Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 596
Nixon White House Tape 596 (October 19, 1971)
23 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Mitchell, White House photographer
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his daily agenda and review upcoming scheduling requirements. The discussion focused on managing the President's morning activities to ensure a smooth transition into the day's commitments. No specific policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative briefing.
President Nixon met with unidentified individuals in the Oval Office to engage in casual, informal dialogue. The exchange consists of brief, ambient remarks regarding the presence of a cat and general conversational filler. No substantive policy matters, political strategy, or administrative decisions were documented during this short interaction.
President Nixon, John Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman met in the Oval Office to strategize on impending Supreme Court nominations and the administration's relationship with the American Bar Association (ABA). The discussion centered on vetting candidates—specifically Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Howard H. Baker, Jr., and various women—while navigating potential political fallout and media criticism regarding judicial qualifications. The President decided to prioritize Powell and expressed a willingness to move forward with nominees like Baker even if they did not receive full ABA approval, aiming to limit the influence of the organized bar and avoid public controversies similar to past nomination failures.
Following a discussion with H. R. Haldeman regarding domestic political appointments and strategies to manage public broadcasting, President Nixon hosted Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Ceylon in the Oval Office. The two leaders primarily discussed the security challenges in Ceylon, the implications of Nixon's upcoming diplomatic trips to the PRC and the USSR, and the importance of global agricultural development. Nixon emphasized that his foreign policy initiatives aimed to establish a dialogue with major powers to prevent conflict while maintaining U.S. support for regional allies.
Unnamed participants discuss the ongoing diplomatic stalemate in the Arab-Israeli conflict, specifically focusing on the intractable disagreement over territorial withdrawal and secure borders. The conversation highlights the fundamental tension between the Arab demand for full Israeli withdrawal and Israel’s insistence on maintaining strategic boundaries. The dialogue reflects a concern that the lack of progress on these core issues increases the likelihood of renewed hostilities.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss diplomatic strategies regarding Ceylon’s role in the upcoming United Nations vote on Taiwan, specifically addressing the influence of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The discussion shifted to Vietnam, focusing on U.S. casualty figures, congressional concerns over South Vietnamese domestic politics, and the status of ongoing negotiations and POWs. Haig briefed the President on his recent meetings with congressmen to manage political fallout concerning the administration’s military withdrawal policy.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discuss scheduling administrative matters regarding the National Multiple Sclerosis Society before shifting to a substantive review of legislative strategy. The President expresses strong opposition to congressional resolutions regarding a troop withdrawal timeline, arguing that such actions undermine his bargaining position regarding POWs and South Vietnam. Nixon confirms his intent to maintain pressure on wavering congressmen to ensure continued support for his foreign policy objectives.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative contact with a White House operator to place an outgoing call. This interaction serves as a functional step in facilitating the President's telephonic communications from the Oval Office. No substantive policy matters or political discussions are recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This interaction served purely as an administrative bridge to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy matters or decisions were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon interacted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing communication. This brief exchange served as a logistical step to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull, Ross Tomkins, and Charlton Reynders in the Oval Office to discuss personal matters and engage in lighthearted conversation. The participants exchanged pleasantries, discussed their New York residences, and posed for a White House photograph. They also spoke briefly about the television show "To Tell the Truth" and exchanged gifts before the brief meeting concluded.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief, informal interaction. The discussion, largely obscured by withdrawn material and undefined audio segments, focused on personal matters rather than substantive policy. No significant administrative decisions or historical action items were recorded during this brief encounter.
In this Oval Office meeting, President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss administrative matters, personnel staffing, and political strategy. The conversation covers internal concerns regarding the management of the Kennedy Center, the political reception of Treasury Secretary John Connally's performance, and the vetting process for potential Supreme Court nominees. Woods also seeks the President's guidance on staff hiring for her office and organizational details regarding upcoming presidential appearances.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This exchange served a routine operational purpose to connect the President with a desired party. No substantive policy matters or major political decisions were recorded during this brief communication.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to coordinate a schedule for a meeting with Charles W. Colson. The participants discussed drafting a letter concerning a West Virginia seizure and personal correspondence from Pat Nixon. The conversation concluded with the President acknowledging a photograph and offering congratulations to Dr. Robson.
President Nixon and John Mitchell engage in a brief, informal discussion focused on the aesthetics of portraiture displayed within the White House. The conversation centers on the President's critique of specific photographs and paintings, particularly his dissatisfaction with a bland portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower currently in the Cabinet Room. Nixon expresses a clear preference for portraits that preserve facial character and requests that the current depiction be replaced with a better-lit version seen at the Kennedy Center.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss a broad range of domestic political strategies, including countering media and congressional opposition to potential Supreme Court nominees. The group examined methods to undermine the influence of the "Common Cause" organization and evaluated the political utility of the Kennedy Center, including its management and potential renaming. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for leveraging Lyndon B. Johnson’s memoir to discredit political opponents and analyzed positive economic trends in housing starts despite ongoing stock market volatility.
President Richard Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss the recent volatility in the stock market and the public perception of the administration's economic policies, specifically regarding monetary tightening and inflation. The two men dismiss concerns over market fluctuations, noting that housing starts remain strong and that the current economic indicators should eventually lead to a market recovery. Additionally, they discuss personnel matters and potential political appointments, briefly touching upon the qualifications of candidates for judicial or administrative positions.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the potential judicial appointment of an individual referred to as 'Buster.' The dialogue centers on the strategic handling of Chief Justice Warren Burger regarding the candidate's professional qualifications and his standing with the American Bar Association. The participants evaluate whether Burger would approve the nomination if confronted directly about the candidate's credentials.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator regarding the potential public perception of Senator Howard Baker. The President engaged in an informal assessment of Baker’s character and reputation, specifically questioning whether he would be viewed as a distinguished figure. No formal policy decisions or specific action items were recorded during this brief evaluative exchange.
President Nixon and Donald Rumsfeld discuss public perception and political strategy, specifically focusing on the reliability of Gallup polling data compared to Harris polls. The conversation also addresses economic concerns regarding the stock market and the inherent uncertainty surrounding the administration's Phase Two wage and price control policies. Nixon emphasizes the trade-off between economic control and bureaucratic growth, defending the necessity of flexibility in their approach to managing the national economy.
President Nixon consults with an associate, likely John Ehrlichman, regarding the management of labor relations and economic policy during the wage and price control era. The discussion focuses on securing commitments from labor leaders to curb inflation and maintain stability, despite the challenges of ongoing negotiations. The participants also deliberate on potential administrative appointments, specifically discussing the suitability of Robert Ellsworth for a role within the administration.
President Nixon met with representatives of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, including Sylvia Lawry and Charles W. V. Meares, to discuss the organization's ongoing medical research efforts. During the visit, the group presented the President with a Paul Revere-style silver tray to commemorate the society’s 20th anniversary and acknowledge his support for voluntary service. Following the presentation and photo session, Stephen B. Bull briefly joined the President to review scheduling matters.