Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 188
Nixon White House Tape 188 (May 18, 1972)
14 conversations · Camp David Hard Wire · about 42 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Butterfield, Kaye, Kissinger
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study to handle routine telecommunications logistics. The brief interaction focused on facilitating necessary administrative connectivity for the President during his stay at the retreat. No substantive policy discussions or major strategic decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate a secret visit to Walter Reed Hospital, discussing the logistics of avoiding public attention during the stop. The President also reviews plans to include a long-time associate in his official party, citing the individual's counsel and political alignment. They finalize the travel sequence for the upcoming trip, ensuring Secret Service coordination for the unscheduled hospital visit.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield at Camp David to coordinate his immediate schedule and review administrative documentation. The discussion addressed the logistics of incoming briefing materials, including Kissinger’s reports and news wires, while also covering the strategic delay of the black lung bill involving John Mitchell. The two finalized the President’s upcoming departure arrangements and handled a confidential tape recording.
President Nixon met with Beverly J. Kaye at the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David to discuss logistical details regarding the President's schedule. The conversation focused on coordination concerning an unidentified male individual and his location. No further substantive actions or policy decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon communicated with a Camp David operator to address an issue regarding a missing or improperly positioned communication link. The discussion centered on the status of a specific wire or equipment connection that was not currently functional. No broader policy or administrative developments resulted from this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discussed the administration's protocol for responding to incoming correspondence, including letters and telegrams from VIPs and other supporters. Nixon directed Haldeman to ensure that official replies were being processed for these communications. The President also briefly considered drafting a personal acknowledgment to an individual regarding their vote on the Bird Amendment, though he expressed some hesitation about the political optics of such a move.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David telephone operator from the Aspen Lodge study to handle routine administrative or logistical matters. This brief interaction utilized the Camp David hard wire system, reflecting the President's standard communication procedures while working from the retreat. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discussed the political strategy for managing public perception following recent foreign policy developments. Haldeman suggested capitalizing on positive editorial commentary and poll data, specifically highlighting themes of presidential strength and resolve. The conversation served to reinforce the use of favorable media framing to bolster the administration's image.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger at Camp David to dictate memoranda regarding administrative management and foreign policy strategy. The discussion focused on establishing editorial accountability during absences, coordinating leaks through Richard Helms to counter negative reporting on North Vietnam, and planning a high-profile diplomatic trip for John B. Connally to Latin America and the Pacific. Nixon directed his staff to finalize recommendations for the Connally mission and strategic communication efforts by the end of the week.
President Nixon directed John Ehrlichman to prepare for a pivot toward a constitutional amendment regarding busing legislation, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in Congress. Nixon argued that the administration's current, more moderate proposal was ineffective and that an amendment would provide a clear ideological battleground against the eventual Democratic presidential nominee. Ehrlichman was instructed to task staff with drafting the amendment for a potential rollout by September or shortly before the Republican National Convention.
President Nixon directed Charles Colson to reorganize administration lobbying efforts to better mirror the aggressive, direct-action tactics used by anti-war radicals. Nixon argued that congressional members were increasingly susceptible to pressure and instructed Colson to coordinate with Clark MacGregor to deploy proactive delegations to secure legislative commitments. The President emphasized that this shift from traditional mail and phone campaigns to face-to-face, intensive lobbying was essential to influence members of Congress effectively.
President Nixon directed H. R. Haldeman to assign a research staffer to compile a comprehensive dossier documenting the various 'smear' campaigns launched against the administration. This memorandum was intended to catalog vicious attacks found in books, films, pamphlets, and political statements by members of Congress. Nixon envisioned this research as a strategic resource to be utilized by administration surrogates if political criticism intensified later in the year.
This brief recording captures an unidentified individual speaking with an unknown participant at the Aspen Lodge in Camp David. The exchange consists of a mundane logistical request regarding the location of an unspecified item. Due to the limited nature of the surviving audio, no substantive policy or historical information can be discerned.
Technical staff, including Kenneth T. McLenden, conducted maintenance and operational testing of communication equipment at the Aspen Lodge at Camp David. The participants coordinated the relocation of specific hardware and performed telephone connectivity checks to ensure system reliability. The session concluded with routine audio testing and internal scheduling discussions regarding staff leave.