Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 140
Nixon White House Tape 140 (August 14, 1972 – August 21, 1972)
58 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 2 hr 10 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Eisenhower, Kissinger, Haig
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to initiate a telephone call to domestic policy advisor John D. Ehrlichman. After the operator reported that Ehrlichman could not be located, the President decided to abandon the immediate attempt. He ultimately directed the operator to discontinue the search and opted to defer the communication until the following day.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The brief interaction served as a logistical request for the operator to connect the President to his daughter. No political or administrative business was conducted during the exchange.
President Richard Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, engaged in a brief telephone conversation while the President was at Camp David. Because the content of this discussion was classified as a personal record and subsequently withdrawn, no substantive policy or political details are available for review. The call serves as an example of the personal communication captured by the White House taping system during the President's tenure.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his deputy assistant for national security affairs, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief exchange served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with his key advisor. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief request for a telephone patch.
President Nixon directs Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to implement a strict, uncooperative approach regarding any potential security briefings for Paul C. Warnke, citing Warnke’s dismissive public statements about previous interactions with Henry Kissinger. Nixon explicitly orders that CIA Director Richard Helms subject Warnke to aggressive, sworn questioning concerning his possible connections to Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. The conversation also touches on the President's satisfaction with current Vietnam negotiation delays as a tactic to manage domestic political critics, noting that anti-war rhetoric from figures like Ramsey Clark has begun to backfire.
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 initiate a high-level discussion between the President and his top advisor. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this specific communication.
President Richard Nixon and H. R. Haldeman engaged in a brief telephone discussion while at Camp David. As the content of this conversation was withdrawn from the archival record, the specific topics and actionable decisions remain classified or unavailable for historical review. The exchange reflects the routine consultation between the President and his Chief of Staff during this period of the administration.
President Nixon initiated a telephone call to his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, via the Camp David operator to discuss personal family matters. The bulk of the conversation was categorized as a personal, returnable communication and was subsequently withdrawn from public record. No official policy decisions or political developments occurred during this brief familial exchange.
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 a functional request to bridge communication between the President and his senior aide. The conversation concluded immediately after the operator acknowledged the request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed their intense dissatisfaction with a recent, aggressive press interview of First Lady Pat Nixon, which the President characterized as an unfair 'inquisition.' Consequently, Nixon ordered the immediate cancellation of a planned interview between National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and CBS correspondent Marvin Kalb, vowing to shift future media opportunities to other networks to punish CBS. The two also coordinated the President’s potential attendance at an upcoming Olympic team reception at the White House while reviewing security concerns regarding the event.
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 initiate a direct discussion between the President and his key aide. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss an upcoming interview given by First Lady Pat Nixon to reporter Marya McLaughlin. Nixon requests that Press Secretary Ron Ziegler review the transcript of the interview to provide a professional evaluation. The pair also touches upon Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s critical reaction to the nature of the questions posed to her mother during the session.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with George Meany, the president of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The call was initiated to establish direct communication with the influential labor leader regarding matters of national concern. No further policy discussion occurred during this brief request for the operator's assistance.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator regarding his attempt to contact George Meany. After the operator reported that all available phone numbers for the labor leader had been exhausted without success, Nixon decided to abandon the effort. The call concluded with the President instructing the operator to drop the matter.
President Nixon requested that the Camp David operator connect him to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with a senior advisor. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman consulted at Camp David regarding political messaging, scheduling adjustments, and the administration's response to Senator George McGovern's recent foreign policy controversies. They analyzed the political fallout of reports regarding Pierre Salinger's unauthorized meeting with North Vietnamese negotiators and discussed the strategic timing for criticizing McGovern’s approach to the Vietnam War. Ultimately, Nixon decided to delay a formal administration attack on McGovern to keep the focus on positive campaign themes during their upcoming convention, while directing his staff to gather further strategic input from key allies.
President Nixon initiated a telephone call from Camp David to reach his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. He requested that the switchboard operator place the call on his behalf to facilitate a personal conversation. No policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed during this brief interaction.
President Richard M. Nixon held a brief telephone conversation with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, from Camp David. As the official record of the discussion was withdrawn for personal reasons, no substantive policy matters or administrative decisions are available for review. The dialogue remained a private communication between family members.
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 bridge to initiate further high-level coordination between the President and his top advisor. No substantive policy matters were discussed, as the exchange was strictly limited to establishing contact.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator regarding the scheduling of a telephone call from John B. Connally, who was currently occupied in a conversation with Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. Nixon indicated that he was available to receive the call whenever Connally finished his discussion with Haldeman. No further substantive matters were addressed during this brief logistical coordination.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative call to the Camp David operator to request that she facilitate a telephone connection to George Meany. This action suggests the President intended to conduct private outreach to the AFL-CIO president regarding labor or political matters. No substantive policy discussions took place, as the exchange was limited to the initiation of the requested call.
