Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 763
Nixon White House Tape 763 (August 7, 1972)
26 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 4 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Sanchez, Ehrlichman
President Nixon met with an unknown female staff member in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding the schedule of Charles W. Colson. The discussion focused on determining Colson's availability and whether he was currently occupied in a staff meeting. Following the brief exchange, the president decided not to disturb Colson while confirming his status.
President Nixon met with an unknown female visitor in the Oval Office to coordinate scheduling logistics. The brief discussion centered primarily on finalizing the timing for a forthcoming meeting with Special Counsel Charles W. Colson. The exchange concluded with the setting of a 9:00 a.m. appointment.
President Nixon initiated a call to Senator Harry Byrd from the Oval Office. The primary purpose of this brief interaction was to connect with the Senator, though the specific reason for the call is not detailed in the provided transcript excerpt. The conversation involved only the President and the White House operator facilitating the connection.
President Nixon met briefly with Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. to discuss a personal matter regarding Byrd's vehicle. The conversation was brief and informal, with Byrd apologizing for not returning Nixon's call sooner due to an issue with his RV. No significant policy discussions or action items were recorded.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly met in the Oval Office to discuss the President's schedule, specifically an upcoming meeting with Charles W. Colson. The conversation was very short, with Bull departing before 9:02 am. No significant decisions or action items were recorded.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield briefly discussed the President's upcoming schedule, including meetings with Henry Kissinger, the Council on Environmental Quality, and Virginia legislators. The conversation touched on the timing and press coverage of these events, as well as the content of a briefing by Ronald Ziegler and the length of a meeting with General Goodpaster. The primary purpose was to confirm and coordinate the President's appointments for the day.
President Nixon, Charles Colson, and Stephen Bull discussed the administration's record on unemployment, comparing figures from 1969 to 1972 and considering its relationship to the Vietnam War. They also touched upon public relations strategies, mentioning Clark MacGregor and George McGovern, and reviewed upcoming scheduling matters, including a meeting with Pat Nixon. The conversation also briefly referenced poll data from Gallup and Harris.
President Nixon met with Senator Russell Long, Governor Edwin Edwards and his family, and other staff members in the Oval Office. The meeting included a formal photograph session and discussions about upcoming Senate votes, particularly on national defense and foreign policy, with an emphasis on Southern Democratic support. They also discussed presidential gifts, including cuff links and ashtrays, and a potential road construction project in Louisiana.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed upcoming scheduling arrangements involving Ronald L. Ziegler and Gerald R. Warren in California. The discussion primarily focused on the logistics of presidential gift disbursements, specifically the procurement and presentation of Bulova watches featuring the presidential seal and signature. Nixon finalized plans to present one of these watches to Congressman Otto E. Passman later in the week.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the agenda and guest list for an upcoming meeting with Republican Congressional leadership. They focused specifically on the selection of attendees—including Wallace F. Bennett, Frank T. Bow, John W. Byrnes, and Barry M. Goldwater—and the inclusion of William E. Timmons to discuss the national economy. During the brief session, the President also attended to the administrative task of signing various official documents.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's daily schedule to finalize logistics for an upcoming session with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). They specifically discussed the potential participation of John D. Ehrlichman in that meeting. The brief exchange focused on coordinating personnel attendance to ensure proper briefing and follow-through for the President's environmental agenda.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and General Andrew Goodpaster met to discuss the strategic landscape of NATO, European security, and the necessity of maintaining a unified Atlantic alliance amidst potential political shifts. Goodpaster provided an assessment of European confidence in the United States, emphasizing the importance of continued U.S. force presence and the 'formula of comparable effort' to counter Soviet influence and prevent the 'Finlandization' of Europe. The President stressed that while the administration would continue to engage in diplomatic negotiations with the Soviet Union, it remained committed to a strong NATO, and he expressed frustration regarding European leaders' public hedging and the negative influence of domestic 'doves' on U.S. foreign policy.
President Nixon and Gerald L. Warren briefly discussed logistics for an upcoming meeting with the Council of Environmental Quality. They considered the possibility of a photograph opportunity taking place outdoors, with Warren suggesting it might be beneficial. The conversation was very short, focusing on the practical arrangements for the photo op.
