Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 694
Nixon White House Tape 694 (March 27, 1972)
8 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Bull, Haig, Colson
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate updates to his daily schedule. The conversation focused on the availability and inclusion of Charles W. Colson and H.R. Haldeman for upcoming meetings. Nixon explicitly instructed Bull to ensure these key advisors were present if their schedules permitted.
President Nixon met with his senior aides, including Charles Colson and H.R. Haldeman, to discuss the ongoing political damage and legislative obstacles created by the ITT confirmation hearings for Richard Kleindienst. The group debated strategies for responding to Democratic inquiries, particularly the aggressive questioning from Senator Edward Kennedy, and considered forcing a decisive floor vote or having Kleindienst threaten to resign if not confirmed by a specific date. Throughout the conversation, Nixon emphasized the need to distance the White House from ITT's business activities, such as their convention hotel arrangements, to maintain the administration's integrity.
President Nixon met with his advisors to discuss the political and economic complexities of the proposed Trans-Alaska Pipeline, specifically the potential for an alternative pipeline route through Canada. While facing significant pressure from environmentalists and ongoing court battles, Nixon expressed a desire to maintain administrative control over the narrative and avoid being forced into a reactive position by the Canadian government. The participants decided to handle negotiations with Canadian energy officials through Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton and other staff rather than directly involving the White House, while keeping options open to protect U.S. oil interests and investment.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated logistics for an upcoming appearance by the First Lady before the Advertising Council. They discussed the flow of movement between the East Room and the State Dining Room to ensure a smooth transition for the group's cocktail reception. The primary action item involved finalizing these scheduling details to accommodate the President and Mrs. Nixon's joint departure and subsequent appearances.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically regarding meetings involving Elliot Richardson and George Shultz. They discussed whether Richardson should participate in a scheduled Republican Congressional leadership gathering, with Nixon deciding to proceed despite expected objections. The pair also briefly reviewed the timing and logistics of a subsequent nine-minute agenda item.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical details for an upcoming meeting with Republican Congressional leadership. They discussed the agenda, which included pending legislation on welfare reform, revenue sharing, and busing, as well as the tone of Herbert Stein’s forthcoming economic presentation to the Pay Board. The discussion focused on managing the meeting's duration and ensuring the President was briefed on key policy objectives.
President Nixon met with Clark MacGregor and Alexander Butterfield to coordinate a messaging strategy for Republican members of Congress regarding the economy and the administration's price stabilization program ahead of their recess. The discussion also addressed the stalled confirmation of Richard G. Kleindienst and the ongoing ITT controversy, with Nixon pushing for a swift committee vote to resolve the matter. Finally, Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the geopolitical risks and potential benefits of including a stop in Poland during the President's upcoming trip to the Soviet Union.
President Nixon hosted a group of unidentified visitors in the Oval Office for an informal tour of the White House. The discussion centered on the physical layout of the executive space, specifically highlighting features of the Cabinet Room and the Resolute Desk. The brief meeting concluded abruptly before the visitors could continue their walkthrough of the presidential offices.