Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 42
Nixon White House Tape 42 (April 5, 1971 – May 6, 1971)
107 conversations · White House Telephone · about 2 hr 33 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Woods, Bull, Acker
A Secret Service agent coordinated with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone connection. This brief administrative exchange served to bridge the call to the intended recipient. No further substantive policy or operational details were captured in this short recording.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, discussed various public relations efforts, including the President's income tax proposal and recent press coverage regarding his meeting with film industry figures such as Charlton Heston and Jack Valenti. They touched upon the administration's initiative to return beach access to the public and the political climate surrounding Vietnam. The conversation concluded with Nixon providing instructions for aide Dwight L. Chapin and coordinating personal schedules for Julie and David Eisenhower.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a call to his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. He explicitly directed the operator to connect to her office rather than her home residence. This exchange served as a brief administrative coordination to facilitate direct communication with a key staff member.
President Nixon consults with the White House operator to facilitate logistics regarding his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The conversation serves to arrange a meeting between Woods and Marjorie P. Acker. The President confirms his availability and authorizes the operator to coordinate the scheduling.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield. The brief exchange served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication between the President and the legislative leader. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this operator interaction.
President Nixon coordinated an unscheduled meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to discuss an upcoming, highly sensitive announcement regarding Vietnam policy. Nixon sought to brief Mansfield privately to prevent leaks that had plagued previous communications involving South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. The two agreed to hold a discreet meeting at the Executive Office Building that morning, while keeping the encounter off the official record to avoid political friction with Republican leadership.
H. R. Haldeman coordinates with Stephen B. Bull to arrange a discreet, off-the-record meeting between President Nixon and Senator Mike Mansfield. The two plan the logistics of Mansfield's arrival at the Executive Office Building to ensure he avoids the press and maintains total confidentiality. Bull agrees to personally escort the Senator through the driveway to avoid public visibility.
President Nixon initiates a call to Congressman Gerald R. Ford through the White House operator. This brief exchange serves as the administrative bridge to connect the President with Ford for further discussion. No substantive policy matters are addressed in this short operator-assisted request.
President Nixon and Congressman Gerald Ford discuss their mounting concerns regarding House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, whom they characterize as mentally unstable and prone to substance abuse. Due to fears that Boggs cannot be trusted with sensitive information, the President decides to exclude him from an upcoming briefing with congressional leaders. Nixon instructs Ford to consult with Speaker Carl Albert to restructure the meeting to include only Ford and Albert from the House, ensuring that classified matters regarding Vietnam negotiations can be shared securely.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to request a telephone connection with Marjorie P. Acker. The interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with Acker. No substantive policy discussions or political developments occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon contacted Marjorie Acker to confirm the status of confidential typing assignments previously handled by Rose Mary Woods. Nixon emphasized the need for strict document security, instructing Acker not to distribute the materials until he personally reviewed them. The call concluded with the President promising to provide further instructions on the dissemination of the documents shortly.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Marjorie P. Acker. This brief interaction serves as a routine administrative request to facilitate communication between the President and a private citizen. No substantive policy matters or further developments occur during this exchange.
President Nixon instructed his secretary, Marjorie P. Acker, to modify a draft of an upcoming speech before delivering it to Henry Kissinger. He directed Acker to revert the conclusion to a previous version of the text starting from a specific passage regarding the "long and difficult trial." This directive ensured that Kissinger received the finalized language Nixon preferred, specifically ordering that the document be provided to no one else at that stage.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place a personal telephone call to Marjorie P. Acker. The interaction was strictly administrative, serving solely as a request for the operator to connect him with the intended party. No substantive policy discussions or political developments occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon directed Marjorie Acker to make specific editorial cuts to a draft of an upcoming speech. The revisions required the removal of the final paragraph on page 10 and the top paragraph on page 11 regarding the testing of the Vietnam policy. These adjustments were ordered to be applied to both the President’s master copy and the version provided to an unnamed recipient.
