Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 781
Nixon White House Tape 781 (September 18, 1972)
33 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 16 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Butterfield, Nidecker
President Nixon met with an unknown woman in the Oval Office to facilitate the delivery of a memorandum addressed to Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. The brief exchange focused on the distribution and handling of this sensitive document. No further policy discussions or significant political developments were recorded during this interaction.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to finalize the logistics and agenda for an upcoming breakfast meeting with Congressional leaders, including Gerald Ford and Hugh Scott. The President emphasized that the meeting should focus on potential vetoes for legislation exceeding the budget, while cautioning that administration officials must not prematurely disclose final executive decisions to the legislators. Additionally, Nixon approved a ceremonial book presentation involving author Frank van der Linden to be scheduled during the week.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler held a brief meeting to coordinate the President's upcoming address to the International Narcotics Control Conference. The discussion focused on logistical details regarding the involvement of Rose Mary Woods and the official release of the speech. No further substantive policy actions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming trip to Los Angeles. The discussion focused on managing press interactions and synchronizing plans with H.R. Haldeman. Bull was tasked with facilitating travel requirements and communication protocols for the President's departure.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discussed media coverage of the previous day's Fall Italian Festival and reviewed television reporting of the event. The conversation addressed the president's dissatisfaction with the timing of broadcast segments and touched upon an administrative memorandum regarding presidential scheduling. Nixon acknowledged receipt of the memo and finalized the discussion before Haldeman departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed political messaging and campaign strategy for the 1972 election, focusing on how to appeal to suburban voters and the Italian-American community by emphasizing values like hard work, family, and religion. They also reviewed agricultural messaging, with Nixon instructing Haldeman to have Earl Butz aggressively defend the administration's grain deals and attack George McGovern's policies. Finally, the President directed a shift in campaign optics, specifically requesting a reduction in public appearances with Black individuals to better align with the administration's political base.
President Nixon met with Miss America 1973 Terry Ann Meeuwsen, pageant officials, and White House staff for a courtesy visit and formal photograph session in the Oval Office. During the meeting, the President discussed various White House memorabilia, including presidential seals, gifts from foreign heads of state, and needlepoint work by Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The conversation also touched upon the activities of Tricia Nixon Cox and concluded with a brief exchange regarding the administration's position on prisoners of war.
President Nixon consulted with United States Secret Service agents regarding adjustments to his official schedule. The participants coordinated the logistics of his upcoming movements and security requirements for the President's public appearances. No specific operational details were recorded, serving primarily as a routine administrative briefing on presidential travel arrangements.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed the strategic messaging for the President's recent address at the Conference on International Narcotics Control. They focused on characterizing the influx of foreign narcotics as a national security threat equivalent to an armed invasion. The President emphasized the importance of utilizing this analogy to justify tying foreign aid to international drug control cooperation.
President Nixon met with representatives from veterans' organizations, including Jack O. Hicks, John J. Keller, and William F. Rhatican, primarily for a photo session and an informal discussion regarding veteran support. During the meeting, Nixon emphasized his administration's commitment to disabled veterans and discussed his personal history with veterans' groups dating back to his 1946 congressional campaign. The conversation also touched upon recent flooding in Pennsylvania and the President's upcoming meeting with Representative William M. Colmer regarding a memorial for the Seabees.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review logistical arrangements for upcoming presidential photo opportunities, including meetings with Representatives David N. Henderson and William M. Colmer. The discussion focused on addressing overcrowding and spatial concerns encountered during recent events, such as the Italian Fall Festival. Bull was tasked with managing these logistical challenges to ensure more efficient management of future photograph sessions.
President Nixon met with Representative David N. Henderson and John E. Nidecker to discuss political support, North Carolina’s electoral climate, and judicial philosophy. The conversation covered a range of domestic issues, including law enforcement policies, the judicial system's role in public safety, and recent legislative efforts regarding military labor. The meeting concluded with an informal exchange and the presentation of presidential cufflinks to the Congressman.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the President's upcoming daily schedule. The discussion centered on appointments with Representative William M. Colmer and two retired admirals, Walter M. Enger and George Ryder. Bull finalized the details for these meetings before departing the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with Representative William M. Colmer and several other guests, including Admiral Wallis M. Enger and George Ryder, to honor the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) and sign a House Joint Resolution in their recognition. Following a photo session, the conversation turned to political strategy regarding pending anti-busing legislation and a private relief bill sponsored by Colmer. The discussion concluded with a focus on the 1972 election campaign, specifically regarding Republican prospects in Mississippi and plans for a campaign event featuring Gerald Ford and members of the Nixon family.
