Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon served as the 37th President of the United States from January 1969 until his resignation in August 1974. In February 1971, he ordered the installation of a secret voice-activated taping system in the White House to preserve a historical record of his administration. Until the system's existence was revealed and dismantled in July 1973, the tapes captured Nixon directing major foreign policy initiatives, such as the opening to China, as well as his central role in the Watergate cover-up.
What Nixon talks about on the tapes
White House operations 4,654Presidential scheduling 4,037Presidential communication 2,299Public relations 1,746Vietnam War 1,719Logistics 1,631Manolo Sanchez 1,592White House communications 1,427White House administration 1,358Henry Kissinger 1,313Foreign Policy 1,160Camp David 1,101
Conversations (21,010)
— Page 124 of 211President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met at Camp David to review and refine the draft of the President's upcoming acceptance speech. The discussion focused on sharpening the rhetoric regarding foreign policy, specifically addressing Vietnam troop levels, the status of draft evaders, and the necessity of maintaining bipartisan support for international allies. They made several editorial adjustments to emphasize the administration's achievements, including the cessation of drafting men for combat and the pursuit of historic foreign policy initiatives despite the complexities of the war.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:25 am and 12:27 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-025 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon, Charles Colson, and Henry Kissinger discuss George McGovern's recent interview, in which the Democratic candidate advocated for a communist-dominated coalition government in South Vietnam. The participants express disbelief at McGovern's political strategy, labeling his comments as extreme and amateurish, while predicting that such rhetoric will alienate voters. Nixon encourages Colson to bolster Kissinger's morale following recent public attacks, viewing the opposition's focus on his aides as a sign of desperation.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and Henry Kissinger at Camp David to conduct a detailed review and refinement of his upcoming acceptance speech. The discussion focused on sharpening the address's rhetoric regarding defense spending, the necessity of negotiating from a position of strength, and contrasting the administration's vision against the platform of George McGovern. Additionally, the participants deliberated on the inclusion of the 'peace dividend' concept and agreed to excise certain segments to ensure the speech maintained a strong, patriotic, and positive tone.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:36 pm and 4:00 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-051 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez at Camp David to discuss arrangements for Nixon's upcoming acceptance speech. Key topics included the handling of tapes, specifically involving Rose Mary Woods, and coordination with Henry Kissinger. Nixon also reviewed his schedule, and Sanchez was tasked with delivering items to Woods.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:36 pm and 4:00 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-011 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:36 pm and 4:00 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-012 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:36 pm and 4:00 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met at Camp David to refine the closing remarks for Nixon's upcoming presidential nomination acceptance speech. They evaluated draft language, critiquing specific segments for sounding too "professorial" or "maudlin" while discussing the need to project a confident, strong, and forward-looking image. Ultimately, the two agreed on a rhetorical strategy that contrasted Nixon’s optimism against the perceived "whining" and frustration of his opponent, George McGovern.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met at Camp David to deliberate on the content, tone, and emotional impact of Nixon's upcoming 1972 acceptance speech. The discussion focused on refining the closing remarks, specifically debating the effectiveness of incorporating the story of Tanya Savicheva—a symbol of wartime suffering—to evoke a sense of global peace and national unity. The pair sought a narrative that contrasted Nixon’s vision for American leadership with that of his opponent, George McGovern, ultimately aiming for a message that would inspire the public while avoiding the perceived emotional voids in drafts provided by Raymond Price and others.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:25 pm and 6:30 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-052 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:25 pm and 10:32 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met at Camp David to rehearse his upcoming acceptance speech for the Republican National Convention. He focused on refining thematic elements of the address, specifically emphasizing his vision for a new structure of global peace and the historical opportunity for American leadership. The session served as a final rhetorical preparation for his renomination campaign efforts.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review and refine the draft of the President's upcoming acceptance speech. The discussion focused on balancing a strong defense posture with the pursuit of international peace, specifically referencing the Tanya Savicheva story and various domestic programs. They also strategized on rhetorical structure and the integration of historical references, including past speeches and religious themes, to strengthen the speech's impact.
