Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 784
Nixon White House Tape 784 (September 21, 1972)
22 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 38 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Woods, Butterfield
President Nixon held a brief, routine administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate telephonic communications. The conversation functioned as a standard logistical check, typical of the President's daily management of his executive office operations. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The brief exchange focused exclusively on administrative communication logistics. No substantive policy matters or further actions were recorded during this interaction.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and finalize the details of his upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was confirming arrangements for an impending meeting with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. Following this brief briefing, the session concluded as Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to discuss scheduling arrangements for upcoming political meetings. The conversation focused on coordinating logistical details, including the potential for a follow-up telephone call. No substantive policy matters or strategic decisions were addressed during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review logistical details regarding his upcoming dinner at John B. Connally’s residence. The discussion focused on coordinating with the 'Democrats for Nixon' group and assessing the roles of various campaign leaders compared to the existing staff. This brief meeting served as a final preparation for the President's engagement with the organization.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Rose Mary Woods to discuss the feasibility of hosting a performance by members of the Bohemian Grove at the White House. While acknowledging that Secret Service security requirements and presidential duties preclude his personal attendance at the Grove's events, Nixon enthusiastically supported the idea of inviting the group to perform in the East Room after the 1973 inauguration. The discussion focused on the logistics of the event, including dinner arrangements and the potential for a themed campfire-style production.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss strategies for managing international relations and domestic political optics ahead of the 1972 election. They reviewed plans to use cultural exchanges with the People's Republic of China to boost the President's image, addressed the need for more effective, personalized presidential correspondence, and strategized on personnel changes to neutralize bureaucratic opposition within the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the State Department. Furthermore, they coordinated efforts to manage Jewish leaders and Israeli officials regarding regional stability, terrorism concerns, and military aid, while also planning to publicly condemn the exploitation of American prisoners of war by anti-war activists.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate upcoming scheduling priorities and media appearances. The discussion centered on recording a film clip for Reverend Leon Sullivan’s minority-focused television program and managing the President’s travel and workload, including a firm directive to clear his schedule of substantive meetings to prepare for IMF and other public appearances. Additionally, the pair briefly touched on administrative matters, including potential meetings with economist Milton Friedman and chess champion Bobby Fischer.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the President's upcoming daily schedule and coordinate logistics for various visitors, including Gale Sayers, Frank van der Linden, and the Imperial Potentate of the Shrine of North America. The discussion focused on managing photo opportunities and ensuring preparation for meetings, specifically regarding a book by van der Linden. Nixon also instructed Bull to manage copies of books and administrative materials for staff accessibility.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to provide specific instructions regarding the interior decoration of the Oval Office. The primary focus of the brief discussion was the President's desire to retain a Liberty Bell ornament within the room. No further policy or administrative matters were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with journalist Frank van der Linden and aide Kenneth Clawson to receive a copy of van der Linden's book, *Nixon's Quest for Peace*. The discussion focused on the role of the press, with Nixon distinguishing between the necessary bias of columnists and the objective reporting responsibilities of news journalists. The participants also shared anecdotes and commentary regarding political figures, the influence of alcohol on public conduct, and the professional risks journalists face regarding their personal behavior.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize arrangements for a forthcoming Oval Office meeting regarding House Resolution 2. The discussion focused on coordinating the attendance of key Congressional members, specifically F. Edward Hebert, Leslie C. Arends, Charles E. Bennett, and Durward G. Hall. The President also ensured that pens were prepared for the participating legislators as part of the formal proceedings.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and various congressional leaders to discuss the signing of the Uniformed Services Health Provisions Revitalization Act (HR 2) and the promotion of defense-related legislation. The conversation transitioned into campaign strategy for the 1972 election, with Nixon and Laird analyzing the political implications of George McGovern's defense platform and coordinating appearances to target specific demographics in key states like Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Additionally, they praised the public speaking skills of Brigadier General Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr. and discussed administrative efforts to bolster military support through strategic announcements, such as new contracts for the Quincy shipyards.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss managing domestic political pressure from Jewish organizations regarding Soviet emigration policies in the context of broader US-Soviet trade negotiations. Kissinger advised against the President directly calling activists, suggesting instead that they facilitate meetings between those groups and Secretary of State William Rogers to keep the administration at a distance. The pair also criticized what they perceived as a hypocritical double standard in American foreign policy and media coverage regarding human rights crises in Burundi, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, ultimately deciding to recall the U.S. Ambassador to Burundi.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistics for a White House signing ceremony featuring Senators J. Glenn Beall, Jr. and Lloyd M. Bentsen. The discussion focused on scheduling a photograph session with the senators and finalizing the mechanics of the bill-signing process. Nixon confirmed his intent to personally utilize a specific pen for the official signing.
President Nixon met with Representatives J. Glenn Beall, Jr., Charles S. Gubser, and Otis G. Pike, along with Robert W. Nolan, primarily to discuss the legislative significance of House Resolution 10670. The group focused on the bill's implications for Social Security benefits and revenue sharing, specifically highlighting the importance of the President's signature on the legislation for retirees. The brief meeting also included a photography session and informal discussion regarding the political careers and election cycles of the attendees.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull meet to address a sudden power failure in the Oval Office and the subsequent failure of the backup generator system. Bull informs the President that he has initiated emergency measures to restore power and notes the difficulty in locating staff member Robert J. Brown during the blackout. The brief exchange focuses on resolving this infrastructure crisis and confirming the status of the President's schedule.
President Nixon met briefly with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate H.R. Haldeman’s immediate availability. The conversation focused on the logistics of Haldeman’s current location and schedule. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Stephen B. Bull, and Manolo Sanchez to coordinate his upcoming campaign travel schedule and manage the timing of key administrative announcements. The discussion focused on synchronizing public appearances, such as the SALT agreement signing and various trade-related press conferences, with political outreach efforts in states like Texas. Nixon also criticized R. Sargent Shriver’s planned political activities in Texas, dismissing them as ineffective, while confirming the itinerary for his own upcoming trip involving local Democratic representatives.
President Nixon met with Representative Robert R. Casey and John E. Nidecker to express his appreciation for the Congressman's political support. The discussion touched on recent renovations to the U.S. Capitol, with the President drawing comparisons between the adequacy of American official guest facilities and those of foreign nations. The meeting concluded with Nixon presenting commemorative presidential gifts to his visitors.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss various political and administrative matters, including the waning impact of the Vietnam War on the 1972 election, strategies for post-election personnel reorganization, and plans to build a stronger political establishment. They also discussed managing public perception regarding Nixon's foreign policy initiatives, specifically his visits to China and the Soviet Union, and explored the potential of using military leaders like Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. as political surrogates to reach white voters. Finally, the pair addressed a recent break-in at Dr. John Lungren's office concerning the President's medical records, deciding to treat the incident with transparency to neutralize any potential political fallout.
Secret Service agents and unidentified individuals met in the Oval Office to oversee the technical installation or maintenance of the White House taping system. The discussion focused on the operational status and perceived quality of the recording equipment. The encounter concluded once the technical team confirmed the system was functioning as intended.