Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 131
Nixon White House Tape 131 (May 16, 1972 – May 18, 1972)
42 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 2 hr 26 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Mizzer, Tkach
Technical staff conducted a verification process to ensure the operational status and security of multiple telephone lines located at the Camp David study table. Participants coordinated a plan to have an individual named Robinson dispatch personnel to finalize these technical checks. The conversation concluded with a scheduled follow-up call to confirm that the monitoring equipment was functioning correctly across all instruments.
An unidentified caller contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection to an individual identified as John “Microwave” Mizzer. The exchange was limited to this brief administrative request for a phone patch. No further information regarding the purpose of the call or the identity of the participants was captured in this recording.
Technical staff member John “Microwave” Mizzer and an unidentified individual coordinate troubleshooting efforts for communications equipment at the Aspen Lodge at Camp David. The participants discuss ongoing interference issues with secure telephone lines and wideband systems, specifically addressing problems with TEC-13 units. To resolve the persistent crackling on the secure line, they decide to split the mute and initiate a system patch.
John Mizzer coordinates with Camp David operators and Major Petrie to troubleshoot persistent line noise during telephone communications. The participants verify the integrity of local circuits and microwave patching systems to identify the source of the interference. They conclude that switching to an alternative patch successfully clears the connection and agree to conduct further testing on remaining circuits.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative exchange served as an essential operational step for the President to coordinate executive communications while stationed at the presidential retreat. No policy decisions or substantive matters were discussed during this brief request.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the logistics and potential political optics of a presidential visit to Governor George Wallace, who was recovering in the hospital following an assassination attempt. The two men also reviewed the ongoing 1972 election landscape, specifically examining George Wallace’s impact on third-party ballot access and the surprising momentum of George McGovern’s campaign through grassroots organizing. Nixon concluded the call by reflecting on the challenges of maintaining his own physical schedule and rest in anticipation of an upcoming trip to the Soviet Union.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his personal physician, Dr. Walter R. Tkach. The brief exchange served as a routine administrative request to place the call. No substantive policy discussions or complex developments occurred during this interaction.
President Nixon consults with his personal physician, Dr. Walter R. Tkach, regarding the health and recovery schedule of White House valet Manolo Sanchez and the worsening medical condition of Governor George C. Wallace following his assassination attempt. The President coordinates a recovery plan for Sanchez to vacation in Florida and discusses the potential risks of moving Wallace to Walter Reed Hospital due to complications from his wounds. Nixon determines he will make a quiet, private visit to see Wallace, while continuing to send regular updates and well wishes to the governor.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief interaction served solely as an administrative request to bridge communication between the President and a key advisor. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during the exchange.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the medical status of George C. Wallace following an infection that delayed his transfer to Walter Reed Hospital. Nixon considers the logistics and political implications of visiting Wallace, tasking Haldeman with consulting Dr. Lukash and the Secret Service regarding a potential helicopter arrival at the hospital. The conversation concludes with administrative arrangements to have a courier transport documents and the President's dog, King Timahoe, to Camp David.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The brief exchange served purely administrative purposes to establish communication with a key member of the White House staff. No policy matters or substantive political issues were addressed during this short request.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political fallout of the assassination attempt on George C. Wallace and how to frame the incident to benefit the administration. Nixon directs Colson to have his staff research and plant historical parallels—specifically regarding Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman—in the press to counter liberal narratives about societal violence. Additionally, they strategize on exploiting Democratic divisions by attacking George McGovern and Hubert Humphrey on contentious issues like busing, amnesty, marijuana, and abortion to alienate key Democratic voting blocs.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss the 1972 Democratic primary developments, specifically George McGovern's momentum following the Michigan primary and the implications of the shooting of George Wallace. The conversation highlights busing as a potent symbolic issue and the strategic importance of the upcoming California primary. Additionally, Nixon and Mitchell review the success of the recent mining and bombing campaign in North Vietnam, expressing confidence that the blockade is effectively crippling enemy logistics despite military or intelligence skepticism.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig reviewed the status of ongoing military operations in South Vietnam, specifically noting that North Vietnamese attacks at An Loc and Kontum appeared to be faltering. Expressing deep frustration with the lack of creativity from the CIA and State Department, Nixon ordered Haig to intensify psychological warfare efforts to exploit the enemy's morale. The President directed that the intelligence community develop new, aggressive propaganda initiatives, including false reports about additional B-52 deployments, to instill fear and hasten the enemy's collapse.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to place a telephone call to political columnist Stewart Alsop in Washington, D.C. The primary purpose of this contact was to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and the journalist. This action highlights Nixon's ongoing efforts to engage with influential members of the press during his administration.
President Nixon initiated a telephone call through the Camp David operator to establish contact with his aide, Charles W. Colson. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to facilitate this communication. No further policy or strategic matters were discussed during this connection.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator to facilitate urgent contact with Charles W. Colson. The operator confirmed that a message had been left at Colson's residence and that he was currently en route. No further actions or substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Press Secretary, Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to initiate a phone call. No further substantive policy matters or discussions were captured during this short administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for maintaining public support for the administration's decision to blockade and mine North Vietnamese harbors, including coordinating favorable press coverage and speeches from allies. They review the political fallout of the attempted assassination of George Wallace, concluding it will not significantly shift voting patterns, and strategize on using the event to highlight issues like gun control and civil unrest. The conversation also shifts to the 1972 election, where they analyze primary results in Michigan and Maryland and affirm the importance of appealing to the "silent majority" over elite establishment interests.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to cancel an existing call with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. However, after confirming the frequency of Ziegler's outreach, Nixon reversed his decision and agreed to accept the communication. The operator confirmed the call would be reconnected within approximately five minutes.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a communication link with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to place a telephone call to the General. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this administrative interaction.
