Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 348
Nixon White House Tape 348 (July 19, 1972 – July 20, 1972)
16 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 2 hr 56 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Colson, Haig, Rizzo
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief, private discussion. The exchange consisted of a short, personal interaction that was ultimately withdrawn from public record. No substantive policy discussions or administrative actions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon communicated briefly with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This interaction functioned as a routine administrative request to establish communication with another party. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The brief interaction consisted of personal matters rather than substantive policy discussions, as the entirety of the recorded dialogue was withdrawn for personal privacy. No significant administrative decisions or political developments occurred during this brief encounter.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to confirm the status of Charles Colson, expressing concern that he may have interrupted the aide's lunch. The operator clarified the circumstances of the previous interaction, reassuring the President. The brief exchange served as an administrative check regarding Nixon's telephonic communications with his staff.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call to an unidentified mayor. This brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with local leadership for an undisclosed discussion. The exchange concluded once the operator initiated the connection to the intended party.
President Nixon held consultations with Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, Charles Colson, and Alexander Haig to discuss political strategy and upcoming events. Nixon praised Rizzo’s recent public performance and sought his counsel regarding the political risks of involving Frank Sinatra in an upcoming state event for the Italian Prime Minister. The participants evaluated the potential fallout regarding Sinatra’s rumored associations and considered the optics of his inclusion in a high-profile Kennedy Center performance.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a call to Jesse Calhoun, who is identified as a staff member within Charles Colson's office. This brief administrative interaction serves as a directive for initiating communication with a specific subordinate. No further policy or strategic developments are discussed in this exchange.
Frank Sinatra called President Nixon to express support regarding the President's recent handling of a congressional committee and to dismiss allegations of guilt by association. Nixon transitioned the conversation to foreign policy, specifically requesting that Sinatra perform at the White House for an upcoming visit from the new Italian Prime Minister. Sinatra agreed to the request, and the two discussed potential venue logistics between the East Room and the Kennedy Center before concluding with pleasantries about Sinatra’s upcoming travel.
President Nixon met with Jesse M. Calhoon, president of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, to express appreciation for the union's support and discuss their political alignment. The conversation focused on labor politics, the potential for increased job creation through shipbuilding initiatives, and an appraisal of various organizations' non-endorsement strategies. The President encouraged the expansion of maritime activities and discussed the sociopolitical motivations behind certain groups' refusal to align with opposition policies.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and other staff members to navigate the ongoing political fallout from the Watergate break-in, specifically focusing on the legal jeopardy of figures like Jeb Magruder and E. Howard Hunt. Beyond the scandal, the participants discussed scheduling entertainment for a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, strategic press relations, and potential labor support from the Teamsters. Nixon emphasized maintaining a posture of confidence while directing staff to manage media interactions carefully to avoid appearing defensive.
President Nixon met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to coordinate logistics regarding an upcoming meeting with Henry Kissinger. The brief discussion centered on the President's current location within the Old Executive Office Building to ensure the meeting proceeded as scheduled. No broader policy decisions were reached during this short logistical exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone call. The brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to connect the President to another party for official business. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss campaign strategy, focusing on the shifting positions of their political opponents and the media's coverage of these developments. They evaluate the potential impact of middle-income tax proposals on the election and coordinate the release of daily promotional or campaign material. The conversation concludes with an emphasis on maintaining a consistent and aggressive public relations narrative.
President Nixon utilized this session in the Old Executive Office Building to dictate a memorandum for his official records. Although the specific content of the dictation was redacted from the public archive, the recording serves as a formal documentation of presidential internal communication. The session concludes with the President transitioning to subsequent administrative tasks documented in later recordings.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Alexander Haig met to review recent sensitive negotiations regarding the Vietnam War, including Kissinger's secret meetings with North Vietnamese negotiator Le Duc Tho. The discussion focused on evaluating North Vietnamese diplomatic maneuvering, the political impact of the upcoming 1972 election, and the administration's strategic posture toward the Soviet Union and China. Nixon and Kissinger also addressed concerns about the George McGovern campaign and debated how to manage international perceptions of U.S. foreign policy in Europe and the Middle East.
President Richard M. Nixon held this meeting in the Old Executive Office Building to consult on unidentified matters of administration business. Given the lack of a surviving transcript for this recording, the specific subjects addressed and subsequent action items remain undocumented. The session serves primarily as a record of late-night executive activity during a period of significant transition in the Nixon presidency.