Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 718
Nixon White House Tape 718 (May 3, 1972)
14 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Kissinger, Ehrlichman
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review media coverage of the late J. Edgar Hoover’s funeral and discuss the administration's public relations strategy regarding the Vietnam War. They analyzed the recent fall of Quang Tri and the domestic impact of potentially canceling the upcoming Soviet Summit in response to North Vietnamese aggression. The President decided to cancel an appearance at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to maintain flexibility during this period of geopolitical tension.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to coordinate the administration's messaging and response to the ongoing North Vietnamese offensive. The discussion centered on managing the press, specifically regarding public statements by Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, and reviewing the viability of South Vietnamese military defenses. Kissinger briefed the President on his diplomatic communications with Soviet official Anatoliy Dobrynin and upcoming military planning sessions, leading to a decision to finalize bombing strategy for Haiphong in a subsequent private meeting.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the messaging strategy for Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler regarding upcoming political appointments and the selection of an Acting FBI Director following J. Edgar Hoover’s recent death. They emphasize the need to distinguish between permanent Supreme Court appointments and temporary political assignments to deflect public criticism. The pair concludes by coordinating the logistics for an afternoon meeting with a prospective candidate.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the political implications of the Vietnam War, specifically debating whether to cancel the upcoming Soviet Summit in response to North Vietnamese aggression. They analyzed Henry Kissinger's advice regarding the potential for a short-term boost in domestic support against the long-term risk of damaging U.S. foreign policy and inviting intense international propaganda. Additionally, they reviewed administrative matters, including the handling of recent press leaks regarding SALT negotiations and the strategy for managing the FBI transition and leadership confirmations following the death of J. Edgar Hoover.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss public messaging strategies regarding the school enrollment choices of White House correspondents. They deliberate on how to frame survey data to minimize controversy, while also addressing scheduling conflicts related to a funeral. Ultimately, the President decides to abandon a specific plan of action to avoid potential political friction.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the scheduling of J. Edgar Hoover’s funeral services. They specifically discussed the timing of the funeral in relation to the President’s other standing speaking commitments. The brief discussion focused on ensuring the funeral arrangements could be accommodated within the President's existing calendar.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize scheduling details regarding the President’s upcoming diplomatic visit to the Soviet Union. The primary focus of the discussion was the confirmation of the departure date for the summit. This interaction served to ensure coordination for the logistics of the high-stakes international trip.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to finalize logistical details regarding his upcoming trip to the Soviet Union, specifically focusing on the departure schedule via Salzburg. During the discussion, the President expressed significant frustration with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird's involvement in military briefings. Nixon decided to bypass Laird in future meetings to prevent perceived interference, opting instead to receive direct briefings from military personnel.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the deteriorating situation in Vietnam due to the North Vietnamese offensive and the potential for a U.S. response, including increased bombing or the cancellation of the upcoming Soviet summit. They analyzed the political risks of the summit, particularly regarding how appearing to accommodate the Soviet Union while Soviet-supplied weaponry was being used against U.S. forces would impact presidential credibility and domestic support. Nixon instructed Kissinger to prepare a draft speech that would allow for flexibility in the U.S. response, opting to delay final decisions on the summit and military actions until early the following week.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discuss the urgent preparation of a high-stakes speech, with Nixon demanding a draft by the following evening to clarify his strategic thinking. The conversation touches upon the necessity of decisive action, weighing the risks and perceptions of a potential military strike. Nixon emphasizes the limited options available to the administration and mandates a final decision to avoid the appearance of hesitation.
President Nixon met with aides Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate scheduling, including an appointment with his barber and potential phone calls recommended by Charles Colson. The participants also discussed administrative details regarding office temperature and the compilation of materials for a project honoring astronauts in Hawaii. The President reviewed these materials to determine their purpose and ultimately granted approval for the initiative.
President Nixon met with his personal aide Manolo Sanchez and secretary Rose Mary Woods to discuss Sanchez’s upcoming knee surgery and recovery timeline. The President and Woods also reviewed various administrative tasks, including correspondence regarding gifts from John Connally, letters from schoolchildren, and condolence messages for the families of J. Edgar Hoover and others. Additionally, they coordinated the preparation of the President’s eulogy for Hoover and addressed general White House scheduling and office logistics.
President Nixon met with United States Secret Service agents to discuss sensitive operational matters. The dialogue centered on maintaining discretion regarding undisclosed information, specifically ensuring that a third party remained uninformed about the subject of their discussion. No specific further actions or policy changes were formally documented in this brief exchange.
Secret Service personnel engaged in a cryptic discussion regarding an individual’s upcoming medical operation and its potential impact on travel logistics. The participants evaluated the timing of the surgery and the necessity of keeping the subject out of the way during the recovery period. The conversation concluded without a definitive resolution, remaining largely unintelligible regarding specific identities or strategic intent.