Conversation: 276-011
Prev: 276-010 Next: 276-012Start Date: 10-Sep-1971 4:31 PM
End Date: 10-Sep-1971 6:15 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Rumsfeld, Donald H.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); [Unknown person(s)]; Butterfield, Alexander P.;Recording Device: Old Executive Office Building
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:54:29
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 02:03:52
NARA Description:
On September 10, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Donald H. Rumsfeld, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, unknown person(s), and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 4:31 pm to 6:15 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 276-011 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 276-11
Date: September 10, 1971
Time: 4:31 pm - 6:15 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with Donald H. Rumsfeld and H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
The President's speech, September 9, 1971
-Congressional response
-Unknown Congressman
-Election
-Television
-[Phase II]
-Timing of announcement
-Peter G. Peterson
19
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
-Congressional spending
-October 7, 1971
Reform
-Disadvantages
-Timetable
-Announcement
-Consultation
-Meeting dateline
-Difficulty
-Effect on businesses
Rumsfeld
-Charles W. Colson
-Gallup poll
-Relationship with George H. Gallup
-Colson
-Harris poll
-Progress report
-Rumsfeld's previous meeting with Howard H. Baker, Jr.
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Privacy]
[Duration: 40s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO.9
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 10s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
20
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
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Public Affairs
-Sammy Davis, Jr.'s performance at the Sands
-Members of the audience
-Ronald V. Dellums
-Richard [?] Hatcher
-Alan Cranston
-Davis's remarks on drug laws
-Davis's remarks about the President
-James F. (“Jimmy”) Durante
-Durante's remarks about the President
-Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo
-Attitude
-The President's new supporters
-Davis
-Durante
-Durante's possible performance at the White House
-Blue Room
-Durante's age
-Events before start of campaign and convention
-Durante
-Performance at the White House
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 12m 14s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
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Social events
-Charles H. Percy's call to Rumsfeld
-Gen. C. William Westmoreland and James Henry Van Alen
21
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-White House tennis court
-Tennis game
-Van Alen
-Development of new scoring system [VASSS]
-Reception
-Age
-White House tennis court
-Effect of White House visit
-Photograph
-The President's acquaintance
-New York City
-Socializing
-Alen
-Percy
-Social relationship
-Possible trip for Percy
-National Governors Conference
Public affairs
-Mitchell
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew's speech
-Mitchell
-Agnew's appearance
-Governor's conference
-Robert J. Dole
-Rumsfeld's schedule
-Speaking engagements
-Las Vegas
-Length of stay
-Puerto Rico
-University of Illinois
-Tulane
-Senator Henry L. Bellmon
-Oklahoma
-National Conference of University Presidents
-Student body presidents
-Washington, DC
-Number attending conference
-Washington, DC
-The President's previous meeting with members of Conference
-Meeting at White House
22
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-1969
-Representative group
-Student body's presidents
-Presidents of universities and colleges
-Meeting in Washington
-Rumsfeld's speech
-University presidents
-Administration
-Education
-Speaking engagements
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10
[Personal Returnable]
[DURATION: 4s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10
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-Birmingham, Alabama
-Business group
-Mississippi
-Speech
-Press coverage
-Television
-Support
-Government
-Speaking invitations
-Speechwriting
-Amount expended
-Difficulty
-Unknown local or state problems
-White House organization
-Channels
-Presidency
-Suitable events for speaking engagements
-Speaking invitations
-Colson's staff
23
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Scheduling
-Processing
-Assignment
-Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] speech
-Las Vegas
-National associations
-National association
-Rumsfeld, Robert H. Finch
-Suitable for speaking engagements
-Colson
-Organization
-Speaking invitations received by the President
-Generating other speaking engagements
-Other speakers
-Maurice H. Stans
-Business group
-Television
-Mitchell
-Speaking ability
-Newsworthy
-Mitchell's recent speech on crime
-John B. Connally
-Rumsfeld
-Finch
-Television
-George W. Romney
-Television
-Rumsfeld
-Speechmaking
-Constant practice
-Cabinet Committee on Narcotics
-Europe
-Lobby
-Speaking
-Involvement
-Credibility
-Portfolio connotation
-Finch, Rumsfeld
-Public appearances
-Importance of a portfolio
-Contents
24
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Credentials
-Counsel to the President
-Property Review Board
-National news
-Foreign economic policy group
-Future meetings on economy
-Rumsfeld's involvement in speech circuit
-Counsel to the President
-Member of Cabinet
-Rumsfeld's presence at events
Youth
-Speeches
-Criticism
-Democratic majority
-Appointment
-Cabinet minister for youth
-Special White House youth job
-Speeches for youth
-Need for content to make sense to youth
-Issues that appeal to youth
-Issues
-Foreign policy
-War
-Diplomatic moves
-Employment
Speechwriters
-Raymond K. Price, Jr.
