Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 142
Nixon White House Tape 142 (September 13, 1972)
9 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 7 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Colson, Haldeman, Cox
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to establish communication between the President and his top aide. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request for external connection.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator regarding an incoming telephone call from his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. Nixon declined the operator’s offer to interrupt the line or facilitate an immediate connection. He directed the operator to have Haldeman call him back at a later time.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategic adjustments to the President's upcoming campaign itinerary to maximize media impact and crowd optics. Nixon proposed adding a stop at an Indianapolis monument to leverage his ties to the Midwest and secure favorable television coverage, weighing this against the scheduled event at Rio Grande High School. The two agreed to evaluate the trade-offs in national versus regional coverage to ensure a stronger public display of support compared to George McGovern.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal telephone call to his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. The conversation was strictly administrative, serving solely as a request to connect the President with his daughter. No further policy or political matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discussed her upcoming campaign schedule and travel logistics. They reviewed her planned appearances, including a visit to the Leah Rose Residence for Senior Citizens in Nashville and a meeting with students at Vanderbilt University. The conversation also touched upon her husband Edward Cox’s recent interaction with Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo ahead of the Mayor's scheduled meeting with the President.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate an urgent telephone call to Charles W. Colson. This brief communication served solely as a logistical request to facilitate a private discussion between the President and his special counsel. No further substantive policy matters or tactical decisions were discussed during this interaction.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discussed 1972 re-election strategy, specifically focusing on framing the contest as a referendum on voter trust and confidence. They evaluated the performance of Agriculture Secretary Earl L. Butz in defending the administration against George McGovern's accusations regarding the Soviet grain deal. Nixon and Colson concluded that McGovern’s perceived lack of sincerity and consistency would ultimately alienate voters, leading them to prioritize a campaign strategy centered on the President's perceived stability over reactive partisan attacks.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to White House special counsel Charles W. Colson. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary logistical step to connect the President with his advisor. The call highlights the President’s reliance on internal staff operators to manage his communications while stationed at Camp David.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson engage in a detailed strategic assessment of the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on the perceived weaknesses and political challenges facing George McGovern. They analyze McGovern’s campaign mechanics, including his struggles with endorsements, media coverage, and the influence of Ted Kennedy, while contrasting these with Nixon’s own electoral strategies. The conversation serves as an analytical exercise to identify vulnerabilities in the Democratic platform and to optimize the effectiveness of the Nixon reelection effort.