Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 412
Nixon White House Tape 412 (February 14, 1973)
8 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 2 hr 26 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Sanchez, Timmons, Moorer
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the President's immediate schedule. During the brief interaction, Nixon indicated his need for a period of rest, specifically requesting to take a nap. No broader policy or administrative matters were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator connect him with an individual named Steve. The interaction was brief and served solely as a logistical request to place a telephone call to this specific party. No further policy or substantive matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with his aide Stephen B. Bull regarding the scheduling of a meeting with George H.W. Bush. The discussion centered on adjusting the timing of Bush's visit, with Nixon requesting that Bull coordinate the appointment around other existing obligations. Ultimately, Nixon directed Bull to reach out to his staff to finalize the updated meeting time.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate personal arrangements for visiting various dining establishments and cafes. The brief discussion focused on logistical coordination for these informal outings. No significant policy or political matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon and legislative liaison William E. Timmons discuss the strategic timing for upcoming congressional sessions and managing Republican congressional relations. The conversation touches upon the sensitivities of maintaining party discipline and avoiding personal embarrassment for specific members during political maneuvers. The President ultimately tasks Timmons with exercising discretion in handling these delicate legislative and personnel matters.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of a meeting with George H.W. Bush. The conversation centered on establishing a specific time for the appointment, with the discussion concluding on the need to set the engagement for 4:00 pm. No other policy matters were addressed during this brief logistical exchange.
President Nixon met with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer to discuss the triumphant return of American Prisoners of War (POWs) from Vietnam and the strategic success of the recent air campaigns. The two focused on leveraging the high morale and patriotism of the returning POWs to solidify public support for the administration's military policies and to justify the necessity of the Vietnam bombing raids. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for future military planning, the importance of maintaining a strong defense budget, and the administration’s firm opposition to amnesty for draft evaders.
President Nixon met with George H.W. Bush, Anne Armstrong, and H.R. Haldeman to discuss RNC strategy, campaign planning for the 1974 and 1976 elections, and administrative efforts to consolidate Republican political messaging. They addressed organizational challenges within the RNC, potential Senate and House recruitment, and the strategic importance of courting specific ethnic and regional voting blocs. Additionally, the President reviewed the positive political impact of returning POWs and defended his recent bombing campaign as a vital demonstration of American resolve and credibility to both allies and adversaries.