Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 317
Nixon White House Tape 317 (January 24, 1972)
18 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 2 hr 16 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Ehrlichman, Safire, Kissinger
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief administrative check-in. The discussion primarily focused on the President’s daily schedule and logistical arrangements regarding his upcoming movements. No significant policy decisions were reached during this short interaction.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, to facilitate the retrieval of documents drafted by speechwriter William Safire. Nixon expressed a clear preference to review these specific materials personally before they were officially presented to him. Consequently, staff were directed to locate and secure these papers from the office of the State Boats.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman coordinate their upcoming schedules to facilitate a follow-up discussion. The exchange focuses on arranging a meeting to address specific administrative or policy issues referred to as 'vitamins' and 'grease oil.' The conversation concludes with the two agreeing to meet the following day to deliberate on these matters.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss personal matters and logistical arrangements. The brief interaction focused on private staff-related concerns and service duties rather than policy or administrative affairs. No significant political decisions or historical developments resulted from this meeting.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate contact with Congressman Wilbur Mills. The President sought to determine whether Mills was currently at his residence in Arkansas or in Washington, D.C. This coordination was initiated to establish a line of communication with the Congressman for an unspecified purpose.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate political strategy for the 1972 reelection campaign, with a heavy emphasis on securing Pennsylvania through the support of Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo. The discussion covered the importance of maintaining an ethnic, law-and-order coalition in key urban centers and utilizing damaging information about Democratic opponents to bolster the President's standing. Additionally, they addressed personnel concerns, including the management of Howard Hughes-related loan controversies and the navigation of diplomatic and economic challenges like relations with China and the Soviet Union.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative logistics and presidential scheduling. The brief conversation primarily focused on arrangements involving John B. Connally. No major policy decisions were reached during this short interaction regarding the President's daily agenda.
President Nixon and speechwriter William Safire engaged in a brief, disjointed exchange regarding the preparation of pending documents or speaking subjects. The President deferred immediate action, indicating he needed to review the subject matter before providing further instructions to Safire. The discussion concluded with an agreement for the President to follow up with Safire once he had completed his internal review.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to review and refine the draft of the President's upcoming Vietnam policy speech. The two discussed specific revisions to the text, incorporating suggestions previously deliberated during Nixon's consultations with William L. Safire. This meeting served as a final editorial session to finalize the rhetoric and messaging regarding the administration's stance on the conflict.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to discuss the pending appointment of Robert Anderson, a Foreign Service officer, to an ambassadorship in Dahomey. The primary objective was to review the necessary background documentation and prepare the paperwork for the President's signature. The brief exchange focused on verifying Anderson's credentials and ensuring the nomination process was moving forward.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone call. The exchange served as a brief administrative coordination for the President to reach an unspecified party. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and John B. Connally discuss preparations for an upcoming speech, emphasizing the importance of diligent preparation over off-the-cuff remarks. The conversation briefly touches upon political acquaintances and logistical concerns regarding school closures before transitioning into personal topics, including a gift for the President's San Clemente home and travel plans involving fishing in the Bahamas. No major policy decisions were reached, as the meeting served largely to coordinate schedules and manage social pleasantries.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator connect him to the wife of Secretary of State William Rogers. This brief interaction served as a logistical coordination to facilitate a phone call between the President and Mrs. Rogers. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to contact Congressman Frank to communicate the details of a specific offer. The discussion focuses on facilitating political outreach or legislative coordination through an intermediary. This brief administrative exchange serves as a logistical instruction for managing executive-congressional communications.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to finalize the content and tone of an upcoming speech regarding Vietnam, focusing on the public disclosure of secret negotiations. They also discussed preparations for the President’s historic trip to the People's Republic of China, specifically addressing the need for tailored briefing books and the management of diplomatic note-taking. The President instructed Kissinger to compile essential background materials and intelligence to ensure he was fully prepared for upcoming summits and potential military contingencies.
President Nixon held a brief, informal communication with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The discussion served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with a subsequent party. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were documented during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss political strategy for the upcoming election cycle, including managing federal funding for municipal support and monitoring the Democratic primary field. The conversation covers the political viability of various candidates, specifically mentioning George Wallace and Hubert Humphrey, while addressing concerns about party loyalty and public perception. The two also evaluate the necessity of maintaining consistent engagement with key local political figures like Frank Rizzo to secure future electoral support.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to organize official materials. During the brief encounter, the President instructed Sanchez on the specific handling and separation of documents contained within two separate briefcases. The meeting concluded immediately after these logistical arrangements were settled.