Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 153
Nixon White House Tape 153 (November 13, 1972 – November 18, 1972)
58 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 2 hr 35 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Kissinger, Woods, Colson
President Nixon held an informal telephone conversation with Alice Roosevelt Longworth to discuss the aftermath of the 1972 presidential election and the status of ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. The two reflected on the intense rhetoric used by Democratic opponents during the campaign and celebrated the President's landslide electoral victory. Nixon also shared an update regarding the progress of Alexander Haig's recent diplomatic mission to Saigon, expressing confidence that the Vietnam situation was proceeding as planned despite criticism from the press.
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 request to establish a telephone connection between the President and his top aide. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics of their upcoming meeting at Camp David. The two discussed the presence of Charles Colson and agreed that Haldeman would join the President once other guests had departed. This brief exchange served to clear the President’s schedule for a private debriefing session.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical request to initiate a high-level discussion regarding ongoing foreign policy matters. The exchange highlights the standard procedure Nixon employed to manage secure communications while stationed at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the recent warming of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, highlighting Beijing's conciliatory tone regarding Vietnam and its willingness to influence the situation in Cambodia. Kissinger reported on his recent meeting with Chinese officials, who expressed strong anti-Soviet sentiment and reassured the U.S. that their growing ties with Japan would not undermine American military interests. The two men also strategized on how to address South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu’s security concerns regarding North Vietnamese troop presence, focusing on the use of diplomatic language to uphold principles without derailing the ongoing peace negotiations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to Mamie Eisenhower. The President requested that the operator locate her at either the Eisenhower farm or in Washington, D.C. This brief exchange served as a logistical request to establish communication with the former First Lady.
President Nixon and Mamie Eisenhower shared a brief, informal telephone conversation in which Eisenhower offered birthday wishes and congratulations on the President’s landslide 1972 election victory. Nixon discussed his transition work at Camp David, specifically noting the heavy burden of preparing federal budgets and new appointments. The two also coordinated plans for an upcoming theater outing involving Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Pat Nixon.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson, who was currently traveling in Tel Aviv. The President emphasized his availability to receive the call at any time, signaling an intent to communicate with the Senator regarding pressing legislative or foreign policy matters. The conversation was limited to the technical coordination required to establish this international connection.
President Nixon and Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson discussed Jackson’s upcoming diplomatic tour through Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, during which Jackson agreed to convey the President's regards to foreign leaders including Golda Meir and the Shah of Iran. The conversation also addressed Nixon’s second-term reorganization plans, specifically regarding personnel appointments and the restructuring of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Jackson offered his support for these efforts, promising to coordinate with Henry Kissinger regarding a list of recommended personnel changes and potential new appointments.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to public opinion researcher Albert E. Sindlinger. The President instructed the operator to obtain the necessary contact information from the office of special counsel Charles W. Colson. This brief coordination was intended to establish direct communication with Sindlinger for an unspecified purpose.
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 reach a key staff member while the President was stationed at Camp David. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon coordinates with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to arrange for Bebe Rebozo to visit Camp David earlier than planned to provide company during a busy period of staff meetings. Nixon expresses a desire to avoid dining with staff during his current series of consultations with Vice President Agnew and John Connally. Additionally, Nixon declines an invitation from Washington Redskins coach George Allen to attend a football game, citing his focus on second-term reorganization plans and a preference to avoid public appearances before Thanksgiving.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discussed recent personal social visits, including the Coxes' trip to the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. The President also requested that Tricia coordinate with Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower to oversee the renovation and redecoration of the White House third-floor solarium into a more comfortable family room. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the President's current workload at Camp David and included disparaging remarks regarding the political character of George McGovern following the 1972 election.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to Thomas W. "Teddy" Gleason. Nixon requested that the operator obtain the necessary contact information from Charles W. Colson's office to initiate the communication. This brief exchange served as a logistical administrative step to connect the President with the labor leader.
