Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 189
Nixon White House Tape 189 (May 17, 1972)
25 conversations · Camp David Hard Wire · about 1 hr 39 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Kissinger, Connally
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed political strategies regarding the stalling of administration nominees in the Senate, which Nixon proposed framing as an issue of congressional inaction. The two also reviewed foreign policy maneuvering, including Senate voting dynamics, and touched upon preparations for the President’s upcoming trip to the Soviet Union. Additionally, the conversation included a brief evaluation of George Wallace’s potential third-party threat in the 1972 election.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to John B. Connally. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary logistical step to connect the President with his former Treasury Secretary. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this short communication.
President Nixon and John Connally discussed political strategy for the 1972 election, focusing on the performances of George Wallace, Hubert Humphrey, and George McGovern in recent primaries. Nixon advised Connally’s brother to focus his campaign on the single issue of busing to gain electoral traction. The two also addressed personnel transitions within the Treasury Department, specifically emphasizing the importance of George Shultz retaining key staff like James W. Donley, and reviewed upcoming diplomatic travel plans for Connally.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to facilitate a series of return phone calls to key individuals. He specifically requested that the operator connect him with Dr. William M. Lukash, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and Henry A. Kissinger, in that order. This brief exchange served to organize the President's personal and official communications for the morning.
President Nixon consulted with his physician, Dr. William M. Lukash, regarding the medical prognosis of Governor George Wallace following his recent assassination attempt. Dr. Lukash advised that there was a high likelihood of paralysis, noting the unpredictability of Wallace's recovery. Nixon concluded the brief call by arranging to contact the governor later that day through the White House operator.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, held a brief check-in to coordinate family schedules and discuss personal matters at Camp David. The President updated Julie on the recovery of valet Manolo Sanchez and his upcoming trip to Key Biscayne, while also sharing positive public feedback regarding the recent redecoration of the White House Blue Room. They concluded by discussing upcoming travel plans and potential appearances for Julie and her sister, Tricia Nixon Cox.
President Nixon consulted with Henry Kissinger regarding the strategic objectives and logistical preparations for his upcoming summit in the Soviet Union. The discussion centered on managing diplomatic channels with Leonid Brezhnev and Andrei Gromyko, as well as coordinating official toasts and speeches for the Soviet audience. Additionally, they reviewed ongoing military operations in Vietnam, including the effectiveness of current air strikes and domestic political challenges posed by Congressional opposition to the war.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed preparations for the upcoming Soviet summit, emphasizing the need for brevity in speeches and strict control over the back-channel communication with Soviet leaders to avoid involving Secretary of State William Rogers. The conversation also touched on the ongoing Vietnam War, with Nixon reiterating his commitment to the recent mining and blockade operations and expressing frustration with domestic political opposition, particularly from Senator Mike Mansfield. Kissinger received guidance on managing negotiations and public appearances, as the two aligned on maintaining a firm stance regarding potential agreements before the summit.
President Nixon met with Beverly J. Kaye at Camp David to provide administrative instructions regarding the processing of his briefing materials. He requested that she review specific briefing books to transcribe paragraphs he had underlined and include any marginal notes he had added. The primary goal of this task was to create simplified, focused folders for the President's personal use, and Nixon encouraged Kaye to enjoy the amenities of the retreat during her stay.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to finalize logistical and rhetorical preparations for the upcoming Soviet Union summit, specifically focusing on speech guidelines and the efficient management of briefing materials. The discussion extended to 1972 election strategy, where Nixon emphasized the political necessity of adopting a strong stance on busing in key states based on George Wallace’s recent primary performance. Furthermore, they addressed ongoing frustrations with Senate opposition to Vietnam War policies and the need to maintain engagement with John Connally during his transition period.
President Nixon communicated briefly with the Camp David operator to facilitate an incoming telephone call. The exchange served as a logistical transition, allowing the President to connect with an unidentified party. No policy discussions or significant administrative decisions occurred during this brief request for line access.
