Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 689
Nixon White House Tape 689 (March 20, 1972)
8 conversations · Oval Office · about 1 hr 59 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Woods, Haldeman, Bull, Sanchez
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, review administrative correspondence regarding a letter from a school class and discuss the guest list and scheduling for an upcoming White House dinner. The President specifies his desired attendees, including prominent political and social figures such as Nelson Rockefeller and John Connally, while finalizing the event's timing. Nixon emphasizes the importance of confirming the availability of key guests to ensure the dinner proceeds as planned.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss administration strategy regarding ongoing political controversies, specifically the ITT scandal and negative media coverage surrounding campaign financing and the Pentagon Papers. They evaluated public reaction to the President's recent stance on busing and strategized on how to counter political opposition, including potential smear tactics against members of Congress. Nixon emphasized the necessity of a proactive, aggressive communication strategy to discredit critics and protect the administration's image ahead of the upcoming election.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming White House social events, specifically reviewing guest lists for a dinner and discussing the logistics of hosting a larger, more inclusive gathering. They also reviewed administrative matters, including the status of a sculpture project and potential business interests in Turkey involving Pepsi-Cola executive Donald Kendall. The conversation concluded with a discussion of security concerns and the perceived decline of New York City, referenced through anecdotes shared by George H.W. Bush.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss personal arrangements. The brief interaction focused primarily on the President's request for tea. No substantive policy or political matters were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Ronald Ziegler to review recent public relations strategies, including the effectiveness of his recent New York City trip and the upcoming schedule. The group discussed managing the press, navigating the political challenges of the 1972 campaign, and coordinating administrative responses to sensitive topics such as the ITT scandal and international drug trafficking. Nixon emphasized a hardline stance on drug penalties, suggesting that the administration should advocate for the death penalty for major distributors to project strength on law and order.
President Nixon and John B. Connally held a wide-ranging discussion to coordinate political messaging and strategy regarding the upcoming presidential election. They focused on managing negative press, particularly concerning the ITT scandal and rising food prices, while solidifying their stance on domestic policy issues such as Social Security and environmental regulations. Nixon emphasized the necessity of standing firm on these policies rather than reacting to every fluctuation in public sentiment or media criticism.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief exchange. The conversation focused on the necessity of a specific task, which Nixon concluded was not required. No further actions or significant developments were recorded during this brief interaction.
Secret Service personnel engaged in an unscheduled discussion within the Oval Office regarding the President’s current whereabouts. The dialogue centered on confirming that Richard Nixon was situated in the Cabinet Room during the designated timeframe. No further policy-related actions or substantive developments were recorded.