Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 746
Nixon White House Tape 746 (July 1, 1972)
20 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 24 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Colson, Butterfield
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to request a specific column written by Richard Starnes from the Washington Daily News. During the discussion, Nixon directed Bull to contact Charles W. Colson to join the meeting. This interaction reflects the President's focused interest in monitoring media coverage originating from the National Press Club.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to review and coordinate the daily schedule of Charles W. Colson. The discussion centered on managing Colson's presence and activities within the Executive Office Building. This meeting served as a routine administrative check-in to ensure proper oversight of senior staff movements.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Stephen Bull, and Alexander Butterfield to discuss press relations, pending legislation, and the political fallout of the Watergate break-in. They reviewed strategies for managing the media's coverage of the administration and the Vice President, while also discussing the tactical benefits of leaking information about the RNC files to shape public perception. Additionally, the President reviewed his legislative agenda, ultimately deciding to sign the Social Security bill while considering vetoes on various veterans' bills to manage the federal budget.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to refine the text and strategic rollout of the President's upcoming July 4, 1972, Bicentennial address. They discussed stylistic edits to the speech, specifically rejecting an overly demanding tone and ordering a reduction in length to approximately 1,500 words. Furthermore, they finalized logistics for the broadcast, including timing arrangements for radio and television coverage and the inclusion of a 90-second film clip for evening news programs.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the strategic response to John N. Mitchell's resignation as chairman of the Committee to Re-elect the President, specifically discussing the timing of press releases and public statements. The group also addressed administrative scheduling, including the President's attendance at Dabney Hibbert's wedding and coordination with NSC staff regarding anecdotes from his recent trip to the Soviet Union. Additionally, the President discussed budget meetings with Caspar Weinberger and communicated a preference for a saltwater swimming pool over a tennis court in response to a gift offer from Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the logistics and scheduling for an upcoming photograph session with youth vocational educational groups. The discussion focused on establishing appropriate talking points and coordinating the participation of the First Family, specifically Julie Nixon Eisenhower, in the event. The meeting ensured that the scheduling requirements for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America were aligned with the President's public engagement calendar.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss revisions to a draft document. The conversation focused primarily on technical aspects of the text, specifically regarding typing and editorial changes. No major policy decisions or significant developments were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with a group of visitors from Kansas City to host a formal photograph session and provide a tour of the White House. The discussion included the display of Soviet gifts presented to the President by Leonid Brezhnev and the distribution of presidential souvenirs to the guests. Additionally, the President reviewed scheduling details regarding upcoming events, including the Future Homemakers Convention and the travel plans of his family members.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate the communication of John N. Mitchell’s resignation. During a brief telephone exchange, Nixon arranged to call Ronald Reagan to discuss the resignation, as well as the strategic value of Reagan's previous trips to Asia and Europe. The discussion prioritized the management of political messaging regarding Mitchell's departure and outreach to key figures like Reagan.
President Nixon held a brief exchange with the White House operator while in the Oval Office. The conversation served primarily as a routine administrative interaction. No substantive policy discussions or significant decisions occurred during this brief communication.
President Nixon consults with U. Alexis Johnson regarding the scheduling and diplomatic priorities for an upcoming overseas trip involving a representative referred to as Bill. The conversation centers on balancing a potential meeting with the Pope against securing a diplomatic opening in Algeria, with Nixon expressing that an Algerian engagement is of higher strategic importance. Ultimately, Nixon instructs Johnson to prioritize the Algerian contact and directs that a meeting with the Pope should only proceed if the Algerian arrangement is finalized.
President Nixon met briefly with Beverly J. Kaye to discuss her California lodging arrangements before consulting with Alexander P. Butterfield on official administrative matters. The discussion covered a status report on the Vietnam War and logistical planning for providing presidential transportation to Governor George C. Wallace for his travel to the Democratic National Convention. Nixon explicitly prioritized coordinating these travel arrangements through H. R. Haldeman while factoring in Wallace’s current health status.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator regarding the handling of a specific incoming or pending telephone call. The exchange focused on administrative instructions to either drop the connection or maintain the hold status. No substantive policy matters or major developments were discussed during this brief procedural interaction.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a connection for a specific individual. The brief exchange focused on providing assistance to this person through the operator's services. No major policy decisions were made during this routine administrative coordination.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for his upcoming travel to California. The discussion focused on scheduling appointments with Charles W. Colson and Caspar W. Weinberger prior to the trip. The President directed Bull to bring a briefing book to ensure necessary documentation was available for the visit.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Ronald Ziegler, Caspar Weinberger, and others to strategize on administration policy, political messaging, and pending legislation. The conversation focused on managing the political optics of Social Security increases and federal budget cuts, as well as coordinating a firm stance on Vietnam peace negotiations and prisoners of war. Nixon directed his team to emphasize that any increased federal spending must be balanced by tax increases, and he instructed staff to challenge negative media coverage, particularly regarding Vietnam and administrative integrity.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met with Julie Nixon Eisenhower and other staff to discuss the first family's public relations strategy, scheduling for upcoming events, and the political climate. A significant portion of the conversation focused on the resignation of John N. Mitchell, with the President coordinating how the administration would address media inquiries regarding the departure and the ongoing Watergate investigation. They also evaluated the effectiveness of recent speeches given by family members and discussed the political implications of upcoming travels and appearances.
President Nixon met with Deputy Director of the CIA Vernon A. Walters to discuss his adjustment to his new role within the intelligence agency. Nixon inquired about Walters' satisfaction with the position and instructed him to secure assistance in managing specific operational challenges. The conversation emphasized the President's desire for Walters to navigate these internal matters discreetly without unnecessary administrative oversight.
President Nixon met with staff aides Stephen B. Bull and Bruce A. Kehrli to manage administrative tasks, specifically focusing on the review and signing of pending legislation. During the brief session, Nixon verified the identity of the incoming Staff Secretary, identified as Wilson. The participants also coordinated logistical arrangements regarding the President’s upcoming schedule, including travel to California and associated press and well-wishing activities.
This recording captures an brief, unidentified interaction occurring within the Oval Office, involving individuals whose identities remain unknown. The primary activity appears to be non-substantive, as the brief audio segment was withdrawn for being non-historical in nature. No administrative or policy-related decisions were conducted, as the recording consists entirely of incidental background noise or activity.