Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 155
Nixon White House Tape 155 (November 19, 1972 – November 23, 1972)
32 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 1 hr 9 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Woods, Eisenhower
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the reorganization of the administration for the upcoming second term, focusing on staffing key Cabinet and department positions. They deliberate on potential appointments, including Peter Brennan for Labor, Howard Callaway and George H.W. Bush for Commerce or other roles, and the consideration of Anne Armstrong for a Cabinet post to improve the administration's political image. Additionally, Nixon expresses his intent to prioritize strong leadership at the Department of Defense under Elliot Richardson and addresses personnel transitions involving Charles Colson, Robert Finch, and Donald Rumsfeld.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman briefly discussed the status of second-term administration reorganization and Cabinet appointments. Nixon informed Ehrlichman that he had already addressed these issues with H.R. Haldeman, rendering a more detailed discussion unnecessary. The brief call concluded with the President encouraging Ehrlichman to enjoy the weather at Camp David.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. The primary purpose of the brief exchange was to secure a direct line for administrative coordination. The operator acknowledged the request and proceeded to initiate the call to Haldeman on the President's behalf.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss strategies for removing key Republican officials, specifically RNC Chairman Bob Dole and political figures Peter Dominick and Bob Wilson, without the White House appearing responsible for the personnel changes. Nixon directs Haldeman to orchestrate external pressure by having party allies and state leaders publicly call for a full-time professional chairman, thereby creating a consensus that forces these individuals out gracefully. Additionally, the two touch upon a recent Life magazine cover featuring the President, which Nixon dismisses as a deliberate act of media sabotage, and they discuss organizing a public protest against the publication.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to arrange a telephone conversation with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. He explicitly instructed the operator to facilitate the call only after she had awakened, ensuring she would not be disturbed. This brief interaction served as a routine personal scheduling request during the President's stay at the retreat.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to an individual named Claudia Val in New York. The President directed the operator to retrieve Val's contact information, noting that it should be available on the operator's existing call list or through his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The conversation was limited to these logistical arrangements to establish communication with Val.
President Nixon consulted with Claudia Val to arrange potential entertainment and dining options in New York City for an upcoming trip involving political and legal business. The President requested recommendations for 'clean,' traditional entertainment, such as theater or sporting events, while explicitly excluding heavy or overly political performances. Val provided advice on high-end French restaurants and dining logistics for theater-goers, and Nixon instructed her to relay the final details to his military aide at Camp David.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request an outgoing call to his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. This brief communication served solely to facilitate administrative contact with a key staff member. No policy matters or substantive political issues were addressed during the brief interaction.
President Nixon directs Rose Mary Woods to notify his associates that his upcoming Florida trip will be delayed by one week to accommodate Henry Kissinger’s return from Paris and to coordinate with his Cabinet’s return from abroad. The two also discuss the impending resignation of U.S. representative Gordon H. Scherer, which stemmed from a disagreement with State Department instructions regarding a treaty for the protection of journalists. Nixon agrees to consult with George H.W. Bush on the matter and mandates that a congratulatory telegram be sent to West German Chancellor Willy Brandt regarding his electoral victory.
President Nixon consulted his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, to coordinate a family trip to New York City for the upcoming holiday weekend. The President planned to combine personal activities—including shopping, attending a Broadway show or hockey game, and visiting a church—with a visit to his former law firm and a symbolic trip to Brooklyn to acknowledge his performance in the 1972 election. Nixon delegated the logistical planning, including selecting entertainment and consulting with Tricia Nixon Cox, to Julie while he remained at Camp David to manage affairs surrounding Henry Kissinger’s return.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator in an attempt to place a telephone call while at Camp David. The exchange includes background audio of H. R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler discussing logistics regarding a scheduled Thanksgiving party. The interaction concludes without the successful completion of the intended call.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication with the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent contact. The primary objective of the call was to request that the operator connect him with a military aide. No further policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this administrative exchange.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to prioritize a telephone connection with domestic advisor John D. Ehrlichman. Consequently, he directed the operator to cancel a previously requested call to a military aide. The brief exchange served as a logistical adjustment to the President's immediate communications schedule.
