Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 791
Nixon White House Tape 791 (October 3, 1972)
15 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 25 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Sanchez
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to briefly coordinate the President's daily schedule. During this session, they discussed matters related to John D. Ehrlichman, including his presence or upcoming appointments. The interaction concluded shortly thereafter when Bull and an accompanying woman departed the room.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed legislative strategies, specifically the administration's stance on H.R. 1, the pending water quality bill, and potential Social Security legislation. They emphasized the need to maintain a firm position on spending limits to bolster Nixon's reelection campaign, including the potential use of a veto to contrast the administration's fiscal discipline with Congressional spending. Furthermore, they reviewed media relations and planned public events, such as a revenue-sharing ceremony, to highlight administration accomplishments while minimizing negative coverage.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss administration strategies for handling media coverage, particularly regarding NBC and the Washington Post, and to review a project analyzing press bias and failed journalistic predictions. They evaluated the performance of specific reporters and judges, while considering political tactics for responding to the press and George McGovern's campaign. The conversation also touched upon logistical planning for the President's upcoming schedule, including decisions regarding press relations and his travel plans to Camp David and Florida.
President Nixon met with American Legion National Commander Joseph L. Matthews and his associates to discuss the organization's upcoming schedule, recruitment of Vietnam veterans, and support for his administration's foreign policy. Matthews briefed the President on his extensive travel plans, which include visiting all 58 American Legion departments and potentially conducting diplomatic trips to Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Romania. The meeting concluded with a brief photo session and the presentation of commemorative gifts to the delegation.
President Nixon met with leaders of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), including John F. Leyden, Robert E. Poli, and Robert C. Sturgil, to discuss the union's relationship with the administration and air traffic safety. The discussion touched upon Nixon's personal experiences with air travel and his wartime naval service involving aircraft control, as well as comparisons between aviation and automobile safety. The meeting concluded with a ceremonial presentation of presidential memorabilia to the union representatives.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger in the Oval Office to coordinate their respective schedules. During this brief exchange, Kissinger signaled his intent to provide a formal report to the President. The meeting served primarily as a logistical check-in to facilitate ongoing policy briefings.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, including efforts to leverage Soviet influence on North Vietnam and the potential for a breakthrough before the 1972 election. Kissinger briefed the President on his recent meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, while they reviewed military strategies, including the use of B-52 air strikes, to pressure North Vietnam into a settlement. They also addressed broader political concerns, such as managing media and congressional relations, and planned the logistics for Kissinger's upcoming trip to Paris and potentially Saigon to finalize a peace agreement.
Secret Service agents coordinated with unidentified individuals regarding logistical security arrangements in the Oval Office. The dialogue primarily focused on confirming operational procedures and ensuring that specific protocols were being followed as expected. No policy decisions were recorded, as the brief exchange was limited to procedural confirmation.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to address administrative tasks, specifically concerning the preparation of a condolence letter. The discussion focused on drafting formal correspondence for Rose Mary Woods regarding the passing of Harrison McCall. No further substantive policy matters were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate his upcoming schedule and address various administrative and personal matters. The discussion centered on arrangements for Harrison McCall’s memorial service, the health status of several acquaintances, and the coordination of travel and social commitments, including events involving Tricia Nixon Cox and William J. Casey. Stephen B. Bull joined briefly at the end of the meeting to facilitate the President's transition to a subsequent meeting in the Cabinet Room involving Elliot Richardson and other staff.
President Nixon met with Elliot Richardson and several senior staff members to discuss political strategy regarding the welfare reform bill, H.R. 1, and the potential impact of a new amendment offered by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III. The group analyzed the risks of appearing inconsistent if the administration supported the Stevenson proposal, which closely mirrored the President's original welfare plans, while balancing the need to preserve the administration's credibility as the bill faced likely defeat. Ultimately, they discussed using a parliamentary tactic—having Senator Hugh Scott support the amendment—to expose the lack of substantive differences between the two parties and ensure the administration would not be blamed if the legislation failed.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office to address logistical and administrative requirements regarding recording equipment. The discussion focused on the management of cords associated with the taping system. The exchange served as a brief technical coordination session to ensure the continued functionality of the White House recording apparatus.
President Nixon met with Senator Robert Griffin and William Timmons to discuss public perception of the welfare system and the fiscal implications of various welfare program titles. The participants critiqued the administrative handling of welfare funds, specifically citing frustrations with social workers and the perceived prevalence of benefit misuse. The brief exchange underscored the political pressure to address the high costs associated with these legislative titles.
President Nixon consults with Ronald Ziegler and H.R. Haldeman regarding a recent, ostensibly personal telephone call from journalist Walter Cronkite. Nixon clarifies his willingness to speak with Cronkite only if the matter is non-journalistic in nature. The brief discussion also touches upon logistical updates regarding operations at Camp David and the status of staff members.
United States Secret Service agents met with unknown individuals in the Oval Office to conduct security-related discussions. Due to the lack of a transcript and the unintelligible nature of the audio recordings, the specific substance of these exchanges remains unknown. No actionable intelligence or policy developments can be attributed to these brief, fragmented interactions.