Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 414
Nixon White House Tape 414 (February 28, 1973 – March 2, 1973)
15 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 2 hr 14 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Bull, Kissinger, Haldeman
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to overhaul the administration’s schedule, focusing on establishing a regular rhythm of meetings with Cabinet members, Congressional leaders, and White House staff to improve coordination and morale. They discussed administrative shifts, including the reorganization of the CIA and the abolition of the Land panel, while also analyzing the President’s historical poll performance compared to previous administrations. Nixon emphasized the necessity of 'thinking time' and decided to implement a more structured, frequent engagement strategy with key political stakeholders to bolster support for his agenda.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the logistics and details of the President’s daily schedule. The conversation focused on the routine management of the President's itinerary and administrative affairs within the Old Executive Office Building. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with Thomas Hart and Stephen B. Bull to record a formal congratulatory message for E.K. Gaylord’s 100th birthday. The President reviewed and recited a prepared tribute, highlighting Gaylord’s long life and significant contributions to his country. The primary purpose of the meeting was to finalize this audio recording for the milestone celebration.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the logistics and seating arrangements for an upcoming dinner with attendees of the National Governors Conference. The discussion focused on balancing the guest list to ensure proper protocol, specifically managing the ratio of governors and their spouses at the head tables. The President also adjusted his afternoon schedule to accommodate a brief meeting with John D. Ehrlichman, H. R. Haldeman, George P. Shultz, and Roy L. Ash.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to discuss the preparation of a specific statistical analysis. During the brief exchange, Nixon emphasized the importance of this report and requested that the individual provide concrete figures regarding a particular, albeit redacted, subject matter. This request highlights the President's direct oversight of administrative data collection and analysis efforts during this period.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative details regarding office furniture. The conversation centered on specific logistical arrangements concerning the President's desk. The brief exchange concluded with Sanchez departing the office shortly thereafter.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative scheduling matters. The conversation centered on the approval of specific items or logistical arrangements for the President's calendar. The meeting concluded with Bull's departure before the session ended at 4:22 pm.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a routine administrative step to connect the President with a specific party. No substantive policy matters or political developments were discussed during this exchange.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Labor Peter J. Brennan to discuss current political optics and personnel management strategies. The dialogue centered on the administration's approach to labor and economic leaders, specifically regarding the handling of individuals like Shelton and the broader implications of currency fluctuations. The discussion concluded with the President indicating a relaxed stance toward certain administrative staffers, suggesting a desire to move past recent controversies.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Old Executive Office Building with an unidentified individual. The recording consists entirely of an unintelligible, brief exchange, preventing the identification of any specific policy topics or administrative decisions. Consequently, no substantive outcomes or action items were captured during this three-minute interval.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place an outgoing call. The brief interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or administrative decisions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. discuss how the administration should respond to inquiries regarding state revenue sharing and a specific story involving a governor's office. Cole seeks guidance on addressing concerns from state and city officials who remain uneasy despite federal assurances. The two agree to maintain the official stance that the administration expects to proceed with special and general revenue sharing programs.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the status of Vietnam cease-fire negotiations, the upcoming release of prisoners of war (POWs), and preparations for the President's press conference. They analyzed international geopolitical trends, including the impact of foreign elections and historical lessons from the Versailles Treaty on modern power dynamics. During the meeting, Ronald Ziegler joined to coordinate messaging for the press, while administrative discussions regarding ambassadorial appointments were also addressed.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the status and timing of the upcoming release of prisoners of war (POWs) held by the Vietcong. The President sought confirmation on whether the administration should maintain the March 4th deadline for these releases. They reviewed intelligence and expected timelines to ensure the North Vietnamese and Vietcong would adhere to the established schedule.
President Nixon held a brief, informal meeting with an unidentified individual in the Executive Office Building while refreshments were served. Due to the lack of a transcript and the absence of specific recorded dialogue, the substantive purpose and agenda of the encounter remain historically undocumented. The meeting concluded before 11:00 am without any publicly identifiable policy outcomes or directives.