President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to review recent polling data, discuss political appointments, and address various scheduling items. They analyzed a drop in the President's approval ratings, speculating on the impact of Phase II economic policy implementation and the recent United Nations vote regarding Taiwan. Additionally, the President reviewed a request to visit the Washington D.C. subway construction site to influence a forthcoming congressional vote, and Haldeman provided updates on upcoming labor-related meetings.
On November 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:50 pm to 1:13 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 620-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 620-014
Date: November 17, 1971
Time: 12:50 pm - 1:13 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
Ronald W. Reagan
-Previous meeting with the President
-Report on trip
-Conservatives
-Approach to problems
Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 12:50 pm.
Items for Old Executive Office Building Office [EOB]
Refreshment
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 1:13 pm.
Reagan
-Previous conversation with the President
-Peter M. Flanigan's brother
-Reagan's previous conversation with Henry A. Kissinger
-John Flanigan's activities
-John N. Mitchell
-Civil Service jobs
-Robert H. Finch
-Peter M. Flanigan
-Mitchell
-Finch
-Timing
Polls
-George H. Gallup on approval of the President
-Timing
-Phase II
-United Nations [UN] vote on Taiwan, Republic of China
-By region
-Gallup and Louis P. Harris
-Volatility
-Gallup on approval of the President
-By education level of the electorate
-White House handling
-Supporters
-Harris and Gallup
-Albert E. Sindlinger
-Margin for error
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 02/21/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[620-014-w001]
[Duration: 2m 23s]
Polling
-Democrats
-Edmund S. Muskie
-George H. Gallup
-Provision of information to Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Dwight L. Chapin
-Attempts to get information from John Davies
-Timing of polls
-August 1971
-October 8, 1971
-October 29, 1971
-Louis Harris poll
-Two-way
-Edmund S. Muskie
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Gallup poll
-Two-way
-Harris poll
-Edmund S. Muskie vs. field
-Polls showing Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy ahead
-Gallup polling
-Edmund S. Muskie gains
*****************************************************************
Polls
-Release
-Timing
-News summaries
-Gallup on approval of the President
-Timing
-UN vote on Taiwan
-Swings
-Harry S. Truman
-The President
-John F. Kennedy
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Gallup on approval of the President
-Undecided
-Timing
-Current issues and events
-Phase II
-UN vote on Taiwan
-Phase II
-The President’s televised address
Washington, DC
-Subway system
-The President's schedule
-Domestic advisors
-Possible motorcade to Judiciary Square
-Walter E. Washington
-Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, Joel T. Broyhill, William L. Scott, Lawrence J.
Hogan and Gilbert Gude
-Possible statement by the President
-Forthcoming vote in Congress
-The President's schedule
-Importance
-National implications
-Bicentennial
-Visitors
Polls
-Gallup on approval of the President
-By region
-Possible issues
-By age
-By education
-Possible issues
-By region
-Volatility
-Lt. William L. Calley, Jr.
Votes
-Taiwan, foreign aid
-Impact
-Public perception
-Media
Polls
*****************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 02/21/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[620-014-w002]
[Duration: 1m 55s]
Polls
-President’s view
-Trial heat
-Importance
-Gallup and Harris polls
-Results favorable to President
-Gallup polls
-Edmund S. Muskie
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Nature of polls for Democratic Party nomination
-Two-way race
-Edmund S. Muskie vs. Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Compared to Edmund S. Muskie vs. larger field of candidates
-1972 Democratic Convention
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Opposition in Democratic Party
-Chances of getting nomination
*****************************************************************
The President's schedule
-Possible speech to American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial
Organizations [AFL-CIO]
-George P. Shultz's forthcoming conversation with George Meany
-Forthcoming report to the President
The President and Haldeman left at 1:13 pm.This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.