Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 199
Nixon White House Tape 199 (August 12, 1972 – August 13, 1972)
15 conversations · Camp David Hard Wire · about 22 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Nixon
President Richard M. Nixon met with his family and his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, at the Aspen Lodge in Camp David. The discussion functioned as an informal, private gathering during a weekend retreat. No policy decisions or significant political actions were recorded, as the conversation primarily served to facilitate personal interactions between the President, his family members, and his staff.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The brief exchange focused exclusively on logistical coordination for placing an outgoing call. No policy discussions or significant political decisions occurred during this interaction.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the logistical arrangements for transporting staff and family members, specifically his children David and Julie, via helicopter from Camp David. The conversation addresses the protocol for managing the press presence during these departures to ensure order. Additionally, the pair briefly touches upon the need to caution an associate, referred to as John, regarding the behavior of an undisciplined individual named George.
President Nixon gathered with First Lady Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and valet Manolo Sanchez at the Aspen Lodge for a brief informal meeting. The discussion primarily consisted of personal family matters, as reflected by the fact that the majority of the recording was withdrawn from the public record due to its private nature. No official policy decisions or political actions were recorded during this session.
President Nixon held a brief administrative exchange with the Camp David operator while at the Aspen Lodge. The discussion was limited to routine operational logistics regarding the facility's communication services. No significant policy decisions or substantive political developments occurred during this short interaction.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss political strategy regarding HUD Secretary George Romney and the administration's campaign efforts. The President directs Ehrlichman to initiate opposition research on the financial contributors and supporters of Democratic opponent George McGovern. Nixon emphasizes that this vetting process must be conducted discreetly by a small team of government personnel to uncover potential scandals or compromising associations before the October campaign deadline.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative communication with the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study. The interaction functions as a routine logistical check facilitated by the facility's hard wire taping system. No substantive policy discussions or significant political developments are recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with John D. Ehrlichman at Camp David to conduct internal administrative business. The discussion remains largely inaccessible as the transcript is undefined and reflects a withdrawn item. No substantive policy developments or decisions can be discerned from this one-minute exchange.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative call with the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study. The interaction focuses on routine logistical coordination regarding telecommunications at the retreat. No policy decisions or substantive political developments occur during this short exchange.
President Nixon consulted with a Camp David operator regarding the status of a specific individual and a potential communication. The brief exchange focused on verifying the whereabouts of this individual and determining whether to defer contact. Ultimately, the President decided to postpone the communication to a later time.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge study. The interaction was primarily administrative in nature, focusing on telephonic connectivity and logistical coordination at the presidential retreat. No substantive policy discussions or major political developments were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the logistics for Henry Kissinger’s upcoming diplomatic travel to Saigon and Tokyo. The discussion touches upon recent political critiques from Cyrus Vance and Averell Harriman regarding administration policy. Nixon emphasizes the need for strategic silence during the upcoming week to manage public expectations and avoid distracting from the party platform.
President Richard Nixon met with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, during a private session at Camp David. As the audio contains a withdrawn segment categorized as personal, no substantive policy matters or official developments were recorded. The brief interaction serves primarily as a record of familial engagement within the presidential residence.
President Nixon initiated a brief contact with the Camp David telephone operator from the Aspen Lodge. This interaction served a functional purpose to facilitate telecommunications during the President's stay at the retreat. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed in this exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss public relations strategies regarding Office of Management and Budget official Frank Carlucci and the necessity of proactively managing media narratives. The two emphasize the importance of providing robust PR support for administration officials to counter accusations and maintain credibility. They agree on a cautious, strategic approach to releasing information to ensure that public charges are effectively addressed without prematurely spoiling their messaging.