President Nixon initiates a request for the White House operator to connect him with Alexander P. Butterfield. The brief exchange serves as a logistical coordination to facilitate direct communication with a key staff member. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this connection process.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield reviewed final preparations for an upcoming formal white-tie dinner. They coordinated the protocol for the evening, specifically confirming that the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps would be first in the receiving line and would offer brief remarks in response to the President. The event, supported by the State Department and William B. Macomber, Jr., was structured to follow the precedent set by a previous dinner for African diplomats.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate a direct communication link. The primary purpose of the brief call was to request that the operator connect him with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull. No further policy or administrative matters were addressed during this transition.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated the President's midday schedule, focusing on the timing of a revenue sharing meeting and a brief photo opportunity with Secretary Rogers C.B. Morton, Senator Ted Stevens, and Don Wright regarding Alaska Native legislation. Nixon emphasized his need for precise time management to ensure meetings with his work team and the Alaska Federation of Natives representatives stayed on track. Additionally, the President scheduled an appointment with his barber to take place immediately following the morning engagements.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to request a telephone connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The brief exchange served as a logistical instruction to initiate communication with a key staff member. No policy matters or substantive political issues were addressed during this brief administrative call.
President Nixon contacts his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate the review of a speech draft. He requests that she come to his office to pick up the updated document for processing. This brief administrative exchange serves to facilitate the continued development of the President's prepared remarks.
Henry Kissinger requested that the White House operator place a telephone call to Senator John Sherman Cooper at his residence. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to initiate direct communication with the Senator. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon initiates a request to the White House operator to be connected with Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot L. Richardson. This brief interaction serves as a routine administrative step to facilitate a direct communication between the President and a cabinet member. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief request for the connection.
President Nixon calls Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot Richardson to offer well-wishes and guidance ahead of his upcoming diplomatic trip to Europe. Nixon encourages Richardson to take time for personal enjoyment, specifically urging him to visit Paris with his wife, while also coordinating potential diplomatic discussions with leaders like Alec Douglas-Home and Edward Heath. They also discuss the political importance of Richardson's attendance at an education conference in Spain, which relates to broader ongoing base negotiations.
Henry Kissinger contacted the White House operator to facilitate an urgent communication with Senator John Sherman Cooper. The conversation focused on determining Cooper's current location and travel status as he prepared for a 7:00 p.m. flight out of Dulles Airport. Kissinger emphasized the necessity of reaching the Senator before his departure, prompting the operator to attempt an intercept at the airport.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to contact his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The conversation serves as a routine administrative request to facilitate communication with his staff. No further substantive policy matters or decisions are discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon directs his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to immediately process a draft speech delivered by Manolo Sanchez for his review. The two discuss the administration's messaging strategy, specifically emphasizing the need to highlight the plight of prisoners of war (POWs) to influence public opinion regarding troop withdrawals. Woods confirms that the text already includes strong language regarding the POW issue, and she proceeds to prepare the document for the President's evening work.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the formatting and final revisions for an upcoming speech draft. Woods seeks clarification on whether to conclude a specific section or continue the text as written for the press copies. Nixon instructs her to maintain his preferred structural format and to ensure the draft is completed in its entirety.
An unidentified caller requests that a connection be made to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an individual named Julie. The brief interaction functions primarily as an administrative request to facilitate communication with agency staff. No further substantive policy discussions occur before the line transitions to dead air.
George P. Shultz, acting on behalf of President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman, contacts Julius Shiskin to secure urgent statistical data regarding North American Rockwell’s operations in California. The discussion centers on the immediate retrieval of specific economic or industrial figures required for a briefing for the President. Shiskin agrees to expedite the request and provide the information to the White House within the hour.
President Nixon and George Shultz reviewed the first-quarter Gross National Product (GNP) data, noting a record increase of $28.5 billion. Although the figure fell slightly short of an aspirational $30 billion target, it significantly exceeded private sector forecasts, including those by Otto Eckstein. The two agreed on the positive nature of the report and confirmed that the findings would be officially announced by the end of the week.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury John B. Connally coordinated a forthcoming telephone call to General George A. Lincoln. The discussion focused on establishing clear instructions for Lincoln regarding an unspecified matter, with the President ensuring Connally understood the necessary briefing points. The primary objective was to align their positions before initiating the conversation with the General.
