Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 756
Nixon White House Tape 756 (July 28, 1972)
23 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 56 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Kissinger, Sanchez
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate the President's upcoming travel to Louisiana for the funeral of Senator Allen J. Ellender and to manage Congressional pressure regarding Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon and Kissinger strategized on how to leverage the funeral to build bipartisan political support, while Kissinger updated the President on diplomatic efforts with British officials and observations from W. Averell Harriman regarding the 1972 election. The group concluded by emphasizing the need for a cautious public posture on Vietnam to prevent Congressional interference from undermining ongoing sensitive negotiations.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate personal scheduling and logistics, including an urgent follow-up call requested by Tricia Nixon Cox. The discussion centered on Tricia's concerns regarding ongoing administration crises and the associated media pressure on the family. Consequently, the participants addressed the need for the Nixon family to maintain a low profile during this period while managing the President’s upcoming meetings with Otto E. Passman and John D. Ehrlichman.
President Nixon met with his senior aides and advisors to manage his political schedule and address several pressing crises, including the 1972 presidential campaign, the Watergate investigation, and military policy in Vietnam. The group strategized on how to deflect negative press coverage, particularly concerning Senator Thomas Eagleton's status on the Democratic ticket, and sought to minimize the political fallout from the impending Watergate grand jury indictments by favoring legal delays until after the election. Additionally, they coordinated a messaging strategy to have the State Department, rather than the Defense Department, provide briefings on North Vietnamese dike bombings to maintain greater public credibility.
President Nixon held a brief exchange with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. The conversation functioned as a routine administrative request to initiate an outbound call. No further substantive policy discussions were recorded during this interaction.
President Richard M. Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, met briefly in the Oval Office for a personal conversation. The discussion was limited in scope, consisting primarily of casual, informal remarks between the two. No substantive political or administrative policy decisions were documented during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on coordinating logistics for a trip to Camp David. They discussed travel timing, including the departure for the President’s wife and guests, as well as arrangements for dinner involving Rose Mary Woods and Dr. Walter Tkach. The conversation concluded with a decision to finalize the travel itinerary and arrival times for the weekend retreat.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss campaign strategy, personnel management, and the handling of various administrative issues. The President expressed significant frustration with the political performance of staff member Peter Flanigan, ultimately directing Ehrlichman to strip Flanigan of his remaining domestic policy responsibilities. Additionally, they strategized on managing negative press regarding Grumman Corporation layoffs by potentially facilitating F-14 sales to the Shah of Iran to create a positive media narrative.
President Nixon met with Brazilian representatives Antonio D. Neto and Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, along with Alexander Haig, to discuss strengthening U.S.-Brazilian economic relations and regional political stability. The conversation focused on Brazil’s economic development, including their efforts to combat inflation, manage interior agricultural projects, and address regional income inequality. Nixon emphasized the importance of Brazil's example in the hemisphere and recommended that the visitors coordinate with Deputy CIA Director Vernon Walters on regional concerns regarding neighboring nations like Chile and Bolivia.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to discuss scheduling adjustments regarding a potential visit with Mayor Jack D. Maltester. The conversation focused on a recommendation from Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to arrange a 'blind' or unannounced visit for the President in California. Nixon approved this approach, facilitating the coordination of the unscheduled engagement.
President Nixon met with Jack D. Maltester, John J. Gunther, and John D. Ehrlichman to discuss the legislative status of federal revenue sharing and the political landscape of the 1972 presidential campaign. Participants analyzed strategies for securing support for revenue sharing in the Senate Finance Committee, particularly in light of Senator Allen J. Ellender’s recent death. The group also examined potential endorsements from Democratic mayors and the importance of securing the California vote in the upcoming election.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to offer personal encouragement following negative media coverage and political criticism. Nixon advised Colson to remain resilient, framing media attacks as a tactical attempt to induce fear and undermine the administration's resolve. He urged Colson to ignore editorial criticism and maintain a combative posture toward their political adversaries.
