Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 500
Nixon White House Tape 500 (May 18, 1971)
35 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 38 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Butterfield, Kissinger
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to review the latest developments regarding the Mansfield Amendment in Congress. The discussion focused on evaluating the status of this legislative proposal and its progress through the congressional process. No further actions were recorded in this brief exchange.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum to H. R. Haldeman outlining political messaging strategies intended to appeal to the "far right" while neutralizing critics on the left. The President emphasizes the importance of projecting a bold, courageous image regarding his foreign policy—specifically Vietnam—and his economic agenda, including the Family Assistance Plan and budget priorities. This guidance serves as an directive for the White House staff to adopt a more assertive posture in public communications and future press conferences.
President Nixon met with Landrum Bolling to discuss the latter's recent book and follow up on their previous conversation from May 14, 1971. The President expressed his personal views on the text, praising its objective tone and candid approach. During the meeting, Nixon dictated a formal letter to Bolling reflecting on their exchange and emphasizing a desire for peaceful resolution.
President Nixon met with Representative Joe D. Waggonner, Jr. to discuss the contents and reception of Waggonner's recent newsletter. The conversation centered on the political messaging within the publication and its potential impact on media coverage. Nixon acknowledged the newsletter's effectiveness, suggesting a shared interest in managing public perception through strategic communication.
President Nixon met briefly with Alexander P. Butterfield to address administrative scheduling matters, specifically concerning the calendar of George P. Shultz. The discussion touched upon the potential involvement of Paul W. McCracken in these scheduling arrangements. This brief exchange served to coordinate high-level personnel availability within the administration.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed urgent strategy regarding the ongoing Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the necessity of finalizing agreements with Soviet officials. The conversation focused on navigating diplomatic obstacles, specifically concerning the precise wording of proposed terms and coordination with Anatoliy Dobrynin. Nixon emphasized the importance of resolving these issues promptly during the current week to preempt potential domestic political complications, such as the Mansfield amendment.
Alexander P. Butterfield and unidentified participants engage in a brief, informal exchange characterized by unclear dialogue regarding a document delivery and the installation of an unknown item. The recording, which consists largely of unintelligible remarks and casual banter, appears to be unrelated to substantive White House business or policy-making. The interaction concludes abruptly without any official decisions or actionable developments recorded.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discussed their firm opposition to a proposed congressional amendment requiring biannual reporting on sensitive diplomatic negotiations, arguing that such transparency would undermine the administration's ability to conduct effective foreign policy. Nixon expressed his intent to maintain a hard line against the amendment, asserting that there was no acceptable compromise to offer lawmakers. The two agreed to postpone a scheduled meeting to accommodate the President's upcoming engagement with state legislators regarding revenue sharing.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review and finalize the President’s daily schedule. The brief discussion facilitated the coordination of upcoming appointments and logistical planning for the morning. The meeting concluded immediately following these administrative arrangements, with Bull departing shortly thereafter.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the status of negotiations for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and concerns regarding a potential delay or rejection of the agreement by the Soviet Union. Kissinger provided updates on his communications with Anatoliy Dobrynin, emphasizing the importance of managing the announcement timing and the need to maneuver around domestic congressional pressure, specifically the Mathias Amendment. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the lack of resolve among Republican congressional leadership and reiterated his commitment to maintaining a firm stance on foreign policy and military force levels despite political opposition.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to finalize his upcoming public schedule, focusing on managing media engagements and minimizing redundant appearances with business leaders. The conversation addressed the logistical handling of upcoming events, including a trip to the Lyndon B. Johnson Library opening and the scheduling of Saudi King Faisal, while also coordinating the administration's stance on the Supersonic Transport (SST) funding and a ongoing railroad strike. Additionally, they reviewed internal personnel issues, specifically regarding the promotion of a member of the First Family's extended relatives and the necessity of maintaining presidential control over executive scheduling.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to conduct a brief administrative review of his daily schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was coordinating the President’s upcoming meeting with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. No other substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the status of ongoing Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) negotiations with the Soviet Union, specifically focusing on the timing of a public announcement and the potential for bureaucratic delays. Kissinger expressed confidence that an agreement remained likely, despite concerns over the State Department's recent publication of diplomatic communications and the political implications of the Mansfield Amendment. The conversation also touched upon domestic political challenges, with both men expressing skepticism regarding the seriousness of various Democratic politicians, including Jimmy Carter and Edward Kennedy.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and coordinate the President's daily schedule. The brief discussion centered on managing the President's upcoming commitments, specifically mentioning a scheduled appointment with his barber. No major policy decisions were made, as the conversation served primarily as a logistical check-in regarding the day's itinerary.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to review and process official correspondence, specifically focusing on a letter from Congressman Charles C. Diggs, Jr. The President sought clarification regarding Diggs's role as a representative of the Black Caucus. Following this brief administrative consultation, Nixon proceeded to sign the documents.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and George Shultz to discuss the political collapse of the Supersonic Transport (SST) program and strategy regarding a pending railroad strike. The participants reviewed the administration's economic agenda, including the need for a long-term fiscal strategy and a potential tax revision to address property taxes and broaden the political constituency. Additionally, they coordinated preparations for an off-the-record briefing with business magazine editors and discussed international economic concerns and civil unrest.