President Nixon coordinated with the Camp David operator to facilitate an impending telephone conversation with AFL-CIO President George Meany. Nixon emphasized the necessity of receiving communication from Meany, highlighting the strategic importance of the labor leader's input during this period. The exchange served as a brief administrative preparation to ensure the connection was established once Meany finished his television appearance.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed campaign strategy, focusing on utilizing John Connally to critique George McGovern's position on Vietnam. They determined that Connally, rather than the White House or Nixon himself, should deliver a measured, bipartisan-themed speech at a Veterans of Foreign Wars event to avoid a perceived political attack. The conversation also covered personnel moves, including a potential government post for Tom Johnson, and emphasized keeping the White House staff at arm's length from direct campaign rhetoric, while coordinating media access to favor cooperative journalists over CBS.
President Nixon and AFL-CIO President George Meany held a brief, cordial telephone conversation primarily to exchange birthday greetings regarding Nixon’s grandson. Meany informed the President that the national building trades had unanimously adopted the administration’s position, which Nixon praised as the "guts" of the labor movement. The two concluded the call by briefly discussing the President's ongoing work on his upcoming acceptance speech and local weather conditions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. Upon learning that Haldeman was currently occupied on another call, the President instructed the operator to hold the request and notify him as soon as the line became available. This brief exchange served to coordinate administrative connectivity while the President was working from the Camp David Study.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the drafting of an upcoming American Legion speech, specifically requesting the inclusion of a Harry S. Truman quote to highlight a bipartisan commitment to national interests. The conversation then shifts to the administration's response to Pierre Salinger’s unauthorized visit to North Vietnam, which the President views as a dangerous interference in sensitive peace negotiations. Nixon directs Haldeman to coordinate with Alexander Haig and Ron Ziegler to publicly frame the incident as a serious matter that could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed media strategy regarding a CBS interview with Pat Nixon and the political fallout from George McGovern's campaign representatives visiting Paris. Nixon expressed satisfaction with how the administration was using the McGovern team's actions to place the opposition on the defensive while maintaining a posture of statesmanlike restraint. They also agreed to tighten control over future media access for the First Lady and to prioritize high-profile interview opportunities with outlets like ABC.
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 to bridge the President to his top aide for further communication. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this short operator-assisted request.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the drafting of Nixon's forthcoming acceptance speech, focusing on how to frame his administration's accomplishments against George McGovern's platform. Nixon expresses frustration with staffer David Gergen's inconsistent tax cut data, instructing Haldeman to confirm that the administration has enacted the largest individual tax cuts in history to provide a strong counter-narrative to McGovern’s budget proposals. They also weigh whether to utilize staffers John K. Andrews, Jr. and Aram Bakshian to refine the speech, ultimately debating a shift away from a simple 'laundry list' of achievements in favor of a thematic contrast between their vision for the nation and McGovern’s perceived assault on core institutions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication. The primary purpose of this brief exchange was to request a telephone connection with White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. No further substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the preparation of the President's upcoming acceptance speech, specifically evaluating the writing contributions of John K. Andrews, Jr. and Aram Bakshian. Nixon expresses concerns over the overly religious and "sappy" tone of Andrews's drafts, mandating that he adopt a sharper style similar to Bakshian's. The pair decides to have Andrews adjust his approach to meet Nixon's requirements, with plans for him to join the President's team around the time of Ronald Reagan's scheduled visit.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request the assistance of his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. He specifically asked for her to be summoned to the Aspen Cabin. This brief administrative communication served to coordinate staff presence at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent connection with White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary step to bridge the President to his top aide for an unscheduled discussion. The call represents a routine logistical effort to maintain direct lines of communication between the President and his senior staff while residing at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the drafting process for the President's upcoming speech to Congress following his Soviet Union trip. They evaluate the collaborative dynamic between speechwriters John K. Andrews, Jr. and Raymond K. Price, Jr., noting that Andrews provides speed while Price offers greater experience and polish. Nixon decides to have Andrews join him at Camp David first for initial work, with Price scheduled to arrive the following day to assist with final revisions and organization.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate administrative communications while staying at the presidential retreat. The primary purpose of the brief exchange was to place a telephone call to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. This interaction reflects standard procedural efforts by the President to manage executive branch coordination while away from the Oval Office.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for an upcoming in-person meeting at Camp David. The brief exchange served to finalize the President's schedule for the evening. No substantive policy matters were discussed as the conversation was strictly limited to operational planning.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to First Lady Pat Nixon. The brief interaction served solely as a request for assistance in connecting the President to his wife. No substantive policy or political matters were addressed during this communication.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed security concerns regarding the upcoming Republican National Convention and the safety of the President's family. The President addressed potential logistical challenges and security threats, specifically pledging to secure protection for George C. Wallace. Additionally, they touched upon travel arrangements involving Robert H. Abplanalp’s plane and the use of military base facilities.