President Nixon met with David J. Mahoney, Jr., Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., and Leonard Garment to address the strategic direction and administrative challenges facing the Bicentennial Commission. Mahoney emphasized the need for higher-level cabinet participation and stronger White House support to combat congressional criticism and bureaucratic inertia. Nixon directed the participants to improve coordination across departments, committing to issue a formal memorandum requiring cabinet members to appoint assistant secretaries to attend commission meetings to ensure institutional accountability.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to address administrative matters regarding the President's daily schedule. The brief discussion centered specifically on the arrangements for the President's lunch. No other policy matters or significant historical developments were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon consulted with Stephen B. Bull regarding the May 1972 scientific and technical agreement with the Soviet Union. The President specifically sought to clarify whether Secretary of State William P. Rogers signed the document and requested that Bull verify this information with the National Security Council. This inquiry aimed to confirm the protocol and proper authorization behind the signing of the bilateral accord.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, met to coordinate scheduling details for upcoming social engagements and official travel. The discussion encompassed logistical planning for helicopter travel, a potential dinner with Elmer H. Bobst, and various personal social arrangements involving the President and First Lady. Additionally, the pair touched upon matters relating to the President’s associates and the personal demeanor of staff members such as Dr. Walter R. Tkach.
Stephen B. Bull, Manolo Sanchez, and Secret Service personnel gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding the President’s location and schedule. The participants discussed the President's upcoming return to the office and specifically requested that the door be kept shut. These brief administrative arrangements were intended to maintain the security and operational flow of the President’s workspace.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the logistical arrangements for an upcoming signing ceremony concerning the U.S.-Soviet Union Joint Commission on Science and Technology. The discussion centered on the expected attendance of key officials, including Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, Henry Kissinger, and Edward E. David, Jr., while noting the absence of Secretary of State William P. Rogers. They finalized the seating protocol to ensure the event proceeded as scheduled.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman briefly discussed the political status of Senator Thomas Eagleton following reports that he intended to remain on the Democratic presidential ticket. They addressed conflicting narratives regarding whether the McGovern campaign had requested Eagleton's resignation. The discussion focused on assessing the media's coverage of these developments and determining the potential impact of the situation on the Democratic party's internal stability.
President Nixon, Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin, and Alexander Haig met to discuss logistical preparations for a forthcoming signing ceremony and to manage the diplomatic fallout from Egypt’s recent expulsion of Soviet military advisers. Nixon sought to reassure Dobrynin that the U.S. had no foreknowledge of or involvement in the Egyptian decision, emphasizing his commitment to preserving U.S.-Soviet relations ahead of the 1972 election. The President stressed his desire for transparency and requested that Dobrynin trust his personal commitment to honor existing bilateral agreements despite bureaucratic pressures.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield, H.R. Haldeman, Stephen Bull, Henry Kissinger, and James Eastland to address several administrative and political matters. The President instructed Butterfield to modify Secret Service protocols for Tricia Nixon Cox, emphasizing a desire for less intrusive protection during unannounced personal activities. Nixon also reviewed political developments regarding Thomas Eagleton’s status on the Democratic ticket and consulted with Kissinger on ongoing US-Soviet diplomatic relations and SALT negotiations. Additionally, Nixon coordinated travel arrangements with Senator Eastland to attend the funeral of Senator Allen Ellender.
President Nixon met with the Earl of Cromer, Sir Burke Trend, and Henry Kissinger to coordinate Western strategy regarding the upcoming European Security Conference and ongoing concerns about European nuclear planning. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining a unified front with Britain, France, and West Germany to prevent the Soviet Union from exploiting potential divisions or illusions of détente. The discussion also addressed the international monetary situation, the importance of maintaining U.S. defense commitments despite domestic political pressure from the 1972 campaign, and the need for private diplomatic channels to manage these complex alliances.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discuss logistical arrangements for the President's upcoming visit to the Burning Tree Country Club. The dialogue focuses on coordinating the timing of their departure and meeting points for the trip. No major policy decisions are reached, as the exchange is limited to scheduling details.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, for a brief administrative discussion in the Oval Office. The conversation focused on the logistical management of presidential records and scheduling requirements. No substantive policy decisions were recorded during this short interaction.