Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 470
Nixon White House Tape 470 (March 19, 1971)
18 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 14 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Butterfield, Sanchez
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The brief exchange focused on establishing a telephonic connection. No policy matters or significant strategic decisions were addressed during this administrative interaction.
President Richard M. Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office for a brief morning discussion. The interaction was limited to formal greetings between the President and his aide. No substantive policy matters or action items were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Admiral Thomas H. Moorer discussed the ongoing withdrawal of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces from the Lam Son 719 operation in Laos. The President expressed frustration with media narratives framing the operation as a failure and emphasized the need to pivot public focus toward significant North Vietnamese casualties. To counter negative press accounts, the administration sought to better highlight the operation's strategic objectives and utilize eyewitness accounts from pilots to convey the military success of the mission.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to briefly review administrative logistics regarding the President’s schedule. The discussion focused on the current status of the presidential helicopter and logistics for an upcoming meeting with Arthur F. Burns. No major policy decisions were made during this short briefing.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to discuss personnel and administrative strategy, specifically regarding the contentious appointment of an Under Secretary of the Interior. They evaluated the political risks of defying Senator Gordon Allott's preferences while navigating the administration’s broader economic objectives and cabinet management. To reduce social friction and administrative inefficiency, the President decided to reduce the frequency of cabinet meetings to a structured hour every two weeks and to shift toward engaging sub-cabinet members in social functions.
H. R. Haldeman met with Manolo Sanchez in the Oval Office to engage in a brief, non-substantive discussion. The conversation was limited to small talk regarding the weather. No policy matters or official administrative decisions were addressed during this interaction.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss foreign policy messaging, the administration's defensive stance regarding the Vietnam War, and potential media strategies. A primary focus was the potential recruitment of journalist John A. Scali to assist in communications and press relations, despite concerns about how he would interact with Henry Kissinger and the National Security Council. The group also reviewed current Gallup poll trends and the impact of public-facing appearances, including the President's daughter’s engagement and media interviews, on the administration's approval ratings.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to evaluate the tactical success and public relations strategy surrounding the ongoing Laotian operation (Lam Son 719). They discussed the disruption of North Vietnamese supply lines and ammunition stockpiles, while addressing concerns about South Vietnamese President Thieu’s withdrawal decisions and their impact on the upcoming election. Nixon decided to keep his plans for an accelerated U.S. troop withdrawal confidential to maintain leverage in future peace negotiations, specifically intending to manage the announcement process independently of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield held a brief, informal meeting in the Oval Office to discuss the handling of an unspecified item. The exchange focused on the logistics of securing the object within a bag before Butterfield’s departure. No further policy or administrative developments were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephone call to Clark MacGregor, who served as the Director of the Office of Congressional Relations. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to initiate direct communication between the President and his congressional liaison. No further substantive dialogue was recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to determine the current location of Clark MacGregor. The President subsequently requested that the operator connect him to William E. Timmons to discuss legislative affairs or personnel coordination. The brief exchange served primarily as an administrative effort to facilitate direct communication with his staff.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons discussed the administration's legislative strategy for the Supersonic Transport (SST) project following a setback in the House. Nixon encouraged Timmons to remain optimistic and directed him to push for a vigorous defense of the program in the Senate. They specifically assessed the likelihood of securing support from Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson to revive the initiative.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Representative Gerald Ford discussed the potential appointment of journalist John Scali to a senior White House role intended to improve the administration's public relations and media strategy. Nixon emphasized the need for a seasoned professional to help streamline communication and counter negative media coverage, specifically regarding Vietnam and the Supersonic Transport (SST) funding vote. They also coordinated logistics for the upcoming funeral of Thomas E. Dewey, including seating arrangements and travel, while reflecting on the political challenges of the administration's legislative agenda.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills of Arkansas. The primary purpose of this communication is to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and the influential Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occur during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, to coordinate logistics for an upcoming trip involving close friends Jack and Helene Drown. The discussion focused on scheduling details, travel arrangements for the First Lady, and the packing of suitcases for a departure planned for March 21, 1971. This brief exchange served to finalize the personal itineraries and preparation requirements for the President's associates.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Rose Mary Woods to coordinate his upcoming schedule, specifically regarding the logistics of hosting Jack and Helene Drown at Camp David and managing various social engagements for the First Lady. The discussion emphasized the President's need for privacy at Camp David to prepare for a television interview and meet with Henry Kissinger. Additionally, Nixon briefly spoke by telephone with Representative Wilbur D. Mills to acknowledge a White House tour provided to Mills' family.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistical details for the President’s upcoming schedule, specifically regarding a meeting with Arthur F. Burns and attendance at Thomas E. Dewey's funeral. The discussion focused on fine-tuning departure times to accommodate weather conditions in New York. The two finalized the timing for these engagements to ensure efficient travel and meeting management.
President Nixon met with Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns to discuss the state of the national economy and manage public perception of their working relationship. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a united front to avoid fueling media speculation regarding potential policy disagreements, while Burns outlined his concerns over a looming international monetary crisis and interest rate strategies. The two agreed to maintain close, private coordination on economic policy while keeping their options open regarding further fiscal stimulus until April economic data became available.