Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 130
Nixon White House Tape 130 (May 18, 1972)
9 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 9 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, McLenden, Mahaffey
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent connection to his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative exchange served as a logistical bridge to manage ongoing presidential business from the retreat. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this communication as it was strictly focused on establishing a secure line for further high-level deliberations.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for adding Dr. William Chase to the official party for the upcoming Soviet Union summit. To avoid unwanted attention regarding a dentist's presence, they agreed to classify Chase as a staff member and emphasize his Russian heritage as his primary justification for joining the trip. Additionally, the pair finalized a covert plan for Nixon to visit Governor George Wallace at Holy Cross Hospital following a stop at Walter Reed, ensuring the Secret Service had sufficient notice to manage the move.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic request with the Camp David operator to connect him with H. R. Haldeman. This administrative interaction serves as a logistical bridge to facilitate further communication between the President and his Chief of Staff. No policy discussions occur during this short exchange, as it is strictly a request for assistance in establishing a line of communication.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman briefly conferred regarding the administration's outreach strategy following a recent legislative vote. Nixon inquired about the status of replies to correspondence from VIP supporters and proposed sending personalized 'one-liner' acknowledgments to the 47 senators who voted in favor of the Byrd Amendment. Upon reflection, they collectively decided to abandon the direct outreach to the senators, opting instead to rely on the personal calls Nixon had already initiated.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent connection with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical bridge to initiate a direct line of communication between the President and his top aide. No substantive policy matters or strategic discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the public messaging strategy regarding the President’s upcoming trip to the Soviet Union. They discussed the inclusion of specific, favorable editorial themes in the publication 'Monday' to reassure the public of the administration's foreign policy positioning. Haldeman confirmed that these materials, featuring strong rhetoric, were already being finalized for print.
Harry and an unidentified staff member coordinate with the Camp David operator to test communication equipment at the presidential retreat. The primary focus of the discussion is verifying the functionality of the facility's radio systems and confirming the reliability of telephone call-routing through the galley. Participants successfully conduct a buzzer test and confirm that the radio hardware is operational and regularly maintained for secure use.
Administrative staff members, including Robert Mahaffey and Kenneth T. McLenden, coordinate logistical details regarding staffing schedules and weekend leave from Camp David. The participants discuss an individual's intent to return home for the weekend, confirming that the Chief has approved his absence. The conversation concludes with a request to pass along a message to an associate named Conrad regarding upcoming social plans at the yacht.
This recording captures a brief, non-substantive interaction consisting of background music and a short exchange between unidentified individuals. The segment appears to be an artifact of the taping system rather than a recorded policy discussion or political meeting. Consequently, no significant governmental decisions, strategic deliberations, or historical developments are contained within this audio fragment.