President Nixon met with Representatives John Kyl and Don H. Clausen, along with White House staff, to conduct a ceremonial photo session and discuss the signing of H.R. 13089, a bill related to the National Forest Program. The participants engaged in informal conversation regarding the President's recent visit to China, the planting of redwood trees, and the logistical delivery of regional gifts like pears and wine to the White House. The meeting concluded with brief discussions on the health and status of various members of Congress involved in water-related legislation.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and organize his daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating a bill-signing session, a briefing on environmental issues with John C. Whitaker, and a photo opportunity with Republican women surrogates. The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure the President was prepared to execute these administrative and public relations tasks.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated logistics for an upcoming appearance involving Republican women surrogates in the Roosevelt Room. The discussion focused on the distribution of pins for the attendees and arrangements for individual photograph sessions with White House photographer Ollie Atkins. These planning details served to manage the President’s public relations schedule for the event.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to connect him with the husband of the Thai military attaché, whose wife had recently been assaulted in Washington, D.C. The President sought to personally reach out regarding the incident, demonstrating concern for the diplomatic implication of the crime. During the request, he also sought to consult with aide H.R. Haldeman regarding the matter.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson. The brief exchange served as a logistical coordination to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Senator. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon met with Captain Surayute Nivasabute to express his and the First Lady’s personal sympathy regarding the recent assault of the Captain’s wife in Washington, D.C. Nixon offered the full support of the White House for any necessary medical or related assistance. He also requested that the Captain relay these well wishes and the news of the President's personal interest to the Thai ambassador.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate a forthcoming luncheon with congressional leadership, including Hugh Scott, Robert Griffin, Leslie Arends, and Gerald Ford. The discussion centered on managing the political implications of the ongoing General John Lavelle hearings and determining which administration officials, such as Alexander Haig or Henry Kissinger, should attend to address them. Nixon directed staff to assess whether legislative leaders required additional administration presence to navigate the potential political fallout from the hearings.
President Nixon and Senator Henry M. Jackson met to discuss legislative strategy regarding U.S.-Soviet relations and the pursuit of a supersonic transport (SST) program. The two leaders strategized on how to manage the House Foreign Affairs Committee to ensure support for SALT Phase II and potential Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR). Additionally, Nixon solicited Jackson's long-term cooperation in finding a way to revive the American SST project following the 1972 election, arguing that current staff attitudes and the abandonment of the project were strategically shortsighted.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to William E. Timmons, his Assistant for Legislative Affairs. The primary purpose of the communication was to establish contact with Timmons to discuss pressing legislative matters. No further dialogue was recorded beyond this brief administrative request.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The interaction lasted less than a minute and included a short segment of audio restricted for personal privacy. No substantial policy discussions or administrative decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons strategized on how to secure congressional support for the Jackson Amendment, emphasizing its necessity for strengthening the administration's position in the upcoming Phase II of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Nixon expressed his full backing for the amendment and directed Timmons to arrange a meeting with key committee members, including Representatives Thomas E. Morgan and William S. Mailliard, to personally advocate for the administration's policy goals. The President aimed to leverage this direct engagement to ensure the amendment's success within the House-Senate conference.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed political strategy regarding welfare reform legislation, specifically focusing on the administration's messaging and the potential fallout of failing to pass a bill before Congress adjourns. Nixon expressed skepticism toward the current congressional prospects and directed Ehrlichman to coordinate a public relations strategy and handle communications with legislative leadership. They also touched upon scheduling concerns related to upcoming meetings with Elliot Richardson and potential political risks associated with ongoing hearings, such as the General John D. Lavelle case.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and Stephen Bull to coordinate logistics for an upcoming congressional leaders breakfast. The participants discussed the guest list, specifically determining that Henry Kissinger should lead the discussion on military appropriations. Additionally, they evaluated the suitability of the Oval Office versus the Executive Office Building for future meetings based on scheduling and the atmosphere for the President's upcoming appointments.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative logistics regarding Henry A. Kissinger’s upcoming schedule. The conversation focused on the precision of travel arrangements and the necessity of maintaining operational security for Kissinger's movements. No further major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with his administration officials, including Elliot Richardson and John Ehrlichman, to discuss the political feasibility of passing welfare reform (H.R. 1) before the 1972 election. Given the lack of time and the potential for a hostile or obstructionist legislative environment, the participants concluded that passing a comprehensive welfare bill was unlikely and that aggressive pressure on Congress would be counterproductive. Nixon decided that the administration should maintain its formal support for H.R. 1 while simultaneously pivoting to a strategy of aiming for a decisive election mandate, intending to reintroduce the reform package in the next Congress under more favorable conditions.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman to review an extensive legislative agenda in preparation for a meeting with Congressional leaders. The discussion focused on controversial bills, specifically the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and water pollution legislation, where Nixon weighed the political risks of a veto against the executive necessity of maintaining control over mandatory spending. Nixon expressed a firm reluctance to approve language that locked in funding for programs he intended to cut, leading to deliberations on potential legal strategies for withholding funds or utilizing vetoes to preserve executive discretion.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Stephen Bull to finalize administrative details regarding his upcoming schedule and a personal letter to Mrs. Theodore Bennahum. The President emphasized strict ground rules for a forthcoming interview with author Theodore H. White, stipulating that the discussion was to be used exclusively for White's book and prohibited from appearing in media outlets like Time or Life before the election. Additionally, the group coordinated timing adjustments for a subsequent meeting with a senator to ensure the President's schedule remained fluid and uninterrupted.
President Nixon met with author Theodore H. White to discuss his political career, the upcoming 1972 election, and his administration's major policy initiatives. Nixon reviewed his success in opening relations with China and the Soviet Union while outlining his strategy for securing a strong electoral mandate to drive future domestic reforms. He emphasized that a decisive victory would enable him to overcome congressional opposition and implement pragmatic, efficient changes in government reorganization and national policy.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a Rose Garden event involving Miss America winners Terry Ann Meeuwson and Laurie Lee Schaefer. The discussion focused on the logistics of the contestants' tour, the management of their appearance, and the involvement of their chaperones. The meeting served to finalize details for the President’s scheduled interaction with the titleholders.