Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 473
Nixon White House Tape 473 (March 25, 1971)
18 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 32 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Kissinger, Finch
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met briefly in the Oval Office to conduct a preliminary check on any urgent administrative or policy matters. The conversation was informal in nature, focusing on logistical coordination rather than specific geopolitical strategies or high-level decision-making. No significant policy actions or substantive developments were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically addressing the political fallout from the recent Senate vote against the Supersonic Transport (SST) program. They discussed the necessity of staging events, such as an aerospace meeting in California, to project executive leadership and address economic concerns in the technology sector despite a lack of substantive policy solutions. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for managing the public and congressional response to pending U.S. troop withdrawals in Vietnam and deliberated on the logistics of a potential trip to the Western White House.
H. R. Haldeman coordinates with the White House operator to manage the President's incoming and outgoing communications. The brief exchange focuses on locating the President and facilitating a connection with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. Haldeman provides instructions to hold the line until the President returns to the office to resume his scheduled calls.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Stephen Bull to discuss strategies for improving the administration's public relations and enhancing support among Congressional allies. The discussion focused on mobilizing staff, specifically figures like Clark MacGregor and Donald Rumsfeld, to champion administration policies such as the Supersonic Transport (SST) and Vietnam troop withdrawals. Nixon emphasized the need for a more proactive, enthusiastic approach from his team to counteract negative narratives, and Haldeman presented findings from recent polling and questionnaires that highlighted the President’s perceived strengths in hard work and family values.
President Nixon met with student leaders and Robert H. Finch to discuss strategies for improving the Administration’s communication and credibility with the nation’s youth. The group addressed specific student concerns, including the military draft, loan programs, and government internship opportunities, while exploring ways to increase student participation in public service. The President emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue and encouraged the deployment of Administration officials to college campuses to foster better relationships with the student body.
President Nixon met with Treasury Secretary John Connally and a large group of executive staff members to commend their intensive efforts regarding his legislative agenda for revenue sharing and government reorganization. The discussion focused on the complexities of coordinating with state and local officials, the progress of special revenue sharing task forces, and the significant administrative work required to advance these policies. The President expressed personal appreciation for the staff's dedication and prepared for a forthcoming press briefing on the reorganization strategy.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to conduct preparatory discussions regarding an upcoming press briefing. The conversation focused on refining the administration's messaging and strategy ahead of the event. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative session.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on his California trip and the importance of avoiding premature political maneuvers while Congress is in a volatile cycle. They discussed the administration's messaging on the Vietnam War and the Laos operation, noting the necessity of portraying the withdrawal as a strategic decision rather than a retreat. Additionally, the President and Haldeman assessed the performance of Vice President Spiro Agnew, debated the value of public appearances and campus dialogues, and touched upon personnel matters, including upcoming meetings with the Congressional Black Caucus and adjustments to presidential communication strategies.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, and James Hodgson to finalize a plan for stabilizing rampant wage inflation in the construction industry through an Executive Order. The proposed strategy involves creating industry-specific wage stabilization boards overseen by a tripartite 'super board' to moderate strikes and wage hikes, backed by the threat of suspending the Davis-Bacon Act for non-compliant areas. Nixon directed his team to present this plan to the Cabinet and key stakeholders as a collaborative effort to ensure broader buy-in while maintaining the administration’s leverage over labor unions.
In this meeting, President Nixon, John Mitchell, and Thomas Pappas discussed domestic and international affairs, focusing on the administration's political challenges and the need to maintain American global influence. Nixon expressed frustration with domestic critics, including intellectuals and the media, while reaffirming his commitment to a principled end to the Vietnam War that would protect U.S. credibility and honor. They also reviewed geopolitical situations in Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, with Pappas providing advisory input on foreign relations and the political climate abroad. The President signaled his resolve to pursue his policy agenda despite domestic opposition, specifically mentioning his upcoming meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss strategy regarding the stalled Vietnam peace negotiations and to address concerns over South Vietnamese military capabilities. Nixon directed that U.S. negotiator David K. E. Bruce be withheld from upcoming meetings to avoid participating in North Vietnamese delaying tactics. Additionally, the President expressed frustration regarding reports on military supplies, ordering that South Vietnamese forces be fully equipped regardless of bureaucratic constraints, and planned a follow-up meeting with Defense officials to ensure compliance.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the technical logistics for an upcoming telephone call to the Boeing Corporation. The discussion focused on establishing the necessary communication protocols and arrangements required for the President to connect with company leadership. This brief interaction served to ensure the technical readiness of the call prior to its initiation.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to deliberate on sensitive foreign policy strategies regarding Soviet arms control and the complex implications of the People's Republic of China's potential admission to the United Nations. They discussed adopting a firmer negotiating posture while navigating the domestic political risks associated with a 'two-China' policy. The conversation reflects a strategic shift toward maneuvering through international pressures and deciding on a clear, decisive path forward for these diplomatic challenges.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the logistics and arrangements for a scheduled telephone call to the Boeing Corporation. The discussion focused on establishing the necessary communication protocols to facilitate this outreach to the aerospace manufacturer. The meeting concluded with Bull preparing to manage the technical and administrative requirements for the call.
President Nixon met with his staff, including Robert Finch and Clark MacGregor, to coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus and to arrange a phone call to William M. Allen of Boeing. Nixon emphasized managing the media optics of the caucus meeting by avoiding excessive press coverage and limiting the event's stature to prevent it from being framed as a major political victory for the group. Following these preparations, the President successfully connected with Allen to express his personal disappointment over Congress's decision to defund the Supersonic Transport (SST) project, while reaffirming his commitment to maintaining Boeing's role as a leader in American aviation and technological progress.
President Nixon hosted Reverend Walter E. Fauntroy and his family, accompanied by Clark MacGregor and Robert J. Brown, for a brief social meeting in the Oval Office. The encounter centered on pleasantries, a photo session, and the exchange of presidential gifts, including cufflinks and golf balls. The President also acknowledged Fauntroy’s recent political success and academic achievements during the short, informal engagement.
President Nixon and his personal aide Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office to discuss the President’s upcoming daily schedule and agenda. The conversation focused on logistical planning and administrative arrangements for Nixon's official time commitments. The exchange concluded with the coordination of these scheduling priorities.
An unidentified group discusses the logistics of an upcoming public event, specifically focusing on the positioning of a booth and the progression of the participants toward a subsequent scene. The dialogue suggests coordination for a scheduled appearance or venue movement, though the lack of context makes the specific event unclear. This brief exchange appears to be a logistical check regarding security or staging arrangements for an upcoming presidential engagement.