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 the necessary step to bridge the President to his senior aide. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request for telephonic assistance.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding the incorporation of his personal views on education reform into his forthcoming acceptance speech. Expressing frustration with standard platform rhetoric and the influence of the National Education Association, Nixon instructed Haldeman to bypass the Domestic Council if necessary to ensure his specific ideas and critiques were integrated. He emphasized a need to re-examine the education system while including supportive remarks about individual teachers.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. The brief exchange served exclusively to initiate this connection, reflecting the President's administrative efforts to reach his top aide while stationed at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the content for the President’s upcoming acceptance speech, specifically regarding education and busing. Nixon requested that Daniel P. Moynihan draft a provocative 700-800 word segment on education that challenges the educational establishment while limiting the busing section to avoid excessive focus on the topic. The President emphasized a concise speech length and requested to review input from Billy Graham while directing staff to avoid preparing lengthy, unnecessary analyses.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent connection to his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to enable further communication between the President and his top aide regarding ongoing White House business. No further policy or strategic matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon communicated with a Camp David operator to coordinate an upcoming telephone call with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. The operator informed the President that Haldeman was currently occupied on another line and would be connected as soon as he became available. This brief administrative interaction served solely to facilitate the transition to a pending discussion between the President and his senior advisor.
President Nixon directed H. R. Haldeman to ensure follow-up on an investigation involving Lawrence F. O'Brien, Jr. Nixon expressed concern that Treasury Secretary George P. Shultz might neglect the matter and emphasized the need for active oversight regarding the Internal Revenue Service's involvement. Haldeman committed to addressing the issue immediately following his recent consultation with John Ehrlichman.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a meeting with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. He issued a directive for the operator to instruct Haldeman to report to the Aspen cabin once he had finished breakfast. This brief interaction served solely to coordinate the President's schedule and staff movement at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to coordinate staff communication while the President was in residence at Camp David. No policy matters or substantive political topics were addressed during the exchange.
President Nixon contacted his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to request an additional copy of the foreign policy section prepared for his forthcoming acceptance speech. During the brief exchange, Woods confirmed the document contained 1,835 words. The interaction served to facilitate the President's final review and editing process for the address.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to Charles W. Colson. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with his Special Counsel. No policy matters or substantive discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon, Charles Colson, and Henry Kissinger discuss George McGovern's recent interview, in which the Democratic candidate advocated for a communist-dominated coalition government in South Vietnam. The participants express disbelief at McGovern's political strategy, labeling his comments as extreme and amateurish, while predicting that such rhetoric will alienate voters. Nixon encourages Colson to bolster Kissinger's morale following recent public attacks, viewing the opposition's focus on his aides as a sign of desperation.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with the Camp David operator to request that H.R. Haldeman be located. The President intended to notify his Chief of Staff that he was departing for the Aspen Cabin. This interaction served primarily as a logistical coordination of the President's movements while on the presidential retreat grounds.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate communication with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. He requested that Haldeman be located and directed to the President’s location at the Aspen Cabin. This brief exchange served solely as an administrative arrangement to initiate a direct consultation between the President and his senior aide.
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 a functional administrative request to bridge communication between the President and his senior aide. No substantive policy matters or political strategies were discussed during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman consulted regarding revisions to the President’s forthcoming acceptance speech. Nixon confirmed that he had implemented specific structural changes to the text and requested that Haldeman review the updated version for final approval. The two agreed to meet at Laurel Cabin to facilitate the review process.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed a proposal from Richard Goodwin to use figures like Eugene McCarthy or Edward Kennedy to communicate with the North Vietnamese regarding peace negotiations. Nixon dismissed involving Kennedy but agreed to have Kissinger potentially use McCarthy to emphasize the necessity of settling the war before the U.S. election. The two also addressed political strategies against George McGovern, refinements to the President’s upcoming acceptance speech, and their determination to reject calls for a unilateral bombing halt in Vietnam.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication through the Camp David operator to establish contact with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. The primary purpose of this call was to facilitate an immediate discussion regarding sensitive foreign policy or national security matters. This interaction served as an administrative bridge to connect the President with his key advisor.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator to coordinate scheduling with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. Upon learning that Kissinger was attending a hydrofoil ceremony, the President requested that Kissinger place a return call to him immediately upon his return. This brief administrative exchange ensured the President maintained direct contact with his advisor regarding pressing policy matters.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger consulted regarding the rhetoric and messaging for the President’s upcoming acceptance speech, specifically addressing the number of draft evaders in Canada and the terminology used to describe U.S. foreign relations with allies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. They further refined the language concerning the South Vietnamese military's defensive capabilities to ensure accuracy regarding the continued necessity of U.S. air support. Additionally, Kissinger provided a brief intelligence update on Soviet and Chinese attitudes toward the Vietnam War, noting that both nations are increasingly motivated to see a settlement reached.