Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 156
Nixon White House Tape 156 (November 27, 1972 – November 29, 1972)
23 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 60 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Brennan, Houphouet-Boigny, Cox
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication with the Camp David operator to request an outgoing call to his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman. This administrative interaction reflects the President's reliance on operator assistance to facilitate direct contact with key staff while residing at the presidential retreat. No policy matters or substantive political discussions were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed personnel planning for the second-term administration reorganization, specifically focusing on diplomatic appointments and the retirement of senior officials. Haldeman reported on his recent phone consultations with Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding potential changes and the anticipated resistance from individuals like U. Alexis Johnson. To expedite these staffing decisions, Nixon requested that Haldeman and John Ehrlichman meet with him immediately at Camp David before his scheduled meeting with Richard Kleindienst.
President Richard M. Nixon held a telephone conversation with President Félix Houphouet-Boigny of the Ivory Coast to mark the inauguration of a new satellite communications station. The leaders discussed the economic progress of the Ivory Coast, the importance of fostering global peace, and their mutual commitment to continued cooperation. During the call, President Nixon expressed his personal admiration for Houphouet-Boigny’s leadership and extended an invitation for a future meeting to further strengthen bilateral relations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal phone call to his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. The interaction served as a brief administrative request to connect the President with his daughter. No substantive policy matters or political issues were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon speaks with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, to provide guidance on planning her upcoming international trip and to discuss pending White House residence renovations. The President instructs Tricia to work with Alexander Haig’s staff to coordinate her itinerary for visits to the Middle East and the Soviet Union, explicitly authorizing the trip and offering to review the finalized plans. Additionally, they discuss the status of kitchen remodeling and third-floor work at the White House, with the President emphasizing that funding is available for these necessary updates.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. This administrative interaction served as a logistical step to enable direct communication between the President and his top foreign policy aide regarding ongoing affairs. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief request for assistance.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone communication through the Camp David operator to request a call with his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman. This exchange reflects the standard administrative procedure required for the President to maintain contact with his senior advisors while at the presidential retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman spoke to coordinate their schedules and align on priorities before the conclusion of the afternoon’s agenda at Camp David. The discussion served as a brief administrative bridge to ensure both men were prepared to address outstanding business items. No specific policy decisions were finalized during this exchange, as it primarily functioned to facilitate upcoming deliberations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his close confidant, Charles G. "Bebe" Rebozo. The brief exchange served strictly as an administrative request to place this personal call. No substantive policy discussions or further developments occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon tasks his close friend Bebe Rebozo with calling Paul Keyes to postpone their planned visit to Florida. The President explains that he must prioritize upcoming meetings with Henry Kissinger and George Shultz at Camp David to manage ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Rebozo agrees to handle the rescheduling, emphasizing that the President’s travel is contingent upon the successful conclusion of these high-level diplomatic discussions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to Robert H. Finch. The request was initiated at the behest of H. R. Haldeman. The exchange served primarily as a logistical step to connect the President with his advisor.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to George H.W. Bush. The primary purpose of the conversation was to initiate communication with the Ambassador. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to Charles W. Colson. This interaction served primarily as a logistical request to establish communication with a key White House aide. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the final phase of staffing for the second presidential term and political strategy following the 1972 election. They review the successful appointment of Peter J. Brennan as Secretary of Labor and coordinate personnel planning for cabinet and subcabinet positions, specifically targeting Catholic, Democratic, and minority representation. Additionally, the President tasks Colson with working alongside H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to develop a strategic game plan for political operations and administration retention during an upcoming visit to Camp David.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to inquire about the status of a pending phone connection. This brief interaction reflects the logistical arrangements and communication management required while the President was working from the Camp David retreat. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon consulted with George H.W. Bush to secure his commitment to serve as the new Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Nixon outlined a delicate strategy to replace the incumbent, Bob Dole, by framing the transition as a necessary change to a full-time chairmanship to ensure Dole's graceful exit. The President instructed Bush to coordinate closely with John Ehrlichman and H.R. Haldeman regarding the timing of the announcement and emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified front with party leadership, including Gerald Ford, to finalize the appointment.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. This brief administrative exchange served as the necessary logistical step to initiate a high-level policy consultation. No further substantive discussions occurred between the President and the operator during this brief communication.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinate strategy for an upcoming meeting with South Vietnamese representatives regarding the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon emphasizes the need for a "tough" and "brutal" stance to ensure the South Vietnamese adhere to the proposed schedule and final agreement. They discuss the potential for a future meeting between Nixon and President Thieu, ultimately deciding to resist pressure for such a summit unless it is contingent upon Thieu's guaranteed cooperation.
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 matters were discussed during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the transition of George H. W. Bush from his role as UN Ambassador to Chairman of the Republican National Committee. The discussion focused on managing Robert Dole’s potential resistance to the leadership shift, with Nixon directing Haldeman to use a firm approach to ensure a seamless succession by the 20th of December. They also strategized the timeline for public announcements and transition periods to avoid conflicts with ongoing Middle East negotiations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate official communication. The primary purpose of the brief interaction was to place a telephone call to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate adjustments to the President’s daily schedule to ensure sufficient time for upcoming diplomatic and political meetings. Nixon explicitly mandates extending the duration of a meeting with South Vietnamese representatives and postpones a session with black administration officials to 5:00 p.m. for strategic optics. The call concludes with the confirmation of a brief subsequent meeting with Dr. W. Kenneth Riland.
President Nixon attempted to initiate a telephone call through the Camp David operator with H. R. Haldeman present in the background. The call was ultimately aborted before any substantive discussion or official business could be conducted. Consequently, no specific policy decisions or significant developments resulted from this brief technical interaction.