-Richard K. Cook
-John K. Andrews, Jr.
-John J. McLaughlin
-Quality of speechwriting
-The President's speech, September 9, 1971
-Price
-Assistance to Rumsfeld
Speeches
-Knowledge of subject
-Newsworthy remarks
-Television shows
25
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Speaker with expertise on subject
-Newsworthy
Rumsfeld's schedule
-Upcoming speeches
-Miami
-Indiana
-Des Moines
-Michigan
-New Orleans
-Dallas
-Georgia
-Detroit
-Birmingham
-Oklahoma
-Washington, DC
-Rumsfeld's staff
-Preparation for speaking engagements
-Group
-Program
-Other speaking guests
-Schedule
-Reaction
-Finch
-Speaking engagements
-Nationwide and in California
Questions and answers [Q&A] staff
-Development
-Circulation of Q&A books
-Rumsfeld's turn
-Answers
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Abilities
-Answers
-Answers
-Q&A books
-Buchanan's work
-Use of government for information
Melvin R. Laird
26
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Spokesperson role
-Department of Defense
-Congress
-Politician
-Speaking engagements
-Non-partisan groups
-Opportunities
-1960 campaign
-Secretary of Defense
-World travels
-Using Laird as speaker
-Information
-Clark M. Clifford
-Politics
-Congress
-Democratic
-Laird as spokesperson during forthcoming campaign period
National defense
-Laird
-Right wing issue
-People's Republic of China [PRC], defense
-Polls
-American public
-US position in world
-US compared to the Soviet Union
-Superiority in defense
-Laird
-Right wing
-Reassurance
-1960 campaign
-John F. Kennedy
-Missile gap issue
-Henry M. ("Scoop") Jackson
-Nomination
-Democratic candidate
-"Dove" ticket
-Defense
-Social issue emphasis
-Bomb
-Democratic Party
27
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Withdrawal of US troops
-Excess fund
-Sophisticated weapons
-Relief for ghettoes
-Proxmire-Harris proposal
-Mansfield proposal
-Michael J. Mansfield
-Total withdrawal of US troops
-Matter of conviction
-Defense budget cuts
-Laird's role
-Department of Defense [DOD]
-Conservatives
-Haldeman's relation with Laird
-Republicans
-Conservative group
-Conservative group
-Defense capability
-US compared with the Soviet Union
-Laird
-DOD
-Budget
William P. Rogers
-The President's previous conversation with Haldeman
-Use of Rogers as speaker
-College campuses
-Secretary of State
-Speeches
-Activists
-Secretary of State
-Lutheran [?] convention
-Further speaking engagements
-Campuses
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Professor
-Rogers
-Type of colleges
-Type, size of audience
-Seminar-type setting
-Closed-circuit television
28
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Effects of appearance
-Target audience
-John D. Ehrlichman's theory
-Political activism
-Administration's concerns
-Princeton University
-Kissinger
-Guest lecturer
-Seminars
-Votes
-Bigger audiences
-Q&A
Administration spokesmen
-College campuses
-Kissinger and Rogers
-Administration's foreign policy
-Publicity
-Size of crowd
-Publicity
-Kissinger
-Rogers
-Press
-News
-Kissinger
-Appearance at college campus
-Rogers
-Secretary of State
-Public opinion
-Impression of the President
-Apathy
-White middle class
-Presidential candidate
-Relationship with youth
-Guilt complex
-Blacks
-Indians
-Mexicans
-Catholics
-Jews
-White Protestants
29
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Jews
-Jews in administration
-Intellectuals
-Chicago
-New York City
-Democrats
-Middle East
Youth
-The President's visit to college campuses
-As Vice President
-Attention of the office
-College campuses
-Rogers
-Meeting with undersecretaries
-As voter blocs
-Whites
-Parents
-Blacks
-Jewish
-Elderly
-Percentage
-Parents
-High schools
-Non-college youth
-Eligible to vote
-18-year old voters
-Voting requirements in US history
-Voting Rights Act
-Property
-Taxpayers
-Slaves
-Blacks
-Voting
Speeches
-Congressmen
-Support for the President
-Economy
-Fight unemployment
-Fight inflation
30
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Numbers
Rumsfeld's schedule
-State dinner
Rumsfeld left at 5:34 pm.