President Nixon coordinates a meeting at Camp David with John D. Ehrlichman and George H.W. Bush. The President determines the logistics for the gathering, instructing Ehrlichman to bring Bush to the Aspen Lodge to facilitate their discussion. The brief call serves primarily as a scheduling coordination between the participants.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming family trip to New York and to coordinate the scheduling of political meetings at Camp David. The participants discussed hotel accommodations, the timing of a secretive meeting with Henry Kissinger to avoid premature press attention, and the importance of balancing Republican leadership presence at Camp David by inviting Barry Goldwater to meet alongside Nelson Rockefeller. Additionally, they reviewed progress on RNC personnel matters, including directives for John Mitchell to mobilize key committee staff.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Special Counsel Charles W. Colson. This brief interaction served solely as an administrative request to reach a senior staff member for further communication. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss administrative preparations for the second term, focusing on key appointments and the consolidation of political power. The two review potential candidates for federal positions, including the strategic placement of labor-aligned officials and the selection of George Webster for a high-level tax-related role. Furthermore, they address the 1972 election results and coordinate on a "counterattack" against political detractors while finalizing a major personnel reorganization involving the Departments of Defense, HEW, and the Office of Management and Budget.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal telephone call to his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The brief exchange served purely administrative purposes to connect the President with his family member. No policy matters or substantive political topics were discussed during this brief communication.
President Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower coordinate logistics for an upcoming trip to New York, agreeing to invite Charles "Bebe" Rebozo to join their party for the holiday weekend. The President outlines a travel schedule that includes returning to the White House after Thanksgiving dinner to accommodate his appointments on Friday morning before departing from Andrews Air Force Base. Julie agrees to manage the invitations and follow up with the President later that evening.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal telephone call to his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. The interaction was brief and served solely as a logistical request for the operator to connect him. No other administrative or political business was conducted during this exchange.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, engaged in a brief personal telephone conversation while the President was stationed at Camp David. The dialogue consisted entirely of private matters, as indicated by the withdrawal of the recorded content under personal returnable status. No substantive policy discussions or official administrative actions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to First Lady Thelma C. “Pat” Nixon. This brief interaction served exclusively as a logistical request to establish communication with Mrs. Nixon. No other substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this exchange.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon coordinated logistics for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and subsequent travel to New York. The discussion focused on scheduling the holiday dinner around football broadcasts and finalizing travel arrangements for their visit to the city, which included a planned stop at the President’s former law firm. They also confirmed the travel plans for family friend Bebe Rebozo to join them at the White House.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. H.R. Haldeman was present during the exchange, which served primarily as a logistical coordination for the President's communications. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this brief request.
President Nixon consulted his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate various scheduling matters and logistics regarding his upcoming travel and personal appointments. The discussion focused on confirming an appointment with his dentist, Dr. William O. Chase, and discreetly inquiring about the holiday operating hours of the Mudge, Rose, Gutherie and Alexander law firm in New York. Additionally, they reviewed travel arrangements involving Bebe Rebozo and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, as well as the status of meetings with Cabinet members.
President Nixon coordinated plans with Rose Mary Woods for a surprise visit to the Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander law firm in New York during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Nixon decided to have John Mitchell arrange the visit to ensure he could briefly greet the staff and senior partners without disrupting firm operations. Additionally, the President requested that Woods schedule a 9:00 a.m. appointment with his barber.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the logistics of second-term administration staffing, specifically confirming George H. W. Bush’s acceptance of the Republican National Committee chairmanship. The two men also strategized on managing Robert Dole’s transition and finalized plans to replace Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe. They determined that a firm, consistent policy of limiting domestic cabinet appointments to four years would be the primary justification for personnel changes.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The brief interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with a key member of his staff. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief bridge to the requested party.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the logistical risks surrounding a planned social event for Elmer Bobst at a New York law firm. Fearing disruptive protests due to the event’s location, Nixon decides not to attend, expressing concern that his presence would trigger a demonstration. They agree that Nixon will instead invite Bobst to meet with him privately during a separate visit to the firm, while suggesting that First Lady Pat Nixon attend the event in the President's place.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to place a telephone call to former President Lyndon B. Johnson. Recognizing that Johnson was currently hospitalized, Nixon expressed confidence that the former president would still be available to speak. The primary objective of the request was to facilitate direct communication between the two leaders.
President Nixon called former President Lyndon B. Johnson at his Texas ranch to exchange Thanksgiving greetings and inquire about Johnson's recent hospital visit. The two discussed the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, with Nixon emphasizing his commitment to achieving an honorable settlement that would validate the efforts of both administrations. Nixon promised to have Henry Kissinger provide Johnson with a personal update should a breakthrough occur, and the two concluded by arranging for a visit from Bebe Rebozo to cheer up the former president.
An unknown individual attempted to place a telephone call through the Camp David operator from the study table. The attempt was unsuccessful and resulted in an aborted connection. No substantive discussion occurred during this brief interaction.