President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to review the guest list and logistical arrangements for an upcoming White House reception for broadcasters. The participants evaluated the political leanings of specific media figures, aiming to ensure that invitees were sympathetic or at least neutral toward the administration’s goals. Beyond the event planning, the group discussed the strategic advantages of incumbency for the reelection campaign, specifically through the use of federal resources like social security mailers and National Park materials to boost the President's image.
On June 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Charles W. Colson, and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:35 pm to 4:40 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 344-033 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 344-33
Date: June 27, 1972
Time: 3:35-4:40 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building
The President met with H. R. Haldeman .
The President's schedule
Pictures
Media
Reception for broadcasters
-Herbert G. Klein
-Logistics of reception
Charles W. Colson entered at 3:40 pm.
-Logistics
-Introductions
-Background
-Ralph Renick, WTVJ-TV (Miami)
-Attitude
-The President’s view
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
-Invitations
-Criteria
-Klein
-Reception
-Guest list
-The President's view
-Attitudes
-New York
-Gabe Pressman, WNEW-TV
-Criteria for selection of invitees
-Review of lists
(rev. Jan-02)
-Bill Bayer, WPLG-TV (Miami)
-Allan Courtney, WIOD Radio (Miami)
-Renick
-Klein's knowledge of press corps
-Kleinr’s review of guest list
-The President's acquaintanceship with invitees
Haldeman talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 3:40 and 4:40 pm.
[Conversation No. 344-33A]
Klein
-Meeting with Haldeman
[End of telephone conversation]
Reception for broadcasters
-Klein
-Review of guest list
-Remarks by the President
-Microphone
-East Room
-Blue Room
-Program
-Editors meeting
-Logistics of reception and briefing
-Unknown newsman [Renick?]
-Family and politics
-CBS
-List of potential guests
-Method of selection
-Post-election public relations
Staff
-John A. Scali
-William L. Safire
-Richard A. Moore
-Gerald L. Warren
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Raymond K. Price, Jr.
Press
-Contacts with administration
(rev. Jan-02)
-Klein
-Capabilities
-Allies
-Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo
-Abilities
-Advice
-Contacts in Chicago
-W. Clement Stone
-David E. Bradshaw
Reception
-Guest list
Editors meeting
The President's telephone conversation with William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-John N. and Martha (Beall) Mitchell
-Bugging
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 5m 42s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
*****************************************************************
-Funding
-Filing of contributions
-Problems
(rev. Jan-02)
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 10m 47s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
*****************************************************************
-Advantages of incumbency
-Exposure
-Watergate publicity
-Bugging
-National Parks brochure
-Social Security mailers
-Veterans anniversary statement
-Powers of presidency
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 8m 35s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
*****************************************************************
Welfare reform
-The President’s view
-Previous conversations with John D. Ehrlichman and George P. Shultz
Revenue sharing
-Russell B. Long
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-New York Times article by Kevin P. Phillips
(rev. Jan-02)
-Readership
News Summary
-Value
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 5m 1s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
*****************************************************************
The President's schedule
-Reception for broadcasters
Senate resolution
-Passage
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 4m 22s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5
*****************************************************************
The President, Haldeman, and Colson left at 4:40 pm.This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.