President Nixon attempted to initiate a telephone call with labor leader Thomas W. 'Teddy' Gleason from Camp David. The operator informed the President that Gleason was unavailable due to his travel schedule and delays caused by severe flooding in the New York City area. Nixon acknowledged the situation and instructed the operator to place the call whenever Gleason returned to his office.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a direct line of communication with his Chief of Staff. The primary purpose of this brief interaction was to initiate a call to H. R. Haldeman. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate the scheduling of meetings at Camp David, specifically planning a session for Patrick J. Buchanan to discuss future work assignments. The two agree to move Buchanan's visit to the following day to better align with the President's schedule, which includes a morning meeting with Vice President Spiro Agnew. Additionally, Nixon requests that Haldeman locate and forward draft form letters intended for post-election campaign acknowledgments.
President Nixon spoke with International Longshoremen’s Association leader Thomas W. Gleason to express gratitude for the support of maritime unions during the 1972 presidential election. Gleason congratulated Nixon on his landslide victory, specifically praising the President’s handling of the Vietnam War in contrast to his Democratic opponents. The conversation concluded with Nixon requesting that Gleason extend his thanks to the union staff for their political contributions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to establish a line of communication between the President and his advisor. No further substantive policy matters or political strategies were discussed during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discussed post-election strategies for cementing the 'New Majority' and solidifying support from labor leaders, Democrats, and ethnic voters who backed Nixon's reelection. They reviewed the final vote tallies and coordinated a campaign of personalized correspondence and outreach efforts, including leveraging invitations to White House events and Kennedy Center boxes. Additionally, they analyzed George McGovern's post-election behavior, viewing his continued involvement in Democratic party affairs as a strategic advantage that would alienate mainstream Democrats and labor leaders from the Democratic party.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his National Security Advisor, Henry A. Kissinger. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to establish a direct line between the President and Kissinger during Nixon's stay at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed, as the exchange was limited to arranging the connection.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss coordinating an unofficial visit to the Soviet Union for Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward Cox, utilizing Kissinger's communication with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin to facilitate arrangements. The two also confer on the administrative logistics of an upcoming press briefing at Camp David, where Ronald Ziegler will announce the resumption of Vietnam peace negotiations. Additionally, Nixon requests Kissinger’s prompt review of a forthcoming letter addressed to South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The brief interaction served exclusively as a logistical request to establish this communication link. No further substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed during the exchange.
President Nixon and his secretary Rose Mary Woods coordinate her travel to Camp David to assist with the drafting and processing of personalized thank-you letters following the 1972 election. The President emphasizes the urgency of reaching out to labor leaders and Democrats to maintain political support, noting that current draft forms are inadequate. Nixon instructs Woods to arrange transportation via helicopter with Jack Brennan to ensure she arrives the following morning to finalize these communications.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic request through the Camp David operator to establish a connection with his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. This communication serves as an administrative effort to facilitate a high-level briefing or consultation with a key staff member. The primary action taken during this interaction is the facilitation of a private line to ensure Nixon could communicate directly with Colson.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed potential appointments for the administration's second-term reorganization, specifically focusing on the Secretary of Commerce position. They weighed the merits of James Cleary versus former Boston mayor John Collins, with Nixon expressing a preference for Collins due to his business community ties and political utility in Massachusetts. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for navigating labor relations with George Meany and Frank Fitzsimmons, and agreed to monitor Democratic Party infighting rather than intervening in public criticisms of George McGovern.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. The primary purpose of this brief administrative exchange was to initiate communication regarding matters of state. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief request for connection.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the delivery and strategic framing of a letter addressed to South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, intended to pressure him into accepting current peace terms. The conversation focuses on Thieu's ongoing stalling tactics and the potential, though undesirable, option of the United States pursuing a separate, bilateral settlement with North Vietnam if Thieu remains obstructionist. Both men analyze the diplomatic breakdown between the U.S. embassy and Saigon, ultimately agreeing to maintain pressure on Thieu while acknowledging the significant risks associated with unilateral U.S. withdrawal and the future of regional stability in Laos and Cambodia.