President Richard Nixon utilized his time at Camp David to rehearse his acceptance speech for the upcoming Republican National Convention. He focused on refining thematic elements of the address, specifically emphasizing his vision for a new global structure of peace and the importance of American leadership. The session served as a final preparation to ensure the delivery aligned with his strategic messaging for the 1972 campaign.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:25 pm and 10:32 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-020 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:25 pm and 10:32 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-021 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:52 pm and 10:32 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-053 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman consulted regarding revisions to the President’s forthcoming acceptance speech. Nixon confirmed that he had implemented specific structural changes to the text and requested that Haldeman review the updated version for final approval. The two agreed to meet at Laurel Cabin to facilitate the review process.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly conferred at the Aspen Lodge to coordinate a recent suggestion regarding administrative or scheduling arrangements. The participants discussed the implementation of a shift in strategy or personnel placement, with Nixon confirming his approval of the adjustment. The conversation served as a quick check-in to ensure alignment on logistical modifications.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:33 pm and 11:20 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-023 of the White House Tapes.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:33 pm and 11:20 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-024 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 8:30 am and 10:26 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed a proposal from Richard Goodwin to use figures like Eugene McCarthy or Edward Kennedy to communicate with the North Vietnamese regarding peace negotiations. Nixon dismissed involving Kennedy but agreed to have Kissinger potentially use McCarthy to emphasize the necessity of settling the war before the U.S. election. The two also addressed political strategies against George McGovern, refinements to the President’s upcoming acceptance speech, and their determination to reject calls for a unilateral bombing halt in Vietnam.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 10:26 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the political landscape surrounding the 1972 election, including potential critiques from figures like Eugene McCarthy and the administration's strategic response. The conversation focused on refining the rhetoric for an upcoming presidential speech, with Nixon emphasizing a shift away from specific domestic policy promises in favor of broader, more cautious language. Additionally, Nixon firmly rejected the possibility of a bombing halt in Vietnam prior to the election, arguing that such a move would be strategically counterproductive and misaligned with public sentiment.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 11:20 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-056 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:20 am and 12:28 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-057 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 11:20 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-004 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:20 am and 12:28 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-005 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger consulted regarding the rhetoric and messaging for the President’s upcoming acceptance speech, specifically addressing the number of draft evaders in Canada and the terminology used to describe U.S. foreign relations with allies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. They further refined the language concerning the South Vietnamese military's defensive capabilities to ensure accuracy regarding the continued necessity of U.S. air support. Additionally, Kissinger provided a brief intelligence update on Soviet and Chinese attitudes toward the Vietnam War, noting that both nations are increasingly motivated to see a settlement reached.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger reviewed specific language for an upcoming address, focusing on political messaging and foreign policy rhetoric. The pair finalized the phrasing regarding draft evaders and debated how to characterize U.S. relationships with various global regions to ensure diplomatic inclusion. They also reached a consensus on the wording used to describe South Vietnam's military capacity to resist enemy offensives.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 1:31 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-007 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 1:31 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-008 of the White House Tapes.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 2:58 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-009 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 8:50 am and 9:40 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-001 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 8:50 am and 9:40 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Marjorie P. Acker and briefly communicated with Indianapolis Mayor Richard G. Lugar to coordinate a series of administrative phone calls. The primary focus involved managing logistics for outgoing communication with various political figures, including Ronald Reagan, Edward W. Brooke, and Anne L. Armstrong. The conversation concluded with arrangements to reconnect with Mayor Lugar later in the day to facilitate further political outreach.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:54 am and 9:58 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Senator Edward W. Brooke to discuss the messaging strategy for his upcoming acceptance speech, specifically emphasizing his administration's pursuit of peace in Vietnam. The two also reflected on the President’s recent diplomatic outreach to the People's Republic of China. No formal policy decisions were recorded during this brief exchange, which served primarily as a check-in regarding the administration's key political priorities.
