Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 450
Nixon White House Tape 450 (February 16, 1971 – February 17, 1971)
26 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 32 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Ziegler, White House photographer
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to discuss the technical operation and maintenance of the White House taping system. The discussion focused on the practical challenges of monitoring recordings in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, as well as the limited group of personnel privy to the system's existence, including H.R. Haldeman and the Secret Service. The dialogue confirmed the operational status of the equipment and established expectations for the ongoing management of the recording process.
President Nixon held a brief morning meeting with an unidentified individual, likely a staff member or technician, to discuss the technical operation or arrangement of specific presentation materials. The conversation focused on the sequential layering of visual aids, using color-coded references to organize the content. No substantive policy matters were addressed, as the exchange remained limited to these logistical or instructional tasks before the President's scheduled meeting with Melvin Laird and the Cabinet.
President Nixon initiates a brief communication through the White House operator to place a phone call to Mrs. B. Everett Jordan. The conversation is strictly logistical in nature, serving only to facilitate the connection between the President and the recipient. No substantive policy matters or further developments occur during this brief exchange.
President Nixon directs an aide to bring in Mrs. B. Everett Jordan for a brief meeting, indicating an intention to address a specific matter personally. The interaction serves as a transition point between the President's private discussions and his engagement with Jordan. The exchange focuses on facilitating this immediate appointment, though the specific subject of Jordan's visit remains unidentified in the surviving record.
President Nixon met briefly with Mrs. B. Everett Jordan to offer well wishes regarding the recent surgery of her husband, Senator B. Everett Jordan. The conversation served primarily as a courtesy visit to express concern for the Senator's recovery and health. Additionally, the President briefly mentioned the status of an individual named Mark, indicating a need for his departure or reassignment.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to review the President’s daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating upcoming appointments with key figures, including Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, Secretary of State William P. Rogers, and George W. Wilson. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative briefing.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to conduct a brief administrative review of his daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating the President's upcoming appointments and ensuring the efficiency of his morning itinerary. No major policy decisions were made during this brief procedural exchange.
President Nixon met with Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters to discuss regional military strategy and evaluate potential career assignments for Walters. The conversation focused on the progress of Operation Lam Son 719, particularly the strategic situation regarding the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the role of U.S. air support. Nixon explored various future deployment options for Walters, including potential roles within the White House, the Army, or the CIA under Director Richard Helms.
President Nixon held a brief, private meeting with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office. Due to the lack of a decipherable transcript or contextual logs, the specific subject matter and any resulting actions remain unknown. The interaction concluded within eighteen minutes, leaving no record of substantive policy discussions or decision-making.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and other staff to review administrative procedures, including the structure of Cabinet meetings and the reduction of attendees to improve efficiency. The discussion covered logistical planning for upcoming events, such as an overseas trip involving high-level officials and their spouses, as well as adjustments to the President's daily and weekly scheduling. Additionally, the group addressed the management of press-related responsibilities and the distribution of news summaries to the President.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy for an upcoming press conference, specifically focusing on messaging regarding arms control, the Soviet Union, and ongoing military operations in Vietnam. They discussed the tactical necessity of linking offensive and defensive weapon limitations in future Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) negotiations. Additionally, the pair reviewed the military situation in Vietnam, focusing on road access and enemy movements as they finalized public talking points.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate his immediate daily agenda. The brief discussion focused on administrative logistics, specifically finalizing arrangements for the President to visit the White House barbershop and scheduling a meeting with George P. Shultz. The conversation concluded with the President departing the office for these appointments.
President Nixon met with United States Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to discuss matters related to his personal security and protective details. The brief engagement served as a routine coordination session between the President and his security detail. No specific policy decisions or significant operational changes were recorded during this session.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and George Shultz to discuss the restructuring of international monetary policy and the role of Peter G. Peterson within the administration. They debated strategies for economic coordination, specifically regarding the 'Quadriad' and the integration of international economic business into White House deliberations. The group also touched on upcoming budget preparations for the 1972 State of the Union, the potential for increased defense spending, and the need for improved public relations regarding administration public works projects.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to conduct a brief review of his daily schedule. The discussion served as a routine administrative coordination of the President's upcoming appointments and obligations. No significant policy decisions or substantive matters were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with an unknown woman in the Oval Office to finalize or review a gift list. The discussion specifically focused on identifying recipients for official gifts, including Kenneth M. Crosby and Robert H. Abplanalp. The brief meeting concluded with the guest departing shortly after the matter was addressed.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics. The discussion centered on an unidentified individual visiting from California and potential scheduling adjustments involving John D. Ehrlichman. The participants concluded the meeting after three minutes to finalize these internal arrangements.
President Nixon met with United States Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to discuss matters related to his personal security and movements. The conversation focused on logistical arrangements regarding the President's location and upcoming protective requirements. No specific directives were recorded due to the lack of a transcript, but the encounter functioned as a standard briefing between the President and his security detail.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met in the Oval Office to coordinate strategy regarding the scheduling and timing of a forthcoming presidential press conference. The discussion focused on managing the logistics and public reception of this media engagement. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative consultation.
President Nixon met with members of the press to discuss administration policies, primarily focusing on the Vietnam War, the military operation in Laos, and domestic issues like housing integration and the economy. Nixon reiterated his commitment to the Vietnamization program and troop withdrawals while clarifying that any future military incursions involving U.S. air support require approval from Washington. Additionally, the President addressed his desire for more informal, flexible press conference formats to facilitate better communication and follow-up opportunities with journalists.
President Nixon met with West German Vice Chancellor Walter Scheel, Secretary of State William P. Rogers, and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to discuss the delicate status of Berlin and broader US-German relations. The participants evaluated the complex negotiations regarding Berlin's political ties to the Federal Republic and the necessity of maintaining Western access despite Soviet pressures. Following Scheel’s departure, Nixon and Kissinger reviewed the President's recent press conference, touching upon the strategic use of television to manage public perception on Vietnam, the Cuban missile situation, and ongoing prisoner of war issues.
President Nixon met with Ronald L. Ziegler to briefly discuss public relations surrounding the President’s recent press conference, specifically regarding Laos, integration, and North Vietnam. Additionally, the two addressed a minor logistical matter concerning an escort for a guest attending an upcoming White House dinner. The brief exchange focused on managing the administration's messaging and event protocol.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans to discuss regional economic concerns, specifically the impact of Hanford nuclear reactor funding cuts on Washington state employment. The conversation also covered a broad range of domestic policy and administrative matters, including the legislative strategy for revenue sharing, potential health maintenance organization (HMO) initiatives, and various high-level appointments. Additionally, Nixon and his staff coordinated efforts to strengthen support among agricultural voters through outreach programs involving Senator Robert Dole.
President Nixon and Dwight Chapin discuss strategic political outreach, specifically focusing on building support among rural populations in the Midwest. The President instructs Chapin to reallocate staff resources to emphasize rural and state policy issues in collaboration with Senator Robert Dole. They also briefly touch upon economic concerns regarding wage and price controls and the necessity of maintaining political flexibility in their administrative messaging.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the logistics and optics of presidential media strategy, specifically comparing the effectiveness of controlled one-on-one sessions versus full-scale televised press conferences. The group evaluated a recent appearance, expressing satisfaction with the respectful tone and the anticipated news coverage, while weighing the heavy preparation required for broader press events. Additionally, they briefly touched upon administrative matters, including the selection of personal gifts for associates and the management of office inventory.
An unidentified individual discussed the timeline of their departure, explicitly stating they would remain in their current position until September. The brief exchange appears to concern staffing or transition planning within the administration. No further context or policy decisions were documented during this segment of the recording.