to remain seated during the presentation, instructing the team to focus on gestures rather than physical movement to ensure a smooth broadcast.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode to discuss the logistical planning and personnel requirements for an upcoming reception for the diplomatic corps. The conversation centered on establishing strict protocols and managing the guest list, which included considerations for staff, William P. Rogers, various members of Congress, and White House communications aides. No definitive policy decisions were recorded, though Nixon emphasized the necessity of implementing a hard rule regarding event management.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Mark I. Goode to coordinate logistics for upcoming White House events. The discussion focused on managing the scheduling and photography sessions for visiting student council members from Rio Grande, Texas, as well as a subsequent meeting with securities industry leaders. The participants reviewed the flow of these activities to ensure smooth operations for the day's appointments.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode to briefly discuss logistics regarding the President's schedule and the handling of upcoming visitors. The primary objective of the meeting was to coordinate the arrival of an organized group for a scheduled appearance at the Oval Office. Nixon instructed Goode to ensure the visitors were lined up and processed promptly.
President Nixon and his advisors met to finalize the announcement of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreement and coordinate the administration's strategy for managing congressional and public reactions. The discussion focused on emphasizing the historic nature of the deal—despite its initial status as a framework—and included logistical planning for a televised address and related press briefings. Additionally, the President addressed minor White House operational concerns, such as plumbing issues in his residence, while maintaining focus on the political leverage gained through recent ABM (Antiballistic Missile) defense initiatives.
President Nixon met with his staff to finalize the intricate television production schedule and logistical planning for his daughter Tricia’s upcoming wedding at the White House. The participants reviewed the sequence for the ceremony, the receiving line, the first dance, and the cake-cutting, while also confirming policies to restrict specific journalists from the press pool. Additionally, the President briefly reviewed a statement regarding housing integration, expressing satisfaction that the language successfully balanced legal enforcement with assurances against forced suburban integration.
President Nixon met with his staff and advisors to coordinate logistical arrangements for his upcoming National Archives speech, focusing on timing, camera blocking, and the inclusion of the national anthem. The group also discussed planning a signing ceremony for the Twenty-sixth Amendment featuring a student group, and reviewed current media strategies regarding unemployment statistics and the ongoing Pentagon Papers controversy. Nixon emphasized maintaining a strong, authoritative public image while managing press narratives and reinforcing government discipline regarding classified information.
President Nixon met with various aides and technicians to prepare for and broadcast a televised national address, followed by a meeting with a group of Senators and staff to discuss his recent Supreme Court nominations. During the session, the President focused on the qualifications of his nominees, Lewis F. Powell and William H. Rehnquist, emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Court's role in the government. The conversation concluded with the President greeting and presenting gifts to the television, lighting, and sound crews who assisted with his broadcast.
President Nixon met with CBS staff, including Dan Rather, to prepare for and record a televised interview in the Oval Office. The conversation encompassed technical production logistics, such as lighting and makeup, followed by a formal interview addressing key administration priorities including the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, the Vietnam War, and potential re-election plans. Nixon utilized the session to articulate his foreign policy objectives and domestic stance on issues such as economic controls, amnesty, and the role of women in politics.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode, William H. Carruthers, and Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate the broadcast logistics and final presentation of his televised Vietnam peace proposal. The conversation focused on the technical nuances of the speech's delivery, including microphone placement and the handling of scripts, as well as the strategic scheduling of the address to maximize audience reach across television networks. Following these preparations, the President delivered the speech, which publicly detailed previously secret negotiations and offered a comprehensive plan for troop withdrawals, prisoner exchanges, and a ceasefire.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode and other unidentified individuals to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming presidential speech. The discussion focused on technical details regarding the stage environment, specifically addressing the placement of an object and ceiling configurations. The participants also briefly touched upon weather-related concerns, including wind conditions and appropriate attire.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode and television technicians in the Oval Office to prepare for a live, televised address to the nation regarding equal educational opportunities and school busing. The participants coordinated technical details, including camera placement, audio levels, and broadcast timing for the speech. Following the successful delivery of the address, the President thanked the crew and distributed presidential gifts as a gesture of appreciation.
President Nixon met with Mark I. Goode to coordinate the logistical details for an upcoming promotional filming session. Goode outlined specific movements and blocking for the President, including interactions with Senators John G. Tower and Howard H. Baker, Jr. The President approved the choreography while emphasizing the need to keep the total filming duration strictly limited to approximately five minutes.
President Nixon met with Elliot Richardson and several senior staff members to discuss political strategy regarding the welfare reform bill, H.R. 1, and the potential impact of a new amendment offered by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III. The group analyzed the risks of appearing inconsistent if the administration supported the Stevenson proposal, which closely mirrored the President's original welfare plans, while balancing the need to preserve the administration's credibility as the bill faced likely defeat. Ultimately, they discussed using a parliamentary tactic—having Senator Hugh Scott support the amendment—to expose the lack of substantive differences between the two parties and ensure the administration would not be blamed if the legislation failed.
President Nixon met with Mark Goode, William Timmons, and senatorial candidates Winton Blount and J. Caleb Boggs to coordinate arrangements for a campaign film session. Following the candidates' departure, the discussion shifted toward the recording of a veto message regarding House Resolution 1. The President consulted with his staff on the messaging strategy and requested a follow-up telephone call to John D. Ehrlichman to finalize the legislative approach.
President Nixon met briefly with Mark I. Goode, his wife, and two daughters, along with Stephen Bull, for a photo opportunity. The meeting was primarily for taking pictures, including one of the President with Mark Goode and his family, and arrangements were made for copies of these photographs. Nixon expressed appreciation for Goode's work with the White House.