Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 133
Nixon White House Tape 133 (June 7, 1972 – June 9, 1972)
26 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 3 hr 27 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Colson, Kissinger, Haldeman, Dent
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate a telephone call to his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The interaction served as a brief administrative bridge to connect the President with his advisor. No substantive policy discussions or decisions were recorded during this brief bridge segment.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss ongoing 1972 Democratic primary election returns, focusing specifically on George McGovern's performance and the strategic benefits of his perceived weaknesses. They evaluate the impact of the primary race on the broader political landscape, including potential labor and Catholic voter shifts in favor of the President. The conversation also touches on internal party dynamics, polling data, and the importance of keeping the campaign focused on foreign policy achievements rather than domestic policy disputes.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed the early returns of the 1972 California Democratic primary, observing George McGovern's strong showing against Hubert Humphrey. The two discussed campaign strategies to exacerbate internal Democratic divisions, specifically focusing on feeding negative narratives about McGovern—such as his stances on amnesty, abortion, and defense spending—to party dissidents. Nixon and Colson also analyzed potential vice-presidential candidates, dismissed Edward Kennedy’s electoral viability, and reaffirmed their plans to use indirect methods to undermine the Democratic ticket.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with his Special Counsel, Charles W. Colson. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary logistical step to initiate a direct conversation between the President and his advisor. No policy matters were discussed during this request for telephonic assistance.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the results of the June 7, 1972, Democratic primary in California, concluding that George McGovern's victory margin was significantly smaller than polls had predicted, thereby damaging his momentum. They analyze the relative weakness of McGovern's popular support compared to Hubert Humphrey and discuss the political vulnerability of the Democratic field. Nixon and Colson also deliberate on messaging strategies to contrast the President's recent international achievements with the radical political leanings of his potential opponents.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Harry S. Dent at the White House. This brief administrative exchange served as a logistical request to initiate a conversation with his advisor. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief communication.
President Nixon and Harry S. Dent discussed the results of recent Democratic primary elections, focusing on the unexpected strength shown by George McGovern and the potential for a contentious Democratic convention. They analyzed campaign strategies, including the effectiveness of recent debates and the political implications of potential vice-presidential candidates like Wilbur Mills or Reubin Askew. The conversation also covered foreign policy successes, the President's public approval, and ongoing efforts to recruit Republican candidates in Southern states to capitalize on potential Democratic party fractures.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to Robert H. Finch. This interaction served primarily as a logistical request to establish communication with his advisor. No policy matters or substantive discussions occurred during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Robert Finch discussed the implications of the 1972 California Democratic primary results, noting that George McGovern's victory was closer than anticipated due to Hubert Humphrey's strong showing in late-reporting conservative districts. They analyzed the impact of the Angela Davis trial and the "Proposition 9" environmental measure, concluding that these events helped create a more favorable political landscape for the President. Nixon emphasized that his administration should focus on his foreign policy accomplishments, particularly regarding the USSR and China, to frame the upcoming election as a test of presidential qualifications.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication with the Camp David operator to request a connection to Charles W. Colson. The exchange served exclusively as a logistical step to facilitate direct contact with his special counsel. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this brief request.
President Nixon and Charles Colson confer on campaign strategy, focusing on leveraging the divisions within the Democratic Party to secure electoral advantages. They discuss efforts to keep Edmund Muskie in the race to disrupt George McGovern's momentum and analyze the political benefits of portraying McGovern as a radical. Additionally, they address domestic policy concerns, specifically planning to maintain a hardline stance against busing and discussing the potential for a veto of the Higher Education bill to differentiate the President's platform.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection to Aspen Lodge. The brief exchange served as a logistical arrangement to reach a specific location or individual within the Camp David complex. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. The brief interaction served exclusively as a procedural request to establish this connection. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this specific exchange.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator to facilitate a scheduled call with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. Upon learning that Kissinger was temporarily unavailable while at the barber shop, the President instructed the operator to have Kissinger return the call at his convenience. This brief exchange served solely to manage the logistics of the President's ongoing communication with his foreign policy advisor.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the positive results of the recent Moscow Summit, noting Soviet leaders' desire to strengthen personal ties with the President. They also assessed the deteriorating situation for North Vietnam, with Nixon reiterating the administration’s strategy to attack presidential candidate George McGovern's proposal to visit Hanoi as a form of surrender. Finally, they coordinated the logistics for announcing Kissinger's upcoming trip to China and his subsequent testimony before the Senate, aiming to minimize political backlash by controlling the timing and narrative.
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 to bridge communication between the President and a key advisor during his stay at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this logistical interaction.
President Nixon instructed H.R. Haldeman to coordinate with Henry Kissinger regarding a draft statement prepared by Raymond K. Price, Jr. Nixon expressed concern that the document’s tone was excessively euphoric and requested that Kissinger review the text for necessary revisions before his departure. Haldeman agreed to facilitate the review and report back to the President.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss Henry Kissinger’s critical assessment of a pending presidential speech, which Kissinger characterizes as overly euphoric and reminiscent of George McGovern’s tone. Haldeman relays Kissinger’s advice to avoid foreign policy rhetoric to maintain a position of supremacy, a sentiment with which Nixon concurs. The conversation concludes with a brief mention of Charles Colson’s concerns regarding an upcoming appearance at a Rotary event in Houston and an agreement to meet in person to finalize their approach.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. The brief exchange served as a logistical bridge to initiate high-level diplomatic or security discussions. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this connection process.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the strategic importance of Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Japan, focusing on reassuring the Japanese while leveraging the visit to influence Chinese and Soviet relations. They review recent diplomatic channels with the Soviet Union, specifically noting the establishment of a productive, high-level personal relationship with Leonid Brezhnev. Additionally, they critique a draft foreign policy speech for being overly idealistic, agreeing that it requires more realistic language to differentiate their administration’s stance from the perceived surrender-oriented policies of George McGovern.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst. The brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to initiate this official communication. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon consulted the Camp David operator to track the travel schedule and current location of Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst. After confirming that Kleindienst would return to Washington by mid-afternoon, the President coordinated a plan to place a follow-up call to him at that time. This brief exchange served to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Attorney General.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection. The primary purpose of this brief exchange was to initiate a call to George P. Shultz. No other policy matters or substantive discussions took place during this administrative request.
President Nixon and George P. Shultz discussed the successful Senate confirmation of Richard G. Kleindienst and upcoming Cabinet swearing-in ceremonies. The conversation shifted to critical budgetary concerns, with the President emphasizing the necessity of vetoing environmental and spending bills to curb excessive federal expenditures. Finally, they reviewed international monetary policy, specifically coordinating a stance on gold that diverged from the views held by Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection to John N. Mitchell. This brief exchange served as a logistical step to initiate a direct conversation between the President and the former Attorney General. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief request.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discussed political strategy for the 1972 election, focusing on the ongoing Democratic primary contests and the rise of George McGovern. They evaluated the political viability of various Democratic candidates and analyzed internal party fractures, particularly noting the resistance from party elites against McGovern's campaign. Nixon and Mitchell decided to maintain an aggressive stance by framing McGovern as an unpredictable extremist, aiming to exploit his perceived lack of credibility and foster further defections within the Democratic ranks.