Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 776
Nixon White House Tape 776 (September 14, 1972)
18 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 32 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ehrlichman, White House photographer, Butterfield
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming appointments and review the daily schedule. The discussion focused on managing visits with Nelson A. Rockefeller and John D. Ehrlichman. The session served to finalize logistical arrangements and priorities for these meetings.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on a proposed meeting with musician Ray Charles. The discussion centered on managing the publicity surrounding this appearance and coordinating the event through H.R. Haldeman, including a potential visit to the National Children's Center. Nixon emphasized his specific preferences regarding the management of these public appearances.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discussed the logistical and political merits of potentially hosting musician Ray Charles at the White House. The conversation addressed concerns raised by staff members Dwight Chapin and Charles Colson regarding the optics of the invitation. Nixon ultimately decided to proceed with a brief meeting while explicitly mandating that no official photographs be taken during the event.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed critical foreign policy strategy, focusing primarily on the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and upcoming diplomatic initiatives with the Soviet Union. Regarding Vietnam, they agreed to override objections from South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu concerning the composition of the proposed National Committee for Reconciliation, concluding that the political stakes of a potential breakthrough outweighed Thieu's concerns. Additionally, they planned the coordination of sensitive U.S.-Soviet trade and security negotiations, specifically addressing how to brief Secretary of State William P. Rogers to ensure that the White House maintained control over the messaging and credit for these diplomatic advancements.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office. During the short exchange, the visitor made a specific request regarding Stephen B. Bull. The interaction concluded quickly, with the guest departing the office shortly before 10:00 am.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and refine the President's upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on interactions with Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo and various political figures. The discussion centered on managing the timing and logistics of these meetings, including the duration of sessions with Rizzo and appointments involving John Jarman, Tom S. Gettys, and John D. Ehrlichman. Nixon expressed a desire to streamline his engagements, ultimately tasking Bull with logistical adjustments to manage the pace of his meetings.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief morning discussion. While the specific substance of the dialogue remains classified as a personal returnable item, the interaction highlights the routine administrative and personal interface between the President and his long-term household staff. No substantive policy decisions or historical developments are recorded for this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and Nelson Rockefeller to coordinate legislative strategy, particularly regarding revenue sharing, federal government reorganization, and NASA space shuttle contracts. The discussion explored ways to build a legislative mandate for a second term, including potential energy and regulatory reforms and strategies to leverage support from key congressional leaders. Later, Pat Nixon and Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton joined the session to discuss the administration's national parks agenda, specifically focusing on promoting the centennial of Yellowstone National Park and Mrs. Nixon's upcoming public appearances.
President Nixon met with John D. Ehrlichman to discuss the public disclosure of his personal financial statement. The conversation centered on the management and presentation of the President's assets as they prepared for upcoming release requirements. No major policy shifts were recorded, as the brief exchange served primarily to coordinate administrative logistics regarding the financial filing.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss the retrieval and review of a specific document held by John D. Ehrlichman at Camp David. The President directed Bull to expedite the delivery of the document to ensure he could examine its contents personally. This brief exchange served to coordinate the logistical handling of sensitive presidential materials.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to discuss potential staff assignments or meeting requests. The President specifically requested that Bull arrange for a meeting with either Richard K. Cook or William E. Timmons, indicating a preference to see at least one of them. This brief discussion focused on administrative scheduling and ensuring direct communication with key legislative liaison personnel.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons discuss the personal behavior and political standing of House Speaker Carl Albert, expressing concern over his recent public conduct and potential impact on his leadership. The conversation centers on the risks posed by Albert's perceived decline and explores potential ways to handle the situation, including a discreet telephone outreach to address these issues. Nixon ultimately tasks Timmons with coordinating a strategy, potentially involving consultation with others close to the Speaker, to address the vulnerability surrounding Albert's position.
President Nixon met with Representative Thomas S. Gettys, John E. Nidecker, and Max L. Friedersdorf for a brief, informal session that included a photo opportunity. The discussion touched upon the upcoming congressional elections and personal anecdotes regarding the military service and background of J.P. "Dick" Richards. The meeting concluded with the presentation of gifts and exchange of pleasantries between the President and his guests.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and organize the day's upcoming official schedule. The discussion centered on managing appointments with senators, representatives from the Philadelphia Police Athletic League, and a high-profile meeting involving Frank L. Rizzo and John D. Ehrlichman. The primary outcome was ensuring the coordination of these sessions, including a planned photography opportunity.
President Nixon met with Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo, White House aides, and various local stakeholders to coordinate campaign strategy for the 1972 election in Pennsylvania. The discussion focused on leveraging the benefits of incumbency, securing federal aid for Philadelphia to bolster political support, and actively undermining the campaign of George McGovern through negative publicity regarding his policy positions and past voting records. The participants also discussed efforts to engage other mayors and business leaders to align with the President's platform against McGovern's perceived socialist agenda.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate the distribution of a book. The discussion focused on managing acknowledgments for the publication, specifically mentioning Leonard H. Tose and Frank L. Rizzo. The participants also briefly touched upon professional football, referencing the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss a range of administrative and political issues, including the management of the Watergate scandal, the 1972 election campaign, and internal White House personnel matters. A significant portion of the conversation focused on coordinating foreign policy efforts between Secretary of State William P. Rogers and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, specifically regarding the handling of Jimmy Hoffa's trip to Hanoi and subsequent press strategies. Additionally, the pair addressed logistical planning for upcoming trips, including an excursion to Camp David, and strategized on media and advertising efforts for the President's reelection campaign.
Secret Service agents met with the President in the Oval Office to provide a formal report regarding his upcoming departure. The exchange primarily focused on logistical coordination and security protocols for the President's travel. This brief interaction concluded with the agents exiting the office to facilitate the scheduled movement.