Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 147
Nixon White House Tape 147 (October 7, 1972)
12 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 1 hr 4 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Colson, Ziegler, Haldeman
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Deputy Assistant, Alexander P. Butterfield. The brief exchange served as an administrative request to initiate this specific communication. No further policy or substantive matters were discussed during this brief connection.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield coordinated the delivery of revised drafts for an upcoming speech. Butterfield clarified the status of documents being prepared by speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. and a critical memorandum from John D. Ehrlichman. Nixon directed that all versions and accompanying feedback be consolidated and sent together rather than piecemeal, opting to review the final materials the following morning.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to White House special counsel Charles W. Colson. The exchange served exclusively as a logistical request to establish communication with a key staff member. No policy discussions or substantive developments occurred during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed campaign strategy, specifically criticizing the lack of aggressive television advertising regarding Vietnam, the amnesty issue, and prisoners of war. Nixon expressed frustration with the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP) for failing to target George McGovern’s vulnerability on these topics, insisting that McGovern’s policies amounted to a sellout to communists. Colson agreed to pressure campaign staff to produce new advertisements and ensure that upcoming public appearances by administration officials hit these issues hard to keep McGovern on the defensive.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Press Secretary, Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to initiate a direct line of communication with his senior staff member. No policy matters or substantive political discussions took place during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss media strategy for the 1972 campaign, focusing on the handling of upcoming radio speeches and a proposed one-on-one interview request from Walter Cronkite. The two analyze the political efficacy of George McGovern’s recent attacks and conclude that his confrontational rhetoric and delivery style are proving counterproductive with the public. They also weigh the risks and benefits of granting exclusive television access, ultimately deciding to proceed cautiously to maintain favorable media positioning while avoiding premature exposure of tax reform policies.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection. The primary purpose of this brief exchange was to request a call be placed to Charles W. Colson. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this connection attempt.
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 an intermediary step to coordinate internal White House communications. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the success of Nixon’s recent radio address on federal spending and the strategic advantages of using radio to bypass television media and speak directly to voters on key issues. They coordinate further radio broadcasts to target specific demographics, including farmers and supporters of private schools, while maintaining an offensive stance against George McGovern. Additionally, they discuss ongoing campaign tactics, including the dissemination of rumors regarding polling data to disrupt the McGovern camp and the need to aggressively frame McGovern’s positions on Vietnam and welfare as dangerous to the national interest.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield confer regarding final adjustments to the President's upcoming schedule. They determine that Donald Rumsfeld will attend the Quadriad meeting to observe the discussion on economic controls. Additionally, Nixon approves a request from Charles Colson to grant a photo opportunity to Bill Marsh of the American Society of Association Executives to facilitate positive outreach to their membership.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the strategic use of radio speeches to communicate directly with voters and counter criticism that the administration was avoiding policy substance. Nixon expressed satisfaction with the success of a recent radio address and directed his staff to prepare additional speeches on topics such as agricultural policy, welfare, and private school aid to contrast with George McGovern's campaign style. Additionally, they reviewed plans for television advertising, with Nixon authorizing the aggressive use of campaign spots highlighting McGovern’s positions on Vietnam and amnesty.
President Richard Nixon engaged in a personal telephone conversation with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, while at Camp David. The discussion was entirely private in nature, as indicated by the withdrawal of the content from the public record for being personal and returnable. No political, administrative, or substantive policy matters were recorded as part of the public historical transcript.