Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 63
Nixon White House Tape 63 (June 17, 1971 – June 29, 1971)
5 conversations · Cabinet Room · about 2 hr 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Hodgson, Shultz, Connally, Stans
An unidentified group convened in the Cabinet Room to conduct discussions regarding university involvement in upcoming administrative meetings. The brief, unintelligible recording captures references to scheduling academic participation for events projected for the following January. No significant policy decisions or actionable outcomes can be determined from the audio due to the poor quality of the transcript.
President Nixon met with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy to address ongoing issues regarding internal leaks of economic strategy and the lack of a unified administration voice. He stressed the necessity of presenting a cohesive front to the public, designating Secretary of the Treasury John B. Connally as the primary spokesperson for economic policy. The President mandated that all advisors cease unauthorized contacts with the press and align their public statements with the official administration line to restore public trust and policy stability.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet to address the persistent problem of unauthorized leaks within the federal bureaucracy and to establish clear expectations for departmental discipline. He emphasized that decision-making must remain internal and closed to prevent political sabotage, specifically citing the negative impact of leaks on economic policy and administrative unity. Nixon announced that H.R. "Bob" Haldeman would oversee efforts to tighten internal controls, while Secretary John Connally was designated to handle the official announcement of upcoming economic policy decisions.
President Nixon met with the National Commission on Productivity to discuss the evolving state of the global economy and the United States' competitive position in the post-World War II era. The conversation focused on the rapid industrial growth of Japan and Western Europe, the emergence of China, and the necessity for the U.S. to enhance its productivity to maintain economic leadership. Nixon emphasized that while diplomatic and political tensions with the Soviet Union might fluctuate, long-term economic stability and international influence would depend on domestic production and effective global economic engagement.
President Nixon met with members of the National Commission on Productivity, including union leaders, corporate executives, and government officials, to discuss strategies for enhancing American economic productivity and competitiveness. The conversation focused on the role of government-industry cooperation, the importance of basic versus applied research in fostering technological innovation, and the challenges posed by foreign trade competition and environmental regulations. Participants emphasized the need to align private sector investment with national economic goals to ensure long-term stability and job growth in an increasingly global market.