President Nixon met with members of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to discuss the agency's third annual report and the broader direction of national environmental policy. The conversation emphasized shifting the focus of environmentalism from a perceived niche interest for intellectuals to a practical, inclusive movement that benefits urban residents and the working class through accessible public parks and improved living conditions. Nixon encouraged the CEQ to prioritize increasing public park usage, noting that environmental advocacy should address urgent urban issues such as lead paint and sanitation alongside traditional conservation efforts.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate political strategy ahead of the 1972 election, focusing on the management of various sensitive administration issues. They discussed the tactical delay of the Daniel Ellsberg trial, potential IRS audits of Lawrence O’Brien, and the pursuit of political intelligence through Bobby Baker regarding Democratic rivals. Additionally, the pair evaluated the risks of a proposed railroad bailout bill and considered the political implications of vetoing a water quality bill and a federal blue-collar pay raise.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman to discuss political strategy for the upcoming campaign and address pressing domestic policy challenges. They focused on framing the administration’s opposition to the pending water quality bill by linking it to excessive tax burdens and negative impacts on jobs, contrasting this with a critical portrayal of George McGovern’s spending policies. Additionally, they reviewed economic issues, including rising food prices and potential strategies for stabilization, alongside administrative scheduling and campaign staffing adjustments involving the roles of H.R. Haldeman and David Parker.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate an extensive schedule of upcoming appointments, including a dinner at Camp David and various Cabinet-level engagements. They reviewed lists of potential attendees for these events and discussed the logistical roles of key staff members, such as H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Stephen B. Bull later joined the discussion to finalize details for a meeting with Virginia legislators, specifically addressing gift procurement and protocol for the delegation's visit.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to curate the attendee list for an upcoming dinner at Camp David, emphasizing a desire to keep the group small and focused by excluding staff who had already heard recent presentations. The President expressed a preference for maintaining exclusive, hard-working meetings rather than large social gatherings that might dilute the impact of discussions. They also reviewed logistics for a forthcoming meeting with Virginia legislators, including plans for individual photographs, a White House tour, and the selection of appropriate, cost-effective gifts for the guests.
President Nixon met with a delegation of Virginia Democratic leaders to discuss the political landscape ahead of the 1972 election and foster ideological alignment. The conversation focused on the President's opposition to George McGovern’s defense and welfare proposals, the importance of appointing strict constructionist judges to the Supreme Court, and the necessity of prioritizing political philosophy over party labels. Toward the end of the meeting, the attendees encouraged the President to accept an invitation to speak at Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace, arguing that such a forum would provide a strategic opportunity to frame his foreign policy in contrast to his opponent's isolationism.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to discuss the selection and preparation of gifts for an upcoming meeting with Representative Otto E. Passman. The two reviewed specific items, including a gold watch and a timepiece featuring the presidential seal. Bull subsequently departed the Oval Office to facilitate the President's arrangements for the visitor.
President Nixon met with Representative Otto E. Passman and legislative liaison William E. Timmons in the Oval Office primarily to exchange formal gifts, including personalized watches and cufflinks. Following a brief photo session, the discussion shifted to legislative strategy regarding a bill sponsored by Passman that was currently facing opposition in Congress. Passman outlined his intentions to secure the legislation through an authorization bill or a special rule, while Nixon deferred the tactical handling of these proceedings to Timmons.
President Nixon met with Peter M. Flanigan to discuss managing international economic policy, specifically navigating sensitive trade relations with the European Economic Community, Japan, and the Soviet Union while avoiding premature public confrontations. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a non-partisan, issue-focused role for his economic advisors to bolster his administration's position ahead of the 1972 election and requested that public communications be handled with extreme confidentiality. Additionally, they reviewed organizational changes at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and discussed the political reliability and background of diplomat Robert O. Blake.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified woman to coordinate his departure from the Oval Office. The participants discussed the logistics of moving to the Executive Office Building, where Charles W. Colson was waiting. The brief interaction concluded with the President preparing to join Colson for their scheduled meeting.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to streamline the attendee lists for an upcoming official meeting and dinner. The President expressed a desire to reduce the number of participants, specifically aiming to separate his policy advisors from purely political activities and to ensure staff focused on substantive work rather than social obligations. They reviewed various senior staff members—including Henry Kissinger, John Ehrlichman, and Peter Flanigan—to determine who was essential for briefings versus those whose presence was unnecessary.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate their schedules and internal communications. The discussion centered on the preparation and review of a summary report regarding an ambassador. This brief exchange served as a logistical touchpoint to ensure the President was briefed on diplomatic documentation.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman engage in a brief, disjointed exchange regarding the scheduling of individuals in the Oval Office. The participants attempt to clarify whether colleagues named Alex or Liz are currently present or expected for a meeting. No substantive policy decisions or political developments are recorded during this brief administrative interaction.