President Nixon facilitates a discussion between Treasury Secretary John B. Connally and General George A. Lincoln regarding urgent federal assistance for a severe drought affecting Texas. Connally emphasizes the dire conditions and advocates for a government-subsidized hay transportation program, citing its past success and political necessity to prevent ranchers from having to liquidate their herds. While Lincoln acknowledges concerns about potential waste and administrative corruption associated with past hay programs, the parties discuss the need for swift, decisive action to support the agricultural sector and ensure the administration receives credit for timely intervention.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone call to connect with First Lady Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon. The conversation was facilitated by a White House operator to bridge the communication to the First Lady. No substantive policy matters or official developments were addressed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon engaged in a brief personal exchange regarding the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation focused on the President's current location and arrangements concerning their daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. No significant policy decisions were made during this short administrative and personal check-in.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The conversation was purely administrative, serving as the bridge to connect the President with his press office. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the dissemination of a press release regarding the President's bowling activities. Ziegler confirms that the information was successfully distributed to wire services, noting that the media appeared receptive to the item. The conversation concludes with the President acknowledging the update, reflecting a minor effort to cultivate a relatable public image.
President Nixon consults with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler and aide Richard Moore to prepare a response to Senator Edmund Muskie’s accusations regarding FBI surveillance during Earth Day. Nixon directs Ziegler to frame these allegations as politically motivated, emphasizing that the administration employs surveillance more sparingly than its predecessors and exclusively for national security or criminal investigations. Furthermore, Nixon authorizes Ziegler to clarify that the President personally ordered the cessation of Army intelligence gathering related to domestic civil disturbances.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator place a telephone call to Patrick J. Buchanan. The operator acknowledged the request and proceeded to facilitate the connection. No further discussion or substantive policy matters were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon directed Patrick Buchanan to compile specific, compelling data points to bolster the administration's messaging on key domestic issues. The President requested dramatic statistics regarding the growth of minority-owned enterprises and the competitive standing of the American steel industry. Furthermore, he tasked Buchanan with consulting George Shultz and Paul McCracken to identify strong economic indicators, such as retail and automobile sales, housing starts, and record-breaking stock market performance, to project a narrative of upward economic momentum.
President Nixon and personal secretary Rose Mary Woods coordinate administrative logistics, including a memorandum for Ray Price and Woods' upcoming travel. Woods informs the President of Ambassador John S.D. Eisenhower's intention to resign by July 1, citing personal reasons regarding his housing. They also discuss positive public reception to a recent presidential speech and share concerns regarding the ongoing criticism and political vulnerability of J. Edgar Hoover.
Ralph Shields and a caller identified as Terry coordinate a food or beverage delivery to the White House. This brief interaction functions strictly as an administrative arrangement for staff refreshments. No policy matters or substantive political business are discussed during the exchange.
H. R. Haldeman advises President Nixon on the importance of managing a scheduled meeting with editors by employing a strategic outreach program similar to political party outreach. Haldeman suggests that beyond Herbert Klein, staffers like Leonard Garment and Richard Moore should actively cultivate relationships with these editors to better advance the administration's interests. The President agrees to follow up with staff to ensure a more comprehensive, systematic engagement plan is implemented.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to be connected with Robert H. Finch. This brief administrative interaction serves as the precursor to a subsequent discussion between the President and his Counselor. No substantive policy matters are addressed during this specific segment of the telephone recording.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to determine the whereabouts of Robert H. Finch. The operator informed the President that Finch had departed for New York and would not return until the following morning. Nixon inquired if any other staff could assist him in Finch's absence.
President Nixon directs Donald Rumsfeld to contact Congressman Charles Rangel before Rumsfeld’s upcoming European trip to demonstrate the administration's commitment to addressing the international drug trade. Nixon instructs Rumsfeld to frame the trip—which includes attendance at the World Health Conference—as a direct response to Rangel’s concerns, tasking the congressman with providing any relevant intelligence or suggestions for the mission. Furthermore, Rumsfeld briefs the President on the successful coordination of their strategy with Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon initiates a request to the White House operator to be connected with aide Patrick J. Buchanan. The brief exchange serves as a logistical coordination to establish communication between the President and his advisor. No further substantive policy matters are addressed in this short administrative segment.