William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-Luncheon
-Inclusion in invitation of mother, Mrs. W F. Graham
-Age
-Situation
-Invitation
Kissinger's schedule
-Vietnam
Trip to the People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-Groundwork
-October trip by Kissinger
-Press contingent and coverage
-The President's meeting with Kissinger
-Media coverage of trip
-Television
-Public viewing of the President's trip to the PRC
-Duration
-Film coverage compared to live coverage
-Time difference
-Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
-Great Wall of China
-John W. Chancellor
-The President's trip to the PRC
-Visual coverage
-Benefits to President
-Live coverage
-Transmission
-Equipment necessary
-Transmitter tower
-Personnel need for installation
-Time of arrival
-Film coverage
31
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Tape
-Satellite
-Press corps
-Number
-Network television
-PRC
-Kissinger
-Permission for live coverage
-Soviet Union in 1959
-Kitchen Debate
-Censors
-PRC stance
-Kissinger
-Administration's need
-Size of press corps
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Broadcast
-Wire services
-Columnists
-Members of press corps
-Theodore H. White
-Book
-Press
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
-Peter Lisagor
-Charles W. Bailey
-Coverage of trip
-Life in PRC
-Crews
-Transmission problems
-PRC communication systems
-Coverage
-Kissinger’s forthcoming efforts
-Press Corps
-Size of Corps
-Wire services
-Syndication
-Networks
-Cronkite, Chancellor
-Crews
-Howard K. Smith
32
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
-Size of Press Corps
-Television broadcast
-Newspapers
-Foreign press
-The PRC’s decision
-Kissinger
-Agenda
-Press Corps
-The President's possible entourage
-Astronaut
-Analogy
-Circus
-Trip to the Soviet Union
-Milton S. Eisenhower
-Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
-Trip to the PRC
-Rogers, Kissinger
-Department of State
-Assistants
-Other members in the President's entourage
-Communications staff
-Composition
-Equity
-PRC trip compared to European trip
-Substance
-Cabinet members
-Unknown person
-PRC
Schedule
-The President's meeting with college and student body presidents group
-Q&A
Haldeman talked with an unknown person at an unknown time after 5:34 pm.
President’s schedule
-Meeting with college and student body presidents
[End of conversation]
33
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 7
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 57s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 7
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The President's schedule
-Meeting
-Time
-Treasury Department
-Meeting
-Cost of Living Council
-White House
-Cabinet Room
-Time
-Treasury
-Cabinet Room
-Time of meeting
-Meeting with the President
-Time
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Purpose of meeting
-Announcement of program
-Consultations
-The President's press conference
-Economy
-General audience
-The President's trips
-PRC
-Rumsfeld
-Pentagon Papers
-Effect of events on public opinion polls
-Economy
-Supreme Court decision
34
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)
Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 5:57 pm.
Visit of Takeo Fukuda
-Japanese press
-Japanese delegation
-The President's meeting with Fukuda
Kissinger
-Peter G. Peterson's memos
-Attachments
-Kissinger
-The President's review of memos
Report
-Meeting between Ambassador David M. Kennedy and Fukuda
Butterfield left at 6:01 pm.
Meeting with Fukuda
Appointments
-Secretary of Commerce
-Rumsfeld
-Peterson’s position
-Peter M. Flanigan
The President's schedule
-Fukuda’s visit
-Adele (Langston) Rogers
-Patricia R. Mosbacher
-Mrs. Nixon
-Oval Room
Speech
-Price
-William L. Safire's draft
Haldeman left at 6:15 pm.
35
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 276-11 (cont.)