Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 509
Nixon White House Tape 509 (June 1, 1971 – June 3, 1971)
20 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, White House photographer, Mitchell
President Nixon held a brief, informal meeting with Representative Harley O. Staggers, John E. Nidecker, and Mary Kay Leavitt to facilitate a photo opportunity. The discussion primarily served as a ceremonial exchange, involving the presentation of gifts and light conversation regarding Leavitt’s background and schooling. The President shared brief reflections on his own college experiences before concluding the visit.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss a wide-ranging agenda including administration public relations, political strategy for the 1972 election, and staffing efficiency. The President emphasized his desire to reduce White House paperwork and strictly prohibited staff members from engaging in political backgrounders with the press. They also planned upcoming events, such as a televised Fourth of July address at the National Archives, and reviewed strategies to counter Democratic criticism regarding Vietnam and the economy.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical details regarding an upcoming evening meeting with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Attorney General John N. Mitchell. The participants confirmed the 10:00 p.m. scheduling for the session and established the protocol for the officials' arrival. Nixon directed that Hoover and Mitchell enter together so he could join them at the start of the discussion.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review the President's upcoming schedule, including various appointments and the preparation for a press conference. The discussion focused heavily on the political risks posed by unfavorable economic indicators, specifically rising unemployment figures and the wholesale price index. They strategized on how to manage media narratives surrounding these economic reports and potential legislative vetoes to minimize negative press coverage.
President Nixon met with J. Edgar Hoover, John Mitchell, Egil Krogh, and John Ehrlichman to coordinate an upcoming meeting with law enforcement leaders. The participants discussed the administration's proposed legislation for providing financial compensation to the families of crime victims and strategies for presenting these initiatives to police officials. Nixon specifically instructed Hoover to emphasize the FBI's commitment to providing assistance to local police departments as part of the broader legislative agenda.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss strategies for upcoming press conferences, focusing on how the President should handle political questions and maintain his control over the news cycle. Nixon expresses a desire to avoid being drawn into partisan debates or candidate-specific topics, instead preferring to project a presidential image that resonates with the public. They also review the political utility of recent law-and-order rhetoric, particularly regarding police support and the administration's firm stance against drug legalization, and deliberate on the timing and location of future press engagements to maximize reach and impact.
President Nixon met with actress Corinne Griffith and Roger E. Johnson in the Oval Office, accompanied by a photographer to document the occasion. The conversation was largely social, touching upon Washington Redskins games, Griffith’s residence in Los Angeles, and the President's recent interactions with J. Edgar Hoover. Nixon concluded the meeting by presenting Griffith with a presidential gift, a compact featuring the presidential seal, while acknowledging her continued support.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the logistics for an upcoming appearance by a Polish boys' choir at the White House. They discussed the involvement of Senator Robert P. Griffin and Congressman Lucien N. Nedzi in coordinating the visit for the Polish-American community. The brief meeting also included a specific clarification regarding the correct pronunciation of the Polish city, Poznan.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate logistics for upcoming presidential travel, review scheduling for meetings with political allies and foreign officials, and discuss the administration's media strategy regarding recent May Day protests. The group reviewed gift-giving protocols for members of Congress and evaluated the political risks associated with various appearances, including a rejected proposal for a concert in the Rose Garden. Nixon and his staff also discussed managing press relations, specifically reinforcing the President's policy of declining to answer partisan political questions during televised press conferences.
President Nixon held a meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to conduct internal administration business. The recording captures only a brief, fragmented exclamation from the visitor, providing no substantial information regarding policy discussions or administrative actions. Consequently, the specific nature and outcome of this interaction remain historical unknowns due to the lack of audible dialogue.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met in the Oval Office to discuss scheduling and the management of Kissinger's calendar. The conversation primarily focused on coordinating upcoming engagements and strategic planning regarding the National Security Advisor's availability. No major policy decisions were reached, as the discussion remained centered on administrative logistics.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to address routine logistical matters. The brief discussion primarily concerned the physical arrangement of equipment within the room. No significant policy decisions or political developments were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This interaction served a logistical purpose, as the President required assistance in connecting with a specific party via the White House switchboard. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy regarding ongoing diplomatic negotiations, specifically concerning Vietnam and the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. They discussed the importance of maintaining secrecy and timing for these sensitive foreign policy initiatives while addressing the domestic political fallout from the recent May Day demonstrations and military controversies. Additionally, the pair evaluated the geopolitical complexities surrounding the India-Pakistan conflict and expressed a desire to keep U.S. involvement limited to protect broader strategic interests.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman briefly coordinate the timing of a meeting scheduled for later that afternoon. During the exchange, they discuss the visible presence of law enforcement around the White House grounds, which Nixon notes has successfully unsettled the press corps. No major policy decisions are reached, as the conversation serves primarily as a logistical check-in.
President Nixon held an informal discussion with an unidentified individual regarding the composition and political influence of the 80th Congressional Club. The dialogue focused on the difficulties of governance during that legislative period and the historical dynamics between the executive branch and congressional leadership. No specific policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office to facilitate an exchange of documents or items related to Rose Mary Woods’ schedule. The meeting was administrative in nature and concluded shortly thereafter, with the guest departing the office within ten minutes. No substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met to discuss various administrative and personal matters, including the Blair House Fine Arts Committee's proposal to create a new reception hall in honor of the President and First Lady. They also addressed concerns regarding ongoing anti-war demonstrations, with the President expressing frustration over the behavior of the protestors. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the logistics of David Eisenhower's stay at the U.S. Embassy in Athens and administrative notes regarding gifts and correspondence.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Robert Dole, and John Mitchell to discuss the administration's political strategy, including the management of the 1972 Republican National Convention site selection and efforts to increase youth voter registration. The group evaluated the political risks of pending legislation, specifically gun control, health care, and public works bills, while coordinating messaging to contrast Nixon's policies with Democratic alternatives. Additionally, the President and his advisors reviewed strategies for handling press relations—including a potential public moratorium for Vice President Agnew—and addressed concerns regarding the Vietnam War, POW repatriation, and the impact of economic issues on his reelection prospects.
Stephen B. Bull met with unknown individuals in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics for an upcoming event. The group subsequently relocated to the Cabinet Room to finalize arrangements. No further details regarding the substance of their discussion were recorded.