Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 590
Nixon White House Tape 590 (October 13, 1971 – October 14, 1971)
16 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 54 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Bull, Butterfield, Timmons
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discuss the personal acquisition of premium wines, focusing on specific vintages and bottle sizes to be purchased using the President's personal funds. Nixon requests a detailed price comparison and source information for these vintages, emphasizing his desire for fiscal oversight of the transaction. Additionally, the pair briefly reviews scheduling arrangements for upcoming meetings with James D. Hughes and Mayor Walter E. Washington.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff members to coordinate various administrative tasks, including the logistics for his upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, press management, and the vetting of Supreme Court nominees. A significant portion of the discussion focused on limiting the size of the accompanying press corps to ensure efficiency and control the narrative. Additionally, Nixon reviewed his upcoming schedule, debated the political strategy for managing the Republican Party's image, and discussed the appropriate protocol for social events and visitor interactions at the White House.
President Nixon met with D.C. Mayor Walter Washington, Chief Jerry Wilson, and senior aides to discuss city progress, including positive economic and crime statistics, and the ongoing effort to secure a new professional baseball team for the District. Following the departure of local officials, the President transitioned to a strategic discussion with John Ehrlichman regarding the timing and public relations framing for upcoming Supreme Court nominations, specifically those of Herschel Friday and Mildred Lillie. Nixon emphasized prioritizing trial court experience as a key credential and instructed aides to manage the announcement sequence to maximize political impact.
President Nixon met with a large delegation of Masonic leaders, including international representatives and American officials, to discuss their organization's activities and provide a ceremonial audience in the Oval Office. The conversation centered on the group's patriotic contributions, their government training programs at George Washington University, and brief commentary on global economic conditions. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative mementos and an offer from the President for the group to receive a private tour of the White House.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield held a brief meeting in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming daily agenda. The discussion focused on managing the President's schedule and the logistics of his appearances before specific groups. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this short administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with a bipartisan group of House members to receive a petition signed by 336 lawmakers advocating for the preservation of Taiwan's seat in the United Nations. The delegation expressed strong support for the administration's foreign policy approach, specifically the efforts of U.S. Ambassador George H.W. Bush, while discussing the potential leverage of cutting U.S. financial contributions to the UN. The President and his staff confirmed that the administration would use the weight of this overwhelming Congressional consensus to signal the significant political challenges regarding future UN funding if Taiwan were expelled.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding diplomatic strategy to retain Taiwan's seat in the United Nations, emphasizing the need for discreet pressure on smaller nations rather than public overtures. They also discussed plans for the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, with Nixon expressing a desire to limit the visit to four days to avoid unnecessary substantive downtime. Additionally, Nixon placed personal calls to inquire about the health of injured football player Kenneth Dyer and to offer administrative support and military funeral assistance to Mrs. Dean G. Acheson following the death of her husband.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics regarding the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion focused on practical arrangements, specifically the use of a car for Mrs. Acheson and potential adjustments to the memorial service for Dean Acheson. No major policy decisions were reached beyond these logistical updates.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the scheduling of the memorial service for former Secretary of State Dean Acheson to determine if the President can attend. Nixon expresses a desire to participate in the event but faces conflicts with his existing daily itinerary. Haldeman investigates the feasibility of shifting the service to an earlier time to accommodate the President's schedule.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed logistics for the upcoming presidential visit to the People's Republic of China, specifically focusing on itinerary length and the potential removal of extra city stops to streamline Secret Service and communications requirements. The two also addressed strategy regarding the United Nations vote on Taiwan, aiming to manage congressional pressure while maintaining the administration's foreign policy objectives. Additionally, they touched upon minor administrative matters, including the President's potential attendance at Dean Acheson’s funeral and communication strategies for ambassadors.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods, H. R. Haldeman, and others to manage his upcoming schedule, including decisions on ambassadorial credentials and potential appearances in Florida. The group discussed administrative personnel issues, specifically the President's frustration with cabinet members failing to promote his agenda, as well as the logistics of White House social events and guest list management. Nixon expressed a desire to reduce time spent on ceremonial tasks like hand-shaking, citing them as an inefficient use of his time.
President Nixon met with Teamsters President Frank E. Fitzsimmons to express appreciation for Fitzsimmons' recent assistance in resolving a labor dispute. The discussion touched upon the necessity of maintaining cooperative relations despite external pressures and misunderstandings exacerbated by the press. Nixon also briefly updated Fitzsimmons on international economic negotiations, specifically referencing efforts by the Treasury Department to reach trade agreements with Canada and Japan.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss lunch arrangements. The brief interaction focused on the President's dining preferences and personal service requirements. No significant policy developments or political decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield coordinate the logistics for the upcoming presentation of diplomatic credentials. They discuss refining the procedure to minimize the President's time commitment by transitioning from private meetings to simple, efficient handshakes. Nixon emphasizes that this adjustment should be handled discreetly to avoid the perception that he is deviating from established protocol or diminishing the importance of the guests.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Stephen Bull meet to discuss administrative details regarding White House guest lists, event protocols, and the logistical management of the President's schedule. They address specific concerns over social invitations, staff morale, and the necessity of managing high-level visitor interactions to maximize the President's efficiency. The conversation emphasizes the importance of streamlining procedures for official events and balancing personal diplomatic requirements with political obligations.
This recording captures logistical movement within the White House as unidentified individuals navigate the path toward the President's residence. The brief audio serves primarily to document the physical transition of staff or visitors through the executive complex. No substantive policy discussions or administrative decisions are recorded during this movement.