Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 602
Nixon White House Tape 602 (October 26, 1971)
11 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 47 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Sanchez, Haldeman, Haig
President Nixon met with Vice President Spiro Agnew, H. R. Haldeman, and various staff members to coordinate strategy for upcoming foreign and domestic challenges. Key discussions focused on preparations for the President’s trip to the People’s Republic of China, managing media coverage, and ongoing frustrations regarding the recent United Nations vote on Taiwan. The participants also reviewed the administration's judicial appointments, the economic outlook, and strategies for handling dissent within Congress and the press.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to address routine household matters. The brief interaction primarily focused on the President's request for coffee. No significant policy discussions or major administrative decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Ronald Reagan discussed the recent United Nations vote to expel Taiwan and recognize the People's Republic of China, expressing disappointment regarding the lack of support from various African nations. Nixon articulated concerns about the potential repercussions in Congress, particularly regarding foreign aid appropriations, while emphasizing the importance of remembering allies like Japan who stood with the U.S. during the vote. Additionally, the two men reviewed Nixon's recent Supreme Court nominations of Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist, focusing on the political necessity of balancing regional representation and professional background.
President Nixon, Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler, and Alexander Haig coordinate the administration's public relations strategy regarding the upcoming United Nations vote on the status of Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. Nixon instructs Ziegler to defer all media inquiries to Secretary of State William Rogers to ensure a unified message and explicitly forbids the disclosure of his personal disappointment regarding the UN situation. Additionally, the President expresses frustration with the press and demands a strict policy to stop the use of background briefings, insisting that all future official statements be made on the record.
President Nixon met with Senator Wallace Bennett and senior advisors to discuss legislative strategy for the upcoming Senate session, specifically focusing on a pending tax bill and the potential for a restrictive Senate vote to prevent extraneous amendments like H.R. 1. The participants analyzed the political landscape of the Senate Finance Committee, the influence of Chairman Russell Long, and the administration's cautious approach to welfare and social security reform. Additionally, the President briefly touched upon the United Nations vote regarding Taiwan and his frustration with international reactions toward U.S. policy.
President Nixon met with Marjorie P. Acker to provide specific instructions regarding a photograph. The discussion focused on administrative details for labeling the image, specifically requesting the inclusion of the first name of Frances (Grant) Bennett. The meeting concluded quickly after these personal arrangements were clarified.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met briefly to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming ten-person appointment. The discussion focused on confirming the format of the meeting, specifically establishing that it would be a brief, ten-minute 'stand-up' engagement. They also clarified the identities and personal relationships of the expected attendees to ensure the President was properly briefed.
President Nixon met with a group of Vietnam veterans and their guests to discuss their experiences, the status of the war, and the ongoing American effort in South Vietnam. The participants shared their perspectives on the conflict, including their involvement in local community projects and the challenges of accurately portraying the war effort to the American public. Nixon emphasized his commitment to the survival of South Vietnam and criticized media coverage and congressional efforts that he argued undermined the war's objectives and the morale of the armed forces.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and other staff members to discuss political strategies following the United Nations vote to expel Taiwan. The participants focused on channeling public frustration away from the administration and toward the United Nations itself, considering symbolic actions such as reduced funding or critical public statements. Additionally, the group reviewed the 1972 political landscape, potential Democratic presidential tickets, and the progress of upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Rehnquist and Powell.
President Nixon held an informal meeting in the Oval Office with unidentified individuals, including two children. The discussion focused on routine administrative logistics, such as the President's scheduled move to the Old Executive Office Building and the placement of Secret Service personnel. The interaction concluded with the parties preparing to relocate to another room.