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to First Lady Pat Nixon. The brief interaction served strictly as a logistical request to connect the President with his wife. No policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed administrative and social preparations for the upcoming 1972 holiday season. They coordinated plans for Thanksgiving, decided on strategies for managing post-election correspondence and Christmas cards, and reviewed staffing in the White House Visitor's Office. Additionally, the President provided guidance on shifting social outreach efforts away from the local D.C. area toward a broader national audience.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate an outgoing telephone call to Hobart D. "Hobe" Lewis. The President provided the operator with the recipient's name and specified his location in New York to facilitate the connection. This brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to establish communication with Lewis.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to facilitate phone calls to key contacts. Upon learning that Hobart D. Lewis was unavailable due to travel in the Soviet Union, the President pivoted and requested to be connected to Norman Chandler in Los Angeles. This interaction reflects the administrative process of managing the President's personal and political correspondence while at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon coordinated a return phone call with an individual identified as Mr. Chandler. The operator informed the President that Chandler would be arriving at his office within thirty minutes. Nixon authorized the operator to have Chandler return the call once he became available.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, held a personal telephone conversation to discuss family matters, upcoming inaugural preparations, and White House renovations. The President shared updates on his electoral vote margins, the progress of facility improvements at the White House and Key Biscayne, and the receipt of a private gift intended for his daughters. They also discussed plans to refurbish the White House solarium to create a more functional and aesthetically pleasing living space for the family.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with H. R. Haldeman. This brief administrative call served as a request to place a telephone connection to his Chief of Staff. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for a meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to discuss second-term administrative reorganization. The two also arranged for an immediate working session with John Ehrlichman to review the latest iteration of the presidential appointments list. These discussions served to prepare the administration's staffing strategy following the recent election.
President Nixon called media executive Norman Chandler to offer well wishes regarding Chandler’s ongoing health struggles and recent surgery. During the conversation, Chandler congratulated the President on his 1972 reelection victory, prompting Nixon to reflect on the historical importance of the Los Angeles Times’ early support for his political career. The two also discussed the status of Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, with Nixon committing to write a note encouraging Annenberg to remain in his post to help alleviate political pressure.
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 step to bridge the President to his top aide for an unscheduled discussion. No other substantive policy matters were addressed during this call.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the pending departure of Secretary of State William P. Rogers and the subsequent reorganization of the State Department for the second administration term. Haldeman reports on concerns raised by Henry Kissinger regarding the transition and the hiring of new personnel. Nixon asserts that he will personally oversee all senior appointments to ensure staff loyalty and insists that the terms of Rogers's departure be finalized, emphasizing the critical need for confidentiality to prevent premature leaks.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the potential restructuring of executive appointments and diplomatic portfolios for the second term. The conversation centers on the feasibility of Peter G. Peterson’s new role, specifically regarding the impracticality of combining East-West trade duties with European Economic Council responsibilities. Consequently, Nixon instructs Haldeman to have George Shultz propose merging the EEC and NATO ambassadorships into a single, unified position.
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 an urgent request to initiate communication with a key member of the White House inner circle. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request for logistical assistance.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the administrative restructuring of the upcoming second term, specifically focusing on the roles of George Shultz and Peter G. Peterson. Nixon directed Haldeman to coordinate with Shultz to assign Peterson special responsibilities related to East-West trade and European affairs. This arrangement was intended to maximize Peterson’s utility by leveraging his expertise across these overlapping policy domains.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an official phone call. The primary purpose of the communication was to request that the operator connect him with Bryce N. Harlow. No further policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection to his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical bridge to initiate a private consultation between the President and his senior advisor. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated a brief, private meeting at the Dogwood cabin to discuss an upcoming afternoon appointment with Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. The President sought to consult with Haldeman regarding the substance of the Laird meeting before it took place. Haldeman agreed to the request and prepared to head to the cabin immediately following his lunch.
