Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 291
Nixon White House Tape 291 (October 13, 1971 – October 18, 1971)
22 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 1 hr 52 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Kissinger, Sanchez, Ehrlichman, Eisenhower
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss logistical planning and delegation size for the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized the necessity of significantly reducing the size of the accompanying press corps and security details to maintain a streamlined operation. The conversation also touched upon Kissinger's upcoming schedule in Chicago, including efforts to promote administration accomplishments and manage domestic political optics.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a personal telephone call to his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The brief interaction focused entirely on establishing this connection. No substantive political or administrative matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon briefly spoke with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, in his office. The conversation was informal, touching on the day's events and a baseball game, specifically the Pittsburgh Pirates' victory. No significant policy discussions or decisions were made during this short personal call.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The primary purpose of the brief interaction was to place an outgoing call to his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. No other substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this communication.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, held a brief meeting to debrief following a social engagement with guests. They exchanged pleasantries regarding the visitors, whom they identified as Spanish, and discussed plans for a future visit to a library. The conversation concluded with Nixon expressing the need for a narrative regarding a specific item or event.
President Nixon consulted with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, regarding Sanchez's travel plans to New York. The President advised Sanchez to postpone his departure until the following day to stay overnight, effectively adjusting his schedule. Additionally, Nixon requested that Sanchez bring the President's dog, King Timahoe, to the office.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, discuss the behavior and well-being of the President's Irish Setter, King Timahoe. During the brief interaction, they confirm the dog's whereabouts after he had wandered off, reflecting on his preference for staying inside the office. The conversation concludes with a request to keep the door open to accommodate the dog's movement.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the political optics and strategic value of demonstrating support for a key ally. The conversation centers on a planned diplomatic trip, which they agree will project strength and resolve, particularly regarding the role of the Secretary of the Navy. Nixon confirms his support for this approach, viewing the potential international visit as a significant opportunity to reinforce administration policy.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative contact with the White House operator to request an urgent telephone connection to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. This exchange served solely as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with his key foreign policy aide. No further policy discussion or substantive decision-making occurred during this specific interaction.
President Nixon briefly coordinates travel logistics with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, before engaging in a broader strategic discussion with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. The conversation with Kissinger touches upon delicate international relations, focusing on reactions to upcoming presidential travel and the management of sensitive diplomatic intelligence involving Moscow and North Korea. Nixon emphasizes the importance of utilizing highly capable personnel to navigate these complex geopolitical challenges.
President Nixon, John Mitchell, and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on upcoming Supreme Court nominations, specifically evaluating candidates like Lewis Powell, William French Smith, and Herschel Friday. They discussed the complications of appointing a woman to the Court, focusing on the potential for the American Bar Association (ABA) to deem a female candidate unqualified, which the President sought to avoid to prevent political backlash. Ultimately, Nixon decided to prioritize the nomination of Lewis Powell, aiming to finalize the selection while managing the ABA's evaluation process through Mitchell's liaison, Lawrence Walsh.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the potential forced resignation of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and the administrative details surrounding his potential departure. The pair also addressed damaging allegations in Newsday regarding Bebe Rebozo’s financial dealings, specifically concerning Fisher Island stock transactions. They weighed the strategic benefits of filing a lawsuit against Newsday to force a retraction and generate positive publicity to counter the reports.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Congressman Chet Holifield. The brief exchange focused on establishing a connection with the California representative. No further policy discussion or substantive political matters were addressed during this interaction.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Alexander P. Butterfield regarding scheduling matters before speaking with Congressman Chet Holifield via telephone. During the call, Nixon expressed his personal gratitude to Holifield for his assistance in passing consumer protection legislation. The conversation concluded with a brief discussion concerning the recruitment of a suitable candidate for an unspecified vacancy.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the transmission and timing of a sensitive signal or message. The President instructs Haig to notify Secretary of State William P. Rogers once the task is completed. The exchange serves as a brief operational update regarding administrative communications and personnel coordination.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate a personal phone call to First Lady Pat Nixon. The brief interaction served as a logistical request for the operator to connect the President to his wife. No policy matters or significant administrative decisions were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon coordinate their personal schedule for the upcoming evening. The two discuss potential timing for dinner and their subsequent departure, ultimately agreeing on a meeting time of 6:15 PM. The brief exchange serves strictly as an organizational check-in regarding their domestic itinerary.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to initiate an urgent telephone connection. The primary objective of the interaction was to facilitate a direct line of communication with special counsel Charles W. Colson. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon, Charles W. Colson, and Ronald L. Ziegler met to coordinate upcoming administrative communications and scheduling priorities. The discussion centered on managing the press rollout for John B. Connally’s diplomatic travel to Asia, handling public relations for First Lady Pat Nixon’s reception at the Kennedy Center, and finalizing preparations for upcoming legislative announcements regarding the Wage and Price Board. The group also reviewed the status of potential Supreme Court nominations while emphasizing a need for discretion regarding controversial public commentary.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to bridge the President and his top aide for further consultation. No additional substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon communicated briefly with a White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call. The exchange served exclusively as a procedural interaction to connect the President to another party. No substantive policy discussions or decision-making processes occurred during this brief connection.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategies regarding upcoming judicial appointments, emphasizing the need for a total media blackout among staff to avoid premature speculation. The conversation also touched upon logistical coordination for travel, specifically prioritizing Conway for backup plane access due to the duration of his upcoming mission. Additionally, the pair briefly coordinated on foreign policy concerns involving Moscow, noting an ego-related dispute that required resolution.