President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan coordinate the collection of favorable economic data to highlight a positive turnaround in the economy during March 1971. The President emphasizes the need to isolate March statistics—such as retail sales, housing starts, and automobile production—from the broader, more moderate first-quarter figures to demonstrate upward momentum. Buchanan is tasked with delivering these reports to the President, along with a newspaper column by James J. Kilpatrick, Jr., which Nixon’s daughter, Julie, had recommended.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone exchange with the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Stephen B. Bull. The President provided specific instructions to connect him with the individual, identified in the transcript as Mr. Bowe or Steve Bowe. No further policy or substantive matters were discussed during this connection attempt.
President Nixon directed his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to ensure that Patrick J. Buchanan’s upcoming wedding was recorded in the President's official calendar. The President emphasized the need for this entry to facilitate scheduling discussions with H. R. Haldeman. Bull was tasked with confirming the specific date of the Saturday event in May to ensure the President's attendance.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to request a telephone connection to the First Lady, Pat Nixon. The call served as a routine administrative request to facilitate private communication with his wife. The conversation concluded once the operator initiated the transfer.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon engaged in a brief telephone conversation to discuss scheduling matters. The exchange specifically concerned the agendas of Tricia Nixon Cox and Robert H. Murphy. The President also requested the current time to conclude the brief logistical coordination.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to contact special counsel Charles W. Colson. This communication serves as a standard administrative request to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and his aide. The call concludes immediately after the operator receives the instruction to connect the line.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for securing congressional support for the administration's policies, specifically focusing on neutralizing opposition to the Vietnam War and the China initiative. They review the loyalties of Republican senators like Edward Brooke and William Saxbe, noting that these members' public support is effectively confusing and stalling liberal critics. Furthermore, they discuss the political utility of forthcoming poll data and the potential for anti-war protests to inadvertently strengthen the administration's core coalition.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss managing journalist John Scali, who is pushing for a more aggressive public relations campaign regarding the administration's China policy and Vietnam withdrawal plans. Nixon firmly rejects Scali's suggestions for premature withdrawal announcements, insisting that any public pronouncements on Vietnam be delayed until after Kissinger's scheduled meetings in Paris and consultations with South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. Kissinger confirms he is maintaining contact with Scali to keep him aligned with administration strategy without adopting his disruptive proposals.
H. R. Haldeman briefed President Nixon on the latest housing start figures to ensure the President was accurately informed prior to any public remarks. They clarified that the figure of 1,918,000, while strong, did not constitute an all-time monthly record as it was surpassed in December and several months in 1950. With the data officially released, the President confirmed the specific statistics for his subsequent use.
H. R. Haldeman briefed President Nixon on employment statistics within the steel industry to support a specific administration narrative. They confirmed that while the total number of steelworkers union members had increased, the actual number of employees working in the steel industry had declined by approximately 5% since 1960. Nixon intended to use these figures to emphasize the contraction of the industry's workforce during public discourse.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Leslie C. Arends. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with the House Republican Whip. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a personal telephone call to his daughter, Tricia Nixon. The brief interaction served exclusively to facilitate this private communication. No substantive policy matters or administrative actions were discussed during the exchange.
President Richard Nixon engaged in a personal telephone conversation with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox. The recording consists almost entirely of a withdrawn segment categorized as a personal returnable item. Due to these privacy restrictions, no substantive political or administrative details are available for review.
President Nixon called Representative Leslie Arends to thank him for his supportive remarks during a recent meeting regarding the administration’s handling of the Vietnam War. The two discussed the disparity between the pessimistic outlook of Washington politicians and the underlying stability of the country. They concluded with a mutual agreement on the political necessity of communicating the administration’s strategy for ending the war to the American public, specifically noting that Democrats were worried the President's approach would ultimately succeed.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Charles W. Colson. This brief interaction serves as a routine administrative request to facilitate communication between the President and his special counsel. No further substantive discussion occurs during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss positive labor feedback regarding the President's recent welfare stance and his outreach efforts toward construction union leaders. They identify the public's frustration with welfare recipients as a politically potent theme and decide to distribute a revised, anecdote-heavy version of the President's speech to key legislative allies. Additionally, they discuss exploiting the political vulnerability of several Democratic presidential hopefuls—including Muskie, Kennedy, and Humphrey—who avoided voting on the Ribicoff amendment regarding school busing.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place a telephone call to journalist John A. Scali. This brief interaction served as the administrative bridge to initiate communication with Scali regarding undisclosed matters. No further substantive discussion took place during this exchange beyond the request to connect the two parties.
