Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 139
Nixon White House Tape 139 (August 9, 1972 – August 10, 1972)
7 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 10 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Colson, Ehrlichman, Haldeman
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication through the Camp David operator to request a connection with his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The exchange served exclusively as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with a key administration advisor. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss using the IRS to target political opponents, specifically identifying the organization Common Cause as a potential subject for investigation. Nixon expresses frustration with bureaucratic inertia, urging Colson to pursue a more aggressive strategy by auditing Democratic-aligned groups in retaliation for similar tactics used against the administration. The conversation further addresses political maneuvers involving the Veterans of Foreign Wars and criticism directed at George McGovern.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to domestic policy advisor John D. Ehrlichman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with a key member of his staff. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange as it was limited to the request for the phone connection.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the political risks and economic necessity of supporting pending railroad legislation, weighing concerns about corporate bailouts against the need to preserve jobs. Nixon grants Ehrlichman permission to authorize Secretary John Volpe to negotiate the bill’s passage despite opposition from other advisors. Additionally, the pair discusses rectifying a misleading Washington Post report regarding Elliot Richardson's stance on state aid, confirming that Richardson will hold a press conference to clarify the administration's support for imposing a legislative spending lid.
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 solely as a logistical request to initiate a follow-up conversation. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this interaction.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the drafting and tone of a forthcoming speech in Detroit, focusing on the importance of neighborhood schools. Nixon intends to frame his opposition to forced busing through personal anecdotes about his own schooling, emphasizing the school's role as a community center rather than delivering a purely aggressive attack. He requests that speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. draft the address with a subtle but clear stance on the issue to ensure the administration's position is understood without further exacerbating public divisions.
An unidentified individual placed a call through the Camp David operator to contact Major Peacher regarding maintenance issues at the facility. The brief exchange focused on coordinating the repair of an unspecified item that had reportedly broken down. No further substantive policy or political discussions were recorded before the call concluded.