Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 494
Nixon White House Tape 494 (May 8, 1971)
9 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Ziegler, Haldeman
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss the drafting of a birthday telegram for former President Harry S. Truman. During the exchange, Nixon dismissively instructed Bull to discard or destroy a specific draft of the message. This brief interaction highlights the President's personal involvement in routine executive correspondence and his decisive, if curt, approach to administrative tasks.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Ronald L. Ziegler. Nixon explicitly instructed Bull to limit the interaction to a brief photo opportunity for press photographers and reporters. The President emphasized a strict fifteen-minute timeframe and explicitly prohibited any conversational engagement during the session.
President Nixon met with D.C. Mayor Walter Washington, Chief of Police Jerry Wilson, and military/legal officials to commend their handling of the recent anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C. The discussion focused on the tactical success of the city’s response, the heavy costs and logistical challenges of policing mass arrests, and the administration’s firm stance against civil disobedience. Nixon affirmed his full support for their actions and emphasized that his administration would continue to prioritize law and order over the disruptions caused by protesters.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff members to discuss public relations strategies, specifically focusing on how to capitalize on recent public approval of the administration's firm handling of anti-war protests in Washington, D.C. They reviewed internal polling data showing strong support for the police and authorized the administration to project a tough 'law and order' stance. Furthermore, they coordinated plans to move forward with revenue sharing legislation and addressed the need for better communication strategies regarding foreign policy and upcoming agricultural events.
President Nixon and an unidentified associate reviewed the polling data to assess the impact of his recent press conference on public approval ratings. They analyzed shifting percentages and confirmed that while the raw numbers fluctuated, the overall margin remained stable at a 19-point spread. The exchange functioned as a brief evaluation of the administration's current standing with the American public.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to review routine administrative paperwork and discuss recent public opinion polling regarding the Vietnam War. They analyzed shifts in approval ratings and the significance of undecided voters in the context of recent war demonstrations. The discussion concluded with a brief review of documents requiring the President’s signature.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to address administrative or logistical matters. The brief interaction included a seven-second segment of personal conversation that was subsequently withdrawn from public record. No major policy developments occurred during this short meeting, which concluded in under five minutes.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum to H. R. Haldeman regarding the administration's public image and the necessity of projecting stronger, more decisive leadership. Nixon expresses frustration with how the press portrays his administration, specifically regarding demonstrations and his handling of domestic policy, and instructs Haldeman to coordinate with staff like John Scali to counter narratives of indecisiveness. The President emphasizes the need for public figures like Spiro Agnew and John Mitchell to take a more aggressive stance to solidify support for the administration's position against disruptive demonstrators.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discussed the administration's political image and the public's perception of his leadership style. Nixon emphasized the necessity of projecting strength and decisiveness to counter narratives of weakness, particularly in relation to domestic policy and law and order. The conversation underscored Nixon's ongoing preoccupation with public opinion polls and the challenge of navigating political optics amidst critical media coverage.