President Nixon and Harry S. Dent discussed the political implications of the 1972 Democratic primary, specifically focusing on George Wallace’s unexpected success in Michigan and the potential for a GOP electoral victory. The two also addressed the logistics of a private presidential visit to Wallace following his recent injury, with Nixon expressing a desire to avoid press coverage. Finally, the President defended his recent decision to implement a naval blockade in Vietnam, asserting that it was a necessary and correct strategic move to bolster both South Vietnamese and American morale.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent phone connection with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. This brief interaction served as a procedural request to initiate high-level communication. The conversation reflects the President's reliance on White House operators to manage secure and immediate access to his key foreign policy advisor.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to refine the strategy and messaging for the President’s upcoming trip to the Soviet Union. Nixon provided specific revisions for his prepared speech, emphasizing the importance of anecdotal material and a focus on mutual respect rather than ideological rhetoric, while also reviewing plans for his itinerary and plenary sessions. Furthermore, Nixon expressed clear preferences regarding the structure of diplomatic meetings, insisting that cabinet members like Secretary of State William P. Rogers should not have separate, unscripted meetings with Soviet leadership to ensure a disciplined, protocol-driven approach.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum regarding his previous interactions with Nikolai Podgorny of the USSR during the funeral of Charles de Gaulle. The discussion focused on clarifying the accuracy of US intelligence reports concerning Soviet interest in meeting with the President. Nixon emphasized the need for the CIA to provide more precise assessments of these high-level diplomatic encounters.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a logistical step for the President to initiate further communication through the camp's switchboard. No significant policy decisions were reached during this exchange, which functioned primarily as a routine telecommunications task.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the political implications of George Wallace's recovery following the recent assassination attempt on his life. They deliberated over the timing and optics of a potential presidential phone call to Wallace at Walter Reed hospital, ultimately deciding to postpone any contact to avoid media scrutiny and negative associations. Additionally, the pair analyzed the broader political landscape, including the growing momentum of George McGovern’s primary campaign and the impact of Wallace’s potential absence on the upcoming Democratic convention.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The primary purpose of the brief interaction was to request that the operator place a call to a Dr. Dukash. No other substantive policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon consulted with his physician, Dr. Walter R. Tkach, regarding the medical status and transfer plans for Manolo Sanchez. Nixon directed Tkach to arrange for Sanchez’s convalescence in Florida following his medical treatment, emphasizing strict secrecy to prevent premature expectations or media attention. The President also discussed maintaining a discreet level of support by regularly expressing his well-wishes through Tkach without directly intervening in the hospital situation.
President Nixon communicated briefly with the Camp David operator via the facility's hard wire system. The exchange concerned logistical operations regarding the President's telephone connectivity from the Aspen Lodge. No substantive policy matters or major administrative decisions resulted from this short technical interaction.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the scheduling of a personal visit to an associate named Kash, who is currently hospitalized with an infection. Nixon evaluates the logistics of visiting the hospital via helicopter and requests that Haldeman coordinate with trusted Secret Service agents to assess landing site feasibility. Additionally, Nixon asks for his dog to be transported to Camp David to accompany him on walks during his stay.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study. The interaction was primarily administrative in nature, serving to facilitate necessary telephonic connections for the President. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategies to counter liberal media narratives by highlighting historical precedents of political violence under Democratic administrations. The two focused on shifting public discourse regarding political unrest and social issues like busing by utilizing targeted mailers to opinion leaders and editors. Nixon encouraged a more aggressive communication approach to challenge liberal rhetoric and influence the upcoming political climate.
President Nixon initiates a brief request to the Camp David operator to be connected with John Mitchell. The conversation serves solely as a logistical bridge to facilitate direct communication with the former Attorney General. No substantive policy matters or further details were discussed during this short exchange.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss current political developments, including Democratic primary trends and the potential impact of busing as a campaign issue. The conversation shifts to the administration's military strategy in Vietnam, with Nixon justifying the blockade and bombing campaigns as necessary measures despite the risk of canceling the Moscow summit. Nixon expresses confidence that these actions have improved domestic and South Vietnamese morale, maintaining that securing a favorable outcome in Vietnam is his overriding priority.