President Nixon and Bryce Harlow discussed organizational strategies for the administration's second term, focusing on the planned departure of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and a broader restructuring of White House staff. Nixon proposed appointing Laird as the new Republican National Committee chairman to lead a reorganization of party political operations, intending to shift partisan activities away from the White House. The conversation also touched upon the necessity of staff turnover to revitalize the administration, with Nixon confirming the pending departures of several key personnel, including Herbert Klein, Donald Rumsfeld, and Charles Colson.
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 step to bridge the connection between the President and his top aide. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange beyond the successful initiation of the call request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the administration's second-term reorganization, specifically focusing on managing the departures and status of Cabinet members and White House staff, including William P. Rogers and Charles Colson. Nixon instructed Haldeman to pressure Rogers to accept new terms for his continued tenure as Secretary of State and to push for Colson’s exit while maintaining a facade of presidential loyalty. Additionally, Nixon directed Haldeman to reprimand Henry Kissinger regarding potential leaks of classified SALT negotiation materials found in a manuscript by a Brookings Institute associate.
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 initiate a subsequent high-level discussion. No further substantive policy matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon directed H.R. Haldeman to initiate a direct, firm conversation with Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding the administration's second-term reorganization. Nixon provided a specific briefing on the status of various cabinet members, including the departures of George Romney, John Volpe, and James Hodgson, as well as the retention of George Shultz and Richard Kleindienst. Furthermore, the two discussed concerns raised by the First Lady and family regarding potential negative press coverage of the transition, ultimately concluding that the public reaction to the President's recent interview with Jack Horner had been positive.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with Patricia B. McKee. The brief communication served solely as a logistical instruction to facilitate this personal or professional call. No other substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this exchange.
President Nixon initiated a brief, informal telephone call to Patricia B. McKee while she was attending a dinner at Laurel Lodge. The purpose of the contact was to check on the quality of her evening rather than to conduct official business. Nixon concluded the conversation by stating that he would provide her with routine work assignments the following morning.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to Ann Duggan in New York City. He instructed the operator to coordinate with the White House switchboard to retrieve the necessary contact information. This administrative exchange served as the preparatory step for completing the outgoing call.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to Paul W. Keyes, a television producer and frequent associate. The President requested that the White House operator connect him to Keyes, who was located in Los Angeles at the time. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to bridge communication between the President and Keyes.
President Nixon calls Paul W. Keyes to extend an invitation for an upcoming post-Thanksgiving getaway at Mermaid Key with Robert Abplanalp and Bebe Rebozo. The two briefly discuss the President's recent landslide election victory, with Nixon noting that his electoral margin surpassed that of Lyndon B. Johnson. Keyes commends the tone of Nixon's victory remarks, and they finalize logistical plans for their Florida trip.
President Nixon attempted to place a telephone call to Ann Duggan, but the Camp David operator reported that she could not be reached at either her New York or California residences. After receiving confirmation that there was no answer at both locations, the President instructed the operator to abandon the effort. No further action was taken regarding the call.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The conversation was strictly administrative, serving solely as a request to connect with a senior staff member. No policy matters or further substantive discussions were conducted during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed media strategy regarding the administration's upcoming second-term reorganization and the President's personal involvement in critical policy negotiations. Nixon clarified that his brief return to Washington was for personal matters and to work on sensitive documents in the Lincoln Sitting Room, rather than to hold formal meetings. They coordinated on messaging to portray the reorganization as an orderly, thoughtful process meant to reenergize the government, while actively countering negative press perceptions of the administration as "heartless." Furthermore, Nixon provided instructions on how to frame his upcoming work on Vietnam and SALT II negotiations to emphasize his personal oversight of technical details.