Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 658
Nixon White House Tape 658 (January 27, 1972)
35 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Haldeman, United States Secret Service agents
President Richard M. Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss personal administrative concerns. The brief exchange focused primarily on the ambient temperature settings within the office. No significant policy decisions or executive actions resulted from this interaction.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate administrative details regarding upcoming honors and official representation. They reviewed citations for the Presidential Medal of Freedom to be awarded to Raymond K. Price, Jr. and John K. Andrews, Jr. Additionally, they discussed the selection of Deputy Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst to serve as the President’s representative at the funeral of former Senator Carl T. Hayden.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to discuss the administration’s strategy for managing negative press coverage regarding Vietnam negotiations and the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized the need to frame his political opponents, particularly Democrats like Edward Kennedy and Clark Clifford, as favoring "surrender" and communism, while rejecting their criticisms of his ceasefire proposals as factually inaccurate. Additionally, Nixon directed staff to exclude The Washington Post from press pool invitations for the China trip and tasked his team with coordinating a more aggressive, unified media counter-attack against Democratic critics.
President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and Stephen B. Bull discussed the reception of a recent dinner event, contrasting Henry Kissinger's successful performance against the perceived hostility of Senator Frank Church. The conversation touched on the President's frustrations with antagonistic press coverage and his refusal to attend future industry dinners. Additionally, they reviewed legal updates regarding a stock case involving Charles Rebozo and coordinated Woods's upcoming attendance at the DeWitt Wallace dinner and her work preparations for the President's forthcoming trip to the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon met with political analyst Richard Scammon and aide Charles Colson to discuss strategies for appealing to the American majority, particularly regarding social issues like school busing, crime, and housing. The participants explored how these issues influence electoral coalitions and analyzed the perceived disconnect between the values of the public and the views held by the intellectual elite. Nixon reflected on the importance of national leadership, the role of political courage, and the necessity of maintaining American influence and strength in a global context.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly met in the Oval Office to coordinate the President’s schedule, specifically regarding a forthcoming meeting with Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans. The conversation also touched upon broader political themes, with the President reflecting on the perceived moral decay of Washington and his belief in a silent majority that remained aligned with traditional American ideals. No major policy decisions were reached during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with Maurice Stans to discuss the formal announcement of Stans’s resignation from his cabinet position and his subsequent transition to a new political role. The participants reviewed the status of the economy and business policy, specifically addressing the Federal Trade Commission's actions toward cereal companies and the administration's relationship with the business community. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, Peter G. Peterson and Peter M. Flanigan joined the President to finalize the protocol and media strategy for the forthcoming personnel announcements.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate telephonic communications. The dialogue served to manage outgoing connections from the Oval Office, reflecting the President's routine reliance on switchboard staff for official outreach. No substantive policy discussions or major strategic decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield, John B. Connally, and various aides to manage administrative matters, sign official documents, and coordinate the President’s daily schedule. The participants discussed staffing appointments, including the potential liaison role of J. Willard Marriott and the selection of personnel for government positions. Additionally, the group reviewed upcoming meetings involving Charles W. Colson and H.R. Haldeman at Camp David to facilitate future policy planning.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss administration political strategy, specifically focusing on labor relations, social issues like busing, and the President's upcoming campaign schedule. They explored potential outreach to AFL-CIO leader George Meany, debated how to best leverage public sentiment regarding the Vietnam War, and reviewed polling insights from Richard Scammon. The participants also finalized decisions regarding personnel shifts, including the replacement of military aides and the potential appointment of Richard V. Allen to a foreign policy or political advisory role.
President Richard M. Nixon met with Deputy Assistant to the President Alexander P. Butterfield in the Oval Office to conduct administrative or operational business. While the specific content of the discussion remains unintelligible due to a lack of transcript records, the meeting involved the routine coordination of White House activities. No definitive decisions or policy outcomes can be determined from the available documentation.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The interaction served strictly as a logistical bridge to connect the President with another party for a separate conversation. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and manage Henry A. Kissinger’s upcoming schedule. The conversation focused on the logistical coordination of Kissinger's itinerary. No further actions were recorded regarding this administrative briefing.
President Nixon and his aide, Stephen B. Bull, met to coordinate and review administrative logistics regarding the President's personal schedule and Henry Kissinger's upcoming agenda. The discussion focused on managing the President's availability for reading time and ensuring alignment between executive calendar requirements and Kissinger's travel or meeting itinerary. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative session.
President Nixon met with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to express gratitude for Mansfield’s recent public support regarding the administration's ongoing diplomatic efforts. The discussion centered on maintaining domestic and legislative momentum for a forthcoming peace proposal intended for international negotiations. Nixon emphasized the importance of keeping these proposals at the forefront of public discourse to maximize their impact and prospects for acceptance.
President Nixon discusses the risks of releasing records of secret negotiations, emphasizing the need to protect sensitive diplomatic communications to maintain the possibility of future private talks. He explains his strategic decision to disclose only the facts of the discussions rather than full transcripts to safeguard national security interests. Additionally, Nixon touches upon the administration's delicate efforts to manage relationships with China and the Soviet Union regarding ongoing international issues.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate communication regarding George Meany's schedule. The brief interaction focused on organizing a return call to the labor leader. The conversation underscores the administrative coordination required to manage high-level external relationships during the President's term.
President Nixon discusses scheduling logistics with the White House operator regarding a planned trip, emphasizing the need to adjust to Hawaii time zones before an event on the 17th. He specifies his intent to arrive early to ensure he is properly acclimated for the transition. Additionally, the President expresses a desire to organize a bipartisan event, though the details of this gathering remain brief.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate logistics for upcoming presidential activities, including the scheduling of photography sessions. They discussed the necessity of managing the President's itinerary to prevent exhaustion, referencing past experiences where fatigue impacted staff performance. This discussion served to refine the planning for upcoming travel and high-profile public appearances.
President Nixon and Metropolitan Police Chief Jerry V. Wilson briefly discussed the logistics and feasibility of facilitating personal meetings regarding ongoing law enforcement or administrative matters. The two agreed to initiate these discussions, with Wilson expressing confidence that the involved parties would be receptive to the proposed direct approach. The conversation concluded with a plan to proceed with coordinating these interactions.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to strictly limit the number of press photo opportunities during his daily schedule to avoid repetitive and unnecessary media coverage. He requested that the operator monitor his calendar and alert him whenever multiple photo requests arise so that he can consolidate or decline them. Additionally, the President commended the operator for her role in achieving a recent 13% reduction in crime within the district and requested that she convey his appreciation to the relevant staff.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Los Angeles County Sheriff Peter J. Pitchess to discuss administrative coordination and personal matters. During the exchange, the President acknowledged the presence of Philadelphia Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo and expressed his well-wishes regarding the health of Pitchess’s wife, who was undergoing surgery. The conversation served primarily as a professional courtesy to maintain relations with prominent law enforcement officials.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to an unidentified individual. The communication attempt proved unsuccessful, as the operator was unable to complete the connection. No further developments occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone connection. The interaction served as a routine logistical step to establish communication for an intended call. No further substantive policy or strategic discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with John N. Mitchell to offer well wishes following Mitchell's recent surgery and recovery. Beyond these personal pleasantries, the two discussed administrative confidence in their current political and legislative strategy, specifically referencing cabinet and legislative leadership meetings. The conversation concluded with Nixon emphasizing his reliance on Mitchell's continued involvement in the administration.
President Nixon met with aides Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to finalize logistical arrangements, including helicopter transport for a trip to Camp David and upcoming photography opportunities. Following these internal briefings, the President conducted a brief follow-up telephone call with AFL-CIO President George Meany. The discussion primarily focused on administrative scheduling and coordinating personal travel plans prior to the President's upcoming engagements.
President Nixon met with aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and upcoming meetings. The discussion centered on finalizing a 3:30 p.m. appointment and arranging for Henry Kissinger to brief the President on recent diplomatic talks with Canadian officials. Additionally, the pair touched upon scheduling a small press panel event and addressed the President’s ongoing interest in the defense budget.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The conversation serves primarily as a logistical exchange to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or administrative decisions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon held a brief, informal check-in with the White House operator to verify operational status and telephone connectivity. The interaction served as a routine administrative confirmation regarding the President's immediate communication capabilities. No substantive policy matters or strategic decisions were addressed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate administrative scheduling and discuss George P. Shultz’s upcoming testimony. They evaluated the President's recent outreach to AFL-CIO leader George Meany, specifically analyzing Meany’s reaction and the potential for a follow-up meeting with Shultz. The conversation touched upon broader labor relations, including comparisons between labor leaders and business executives, alongside the political implications of recent legislative amendments.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the political fallout from Nixon's recent peace proposal speech regarding Vietnam, emphasizing the need to portray Democratic critics as advocating for surrender. They analyzed the effectiveness of Kissinger's media briefings in countering skepticism and noted that the President's personal involvement in negotiations required a more aggressive, unified public relations strategy. Additionally, the pair reflected on the administration's foreign policy achievements, including upcoming trips to the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, while expressing disdain for intellectuals and media figures who they felt consistently maligned the President's leadership.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Stephen B. Bull to discuss broad geopolitical themes and the perceived ideological threats posed by the Soviet Union and China. The conversation focused on Nixon's concerns regarding the national character of these nations and the potential dangers of intellectual stagnation or complacency within the American government. No formal policy decisions were reached, as the discussion primarily consisted of the President articulating his critical views on international relations and political leadership.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to engage in a brief, disjointed discussion regarding political leadership and the perceived inadequacy of university administrators. The participants criticized the leadership qualities of college presidents, contrasting them with an unnamed individual who reportedly addressed problems directly. No formal policy decisions or official actions were recorded during this brief exchange.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to discuss a recent performance or appearance by an unidentified individual, potentially a public official. The participants praised the subject's conduct while expressing strong disapproval of Senator Frank Church's demeanor. The conversation confirms satisfaction with the subject's composure despite facing a difficult and adversarial interaction.
United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics regarding the President’s location in the Press Room. Due to poor audio quality, the specific dialogue remains unintelligible, preventing a determination of further operational decisions or directives. The interaction appears limited to routine protective detail movement and communication.