Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 157
Nixon White House Tape 157 (December 6, 1972 – December 10, 1972)
41 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 3 hr 3 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Colson, Haldeman, Kennedy
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to the Apollo 17 astronauts. He specifically requested to speak with Commander Eugene A. Cernan at 9:30 pm, confirming that the entire crew would be available together for the conversation. This interaction served as a logistical arrangement to establish official contact with the crew during their final lunar mission.
President Nixon held a phone conversation with the Apollo 17 crew—Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt—at Camp David to offer his well wishes before their upcoming mission. The discussion touched on the significance of the final moon landing, the roles of the individual crew members, and the importance of the mission to the nation. Nixon also briefly discussed his ongoing efforts regarding Vietnam peace negotiations, while the crew expressed their support for his second term.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with his special counsel, Charles W. Colson. The brief exchange served strictly as a logistical request to initiate this private communication. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political fallout and public relations strategy surrounding an impasse in the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. While Henry Kissinger advises the President to deliver a televised address to rally public support, both Nixon and Colson express concern that such a move would unnecessarily escalate the war as a domestic issue and potentially signal weakness to the North Vietnamese. Ultimately, they decide to maintain a firm stance and avoid a major public statement, concluding that the American public is generally satisfied and would prefer to avoid further drama regarding the conflict.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to inquire about the arrival status of his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The operator agreed to investigate the request immediately to facilitate communication between the President and his daughter. This brief exchange served as a logistical coordination effort to locate a family member at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator regarding the arrival schedule of his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. Following the confirmation that her arrival was delayed until the next day, Nixon requested to be connected to his other daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. The brief exchange served exclusively to coordinate logistics for family communications and visit planning.
President Nixon held a brief phone conversation with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, and his wife, Pat Nixon, while staying at Camp David. The call touched on family travel preparations, including Edward Cox's recent bar exam results, and logistical planning for the 1973 inaugural events. Additionally, the President and Mrs. Nixon discussed minor administrative matters regarding White House office aesthetics, specifically the lighting requirements for photography and the search for a new, comfortable office chair.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. The brief exchange served as a routine administrative request to establish communication with a senior advisor. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this specific interaction.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the scheduling and coordination of events for the 1973 inauguration, specifically focusing on functions for family members. The President directs Haldeman to ensure that Stephen Bull or the relevant staff clearly communicate the planned itinerary to First Lady Pat Nixon, including the proposed Sunday afternoon reception. The objective is to confirm the schedule for Mrs. Nixon so she remains informed of the events while minimizing her personal involvement in the planning logistics.
President Nixon requested that the Camp David operator confirm the locations of Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird and Secretary of State William P. Rogers. He specifically sought to verify if both officials were attending a NATO conference, while explicitly noting he did not wish to speak with either of them. The President directed the operator to consult the National Security Council staff to resolve the inquiry and call him back with the information.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to confirm the current location of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Secretary of State William Rogers. The operator verified that both officials were in Brussels at the time of the inquiry. This brief exchange served to track the whereabouts of key cabinet members during a period of ongoing international diplomatic activity.
President Nixon initiates a telephone call through the Camp David operator to reach Congressman Gerald R. Ford. The brief exchange serves as a logistical bridge to connect the President with Ford for further discussion. No substantive policy matters are addressed in this transit communication.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald Ford discussed the upcoming reorganization of the Republican National Committee and the administration’s cabinet. Nixon confirmed that George H.W. Bush would be appointed as RNC Chair to replace Robert Dole, while Ford provided updates on managing internal party friction regarding other leadership roles, specifically balancing regional representation. The two also addressed personnel shifts, including the transition of John Volpe to Ambassador to Italy and the difficulty of vetting candidates for high-level government positions due to background check concerns.
President Nixon initiates a phone call from Camp David to request a direct connection with Colonel Richard T. Kennedy. This brief interaction serves as a logistical bridge to facilitate a subsequent conversation with the National Security Council staffer. No substantive policy discussions occur during this short exchange with the operator.
President Nixon and Col. Richard T. Kennedy discuss strategies regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations led by Henry Kissinger in Paris. Nixon rejects Kissinger's inclination to break off talks and initiate a dramatic, long-term bombing campaign to secure the release of prisoners of war, citing the potential for damaging Congressional relations and the inability to guarantee South Vietnam's survival through such an escalation. Instead, Nixon directs Kennedy to draft a message instructing Kissinger to pursue a reasonable settlement and keep negotiations open, while ensuring that the U.S. minimum conditions—such as a withdrawal clause—are clearly placed on the record.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic request to the Camp David operator to summon H. R. Haldeman to Aspen Lodge. The call serves as a logistical directive to facilitate an immediate in-person meeting between the President and his Chief of Staff. No further policy matters are discussed during this administrative exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Colonel Richard T. Kennedy. This brief administrative exchange served as the precursor to a substantive discussion between the President and the Colonel. The conversation concluded with the operator processing the requested call to ensure the two parties could be connected.
President Nixon directed Colonel Richard T. Kennedy to draft guidance for a message to Henry Kissinger regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. The President expressed a preference for testing "minimum conditions" in a settlement agreement to secure the release of American prisoners of war, weighing this against Kissinger's inclination to break off talks and resume bombing to increase pressure on North Vietnam. Nixon and Kennedy discussed the strategic risks of these approaches, ultimately deciding to formalize these instructions for further review and editing.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman. The primary purpose of this brief telephone exchange was to secure a direct line to his senior advisor. This call reflects the administrative process Nixon utilized to manage his inner circle while stationed at Camp David.
