Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 768
Nixon White House Tape 768 (August 14, 1972)
22 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 34 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, White House photographer, Haldeman, Butterfield
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to review and finalize the President’s daily schedule, which included a series of meetings with visitors such as Bailey K. Howard, Samuel D. Winer, and Louella Dirksen. They discussed specific logistical details, including the need to reschedule certain appointments and manage the presentation of a book by Mrs. Dirksen. The conversation concluded with instructions to arrange the timing of upcoming sessions with guests like John B. Connally and Clark MacGregor.
President Nixon met with Patrick J. Buchanan and Stephen B. Bull to dictate a memorandum outlining economic talking points for a new fact sheet. Nixon emphasized the need for a more dramatic and effective presentation of the administration's economic successes, specifically comparing U.S. growth rates, inflation reduction, and consumer food costs favorably against international benchmarks. He directed Buchanan to refine these statistics to better illustrate how the American worker has gained ground against inflation compared to the 1966–1969 period.
President Nixon utilized this brief morning session in the Oval Office to record personal dictation for his records. The interaction involved an unidentified individual whose presence did not result in a recorded dialogue. Consequently, the session focused exclusively on the President's administrative tasks and official reflections rather than a collaborative discussion or policy deliberation.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors to coordinate campaign strategy for his re-election, specifically addressing the tone of his upcoming acceptance speech and public appearances. The group discussed countering Senator George McGovern's policies, particularly regarding Vietnam and welfare, while also devising a public relations strategy to address the ongoing Watergate investigation. Nixon emphasized the need for a strong, combative campaign posture that avoids defensive positioning and effectively utilizes his cabinet members to attack political opponents.
President Nixon met with William D. Eberle, Peter M. Flanigan, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss the status of US-Japan trade relations ahead of an upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka. The discussion focused on addressing the trade imbalance, managing Japanese internal political factions, and evaluating a potential joint US-Japan uranium enrichment plant proposal. The President emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Japanese trade policy while Eberle provided updates on ongoing negotiations and legislative developments concerning the U.S. Senate.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule and the logistics regarding various gift presentations. The discussion focused on coordinating the delivery of specific items, including cuff links, scrolls, photographs, a Bible, and a watch for several individuals such as Kenneth B. Keating and Daniel P. Moynihan. The brief meeting concluded after addressing these administrative appointments and gift-handling arrangements.
President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office for a brief three-minute discussion. The session consisted entirely of a withdrawn segment classified as personal and returnable material. Consequently, no substantive policy decisions or administrative actions are preserved in the historical record of this interaction.
President Nixon met with departing Ambassador to India Kenneth B. Keating and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss Keating's tenure in India, his upcoming domestic political activities, and foreign policy strategy for the 1972 election. They reviewed Keating's conversations with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and analyzed the political risks of George McGovern's defense proposals, specifically regarding Israel and nuclear deterrence. The meeting concluded with President Nixon presenting Keating with an commemorative watch in recognition of his service.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office to discuss the President's upcoming daily schedule. The brief conversation focused on logistical arrangements and preparation for a forthcoming meeting. No further substantive policy matters were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with Pierre Rinfret, Charles Colson, and John Connally to strategize on economic messaging and political maneuvering regarding the upcoming International Monetary Fund meeting and the credibility of Sargent Shriver. The participants discussed framing international trade partners as fierce competitors to appeal to American laborers and business interests. Additionally, Nixon and Connally explored ways to undermine Shriver's credibility by investigating past Vietnam negotiations from the Johnson administration and potentially eliciting public statements from former officials to counter his criticisms.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics for the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on managing appointments with various individuals, including Samuel D. Winer, Louella Dirksen, and Daniel P. Moynihan, while arranging for official photography by Oliver Atkins. The meeting served as a routine administrative review to ensure the President's time was efficiently managed and documented.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Stephen Bull, and Samuel and Mrs. Winer to conduct a brief photo session intended to rectify a previous camera malfunction. Beyond the photography, the participants discussed the involvement of the U.S. Jaycees in the 1972 Republican National Convention and the implementation of a voter participation program. The meeting concluded with the presentation of presidential gifts to the Winers before they departed.
President Nixon met with Louella Dirksen, Rose Mary Woods, and Stephen Bull to discuss the promotion of Dirksen’s new book about her late husband, Everett Dirksen. The conversation focused on the President's potential involvement in the dedication of the Everett M. Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center in Pekin, Illinois, and potential fundraising efforts. Additionally, the President presented Mrs. Dirksen with a Chinese scroll and reviewed her upcoming media appearances and planned attendance at the Republican National Convention.
President Richard Nixon met with Bailey K. Howard, accompanied by Ronald L. Ziegler, to discuss Howard's upcoming retirement from business. The conversation centered on Howard's personal history, including his family connections in California and his long-standing ties to the San Diego and La Jolla areas. The meeting concluded with Nixon presenting Howard with a gift of a Chinese scroll to commemorate his transition.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to review the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation focused on coordination regarding Robert Allen Forst and preparations for an imminent legal meeting. No significant policy decisions were reached, as the discussion served primarily as a logistical briefing for the President's daily agenda.
President Nixon met with Robert A. Forst and Llewellyn J. Evans, along with aide Stephen B. Bull, to discuss the social standing and political concerns of senior citizens. Nixon and his visitors contrasted the perceived pride and work ethic of retirees with welfare recipients, criticizing liberal policies for grouping the elderly with other welfare-dependent populations. During the meeting, which included a photo session, the President presented the guests with ceremonial gifts, including cufflinks and tie clasps bearing the presidential seal.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to address administrative matters, specifically the signing of various legal documents. First Lady Pat Nixon subsequently joined the President for a brief meeting. The session concluded shortly thereafter, with the primary focus centered on the completion of these routine executive formalities.
President Nixon held an Oval Office meeting with key staff members and guests, including First Lady Pat Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and John Dean. While the majority of the discussion is classified as a withdrawn item, the session focused on administrative scheduling matters involving John Ehrlichman. The meeting concluded after approximately 23 minutes with the departure of Alexander P. Butterfield and his associates.
President Nixon and his aide Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule and discussed logistics for planned meetings with Oral Roberts and Daniel P. Moynihan. The discussion also addressed a past engagement involving Roberts, specifically the June 1971 dedication of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This briefing served to organize the President’s immediate administrative calendar and coordinate his interactions with these figures.
President Nixon met with televangelist Oral Roberts and Wallace B. Henley to discuss the President's public image and communication style following his recent diplomatic trips to the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. Roberts praised the President's newfound ability to convey empathy and sincerity, contrasting this personal connection with his previous, more combative political persona. The conversation also touched upon Roberts's ministry, his television broadcasting strategies, and the potential for a presidential visit to dedicate the new Special Events Center at Oral Roberts University.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule to manage his availability for the remainder of the week. The discussion focused on coordinating potential meetings with key figures, including Daniel P. Moynihan, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Reagan. They further addressed the logistics and timing regarding the President's planned departure.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Daniel P. Moynihan to discuss the conceptual framework for his potential second term. The conversation centered on the necessity of integrating foreign and domestic policy into a coherent "mosaic" to restore order and establish a long-term world view. They also addressed the challenges of recruiting intellectual personnel, the importance of merit-based appointments over demographic quotas, and the strategic need to articulate a new, broadly appealing Republican philosophy.