Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 239
Nixon White House Tape 239 (January 6, 1973)
10 conversations · Camp David Hard Wire · about 37 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Eisenhower, Colson, Kissinger, Rebozo
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the need for a more aggressive, combat-oriented strategy to counter partisan Democratic attacks in Congress regarding the Vietnam War. Nixon expresses frustration with his administration's perceived weakness in public relations and congressional relations, specifically criticizing staff members for failing to effectively message his administration's foreign policy goals. Consequently, Nixon tasks Colson with assembling a more combative team to push back against the media and political opposition while investigating potential unauthorized leaks from within the administration, including those involving Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon met with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, at Camp David to discuss his personal schedule and upcoming commitments. During the brief interaction, the President apologized for a delay in their meeting. The conversation primarily focused on coordinating plans for dinner.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator from the Aspen Lodge to request assistance with a phone call. This brief interaction served a purely administrative purpose to facilitate the President's telephonic communications while at the retreat. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon directs Henry Kissinger to take an icy, confrontational stance with Senator Mike Mansfield regarding congressional interference in Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon tasks Kissinger with informing Mansfield that his legislative actions have jeopardized the potential for an honorable peace and forced the President to consider a national televised address to hold Congress accountable. This strategy aims to shift public blame toward Senate Democrats for any future failure in the ongoing peace talks.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to establish communication protocols for reaching a specific individual. The discussion focused on identifying viable contact methods, specifically determining whether the party could be reached via radio or if a standard telephone line was required. No substantive policy matters were addressed, as the conversation served purely as a logistical coordination for an outgoing call.
President Nixon invited his close confidant Bebe Rebozo to Camp David for the upcoming weekend to celebrate Nixon's birthday with movies and social time. The two discussed logistical arrangements for Rebozo's travel, including the use of a courier or helicopter to bypass potential inclement weather. Additionally, they briefly inquired about the well-being of a mutual acquaintance named John before concluding the call.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with an individual identified as Mr. Hogan. He provided specific instructions to reach Hogan at home but to avoid interrupting him if he was out to dinner. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical request to facilitate a direct communication.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the importance of consolidating their administration's public relations strategy and vetting key personnel to ensure a proactive, rather than defensive, stance against political opponents. The conversation touches on the necessity of coordinating staff efforts, including press secretary Ron Ziegler, to manage the administration's messaging following the recent campaign. Nixon also reviews internal congressional maneuvers, specifically regarding Republican leadership appointments, and instructs Haldeman to focus on building a reliable team capable of defending administration initiatives.
Julie Nixon Eisenhower and First Lady Pat Nixon met privately at the Aspen Lodge in Camp David. The discussion, which was redacted due to its personal nature, involved no recorded policy deliberations or official government business. The conversation remains restricted to personal family matters, reflecting the private interactions of the First Family.
Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met at Camp David to discuss personal matters. Due to the withdrawal of the recording's content under deed of gift restrictions, no substantive political or administrative details are available. The segment remains limited to private family discourse.