Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 191
Nixon White House Tape 191 (May 18, 1972)
18 conversations · Camp David Hard Wire · about 1 hr 2 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Shultz, Woods
President Nixon met with an unknown female individual at the Aspen Lodge study to discuss the logistics of securing a door latch. The brief exchange focuses on technical or maintenance-related concerns regarding the facility's hardware. No broader policy or administrative developments resulted from this minor interaction.
President Nixon initiates a brief communication via the Camp David operator to request a connection with Chuck Coulson. The exchange serves exclusively as an administrative bridge to facilitate a subsequent conversation with a key staff member. No substantive policy discussions or decisions are recorded during this brief operator-assisted call.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political fallout and public relations surrounding the recent assassination attempt on George Wallace. They evaluate the administration’s response to Wallace’s injury, the impact of busing as a political issue, and strategies for maintaining a strong stance on the ongoing bombing campaign in Indochina. Nixon emphasizes his intent to avoid appearing to back down in the face of international criticism, reinforcing a firm diplomatic line regarding the Soviet Union.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection to the Parliament. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate an external communication. No substantive policy discussions or complex administrative decisions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met at Camp David to coordinate upcoming logistical arrangements, including travel security and media management for a planned public appearance. They discussed avoiding a large press caravan at Walter Reed by opting for an alternative landing site and streamlined their schedule for meetings with political leaders and the press. Additionally, the pair strategized on diplomatic gift-giving, specifically determining that the exchange of a hydrofoil with the Soviet government should be presented as an official state gesture rather than a personal transaction.
President Nixon consulted with a staff member at Camp David to ensure that a gift jacket intended for Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy F. Dobrynin was the correct size. The discussion confirmed that a replacement jacket had been moved to the cabin to accommodate the Ambassador ahead of an upcoming luncheon. This logistical exchange served to finalize arrangements for the gift prior to the President's scheduled meeting with the Soviet official.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the Camp David operator to facilitate telecommunications from the Aspen Lodge. The conversation served as a functional check of the facility's hard wire connection system. No substantive policy matters or historical developments were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the potential public relations fallout regarding the exchange of high-value gifts between the United States and the Soviet Union. Nixon emphasizes the need to frame the situation by highlighting the reciprocal nature of the gift-giving—specifically the trade of a Soviet hydrofoil for an American car—to mitigate concerns about ostentatiousness. The President instructs Haldeman to consult with staff to craft a narrative that frames these exchanges as balanced and diplomatic rather than extravagant.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study to facilitate an outgoing telephone call. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or decisions were recorded during this connection.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the logistics and potential public relations fallout of providing a Cadillac to Soviet officials. Nixon recalls past efforts to introduce American industrial goods to the Soviet Union and suggests that General Motors should donate or fund the vehicle to avoid the appearance of using taxpayer money. The President emphasizes the importance of avoiding government expenditures on the gift to mitigate potential criticism.
President Nixon advises George Shultz on the reorganization of his staff and the management of his new department, emphasizing the need for fresh perspectives and independent aides. Nixon encourages Shultz to recruit outside advisors, such as Milton Friedman, to foster new ideas and urges him to begin planning tax reform initiatives immediately rather than waiting for the next legislative session. The President grants Shultz broad autonomy to manage his team and administrative appointments as he sees fit.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study to facilitate an external telephone communication. This brief exchange served administrative purposes, functioning as a routine request for operator assistance to connect the President to another party. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss logistical preparations and travel concerns ahead of an upcoming trip to Moscow. The conversation shifts to the difficulties of funding support staff and personnel for official travel, specifically noting that government funds cannot cover these expenses for certain individuals. Nixon directs Woods to coordinate with other staff to finalize these arrangements, emphasizing the need for external financing.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to enable communication while the President was stationed at Aspen Lodge. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discuss the logistics of Earl Mazo's travel arrangements and potential financial concerns. The two evaluate whether Mazo can be justified for a "cut rate" or subsidized travel, considering Herb Klein's interest in the matter. They ultimately resolve to address the ambiguity of the financing through further coordination with Xavier.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic request through the Camp David operator to be connected with an individual identified as Mr. Jackson. This exchange serves strictly as an administrative call to facilitate communication with a specific party. No further policy discussions or significant decisions occur during this brief operator-assisted connection.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon coordinate personal logistics and wardrobe preparations for an upcoming trip to Iran. The couple discusses the expected weather conditions to determine appropriate clothing requirements, specifically the need for both lightweight and heavier attire. Additionally, the President briefly mentions his daily routine at Camp David, including his swimming schedule and social engagements with staff members.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and H.R. Haldeman met at Camp David to coordinate strategy for the upcoming Moscow summit and address domestic concerns regarding Vietnam and institutional opposition. Kissinger detailed the successful navigation of complex negotiations with the Soviet Union, including the SALT agreement and various bilateral accords, emphasizing the necessity of Nixon's personal oversight in achieving these breakthroughs. The group also discussed the logistics of upcoming television addresses and public diplomacy, while Nixon expressed deep frustration with the Ivy League establishment and anti-war critics, vowing to shift federal funding away from resistant institutions.