President Nixon coordinated morning communications with the Camp David operator to facilitate administrative outreach. He requested that General Alexander Haig return his call upon arriving at the office and instructed the operator to reach H.R. Haldeman only if he were already available at his desk. This brief exchange served to organize the President’s schedule for urgent internal staff consultations.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed political optics, specifically regarding Vice Presidential speculation and the administration's strategy for managing unfavorable press coverage. They evaluated the public response to the upcoming Soviet summit and the potential for a campaign to expose media hypocrisy regarding the President's Vietnam policies. Additionally, they deliberated the logistical and political implications of a presidential visit to George Wallace following his assassination attempt, while also assessing the anticipated developments in the Vietnam conflict.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The call served purely as a logistical request to bridge the President to his aide. No substantive policy matters or further developments were addressed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the 1972 election landscape, specifically noting Nixon's strong polling performance in the Michigan and Maryland primaries and the political vulnerability of Democratic candidates. They evaluate the importance of the busing issue, the potential impact of George Wallace's candidacy, and the positive public reception to the President’s handling of recent domestic and foreign crises, including the assassination attempt on Wallace and the Vietnam War. Nixon and Colson decide to maintain a hard line on the Vietnam bombing campaign leading into the upcoming Soviet summit while planning a focused media strategy to highlight the administration's global achievements upon the President's return.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary logistical step to connect the President with his key advisor during his stay at the presidential retreat. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for a clandestine visit to George Wallace, who was recovering at Holy Cross Hospital, to discuss Wallace's potential political alignment with the administration. The two also reviewed scheduling for upcoming meetings with Soviet officials and congressional leaders regarding the approaching Moscow summit. Additionally, they deliberated on the optics of gift exchanges between heads of state, specifically deciding to frame the reciprocal gifting of a Cadillac and a hydrofoil as a formal government exchange to mitigate public relations concerns.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to coordinate executive communications while the President was at the presidential retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the public relations risks associated with the President gifting a Cadillac to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. They weigh the optics of this exchange against the precedent of receiving pandas from the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing that the gift is a reciprocal trade for a Soviet hydrofoil rather than an ostentatious gesture. To mitigate potential criticism regarding the expense, Nixon directs Haldeman to involve Richard A. Moore in crafting a narrative that frames the transaction as a balanced, material exchange between the two nations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a follow-up communication. The brief interaction served as a logistical request to place a call to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed strategies to procure a Cadillac as a gift for Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev without utilizing taxpayer funds. Nixon expressed concern over potential public relations optics and proposed that General Motors donate the vehicle directly to avoid government expenditure. The two agreed that a corporate donation would resolve potential controversy, and Haldeman committed to facilitating the arrangement with GM.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary George P. Shultz discussed the management and staffing of the Treasury Department during the transition period. Shultz recommended retaining the existing, well-regarded staff for the remainder of the year while supplementing them with external advisors like Milton Friedman to foster more creative policy thinking on issues like tax reform. The President approved this approach and authorized Shultz to move forward with specific personnel nominations for Deputy and Undersecretary positions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. This brief communication served solely as a logistical request to bridge the line for administrative coordination. No further policy or political matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods discuss logistical preparations for the upcoming U.S.-Soviet Union summit, including clothing requirements for the trip and weather expectations in Moscow. Woods raises a request from Herbert Klein regarding the inclusion of journalist Earl Mazo on the passenger list, despite previous concerns over financing. Nixon directs Woods to coordinate with H.R. Haldeman to verify if Mazo’s travel expenses are fully covered by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars before finalizing his addition to the trip.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a precursor to a higher-level discussion between the President and his top aide. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed concerns regarding journalist Earl Mazo’s attempts to secure financing for a trip to the Soviet Union. Nixon emphasized that the White House could not justify providing a discounted rate or government funding for the travel, insisting that Mazo must secure independent financing through channels like the Woodrow Wilson Center. Haldeman agreed to coordinate with Communications Director Herbert Klein and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to resolve the logistical and funding issues surrounding the trip.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David switchboard operator to facilitate a personal phone call to First Lady Pat Nixon. The brief interaction served solely to request that the operator connect the President to his wife. No substantive political or administrative matters were discussed during this request.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed logistical preparations for their upcoming international trip, specifically coordinating their wardrobe selections based on varying regional weather forecasts. They reviewed the climatic conditions for their scheduled stops, including Moscow, Iran, Austria, and Warsaw, to determine appropriate clothing needs. The First Lady also updated the President on positive public reception to the redecorated Blue Room and confirmed that their scheduled travel arrangements remained on track.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke via telephone to conduct a brief, routine check of the communication lines between the White House and Camp David. The conversation functioned as a technical verification to ensure secure connectivity for the President while at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this call, as it was limited to establishing a clear signal between the participants.
President Nixon instructed H. R. Haldeman to direct OMB Director Caspar Weinberger to immediately terminate federal funding for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Nixon expressed frustration that John Ehrlichman had previously delayed this action due to influence from George Shultz. Haldeman confirmed he would relay the order to Weinberger to ensure the funding cutoff was executed as demanded.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with John N. Mitchell. The primary purpose of the brief exchange was to initiate a private conversation with his former Attorney General and campaign associate. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request for assistance.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to establish a telephone connection between the President and his deputy assistant for national security affairs. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.