President Nixon and Ronald Reagan consult on the messaging strategy for Nixon's upcoming acceptance speech. The pair specifically discusses the political positioning regarding the amnesty issue, ultimately deciding to pivot away from the topic to emphasize honoring and respecting those who served in the military. This brief exchange serves to align their views on prioritizing patriotic messaging for the remainder of the campaign.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:06 am and 10:14 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-007 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:06 am and 10:14 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-008 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Anne L. Armstrong met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:14 am to 10:15 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-009 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:15 am to 10:18 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-010 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Marjorie P. Acker met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:18 am to 10:20 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-011 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:25 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-012 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:25 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-013 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:25 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-014 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:25 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-015 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman engaged in an extensive review and refinement of the President's upcoming acceptance speech. The discussion focused on balancing the tone of the address, incorporating themes of peace and national leadership, and finalizing specific anecdotes, such as the story of Tanya Savicheva, to emphasize his foreign policy achievements. Additionally, they addressed campaign finance reporting issues involving Maurice Stans and the General Accounting Office, as well as strategies for highlighting the reduction in Vietnam casualty rates compared to the previous administration.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-017 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-018 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-019 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-020 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-021 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, discuss logistical arrangements regarding the transportation of the President’s dogs. The conversation focuses on the complexities of air travel to Florida and Chicago, with Nixon deciding that the dogs will accompany Sanchez to Florida rather than traveling to Chicago. The exchange concludes with a resolution on the pets' travel itinerary to avoid complications associated with the flight arrangements.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 12:58 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-023 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss strategies for the upcoming presidential acceptance speech, focusing on contrasting Nixon's platform with George McGovern's national defense positions. The participants evaluated the use of teleprompters in political delivery, analyzing McGovern’s technique compared to Nixon’s, while also processing a backlog of legislative bills. Additionally, the President reviewed the visual impact of wearing flag lapel pins during television appearances, ultimately deciding against their use due to visibility concerns.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for the file, reflecting on the irony of heroes not watching games and discussing the Israeli perspective on dealing with kidnappers, suggesting the German government would overcome the situation.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, William Rogers, Alexander Haig, and other advisors to coordinate the administration’s response to the terrorist murder of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. The discussion focused on balancing a display of international concern and U.S. empathy with the need to avoid politicizing the games or creating a precedent for national mourning that could be exploited. Nixon decided against a formal national day of mourning but agreed to monitor the situation closely, coordinate with Israeli officials, and seek potential international action against states that harbor terrorist organizations through the UN Security Council.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:48 am and 9:53 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 771-003 of the White House Tapes.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:48 am and 9:53 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 771-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, H.R. Haldeman, and other staff to coordinate the administration's response to the murders of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics, prioritizing public diplomacy and private US support for Israel. The participants also strategized on the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on delegating attacks against George McGovern to surrogates while emphasizing positive administration accomplishments. Finally, the group discussed ongoing foreign policy objectives, including Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Moscow and potential Vietnam peace negotiation tactics to ensure favorable optics for the election.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:40 pm and 2:16 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 362-025 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon utilized time in his Executive Office Building office to dictate memoranda before requesting that the White House operator place a return call to Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. The interaction largely focused on administrative tasks and executive communication. Following the brief telephone connection, the President resumed his dictation process.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical details regarding a forthcoming meeting with John B. Connally. The discussion focused on scheduling the session for the Oval Office and ensuring H.R. Haldeman’s attendance. This brief exchange served to align the President's calendar with his key advisors.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:16 pm and 2:50 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 362-028 of the White House Tapes.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:16 pm and 2:50 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 362-029 of the White House Tapes.
On September 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:16 pm and 2:50 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 362-030 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss political strategy and media relations, focusing on negative coverage from journalists such as Max Frankel and the perceived philosophical leanings of the New York Times. The discussion also addressed political maneuvering regarding R. Sargent Shriver and George McGovern. Additionally, they reviewed intelligence concerning North Vietnamese efforts to support guerrilla operations and hijacking activities during the ongoing conflict in Vietnam.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed a range of foreign policy and administrative issues, focusing on the U.S. approach to the recent murder of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics and the resulting diplomatic tensions. They coordinated strategy for Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Moscow, aiming to secure agreements on trade and security issues while ensuring the President receives credit for diplomatic breakthroughs. Additionally, the pair engaged in preliminary post-election planning, emphasizing the President's desire to overhaul personnel in the State Department and other key agencies to ensure greater loyalty and alignment with his administration's goals.