President Nixon met with entertainer Art Linkletter, DeVan L. Shumway, and John D. Ehrlichman to discuss Linkletter’s ongoing anti-drug campaign and his educational outreach in schools. The conversation focused on the classification of drug users, the societal dangers of marijuana compared to alcohol, and the negative impact of narcotics on youth motivation and discipline. The President expressed strong disapproval of a recent statement by a National Institute of Mental Health official regarding marijuana penalties and reaffirmed his commitment to firm law enforcement against drug use and radical demonstrators.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield in the Oval Office to review and process administrative documents requiring presidential authorization. The brief discussion served as a routine procedural session for signing official paperwork. No policy matters or major strategic decisions were recorded during this short encounter.
President Nixon met with Marjorie P. Acker in the Oval Office to discuss administrative matters related to the schedule of his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The brief interaction focused on the management of Woods' professional calendar and daily operations within the executive office. No significant policy decisions or major developments were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with an unidentified man and woman in the Oval Office to discuss matters related to his presidential schedule. The conversation concluded within sixteen minutes, though the specific details of the agenda remain undocumented due to the lack of a transcript. No further actions or significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the need to reprimand Dr. Bertram S. Brown of the National Institute of Mental Health for publicly contradicting statements made by the President during a recent press conference. Nixon expresses frustration that an administration official would undermine his position and instructs Ehrlichman to investigate Brown's credentials. Ultimately, the President directs press secretary Ron Ziegler to publicly refute Brown's comments to ensure administrative discipline.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to discuss a wide range of administrative and political concerns, including public messaging on drug policy and the vetting of potential presidential appointees. The two reviewed preparations for the 1972 campaign, with a focus on convention scheduling and state-level political strategy in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. Additionally, they deliberated on personnel assignments, specifically evaluating Donald Rumsfeld for a leadership role in the Office of Emergency Preparedness and addressing the ongoing challenges regarding John Volpe’s performance in the Cabinet.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his daily schedule and logistical arrangements. The primary focus of the brief discussion centered on managing the President's appointments, specifically concerning Henry A. Kissinger. This interaction served to confirm the structure of the President's meetings for the day.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and coordinate upcoming appointments for administration officials. The discussion focused on scheduling logistics for Henry Kissinger, Donald Rumsfeld, and Robert Finch. The brief session concluded with Bull tasked to verify the availability of specific individuals for a requested 4:15 p.m. meeting.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met in the Oval Office to coordinate strategy regarding ongoing SALT negotiations and domestic opposition in the Senate. They discussed frustration over Soviet delays in finalizing terms and explored the potential for a major breakthrough in foreign policy, including upcoming summits and arms control agreements. Additionally, the President reviewed his interactions with Congressional leadership and expressed disdain for the lack of support from moderate Republicans and Senate colleagues regarding his Vietnam and foreign policy agenda.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Charles Colson met to discuss political strategy for the 1972 election, focusing on how to undermine potential Democratic rivals like Edward Kennedy and Edmund Muskie. They also assessed the legislative status of the Supersonic Transport (SST) and expressed frustration regarding the current leadership in the U.S. Senate. Henry Kissinger joined the latter portion of the meeting to finalize the timing and announcement strategy for the upcoming Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) negotiations with the USSR.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate scheduling and strategy regarding upcoming meetings with Henry Kissinger, John Scali, and Ronald Ziegler. The brief discussion emphasized the political importance of the events slated for the following weekend. The participants aimed to ensure alignment among key advisors to effectively manage the administration's messaging.
Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office to address a technical issue involving a malfunctioning device that produced a sound described as rushing water. After identifying the source of the noise, the participants discussed the President’s upcoming schedule. The meeting concluded with plans for the group to reconvene in approximately 20 minutes.
President Nixon met with his staff and advisors to coordinate the strategic announcement of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreement with the Soviet Union. The group focused heavily on controlling the release of information to the press and Congressional leaders to prevent premature leaks and to ensure that the administration controlled the narrative regarding the agreement's historical significance. They devised a plan to conduct high-level briefings for wire services and network correspondents to shape media coverage, while also briefly discussing the termination of the Supersonic Transport (SST) project.
President Nixon met with a group of business editors to discuss the long-term competitive standing of the U.S. economy and the administration's strategic domestic and international policy goals. Key topics included the challenges of maintaining U.S. economic superiority against rising competition from Japan and Europe, the importance of labor-management relations, and the necessity of re-evaluating antitrust and tax policies. Nixon emphasized a preference for liberal trade policies while stressing that the U.S. must adopt a long-term pragmatic vision to ensure future competitiveness.
President Richard Nixon contacted First Lady Pat Nixon to coordinate their evening plans. The President informed her that he was currently hosting guests aboard the presidential yacht, the Sequoia, but intended to return to the White House for dinner. No significant policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming dinner aboard the presidential yacht, the Sequoia. They discussed the guest list, which included John B. Connally, Henry Kissinger, H.R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and John Ehrlichman, and coordinated the specific timing for the gathering. Additionally, the pair briefly touched upon administrative details, including the placement of office equipment and scheduling confirmations.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, and others to discuss recent legislative developments, specifically the House progress on a manpower revenue-sharing bill and the resolution of an impending rail strike. The group reviewed the President's recent meeting with business leaders, focusing on his stance on free trade and domestic economic priorities. Additionally, Nixon emphasized his refusal to be pressured into reactive international monetary policy changes and authorized the initiation of a new intelligence program.
Alexander P. Butterfield met with an unknown individual in the Oval Office to track the President's whereabouts. The brief exchange consists of logistical inquiries regarding the President's current location and movement. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions were recorded during this segment.
H. R. Haldeman and an unidentified interlocutor briefly discussed logistics regarding a meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers scheduled for the following day. The exchange focused on coordinating the arrival of Rogers, potentially involving his pets or associates, to ensure the meeting proceeded as planned. No major policy decisions were reached during this short logistical check-in.