Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 487
Nixon White House Tape 487 (April 23, 1971)
23 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 34 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Haldeman, Sanchez
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and Alexander Butterfield to discuss a variety of domestic and foreign policy concerns, including managing public messaging and controlling high-level political interactions. The President expressed frustration with the press's coverage of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and sought to limit the political visibility of figures like Senator Mike Mansfield regarding potential diplomatic outreach to China. Additionally, the group addressed the need for more reliable spokespeople for the administration's Vietnam policy and considered leadership changes within the military and NSC to better promote the President's agenda.
President Nixon met with Arthur S. Flemming, John B. Martin, Elliot L. Richardson, and Leonard Garment to discuss preparations for the upcoming White House Conference on Aging. The President emphasized his desire to foster greater intergenerational connection and respect for the elderly, suggesting that the administration's volunteer initiatives should prioritize mobilizing retired citizens while also encouraging youth to engage with and assist older populations. Participants addressed political sensitivities regarding recent administrative transfers of programs for the elderly and agreed to coordinate closely on the conference agenda to ensure it effectively reflects the administration's commitment to the quality of life for aging Americans.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to initiate a separate call, though the substance of the intended conversation remains unrecorded or non-existent in this segment. The exchange reflects routine administrative coordination necessary for presidential communications.
President Nixon met with John A. “Jack” Mulcahy in the Oval Office for a brief, informal discussion. The conversation remains largely restricted due to the withdrawal of personal material, leaving only a short segment available for research. No significant policy decisions or administrative actions were recorded in the accessible portion of the transcript.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, William Safire, and Rose Mary Woods to address political strategy and administrative matters. They discussed potential public criticism regarding the President's use of military aircraft, the handling of political campaign funds, and the framing of his upcoming Chamber of Commerce speech concerning welfare reform and work ethics. Additionally, the President and his staff reviewed personnel decisions for government agencies, including the CIA and the Department of Justice, and Woods briefed the President on her media appearances and scheduling arrangements.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate the logistics and timing of his upcoming meeting with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. The discussion focused on managing the President's schedule and ensuring the efficient flow of high-level briefings. Bull concluded the session by departing the Oval Office to facilitate these administrative arrangements.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss personnel issues, including the reassignment of Ambassador Edward M. Korry, and to coordinate upcoming announcements regarding the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and a potential summit with the Soviet Union. The conversation shifted to a broad analysis of the Vietnam War, with both men expressing frustration toward the media and political critics who they believed were working to undermine the administration’s strategy of Vietnamization. Nixon and Kissinger also strategized on a forthcoming diplomatic initiative in Paris, agreeing that Kissinger should adopt a firm posture and hint at the potential use of severe measures if North Vietnam refused to negotiate in good faith.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss logistical arrangements for an upcoming public engagement involving a two-year-old deaf child. The conversation centered on the child's communication abilities and potential interactions during the meeting. The President specifically considered how to facilitate a comfortable environment for the child while managing the broader constraints of his daily schedule.
President Nixon met with representatives from the Council for Hearing and Speech, including Michael Newton, the campaign's poster child, to discuss the "Better Hearing and Speech Month" initiative. The gathering served as a public relations event to highlight the work of the council and recognize the accomplishments of hearing-impaired children. During the session, the President presented official mementos, including cufflinks and View-Masters, and pledged his administration's continued support for the organization's advocacy efforts.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez and Stephen B. Bull to review personal photographs and discuss the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation focused on the visual quality of recent pictures and the logistical timing of a requested meeting with John H. Buchanan, Jr. regarding the Alabama Medal of Honor Society. Following these brief administrative updates, both Sanchez and Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with a delegation from Alabama, including Representative John H. Buchanan, Jr. and others, to discuss a formal invitation for the President to visit Birmingham for the city's centennial and a gathering of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The delegation expressed strong support for the President’s national defense and Vietnam policies, while Nixon acknowledged their bipartisan cooperation on critical legislative issues. Nixon expressed interest in the visit and promised to attempt to accommodate the request within his busy schedule.
Stephen B. Bull briefed President Nixon regarding the presence of Henry C. Cashen II's parents and his wife, Leslie, at the White House. The brief exchange served to alert the President to these visitors during the afternoon schedule. No further policy or administrative actions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with Henry C. Cashen, II, his family, and associates for a brief social visit in the Oval Office. The President used the meeting to commend Henry Cashen’s job performance within the administration. The session primarily focused on casual conversation, the taking of a commemorative photograph, and the presentation of gifts, including presidential cuff links.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative logistics regarding Henry Kissinger. The discussion focused on confirming Kissinger’s current whereabouts and adjusting the President's daily schedule to accommodate a brief meeting with him. No major policy decisions were made, as the exchange was limited to managing the timing of appointments.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the administration's strategic position on the Vietnam War amidst mounting domestic political opposition and a perceived national malaise. They analyzed the historical parallels of leadership challenges faced by Thomas Jefferson and Woodrow Wilson while critiquing the role of the intellectual and academic communities in shaping national values. Ultimately, the two affirmed their resolve to maintain a firm policy stance and continue the fight against political adversaries despite the persistent pressure from the press and anti-war critics.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a phone call to an individual identified as 'Tiger Tap.' The brief exchange serves as a routine administrative request to facilitate a direct line of communication for the President. No further substantive policy matters or decisions are discussed during this short interaction.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Ray Bartlett. The President specifically requested that the operator determine Bartlett's availability before facilitating the conversation. This interaction reflects the administrative process Nixon used to manage his personal and professional communications.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to request tea. This brief interaction served as a routine administrative or service-related exchange between the President and his staff member. No significant policy discussions or major decisions were recorded during this meeting.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed political strategies in response to recent public opinion polls and negative media coverage regarding the Vietnam War, demonstrations, and the administration's policy initiatives. They analyzed the electoral impact of the administration's China initiative, explored public relations tactics for the Cabinet, and considered the timing of a future presidential press conference to regain control of the political narrative. The conversation also touched on personnel matters, including a potential ambassadorship for John A. Volpe and the administrative reorganization of the United Nations staff.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to address a mechanical or logistical issue involving a doorway or security entrance that was already in the process of opening. The brief, fragmented exchange suggests a focus on operational access or equipment maintenance within the President's workspace. No further substantive policy matters were recorded before the audio feed was terminated.
President Nixon consulted with H.R. Haldeman regarding political strategy, specifically focusing on government reorganization and managing public perception through media engagement and the mobilization of pro-administration veterans. The discussion shifted to foreign affairs when Henry Kissinger joined to report on recent negotiations with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin concerning the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and plans for a summit meeting. They finalized a plan to handle the SALT negotiations through private assurances rather than immediate public disclosure, while avoiding premature commitments regarding the status of Berlin.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe and others to discuss administrative strategies, including suburban housing integration, the status of the 'Operation Breakthrough' housing program, and federal reorganization efforts. Volpe expressed a desire for greater inclusion of Cabinet members in the decision-making process and offered suggestions for improving morale among federal civil servants through more frequent direct engagement with the President. The participants also touched on foreign policy concerns regarding Latin American politics and the potential for a visit by Volpe to Italy to gauge regional conditions.
President Nixon met with United States Secret Service agents to discuss logistics regarding his upcoming helicopter trip to Virginia Beach. The briefing focused on travel arrangements and scheduling requirements for the flight. The short discussion was interrupted by heavy helicopter noise, and no further significant policy decisions were recorded.