President Nixon met with John Connally and H.R. Haldeman to discuss the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) speech, campaign strategy, and potential political appointments. They debated the specifics of the IMF speech, with Connally advocating for Nixon to deliver it to address domestic economic issues like inflation and productivity. The conversation also covered campaign tactics, including the effectiveness of media appearances and the strategy to keep McGovern on the defensive by highlighting his policy proposals. A significant portion of the discussion focused on potential government positions for Eugene McCarthy, with the FCC and Corporation for Public Broadcasting being considered.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Connally to discuss political strategy, campaign media coverage, and administrative matters. They reviewed a sensitive political intelligence report regarding a potential issue in Fort Wayne, with Nixon emphasizing the need for discretion and strict containment of the information. Additionally, the President discussed his desire for a concise daily political news summary and agreed with Connally’s assessment that the administration should avoid outlining specific second-term programs to prevent providing political opponents with targets to attack.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:50 am and 7:56 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 772-001 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate political strategy, focusing primarily on debunking the budget proposals of Democratic challenger George McGovern. They discussed refining arguments regarding McGovern's welfare plans and revenue gaps while also strategizing on how to dismiss a civil suit brought by John Gardner and Common Cause. Additionally, the pair reviewed the administration's response to the Munich Olympic tragedy and aligned their messaging on economic policy to deflect criticism regarding property taxes.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate legislative strategy ahead of the upcoming election, specifically focusing on the status of pending bills and the management of the Congressional schedule. Key priorities included securing a federal spending ceiling, advancing revenue sharing, and emphasizing anti-busing legislation as a must-pass measure to counter Democratic-led policies. The President urged the leadership to maintain a unified front on fiscal restraint, framing opposition to Republican economic proposals as reckless and warning that Democrats should bear the political cost for failing to curb government spending.
Senator Peter H. Dominick and Thomas C. Korologos met with President Nixon to present a commemorative gift from Nancy Dominick and discuss political strategy. The conversation emphasized the importance of leveraging the Senator’s extensive campaign experience to benefit the administration’s electoral goals. The session concluded with a brief photograph opportunity facilitated by Oliver F. Atkins.
President Nixon held an undocumented meeting with unidentified individuals in the Cabinet Room to address logistical and administrative preparations for an upcoming event or briefing. The discussion focused on room setup requirements, specifically addressing lighting and the scheduling of meeting arrivals. Due to the lack of a transcript, the precise nature of the meeting’s agenda and any subsequent action items remain historical unknowns.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:24 am and 10:32 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 772-005 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to discuss several political and administrative matters, including the handling of a recent terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics and public reaction to potential presidential appearances at related interfaith services. The group addressed strategies for undermining the organization Common Cause through tax investigations and political pressure. Additionally, Nixon directed the administration to provide Secret Service protection for Senator Edward Kennedy, while simultaneously tasking his aides with ensuring the detail gathered intelligence on Kennedy’s personal conduct and travel habits.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:40 am and 10:41 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 772-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, and others to discuss international economic policy ahead of an upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting. Shultz presented a systematic plan for currency convertibility and reserve management, which Nixon approved for use in his upcoming IMF address. The conversation also covered the potential for wage and price control adjustments following the 1972 election and finalized the decision to provide Secret Service protection for Senator Edward M. Kennedy based on specific threats.
