Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 135
Nixon White House Tape 135 (June 29, 1972)
14 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 53 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sisco, Kissinger, Haldeman, Mitchell
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. This brief exchange served as an administrative request to establish a secure line for official executive communication. The conversation underscores the operational procedures maintained at Camp David for the President to consult directly with his key foreign policy advisors.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the status of Vietnam peace negotiations following North Vietnam's apparent acceptance of recent U.S. proposals and indicators of a potential ceasefire. They analyze the political implications of the upcoming trip to Hanoi by journalist Joseph Kraft, with Nixon urging Kissinger to sternly warn Kraft against encouraging the North Vietnamese to wait for a potential victory by George McGovern. Additionally, they criticize the Democratic Party's foreign policy platform as dishonest and disjointed, while coordinating the timing of a forthcoming grain deal announcement with the Soviet Union to maximize political benefit for the President.
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 a logistical step to connect the President with his key advisor. The call highlights the established protocol for presidential communications while operating from the Camp David retreat.
President Nixon consulted with H.R. Haldeman, who was meeting with John Mitchell, to coordinate the administration's stance on ongoing federal and state prosecutions in New Jersey. They expressed concern that the prosecutors involved were Republicans, lamenting this instance of political "cannibalism" within the party. Nixon ultimately decided to maintain a "no comment" position regarding the pending legal matters during his upcoming press conference.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate a telephone call to White House Special Counsel Charles W. Colson. This brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to establish communication with a key administrative aide. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for the upcoming press conference, focusing on maintaining a calm demeanor while sidelining political controversies. They analyze recent negative media coverage of the Democratic Party's internal divisions and assess Senator George McGovern's political vulnerabilities, particularly his comments on the Vietnam POW issue and the potential for a third-party challenge from George Wallace. Additionally, they discuss the status of Republican prosecutors in New Jersey and coordinate efforts to bolster the 'Democrats for Nixon' campaign organization.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication through the Camp David operator to facilitate a call to his Assistant for Domestic Affairs, John D. Ehrlichman. This interaction served purely as an administrative bridge to connect the President with his senior advisor. No policy matters or substantive discussions were conducted during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed communication strategies for an upcoming press conference, specifically focusing on how to frame complex policy issues for the public. They reviewed messaging on welfare reform and Social Security, with Nixon advising that absolute numbers are more effective than percentages for explaining the impact of welfare changes. Additionally, the pair coordinated positions on current political issues, including gun control, the Supreme Court's ruling on the death penalty, federal flood relief funding, and legislative maneuvers regarding anti-busing amendments.
An unidentified individual contacts the Camp David operator to request a connection to the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) center. The brief exchange serves as a logistical coordination effort to facilitate official telecommunications from the retreat. No policy matters or significant substantive decisions are recorded in this short administrative request.
An unidentified individual contacts the White House signal operator to request a connection with Captain Hunter. The brief exchange confirms that all operations at Camp David are proceeding smoothly despite heavy fog conditions. The participants conclude the call after verifying that the weather is not hindering local activities.
An unidentified man engaged in a brief telephone exchange with Captain Hunter at Camp David. The conversation appears to be a routine logistical communication involving the White House signal operator or duty officer. No significant policy discussions or substantive historical decisions were recorded during this brief interaction.
Frank A. Sisco and an unidentified individual discuss technical malfunctions involving the marine switchboard and GQ alarms at Camp David. The conversation addresses confusion regarding responsibility for identifying whether the issues stem from the lines or the alarm system itself. They clarify that the alarms are localized within specific buildings—Chestnut, Hickory, and the barracks—and confirm that the reported telephone service problems have been repaired.
An unidentified caller attempted to reach Major Freed via the White House and San Clemente signal operators to discuss logistics. Upon learning that Major Freed was currently on a tour of the Western White House compound with Mr. Douglas, the caller requested a return call once he became available. This brief exchange highlights the administrative coordination required for staff movements at the San Clemente site.
Frank A. Sisco attempted to reach Major Freed to coordinate matters related to the President's schedule while at Camp David. After contacting the Western White House operator and speaking with Sergeant Silva, Sisco learned that Freed was currently on a tour of the compound conducted by an individual named Douglas. Sisco requested that Freed return the call upon his return to the office.