President Nixon consulted with John A. Scali regarding the sensitive management of an upcoming visit by a Chinese athletic team to the United States. Emphasizing the need for subtlety, the President instructed Scali to coordinate with Henry Kissinger and William T. Gossett to ensure the visit was controlled, low-key, and aligned with diplomatic protocol. Nixon stressed the importance of timely execution to maximize the impact of the initiative while maintaining a balance between visible government oversight and avoiding excessive press scrutiny.
President Nixon initiates a brief exchange with the White House operator after confusion regarding an incoming telephone call to his line. The operator clarifies that the console had not actually signaled the President's phone, revealing a technical misunderstanding regarding the connectivity of the line. No further policy or administrative actions were taken during this short administrative interaction.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call to the White House operator to request a connection to Charles W. Colson. This communication serves as an administrative bridge to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and his Special Counsel. No policy matters or substantive political topics are discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategies for countering negative media coverage and handling anti-war demonstrations, particularly in light of recent testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They reviewed tactics for exerting pressure on news networks, including utilizing antitrust concerns and leveraging internal allies like John Scali to influence reporting. Additionally, the President expressed satisfaction with the political resolve of Republican senators against demonstrators and emphasized the importance of maintaining a firm public stance on the Vietnam War and the economy.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate upcoming scheduling and policy preparations, including a discussion on whether to formulate an official administration position regarding a proposed $2 minimum wage. Nixon expresses clear opposition to the increase, suggesting he would prefer to avoid a definitive stance if possible. Additionally, the pair discusses recent confrontational testimony by Republican senators Hugh Scott and George Aiken against anti-war protest organizers, noting the favorable media coverage this generated.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to be connected with John D. Ehrlichman. The exchange serves solely as a logistical request to facilitate communication between the President and his Assistant for Domestic Affairs. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occur during this brief interaction.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to determine the whereabouts of John D. Ehrlichman. Upon learning that Ehrlichman was currently in New York City, the President decided against initiating immediate contact. Nixon concluded the brief exchange by stating he would reach out to his advisor the following day instead.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary bridge to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and his senior aide. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman consulted on logistical preparations for an upcoming press conference, specifically discussing stage setup, podium positioning, and the President's preference to avoid makeup. They also strategized on how to deflect a proposal from Gerald Ford regarding the reinstatement of a Republican coordinating committee, with Nixon expressing concern that such a body would interfere with White House policy-making. Finally, they reviewed efforts to manage public perception regarding Vietnam veterans and agreed to have Alexander Haig coordinate with Maj. Gen. James Hughes to ensure consistent, firm messaging regarding POW negotiations.
President Nixon initiates a brief request for the White House operator to connect him with his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman. This administrative communication serves to facilitate an urgent discussion between the President and his top aide. No further policy or substantive matters were addressed during this specific exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the logistics and optics of an upcoming press conference, specifically focusing on the President's physical positioning relative to the media. Nixon expressed concern about camera angles and the potential for a downward angle to diminish his appearance of authority. Ultimately, they decided to maintain the existing stage platform to preserve the presidential "mystique" and avoid a lower vantage point.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to contact his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The conversation is strictly functional, serving only to request that the operator connect him to her office. No further policy or administrative matters are discussed during this exchange.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, coordinate the delivery of sensitive administrative materials. The President requests that Woods forward his personal notes regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are contained within a specific folder. Woods confirms the location of these documents and agrees to transmit them to the President immediately.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed political coordination, the handling of the 'Blackjack' housing case, and the administration's stance on a proposed Domestic Intelligence Review Board. Regarding the Blackjack case, the two agreed to stall federal intervention by citing recent court decisions as a basis to re-evaluate potential discrimination, while also planning to terminate the HUD official responsible for initiating the action. They further clarified the administration's neutral position on the Intelligence Review Board to avoid direct political entanglements with FBI oversight debates.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed how the administration should publicly address the complexities of Supreme Court rulings on school busing and racial balance. They strategized on how to frame the executive branch’s role in complying with court decisions—emphasizing evenhandedness in both the North and South—while downplaying direct federal intervention. The conversation also clarified the administration’s tactical opposition to the Ribicoff and Stennis amendments, attributing their stance to legislative timing rather than a rejection of the principles of equal application of the law.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to connect with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The conversation serves strictly as a logistical request to facilitate communication with his staff. No substantive policy matters or political issues are discussed during this administrative exchange.