President Nixon met with representatives of the International Conference of Police Associations, including Edward J. Kiernan and Egil Krogh, to discuss the administration's support for law enforcement. The conversation focused on the need for greater public respect for police officers, the impact of police review boards, and concerns regarding legal protections for officers in the line of duty. The meeting concluded with an exchange of presidential gifts as a gesture of goodwill toward the organization.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:35 pm and 12:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 772-010 of the White House Tapes.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:35 pm and 12:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 772-017 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and later Ronald L. Ziegler to discuss campaign strategy, press relations, and upcoming economic messaging. The President expressed frustration with the administration's communication failures regarding tax policy, specifically the Value-Added Tax (VAT), and directed his staff to clarify that there would be no tax increases in his second term. Additionally, they reviewed recent polling data on the Vietnam War—which showed strengthening support for Nixon’s policies over George McGovern’s—and discussed how to frame upcoming press conferences to pivot toward attacking McGovern’s economic proposals.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 2:45 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 359-001 of the White House Tapes.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 2:45 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 359-002 of the White House Tapes.
On September 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 2:45 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 359-003 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss strategies for managing public relations and campaign messaging in light of recent international and domestic developments. The conversation focused on mitigating the political impact of negative news stories surrounding John B. Connally and leveraging the ongoing Middle East conflict—specifically the aftermath of the Munich Olympic attack—to influence voter sentiment. Nixon directed Colson to organize a coordinated defense of Connally by key allies and underscored the importance of suppressing unfavorable press coverage to maintain political momentum.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors Arthur Burns and George Shultz, later joined by John Ehrlichman, to deliberate on fiscal policy and political messaging during the 1972 election season. The discussion centered on establishing a federal spending ceiling, managing the national debt, and formulating a strategy to counter Democratic candidate George McGovern's tax proposals. Nixon and his team specifically sought to differentiate their economic stance from their opponent by framing their own initiatives as "tax reform" while avoiding any perception of a general tax increase.
President Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and John D. Ehrlichman met to coordinate the President's upcoming interactions with Republican candidates. The discussion focused on managing political messaging, specifically regarding the sensitive issue of public housing funding. Nixon decided to adopt a non-committal public stance on the topic to avoid potential controversy during his meetings with GOP congressional and gubernatorial candidates.
President Nixon hosted a group of Republican candidates and officials for a photograph session, followed by a policy discussion with key economic advisors including George P. Shultz, Arthur F. Burns, and John D. Ehrlichman. The latter portion of the meeting focused on 1972 presidential campaign strategy, specifically addressing George McGovern’s recent public statements and potential outreach to George Meany. Participants also reviewed proposals regarding tax reform and broader economic policy in the context of the upcoming election.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, Arthur Burns, and John Ehrlichman to discuss economic strategy, focusing on tax reform and property tax relief. The group evaluated the political risks of pursuing tax changes before the election, debating how to frame their proposals without being perceived as increasing taxes. Additionally, the President and H. R. Haldeman discussed administrative logistics, including the potential for a cruise on the Sequoia to discuss strategy and the implementation of Secret Service protection for Senator Edward Kennedy.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss ongoing political crises, including the Watergate investigation, the fallout from the Soviet grain deal, and the management of their 1972 reelection campaign. Nixon instructed Haldeman to develop a strategy for discrediting political opponents and hostile media figures, specifically tasking Charles Colson with building a loyalist 'Nixon-Washington establishment' after the election. The conversation also covered personnel shifts within the Executive Office, the management of Cabinet meetings, and the potential political impact of the murder of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's upcoming daily schedule, focusing on coordination for meetings with General Marader Panggabean, Henry Kissinger, and Maurice Stans. The discussion emphasized logistical planning for a campaign tour of the Committee to Reelect the President (CRP) headquarters, including the management of press coverage and internal communication between Clark MacGregor and H.R. Haldeman. The session concluded with final arrangements regarding the President's departure for Camp David.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and General Marader Panggabean of Indonesia to reinforce the United States' commitment to Indonesian security and military strength in Southeast Asia. Nixon identified Indonesia as a critical strategic partner against communist expansion and promised continued support, noting that formalizing specific military aid requests should be deferred until after the 1972 election to avoid political controversy in Congress. The meeting included a ceremonial photograph session and the exchange of presidential gifts, underscoring the personal and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
On September 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:42 am and 10:43 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 773-004 of the White House Tapes.