President Nixon coordinated an upcoming meeting at Camp David with H. R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman. The primary purpose was to organize a sequence of consultations, first meeting privately with his staff and subsequently conferring with Col. Richard T. Kennedy. Haldeman confirmed the arrangement, ensuring the President's schedule and the briefing order were firmly established.
President Nixon initiated a telephone call from Camp David through the operator to reach speechwriter and aide Raymond K. Price, Jr. The primary purpose of the brief exchange was to facilitate communication with his staff during his retreat. No further substantive policy matters were recorded in this brief logistical interaction.
President Nixon consulted with a Camp David operator to determine the current location of aide Raymond K. Price, Jr. After learning that staff had been unable to reach Price, the President issued a direct order to cancel his meeting scheduled for the following day. This brief exchange reflects the President's administrative management of his schedule while at Camp David.
George P. Shultz and John D. Ehrlichman discussed personnel matters regarding the second-term administration reorganization, specifically noting that Arnold R. Weber declined potential appointment offers. The pair reviewed a request from Samuel R. Pierce, Jr. to serve as a circuit court judge after completing his current Treasury duties, rather than accepting an ambassadorship. Additionally, they addressed a request for a presidential pardon for William R. Ming, Jr., a Chicago lawyer facing tax fraud charges, which Ehrlichman agreed to refer to John W. Dean, III.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative call via the Camp David operator to establish communication with Charles W. Colson. The interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with his special counsel. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed administrative appointments, media relations, and political strategy at the end of 1972. They analyzed the favorable public reaction to the appointment of Labor Secretary Peter Brennan and planned to leverage that success to boost support among ethnic and working-class demographics. Additionally, the two reviewed the positive impact of 1972 campaign advertisements, discussed the tragic death of Dorothy Hunt, and strategized on ways to weaken the influence and credibility of the press, particularly CBS and the 'establishment' media.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call with Charles W. Colson. After being informed of Colson's whereabouts at Princeton University, the President instructed the operator to have Colson reach out to him as soon as he became available. This brief exchange served as an administrative arrangement to establish communication between the President and a key advisor.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political fallout of the 1972 election, focusing on the ongoing leadership instability within the Democratic National Committee. They analyze the impact of Nixon's campaign strategy and his cultivation of a centrist coalition, contrasting this success with the perceived political obsolescence of the McGovernites. The pair also touches on the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, public optimism regarding the national economy, and the diminished presence of radical campus protests.
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 solely as an operational request to connect the President with his key advisor. No substantive policy matters or further political discussions were addressed during this specific communication.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed logistics regarding Alexander Haig’s upcoming arrival and the President’s return to Washington. They reviewed the uncertain status of Democratic National Committee leadership following John Connally's assessment of potential internal voting shifts. Additionally, the pair strategized on integrating Julie Nixon Eisenhower into the administration's second-term public relations operations by creating a formal role that avoids direct press responsibilities.
President Nixon consulted with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, regarding the procurement of a specific wine that the President favored. During the brief exchange, Nixon expressed his preference for this particular selection over the red wine he had previously consumed and confirmed that Sanchez had already placed an order for additional cases. The conversation served to address personal logistical arrangements for the President's hospitality needs at Camp David.
President Richard Nixon and his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, spoke via telephone while the President was stationed at Camp David. The discussion served as a routine communication between the President and a member of his domestic staff regarding administrative or personal logistics. No official policy decisions were recorded during this brief exchange, as the transcript remains unavailable for public review.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, engaged in a casual, personal interaction while spending time together at Camp David. The conversation centered on the progress of a leisure activity or game, likely a sport or card game, as evidenced by their discussion of ongoing scoring. No significant policy decisions or official business were addressed during this informal exchange.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, briefly discuss a televised football game while at Camp David. The conversation focuses on the lopsided score and the President's casual commentary regarding the nature of the blowout. No policy matters or official business are addressed during this informal exchange.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, held a brief personal exchange while at Camp David. The conversation primarily served as an informal interaction between the two family members as they coordinated their immediate plans. No substantive policy matters or official business were addressed during this short segment.
President Nixon consulted with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, while at Camp David. The brief exchange concerns routine logistical or personal arrangements, though the specific substance remains undocumented due to the limited available record. No significant policy decisions or historical developments were recorded during this segment of the conversation.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, engage in a brief, personal interaction at Camp David during a period of apparent emotional distress. The President provides instructions regarding the placement of items in the study and offers words of comfort to Sanchez. No formal policy decisions are addressed, as the exchange focuses entirely on the President's support for his staff member.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, discuss an unspecified matter involving the police. Nixon explicitly instructs Sanchez not to proceed with contacting law enforcement. The exchange serves as a brief directive regarding the handling of a sensitive or logistical issue.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, engaged in a private telephone conversation while at Camp David. As this segment of the recording is restricted under a deed of gift, the specific substance of their discussion remains unavailable for public review. The interaction reflects the personal nature of their communications during the President’s working retreats at the presidential compound.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, engage in a brief, informal exchange at Camp David. The conversation consists of a short, cryptic discussion involving references to figures such as 'Mister Kennedy' and the 'coroner Kennedy.' No substantive policy decisions or administrative actions are recorded in this fragment.
President Nixon initiates a telephonic request to the Camp David operator to connect him with Colonel Richard T. Kennedy. This brief interaction serves as a logistical bridge to facilitate communication with a key member of the National Security Council staff. No substantive policy discussions occur during this short exchange beyond the placement of the call.
President Nixon and Colonel Richard T. Kennedy discuss a communication strategy regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon approves a message for Henry Kissinger that commends his recent negotiating performance while emphasizing the critical importance of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) issue. The two also coordinate the arrival of Alexander Haig, scheduling a follow-up meeting at Camp David to discuss developments with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin.