Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 662
Nixon White House Tape 662 (February 1, 1972)
11 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 27 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, White House photographer, Haldeman
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met briefly in the Oval Office to address the unexplained absence of a plaque from a screen in the room. The President expressed frustration regarding the missing item, prompting a brief inquiry into its location. The exchange concluded without a definitive resolution regarding the plaque's whereabouts.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate logistical arrangements for upcoming appointments and administrative tasks. The President directed Butterfield to secure a replacement plaque for the University of Nebraska football team to honor their top-ranking status. Additionally, they reviewed the scheduling sequence for meetings involving Billy Graham and H.R. Haldeman to ensure the President’s workflow remained efficient.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the President's immediate daily schedule. The discussion centered on logistics for upcoming meetings with Billy Graham and H. R. Haldeman. The session concluded with Butterfield managing the President's appointments to ensure his agenda proceeded as planned.
President Nixon met with Billy Graham and H. R. Haldeman to discuss political strategy, the President's upcoming travel, and media relations heading into the 1972 election year. Graham provided advice on maintaining presidential dignity, focusing on controlled, televised appearances rather than frantic campaigning, and offered to help shore up support in key states like Pennsylvania and Texas. The participants also engaged in a lengthy, conspiratorial discussion regarding perceived media bias, specifically alleging that Jewish journalists and editors exerted undue influence on American cultural and political discourse.
Henry Kissinger briefed President Nixon on a recent private meeting he held at the home of journalist James "Scotty" Reston, which was attended by Senator J. William Fulbright and John W. Gardner. Kissinger described the encounter as a sign of weakness and confusion within the political establishment, noting that the participants expressed a desire to moderate their public criticism of the President in light of the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon encouraged Kissinger to continue keeping these figures "loose" while expressing frustration over the establishment's skepticism regarding his preparations for the China summit. The discussion concluded with administrative updates from Stephen Bull regarding the President's schedule and the delivery of gifts to Apollo XV astronauts.
President Nixon met with Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott, James Irwin, and Alfred Worden, along with their spouses and staff, to discuss the astronauts' recent goodwill mission to Poland and Yugoslavia. The group exchanged impressions regarding the reception they received in Eastern Europe and discussed the diplomatic benefits of their travel. Additionally, the President touched upon the progress of the space shuttle program and finalized the meeting by presenting gifts to the astronauts and their families.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate upcoming schedule items, including photo opportunities and ceremonies for the University of Nebraska football team, the Boy Scouts, and administrative certificates. The discussion focused on logistics and timing for these engagements to ensure efficient management of the President's time. Bull advised on managing delays and organizing the waiting room to streamline the President's interactions with visitors.
President Nixon met with representatives from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to receive the organization's annual report and an honorary membership card. During the meeting, BSA leaders briefed the President on key initiatives, including the Save Our American Resources (SOAR) environmental program and the anti-drug initiative, Operation Reach. The participants presented the President with commemorative medals designed by Norman Rockwell and held a brief photograph session to acknowledge the group's leadership and youth outreach achievements.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate a photograph session with the University of Nebraska football team. They specifically discussed the team's quarterback, Jerry Tagge, noting his recent selection by the Green Bay Packers. The brief meeting served to confirm scheduling logistics and relevant biographical details for the upcoming event.
President Nixon met with University of Nebraska officials, coaching staff, and members of their football team, along with several Nebraska political representatives, to honor the team's athletic achievements. During the visit, the President presented various gifts and discussed the broader value of athletics in fostering a competitive spirit, building character, and providing positive inspiration for the nation's youth. The conversation also touched upon the team's past performances, the professional future of individual players, and the President's personal interest in football.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed personnel matters, including vacation arrangements for John Connally and the management of White House staff. They evaluated the President's upcoming involvement with the Productivity Commission, weighing the political risks and potential impact of his participation. Additionally, the pair addressed public relations strategies, specifically focusing on the President's frustration with media coverage and the perceived hostility of the press establishment, particularly figures like James Reston and John Gardner.