Bob Wilson
Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson was a Republican Congressman from California who served throughout the Nixon administration. During the taping period, he represented California's 36th congressional district, which changed to the 40th district in January 1973. A significant figure within the Republican party, Wilson also held the position of Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee until 1973, a role that involved him in strategic party discussions.
When Wilson is on the tapes
What Wilson talks about on the tapes
Congressional relations 12Vietnam War 6Revenue sharing 6Foreign Policy 4Economic policy 4Busing 4Fiscal policy 3Wage and price controls 2Supersonic Transport 2Legislative strategy 2Legislation 2Inflation 2
Conversations (26)
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.
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 his Cabinet and Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate the administration's legislative agenda, specifically addressing the ongoing national railroad strike and the upcoming Congressional vote on the military draft. The discussion also focused on foreign policy, with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Henry Kissinger providing briefings on the status of NATO, the credibility of U.S. military commitments in Europe, and the implications of recent Soviet statements regarding mutual force reductions. The President urged the Congressional leaders to maintain a firm stance against unilateral U.S. force withdrawals while emphasizing the need to handle these matters through stable, negotiated frameworks rather than disruptive legislative amendments.
President Nixon met with Republican Congressional leaders to discuss the administration’s new, multi-pronged national strategy for combating drug abuse, emphasizing a shift toward treatment, rehabilitation, and the creation of a centralized Special Action Office. During the discussion, Nixon and his team outlined plans for increased interdiction, expanded military detoxification programs, and a firm, non-permissive stance against the legalization of marijuana. Furthermore, the participants addressed the political climate surrounding the Vietnam War, with Nixon urging support against anti-war amendments and arguing that congressional deadlines for withdrawal would undermine sensitive ongoing negotiations.
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.
On September 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Republican Congressional leaders, including George P. Shultz, Paul W. McCracken, Herbert Stein, Charls E. Walker, Arnold R. Weber, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Gordon L. Allott, Peter H. Dominick, Wallace F. Bennett, Milton R. Young, Jacob K. Javits, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, John J. Rhodes, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, H. Allen Smith, Robert T. Stafford, Richard H. Poff, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Frank T. Bow, John W. Byrnes, William L. Springer, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Gerald L. Warren, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:09 am and 10:21 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 074-002 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.
On November 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, John B. Connally, Donald H. Rumsfeld, and Republican Congressional leaders, including Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Peter H. Dominick, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, Samuel L. Devine, Richard H. Poff, John J. Rhodes, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, H. Allen Smith, Robert J. Dole, John D. Ehrlichman, George P. Shultz, Clark MacGregor, Harry S. Dent, William E. Timmons, Richard K. Cook, Eugene S. Cowen, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Ronald L. Ziegler, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 12:00 am and 10:15 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 083-003 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican congressional leaders to discuss strategy regarding his recent speech on Vietnam and the administration's upcoming FY 1973 budget. The President and Henry Kissinger briefed the attendees on the Vietnam peace negotiations, emphasizing that the U.S. had made comprehensive offers while denouncing North Vietnamese intransigence and political maneuvering. Economic advisors, including George Shultz and Herbert Stein, presented the administration's fiscal plans, highlighting the importance of balancing the budget while supporting a transition to a peacetime economy through controlled spending and wage-price stabilization. Participants agreed on the necessity of maintaining a firm stance on defense and economic policy to solidify public support and improve the administration's negotiating leverage.
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 held a large-scale photographic session in the Oval Office with numerous Republican senators, representatives, and congressional candidates. The event was coordinated by technical staff to capture official images of the President with party members. Following the main group session, Clark MacGregor remained for a brief private discussion with the President.
President Nixon met with a large group of Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate legislative strategy and discuss the administration's economic record ahead of the upcoming election. The conversation focused on countering Senator George McGovern's economic proposals, with the President and his advisors emphasizing that the administration's policies had fostered recovery, reduced inflation, and increased civilian employment. Key action items included distributing briefing materials to counter Democratic attacks, pushing for a government spending ceiling to avoid future tax increases, and planning strategy for upcoming votes on controversial appropriation bills and foreign aid legislation.
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.
President Nixon hosted a bipartisan group of Congressional members and Department of Defense officials in the Cabinet Room for the formal signing of HR 10670, a bill establishing a survivor benefit plan for retired military personnel. The discussion emphasized the necessity of providing military families with benefits comparable to those in the Foreign Service and other civilian sectors. The President utilized the event to express his administration's gratitude for Congressional support and to stress the importance of national respect for those serving in an all-volunteer armed force.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leadership to outline his fiscal strategy for the 1974 budget, emphasizing the necessity of expenditure control to avoid tax increases and curb inflation. Nixon and his advisors discussed the use of budget impoundments to maintain a spending ceiling of $269 billion, framing this approach as a critical move for economic prosperity despite the anticipated pushback from special interest groups. The meeting concluded with a call for Republican leaders to unify behind the administration's fiscal restraint and to clearly communicate that budget cuts are essential for maintaining national economic stability.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders to discuss his administration's legislative priorities, focusing primarily on securing support for a fiscally responsible budget. He emphasized the necessity of cutting spending and utilizing presidential vetoes to combat inflation and avoid tax increases, framing these actions as essential for the nation's economic stability. Additionally, the President and the leaders engaged in an extensive review of recent foreign policy, specifically highlighting the significance of the Vietnam cease-fire and the strategic importance of U.S. global leadership.
President Nixon and Republican congressional leaders met to discuss the administration's legislative agenda, specifically focusing on the "New Federalism" approach to governance. The President emphasized shifting decision-making power from the federal bureaucracy to local and state authorities through programs like the Better Communities Act and the Responsive Government Act. Additionally, the conversation addressed a robust crime-fighting package, including proposed federal death penalty statutes and mandatory sentences for major drug traffickers, while positioning these initiatives as essential to restoring national law and order.
On March 20, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Republican Congressional leaders, including Herbert Stein, John T. Dunlop, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, John G. Tower, Norris Cotton, Wallace F. Bennett, William E. Brock, III, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, William J. ("Jack") Edwards, John J. Rhodes, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, David T. Martin, Samuel L. Devine, George H. W. Bush, Roy L. Ash, John D. Ehrlichman, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., William E. Timmons, Richard K. Cook, Thomas C. Korologos, Ronald L. Ziegler, Clifford P. Hansen, Henry L Bellmon, Marlow W. Cook, Dewey F. Bartlett, Delwin M. Clawson, Burt L. Talcott, Harold R. Collier, and Albert W. Johnson, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:38 am and 11:59 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 119-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with a broad group of Republican Congressional leaders to propose the creation of a bipartisan, independent commission on federal election reform. The President outlined the commission's broad mandate to study and recommend improvements to campaign financing, ethics, disclosure rules, and potentially the length of election campaigns. Nixon emphasized that the commission, which would include both public members and Congressional representatives, should serve as a catalyst for practical reform and generate public support for legislative action without preempting the authority of existing Congressional committees. The meeting focused on establishing a non-partisan framework to address the inefficiencies and technical challenges identified in previous election laws.