President Nixon consulted with Marjorie P. Acker regarding the departure of his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, for Kentucky. Nixon issued specific instructions to restrict incoming telephone calls for the evening so he could focus on family matters, including preparations for Tricia Nixon’s wedding. He directed Acker to screen his calls and route any urgent matters to H. R. Haldeman.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig reviewed the administration's strategic messaging regarding North Vietnamese Prisoners of War (POWs) to ensure that the term "reciprocity" was avoided in official negotiations. Haig clarified that while the proposed prisoner releases were conditional upon agreement regarding neutral host countries, the U.S. remained flexible regarding specific numbers and inspection arrangements. The discussion focused on differentiating new proposals, such as expanded inspection rights for neutral organizations, from prior public statements to maintain tactical clarity with North Vietnamese counterparts.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the high-stakes negotiations regarding American prisoners of war (POWs) in Vietnam. They assessed the potential for a formal offer from the North Vietnamese and explored the necessity of a public presidential response or speech should negotiations stall. The two agreed that they must maintain a firm position to avoid being outmaneuvered, even if it meant risking an public rejection of the administration's own ceasefire proposals.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an outgoing call to William B. Macomber, Jr., the Assistant Secretary of State. The exchange serves as a procedural request to facilitate communication between the President and the State Department official. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occur during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to contact William B. Macomber, Jr., who was currently eating lunch at the State Department. The operator acknowledged the request and committed to attempting to reach Macomber at that location. This brief exchange served as a logistical attempt to establish contact with the official for the President.
President Nixon called William B. Macomber, Jr. to personally commend him for his actions the previous day in physically preventing protesters from removing an American flag. During the brief exchange, Nixon expressed his appreciation for Macomber's resolve against the demonstrators and characterized the protesters as cowardly. The President also requested that Macomber extend his gratitude to the other guards who assisted in the confrontation.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to be connected with presidential aide Peter M. Flanigan. The brief exchange serves as a procedural step to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and Flanigan regarding administrative or policy matters. No substantive policy discussions occur during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon instructed Peter M. Flanigan to coordinate a meeting with Caspar Weinberger to discuss the political implications of various federal projects. Nixon emphasized that Weinberger’s involvement was essential given his control over project funding. The two agreed to finalize the scheduling details for a follow-up meeting to review the program previously submitted to H.R. Haldeman.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call to request that the White House operator connect him with his aide, Stephen B. Bull. The purpose of this exchange is strictly limited to facilitating this connection for the President. No further substantive policy matters or decisions are discussed during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon coordinated his afternoon schedule with aide Stephen B. Bull to finalize a series of high-level meetings. The discussion centered on confirming appointments with Peter M. Flanigan and Caspar W. Weinberger, followed by meetings with Attorney General John N. Mitchell and Lee R. Nunn. Nixon specifically directed the scheduling of a briefing with Mitchell and Nunn to precede a subsequent meeting with John B. Connally.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Al Snyder. This brief administrative exchange serves as the logistical initiation of official communications between the President and the White House staff member. No further policy or substantive discussion occurs during this interaction.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a series of outgoing telephone calls to several individuals, including John F. Griner of the American Federation of Government Employees, J. Peter Grace, and Dr. Charles Chasler. He also requested assistance in locating Alvin Snyder, who had recently departed the White House mess. The conversation served primarily as an administrative coordination effort to facilitate these scheduled communications.
