Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 563
Nixon White House Tape 563 (August 13, 1971)
13 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Haldeman, Bull, Ehrlichman
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman consult on strategies for responding to political criticism regarding the administration's stance on busing and civil rights enforcement. The discussion focuses on maintaining a firm public position that the law does not mandate busing while managing the optics of ongoing attacks from opponents. Nixon instructs Ehrlichman to coordinate the administration's messaging and Q&A preparation to ensure a unified front in upcoming public appearances.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to coordinate logistics for a upcoming weekend at Camp David, where the President planned to host the 'Quadriad' (his top economic advisers) to discuss budget policy and the national economy. Kissinger provided a briefing on defense budget issues, US military dispositions in the Pacific, and preparations for his upcoming high-level negotiations regarding the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, the participants reviewed speechwriting strategies and administrative matters, including the Bicentennial Commission and upcoming church services.
President Nixon met with a group of White House interns to thank them for their service and discuss the value of their contributions to the administration. Drawing on his own experiences as a law student working on a constitutional law book, he encouraged the students to find meaning in mundane tasks and perform them with excellence. The meeting concluded with Nixon providing mementos to the interns and expressing hope that their time in Washington would inspire them to pursue public service and balanced leadership.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler met to finalize scheduling and strategic messaging for an upcoming meeting at Camp David. The discussion centered on the 'Quadriad' economic summit and the broader coordination of budget and economic planning. They addressed concerns regarding public perception and potential economic leaks, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of managing the administration's narrative on these financial matters.
President Nixon met with a group of female appointees and administration officials, including Frederic V. Malek and Herbert G. Klein, to participate in an official White House photograph session. Beyond the scheduling of the photos, the conversation turned toward the potential use of Wolf Trap National Park for large-scale, ecumenical, or religious-themed pageants and performances. The group also engaged in general discussion regarding the role of women in professional careers and historical observations concerning Charles de Gaulle.
President Nixon met with his staff and advisors to organize a crucial upcoming strategy session at Camp David regarding his forthcoming economic program. The discussion focused on finalizing the details of his August 16, 1971, address, specifically addressing the closing of the gold window, the implementation of import taxes, and the mechanics of a wage-price freeze. Nixon emphasized the need for decisive action and strict control over the bureaucratic process to ensure a coherent policy rollout, while also addressing ongoing concerns regarding school desegregation and busing litigation.
President Richard Nixon met briefly with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The conversation was limited in duration and involved a personal request from Sanchez. No further substantive policy or administrative developments were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Special Counsel, Charles W. Colson. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to initiate a private consultation with one of his key political advisors. No further substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The primary purpose of this interaction involved the President issuing a specific, albeit undocumented, request to Sanchez. The brief duration of the encounter suggests a routine exchange regarding personal or administrative assistance rather than matters of state policy.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss aggressive political strategy, specifically emphasizing the need for the administration to go on the offensive against Democratic rivals and media critics. Nixon instructed Colson to prioritize forcing prominent Democrats—specifically Muskie, Kennedy, and Humphrey—to take public stances on the controversial issue of busing. The President also suggested utilizing this issue to pressure these candidates, particularly among Southern voters, to further the administration's political agenda.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed the administration's strategies for managing media relations and public perception, specifically discussing the bias of news outlets and the benefits of maintaining an aggressive stance against inaccurate reporting. They also touched upon the upcoming rollout of political books supporting the Nixon presidency and established protocol for the President's public appearances at formal events. Finally, the pair coordinated logistics for upcoming economic announcements and potential meetings with key political figures to ensure a cohesive administration narrative.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical arrangements for the President’s upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on managing Nixon's time and movement between the Oval Office and the Executive Office Building. They specifically deliberated on the potential scheduling of a private meeting with an unidentified individual.
President Nixon met with unidentified Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to conduct a brief, routine administrative or logistical check. The conversation was largely procedural, focusing on confirming the readiness and suitability of arrangements for the President's upcoming activities. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.