Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 576
Nixon White House Tape 576 (September 18, 1971 – September 20, 1971)
15 conversations · Oval Office · about 6 hr 24 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Haldeman, Butterfield
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate administrative tasks and facilitate communication with his staff. During the brief session, the President requested a phone call to Attorney General John N. Mitchell. Additionally, the meeting served to process various documents requiring the President’s signature.
President Nixon spoke with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This brief interaction served as a technical precursor to an outgoing call, as indicated by the President's instruction regarding the destination of the communication. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief administrative exchange.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon met briefly in the Oval Office to finalize their departure schedule for the day. The discussion centered on confirming travel plans, specifically noting a two o'clock departure time. The exchange also included a brief administrative note regarding the handling of a piece of correspondence.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a call to Congressman Charles Wiggins. The brief interaction served as a logistical step to initiate direct communication with the legislator. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss a wide range of political strategies, including the 1972 election, potential Supreme Court nominees, and campaign publicity. They addressed the necessity of countering negative press coverage regarding the President's security arrangements at public events and considered methods for managing the candidacies of political rivals like George Wallace and Edmund Muskie. Additionally, the two discussed using the IRS and FBI to investigate and harass political adversaries and media critics, while also vetting potential judicial appointments based on their ideological stances on issues like busing.
President Nixon met with his inner circle, including John Mitchell, Henry Kissinger, and John Ehrlichman, to discuss a range of urgent issues including Middle East tensions, the SALT negotiations, and Supreme Court vacancies. The President directed that the Middle East situation be kept low-profile to avoid political complications, emphasized the need for a conservative nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, and ordered his staff to secure comprehensive files on the Bay of Pigs and the Pentagon Papers to better manage political messaging. Additionally, the participants reviewed economic indicators, discussed the President's public relations strategy regarding J. Edgar Hoover, and brainstormed ways to capitalize on the Democratic Party's internal divisions.
Alexander P. Butterfield, Charles W. Colson, and John D. Ehrlichman convened in the Oval Office to discuss administrative operations and scheduling matters. The brief interaction focused on the staff's need for dedicated time to manage official White House work. The recording concludes abruptly before any significant decisions or follow-up actions could be finalized.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John Connally met to strategize on the administration's upcoming economic initiatives, specifically regarding Phase II policies, the import surcharge, and the U.S. stance ahead of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting. They discussed the necessity of maintaining a firm, unilateral negotiating position to counter foreign criticism and protect American economic interests, while also coordinating the timing of public announcements to maximize political control. Additionally, Nixon consulted with his staff on personnel matters, including the future of Robert McNamara at the World Bank, a campaign contribution from Armand Hammer, and the appointment of Romana A. Banuelos as Treasurer of the United States.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming meeting with the White House Fellows. The discussion focused on scheduling, the physical location for the event, and the presentation of gifts. Additionally, they addressed the protocol for the President's speech and determined that official photographer Oliver F. Atkins would be present to document the occasion.
President Nixon met with the incoming class of White House Fellows to welcome them and discuss the value of public service. He emphasized the importance of anonymous, grueling work within the executive departments and encouraged the fellows to find fulfillment in their assignments despite the potential for early-career disillusionment. The meeting also included informal remarks on recent political events, such as the search for a Supreme Court nominee to replace Hugo Black, before concluding with the distribution of ceremonial presidential gifts.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman, John Mitchell, and Ron Ziegler regarding the timing of the announcement of Justice John M. Harlan's resignation from the Supreme Court. The group discussed creating a 'double play' strategy by announcing two judicial appointments simultaneously to maximize political leverage. Additionally, Nixon reviewed his upcoming schedule—including potential trips to Florida and Disney World—and discussed public comments regarding the possible departure of the Washington Senators baseball team from the nation's capital.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate a forthcoming photo opportunity and meeting with Miss America winners Phyllis George and Laurie Lee Schaefer. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements, specifically the presentation of ceremonial gifts including bow pins and compacts. The two also exchanged brief, lighthearted remarks regarding the guest list and event preparations before concluding the scheduling briefing.
President Nixon hosted a social visit in the Oval Office for Miss America titleholders Phyllis George and Laurie Lee Schaefer, alongside their family members and White House staff. The conversation touched upon the participants' professional aspirations in television and film, as well as the President's personal views on current trends in the entertainment industry. Nixon also engaged in lighthearted discussions regarding sports, specifically football and the potential relocation of the Washington Senators baseball team, before concluding the meeting by presenting presidential gifts to his guests.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, for a brief administrative check-in regarding the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on arrangements for an impending meeting with representatives from the Jaycees, specifically mentioning Ronald G.S. Au. No major policy decisions were made during this short briefing.
President Nixon met with Ronald G. S. Au, the President of the U.S. Jaycees, along with Andre LeTendre and George T. Bell to host a formal photo opportunity in the Oval Office. The participants exchanged pleasantries and brief remarks regarding the photography session. Discussions touched upon Au’s recent trip and the scheduling of an upcoming meeting with Arthur F. Burns before the recording was interrupted.