Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 668
Nixon White House Tape 668 (February 9, 1972 – February 10, 1972)
16 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Woods, Haldeman, Butterfield
Stephen B. Bull met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office for a brief, undocumented interaction. The available audio consists primarily of unintelligible segments, yielding no substantive discussion or identifiable policy developments. The exchange concluded within thirty minutes, leaving the purpose of the meeting unresolved.
President Nixon held an early morning meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual to coordinate outreach to three specific congressmen. The discussion centered on issuing instructions regarding legislative matters, with a focus on contacting Representative John B. Anderson of Illinois. The exchange concluded with directions for the participant to proceed to the Executive Office Building to carry out these administrative tasks.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate outgoing telephone calls to Representative John Myers of Indiana and Representative John Zwach of Minnesota. The interaction served as a logistical coordination step to connect the President with these members of Congress. No substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, met briefly to coordinate administrative logistics and the President's upcoming schedule. They discussed the timing of a potential trip to Camp David and a prospective press conference. Additionally, the conversation touched upon personnel matters, specifically regarding a promotion for General Walter R. Tkach.
President Nixon held a brief, informal morning meeting with Congressman John N. Erlenborn to offer well-wishes on the occasion of the representative's birthday. The two men engaged in lighthearted conversation regarding shared names among Republican colleagues and the Congressman's long-term political prospects. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon met with Representative John T. Myers to extend personal birthday greetings. During the brief interaction, the two discussed the coincidental birthdays of other Republican colleagues also named John. No significant policy decisions or official business were conducted during this ceremonial exchange.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Representative John M. Zwach to express his appreciation for the Congressman's ongoing legislative support. The discussion served as a formal acknowledgment of their political alignment. No substantive policy shifts or new action items were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a standard administrative precursor to connecting the President with another party. No policy decisions or substantive political discussions were recorded during this connection request.
President Nixon met with his personal physician, General Walter R. Tkach, to personally inform him of his recent promotion to major general. The President briefly noted that the paperwork had cleared his desk, confirming the advancement despite bureaucratic delays. This short interaction served as an informal notification regarding Tkach's career progression within the military medical corps.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Stephen B. Bull discussed the logistical arrangements for the upcoming memorial service of diplomat Llewellyn E. “Tommy” Thompson, Jr. The participants focused on distinguishing the nature of the event from a traditional funeral and confirmed the specific venue as the Washington National Cathedral. They sought to finalize the timing of the service to ensure proper executive planning.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the logistics and scheduling for an upcoming memorial service. The discussion focused on the necessary timing for the event and the expected role or participation of Secretary of State William P. Rogers. This meeting served to finalize administrative arrangements to ensure the proper execution of the memorial proceedings.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to finalize the President's upcoming radio speech concerning his foreign policy report. They discussed the political strategy of criticizing presidential candidates who were undermining Vietnam peace negotiations, framing these candidates as irresponsible for potentially prolonging the war for electoral gain. Additionally, the President reviewed his public relations approach, deciding to minimize direct press interactions to avoid further controversy while emphasizing his role as the sole negotiator for an honorable peace.
President Nixon utilized this session to rehearse his upcoming radio address regarding his Third Annual Foreign Policy Report to Congress. The remarks focus on major shifts in international relations, including the planned opening to the People's Republic of China, upcoming diplomatic efforts with the Soviet Union, and the restructuring of global alliances and monetary policies. Nixon also defends his administration's Vietnam War policies, arguing for bipartisan restraint to ensure the U.S. maintains its credibility during sensitive negotiations.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and unidentified individuals to coordinate logistical details and preparations for an upcoming radio address. The discussion involved clarifying the President's schedule and the role of Henry Kissinger in the broadcast process. The meeting concluded with administrative arrangements regarding the President's personal movements during these preparations.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the public and political reception of the President's recent radio address regarding the Vietnam War. Kissinger offered analysis on the motivations of administration critics, focusing on the intersection of patriotism and policy dissent. The participants framed the President’s withdrawal efforts as a significant achievement in reducing casualties and ending the conflict responsibly.
President Nixon recorded a segment of his radio address concerning the Third Annual Foreign Policy Report to Congress with the assistance of technical staff. The remarks focused on the Vietnam War, emphasizing the necessity of executive authority in peace negotiations and urging presidential candidates to avoid rhetoric that might inadvertently prolong the conflict. Nixon concluded by highlighting the importance of maintaining international trust in U.S. treaty commitments while pursuing an honorable withdrawal from the region.