Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 547
Nixon White House Tape 547 (July 27, 1971)
11 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 53 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Connally, Butterfield
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield held a brief morning meeting to coordinate the President's daily schedule. The discussion focused on upcoming appointments involving General James D. Hughes and H.R. Haldeman. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this brief logistical check-in.
Stephen B. Bull met with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. The primary objective of the meeting was to confirm the specific arrival time for the Vice President at Andrews Air Force Base. Following this brief administrative check, the participants departed the office immediately.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed a wide range of administrative, political, and personnel matters, including the handling of Vice President Spiro Agnew’s return from an African tour and the potential nomination of Robert S. McNamara to the World Bank. The conversation also covered strategic planning for upcoming presidential radio addresses, the management of economic policy advisors like Paul McCracken, and the implementation of tighter control over presidential media coverage, specifically regarding Nixon's planned trip to the Bohemian Grove. Finally, the President directed staff to gather sensitive historical documents from the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, emphasizing the need for organized access to records concerning the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and other Cold War-era crises.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed the selection and scheduling of individuals for an upcoming press photography session. The President prioritized specific representation for the photos, noting recommendations provided by Ronald L. Ziegler and Charles W. Colson. It was decided that these selected individuals would be brought in specifically for the press event.
President Nixon met with American Legion officials, including National Commander Alfred P. Chamie and Charles W. Colson, to discuss international affairs and domestic relations. The conversation covered the Vietnam War, the American Legion's support for U.S. foreign policy—including the opening of relations with the People's Republic of China—and potential challenges regarding South Vietnamese elections. Additionally, the participants addressed the Legion's request for the President's attendance at their upcoming convention, which Nixon struggled to accommodate due to a prior commitment to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
President Nixon met with Indonesian Ambassador Soedjatmoko and Henry Kissinger to discuss the geopolitical implications of the administration's recent initiative to open diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The participants addressed concerns from Asian allies regarding potential U.S. withdrawal from the region, with Nixon emphasizing that the U.S. remains committed to an active security and economic presence in Asia despite the normalization efforts. Additionally, Nixon and Kissinger reviewed the status of secret Vietnam peace negotiations and planned a series of diplomatic communications to reassure global leaders of the strategic intent behind the China policy.
President Nixon met with Mamie Eisenhower, Treasury Secretary John Connally, and Mint Director Mary Brooks to discuss the production and distribution of commemorative Dwight D. Eisenhower silver dollars. The group explored logistics for presenting these coins as official White House gifts to foreign dignitaries and members of Congress. Additionally, the participants coordinated on the selection and inventory of various other presidential gift items intended for official use.
An unidentified man and woman met with the President in the Oval Office to briefly discuss scheduling matters. The participants coordinated logistics for an individual named Lauren before the conversation was abruptly cut short. No substantive policy discussions or significant political developments were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with John Connally and Peter Peterson to strategize a bold, coordinated plan to address U.S. economic instability, specifically the trade deficit and the defense of the dollar. The participants discussed potential measures such as the cessation of gold convertibility, the floating of exchange rates, and the implementation of wage and price controls. They emphasized the need for strict confidentiality, the importance of maintaining Arthur Burns’ cooperation, and the political necessity of framing these actions as a display of strong, decisive leadership.
President Nixon met briefly with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss his daily schedule and workload. The President explicitly noted his lack of time for a midday nap due to his current commitments. The conversation was limited to these administrative observations regarding the President's immediate agenda.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate upcoming administrative travel, public relations strategies, and media management for various high-level officials. Key discussions included planning a national speaking tour for John B. Connally, managing the President's low-key appearance at Bohemian Grove to minimize press coverage, and organizing logistical details for youth outreach programs like Boys and Girls Nation. They also addressed administrative matters, such as the handling of official correspondence regarding the People's Republic of China and the distribution of Eisenhower silver dollars.