Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 714
Nixon White House Tape 714 (April 20, 1972)
24 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Sanchez, Woods, Ziegler
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the scheduling of an upcoming event or appointment. The brief exchange focused on confirming a specific plan that remained pending official approval. No definitive action was taken, as the participants awaited further confirmation before finalizing arrangements.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to discuss high-level administration strategy, including preparations for Henry Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Moscow and the management of sensitive Vietnam negotiations. The President expressed frustration with Kissinger’s tendency to engage in philosophical digressions during diplomatic talks and instructed that specific, direct messages be relayed regarding the necessity of prioritizing a Vietnam settlement over broader summit discussions. Additionally, they reviewed domestic political issues, including the ITT case, upcoming press strategy, and staff transitions, while Nixon emphasized his desire to reduce his own preoccupation with negative media coverage.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the status of the upcoming Soviet summit, specifically addressing the possibility of cancellation. They coordinate a message for Henry Kissinger regarding ongoing negotiations over anti-ballistic missiles and the National Command Authority. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear communication and strategic messaging to ensure Kissinger remains aligned with the administration's position.
President Nixon and John Connally met to discuss the administration's aggressive response to the North Vietnamese invasion, including the strategic use of bombing and the potential for a naval blockade. Amidst this foreign policy crisis, they reviewed Connally’s planned departure from his position as Secretary of the Treasury and discussed his successor, with George Shultz emerging as the preferred choice. The conversation further explored domestic economic policy, including plans for austerity budgets and welfare reform, as well as the political necessity of maintaining a strong, decisive image for the upcoming 1972 election.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate logistics for an upcoming social dinner and review his immediate schedule. The discussion focused on managing the guest list, including the attendance of Charles "Bebe" Rebozo, and planning a potential trip to Camp David with Tricia Nixon Cox and the First Lady. Nixon emphasized the need for careful communication with staff and associates regarding these arrangements to avoid administrative complications.
Rose Mary Woods hosted unidentified guests in the Oval Office to facilitate a tour of the White House grounds and facilities. The discussion primarily focused on logistical planning for the visitors' schedule, including coordination for an evening dinner with Tricia Nixon. The participants also briefly touched upon the arrival and departure logistics of other individuals involved in the day's events.
President Nixon met with Clifford D. Carlson, Carol A. Carlson, and Max L. Friedersdorf for a brief, informal social visit in the Oval Office. The conversation included expressions of presidential condolences regarding the recent death of Carlson's wife and lighthearted exchanges about family and personal appearances. The meeting concluded with a formal photograph session and the distribution of presidential gifts, including cuff links and golf balls.
President Nixon held a brief follow-up call with an unidentified individual to address an outstanding matter. The dialogue focused exclusively on the President returning a previous message from the participant. No further substantive details regarding the conversation are available due to the lack of a transcript.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule and logistics. The discussion focused on arranging a meeting with John D. Ehrlichman, specifically concerning a matter involving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The conversation concluded after finalizing these brief administrative arrangements.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to discuss personal logistics and the aesthetic upkeep of the White House grounds. The President emphasized the seasonal beauty of the Rose Garden, specifically instructing Bull to ensure guests see the crab apples and tulips during their brief bloom. Additionally, the pair touched upon housing matters, with Nixon offering advice on real estate as an investment.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman to direct a significant reduction in federal spending, specifically targeting grants and contracts for higher education and scientific research. Motivated by a desire to curb support for academic institutions perceived as ideologically unfriendly, Nixon instructed Ehrlichman to work with Caspar Weinberger to systematically eliminate these subsidies, focusing on the non-renewal of grants rather than early cancellation to avoid legal complications. Additionally, the two discussed strategies for controlling media coverage and ensuring consistent, positive administration-friendly reporting on weekend news cycles.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate administrative logistics regarding his upcoming schedule and staff communications. The discussion touched upon briefings for Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler and the President's review of war powers legislation. The meeting concluded with preparations for Nixon’s departure to Camp David later that afternoon.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Alexander Haig to coordinate the administration's messaging on the Vietnam War, specifically directing staff to label North Vietnamese forces as "the enemy" rather than the "other side." The group discussed the political implications of a recent House Democratic resolution regarding Vietnam and planned the President's upcoming press conference. Additionally, Nixon instructed Ziegler on how to handle press inquiries regarding Henry Kissinger's whereabouts over the weekend and confirmed his decision to stop attending various press association dinners.
President Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met to discuss the status of the ongoing North Vietnamese offensive and coordinate communication with Henry Kissinger, who was currently in Moscow. The conversation focused on the tactical efficacy of B-52 bombing strikes, the performance of South Vietnamese forces in areas like An Loc, and the psychological impact of these actions on North Vietnamese morale. Nixon and Haig also strategized on how to frame these military efforts to the American press and Congress, aiming to counter domestic opposition while maintaining pressure on the North through sustained air operations.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, coordinate logistical arrangements for the President's upcoming travel, including helicopter scheduling and potential plans at the Executive Office Building. Nixon also consults Sanchez on the social propriety of calling First Lady Pat Nixon to inform her of his arrival plans, ultimately deciding against it. This brief exchange serves to finalize the President's personal agenda for the evening.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to coordinate logistics for the President's upcoming departure for Camp David. The discussion focused on finalizing the travel schedule, including the timing of Sanchez's own departure. Additionally, they reviewed arrangements for the President's scheduled appearance at the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) reception.
Secret Service personnel discussed logistics and scheduling regarding the movement of Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The brief exchange focused on timing for an upcoming departure or arrival to ensure appropriate security coordination. The conversation ended abruptly without reaching a definitive operational plan.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and Stephen Bull to discuss administrative arrangements for White House gifts and the President's upcoming schedule. The participants coordinated the distribution of customized putters intended for political contributors and reviewed logistical details for an upcoming meeting with Bob Hope. The discussion also included a brief review of photographs involving astronauts and preparations for the President’s scheduled appearances.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to facilitate the scheduling of an upcoming visit by entertainer Bob Hope. The primary objective of the meeting was to coordinate Hope's arrival and manage his interactions with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and Ronald L. Ziegler. Nixon emphasized the urgency of the logistics, specifically tasking Bull with capturing photographs of the guest before anticipated weather complications.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative logistics and personal scheduling matters. The discussion centered on the arrangements for Bob Hope’s upcoming meeting, including the necessity of capturing photographs before expected inclement weather. Additionally, the group reviewed the President’s travel itinerary to Camp David and confirmed plans regarding Bebe Rebozo’s arrival.
President Nixon met with entertainer Bob Hope, Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler, and photographer Ollie Atkins to discuss logistics for an upcoming photo session in the Rose Garden. The group coordinated the use of flags and specific lighting for the shots, while also briefly reflecting on Hope’s golf game and past encounters. Additionally, they touched upon potential comedic material regarding the President’s attendance at an American Society of Newspaper Editors reception, specifically mentioning pandas and columnist Jack Anderson.
President Nixon met with Bob Hope, Ronald Ziegler, and others to discuss the current military situation in Vietnam, specifically the North Vietnamese offensive and the American response. Nixon emphasized that the U.S. was committed to using overwhelming air and sea power to prevent a South Vietnamese collapse and to maintain international credibility, framing the conflict as a high-stakes geopolitical poker game with implications for the Middle East. The President expressed deep frustration with the American press, accusing journalists of defeatism and actively undermining the war effort by inciting troops and supporting the enemy.
President Nixon met briefly with an unknown woman who delivered a briefcase to the Oval Office. During the brief exchange, the unidentified visitor recounted a past experience involving an anti-war heckler at a public event. The conversation concluded shortly thereafter without any formal policy decisions or further administrative action.
Secret Service agents and an unidentified individual discuss media misrepresentation regarding a recent event involving Bob Hope. The speakers express frustration over a press report that falsely characterized a small number of hecklers as a negative reaction from a large audience of 15,000. This dialogue highlights the administration's concern over perceived journalistic bias and the distortion of public perception.