President Nixon calls Alvin Snyder to express personal appreciation for his effective efforts in managing relationships with television networks. The discussion highlights Snyder's role in disseminating information and challenging perceived media bias against the administration. Nixon encourages Snyder to maintain his aggressive approach, noting that persistent engagement with broadcasters is essential to securing fairer coverage.
President Nixon communicated with the White House operator to facilitate a call to J. Peter Grace. Upon learning that Grace was traveling in England and unavailable until May 7, the President instructed the operator to delay the outreach. Nixon emphasized that the matter was not urgent and requested that the call be scheduled upon Grace's return to the country.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to add Werner P. Gullander, the head of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), to his official call list. This brief administrative communication facilitated direct communication between the President and a key figure in the business community. No further policy discussions or significant decisions were recorded during this interaction.
President Nixon clarifies the spelling and professional affiliation of William Gullander, an executive with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), for White House records. The interaction serves to ensure administrative accuracy regarding the President's recent correspondence or telephonic contact. No broader policy or political matters were addressed during this brief clerical exchange.
President Nixon spoke with National Association of Manufacturers President Werner P. Gullander to secure continued private sector support for his welfare reform agenda. The discussion focused on emphasizing the administration's strict work requirements, which mandate that able-bodied recipients accept any available employment, including menial labor. Gullander confirmed that business leaders were increasingly aligned with these policy goals, signaling a reduction in previous opposition to the President's initiatives.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call to Crosby S. Noyes, a journalist with the Washington Star. This brief communication serves solely as an administrative request to facilitate direct contact with the press. No substantive policy discussions or further actions are recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon called John F. Griner, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), to commend him for his leadership in ensuring federal employees reported to work during recent protests. The two discussed their mutual disdain for the protesters, with Nixon praising Griner’s refusal to be intimidated by what he termed a "rat pack" and Griner expressing his intention to discipline local union chapters that participated in the unrest. Both parties agreed that law enforcement handled the situation effectively and shared suspicions regarding the involvement of outside agitators in the demonstrations.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinate a strategy to thank supporters who participated in recent demonstrations, a proposal Nixon had previously discussed with H.R. Haldeman. The pair plans to finalize the logistics of these meetings, determining whether to slot the supporters and a separate session with George Shultz around 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. Nixon delegates the final scheduling decisions to Ehrlichman and Haldeman, instructing them to act promptly.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator place a telephone call to journalist Crosby S. Noyes of the Washington Star. This brief administrative interaction served as the initiation of a personal communication between the President and the reporter. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this connection.
President Nixon contacted journalist Crosby S. Noyes to express personal appreciation for his recent columns regarding foreign policy. The two discussed the public reception of Noyes' work and the nature of political criticism in Washington. Nixon emphasized his belief that the ultimate success of his foreign policy initiatives would validate the substance of Noyes' supportive commentary.
Alexander P. Butterfield contacted the office of John F. Evans, Jr. to locate him for an urgent query originating from the President. The conversation involved logistics regarding Evans' attendance at a Citizens Committee meeting at the Sheraton-Carlton Hotel and brief internal discussions about scheduling matters. Butterfield ultimately requested that Evans return his call upon becoming available.
President Nixon coordinates with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, regarding the preparation of a draft document intended for John K. Andrews, Jr. The two discuss the status of a specific quote and the timeline for delivering the text to Andrews for further editing. Nixon instructs Woods to provide the draft to Andrews so that he may begin work that evening, with the President planning to review the progress by 9:00 p.m. to offer additional guidance.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, coordinate their schedules regarding the timing of upcoming clerical work. Woods offers to stay late to finish typing documents, but the President dismisses the suggestion and confirms that no work will be required until the following morning. They conclude the call by agreeing to resume tasks after 10:00 am.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to address a technical malfunction regarding a disconnected telephone line. The brief exchange focused on resolving the connectivity issue so the President could continue his communication efforts. The operator committed to redialing the line to re-establish the connection.
An individual named Terry contacted the White House operator to be connected with Ralph Shields. The brief interaction served primarily to coordinate a refreshment order for the White House staff. No substantive policy or political discussions occurred during the exchange.