Howard, W. Rick
W. Rick Howard served in the Nixon administration, initially as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Commerce starting in 1969. In 1970, he moved to the White House as Staff Assistant to Charles W. Colson, a role he held through the taping period until 1974. In this capacity, Howard focused on public relations, working to cultivate a favorable public image for President Nixon and arranging meetings with various organizations.
What Howard talks about on the tapes
George McGovern 4Vietnam War 2Political messaging 2Oval Office 2Media relations 2Charles W. Colson 2Campaign Strategy 21972 Presidential Election 2White House staff 1White House photography 1White House personnel 1White House communications 1
Conversations (12)
President Nixon met with Stephen Bull, W. Richard Howard, Marcia Howard, and Mr. Northrup for a brief courtesy call, during which White House photographer Northrup utilized an experimental camera to document the meeting. The participants exchanged pleasantries and discussed the distribution of presidential gifts, including cufflinks and the presidential seal. The conversation also briefly touched upon the personality and White House performances of entertainer Pearl Bailey.
H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and W. Richard Howard coordinated efforts to monitor the 1972 presidential campaign of George McGovern. The participants discussed strategies for tracking McGovern's statements and activities, specifically focusing on the acquisition of transcripts and video footage from CBS. The primary objective of the discussion was to establish a system for collecting and archiving campaign materials for use by the Nixon administration.
Charles W. Colson and W. Richard Howard discuss the stalled release of a critical political statement targeting George S. McGovern, which was intended to be issued by Clark MacGregor and Robert J. Dole. Colson expresses frustration that MacGregor has failed to authorize the statement due to his preoccupation with upcoming debate preparations. Ultimately, Colson instructs Howard to involve Alexander Haig to push the release forward before the 6:00 p.m. deadline.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and Patrick Buchanan to discuss electoral strategy and campaign messaging for the 1972 election. They focused on building a coalition among working-class voters by emphasizing shared values and the importance of work, while simultaneously crafting efforts to distance Democratic opponent George McGovern from radical anti-war demonstrators. Additionally, the participants touched on upcoming judicial appointments and the political management of the Watergate scandal as a campaign issue.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss campaign strategy in the final days before the 1972 election, focusing on counter-attacking George McGovern's campaign. They reviewed media coverage of political demonstrations and agreed on the necessity of portraying the McGovern camp as being behind the chaotic protests and "dirty" campaign tactics. Nixon instructed his staff to aggressively utilize surrogates and negative advertisements to highlight issues like welfare and taxes while framing the opposition as desperate and failing. The discussion also included plans for the President's upcoming speeches and strategies for managing voter concerns regarding the Vietnam War.
President Nixon and Charles Colson confer via telephone to coordinate communications with W. Richard Howard. The discussion centers on logistics and the facilitation of outreach to Howard, involving White House operators and staff members to manage the call flow. The primary objective is the execution of these specific external contacts as part of the administration's ongoing agenda.
President Nixon met with his aides and outside consultants to discuss the administration's telecommunications policy and a new strategic approach to public opinion. The discussions focused on centralizing control over broadcasting regulation, managing public perception regarding the press, and the need for internal unity among White House staff. Nixon and his advisors also reviewed polling data with Albert Sindlinger to better understand shifting voter sentiments, particularly among Democrats, regarding Vietnam, inflation, and law-and-order issues. The President emphasized that his administration must act decisively in these areas and maintain a unified public front to avoid being undermined by bureaucratic infighting or negative media coverage.
President Nixon met with Patrick and Mrs. O'Donnell, accompanied by photographer W. Richard Howard, for a brief social meeting and photo opportunity in the Oval Office. The discussion centered on Patrick O'Donnell's recent legal work with Charles Colson's staff and his positive experience serving in the administration. Nixon expressed appreciation for O'Donnell's service and exchanged pleasantries regarding the couple's personal life and future plans.
Charles W. Colson coordinates with his staff and W. Richard Howard to retrieve a specific newspaper column written by Richard Wilson for the Washington Star. The discussion centers on locating this piece, which highlights the conclusion of the Vietnam War and features commentary from Leslie C. Arends. Colson directs Howard to deliver the column to the President’s office immediately for review.
President Nixon met with representatives from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and later George Shultz to discuss strategies for promoting administration policies, specifically regarding federal spending, trade, and energy. The President emphasized the need for NAM to mobilize its grassroots membership to pressure Congress on fiscal responsibility and trade policy, while Shultz provided an update on the chaotic international monetary situation and the administration's defensive stance. Additionally, the President and Shultz consulted on personnel management, focusing on the need for Labor Secretary Peter Brennan to appoint loyal and competent managers and evaluating potential candidates like Patricia Hitt for administration roles.
Charles W. Colson directs W. Richard Howard to compile a chronological summary of Gallup presidential approval and disapproval ratings from January 1971 through early 1973. This data, focusing specifically on the president's job performance, is requested on a single sheet of paper to be delivered urgently to Stephen B. Bull. Howard is instructed to coordinate with Joanne L. Gordon to ensure the materials are prepared and delivered before Bull departs.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to review Colson’s recent media appearances regarding the Watergate scandal and his defense of administration policy, particularly concerning the Vietnam War and draft amnesty. The two men also discussed administrative staffing challenges for the second term, specifically focusing on appointments within the Treasury and Labor Departments and the importance of maintaining loyalty and control over agency leadership. Additionally, the President touched upon the ongoing Senate Watergate investigation and considered political strategies regarding potential high-profile party shifts involving figures like John Connally.