Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 797
Nixon White House Tape 797 (October 13, 1972)
35 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 41 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Haldeman, White House photographer
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This routine interaction served as a technical precursor to the President’s subsequent telephonic communications. No policy decisions or substantive political deliberations occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the logistics and timing of an upcoming meeting with H.R. Haldeman. This discussion focused on managing the President's daily schedule to ensure efficient communication with his Chief of Staff. The brief interaction resulted in the immediate synchronization of the President’s agenda for the morning.
President Nixon met with Raymond K. Price, Jr. and H.R. Haldeman to coordinate campaign strategy, public relations, and responses to various political scandals. The discussion touched on upcoming speeches, the effectiveness of political commercials, and the management of negative media coverage regarding Democratic challenger George McGovern. Additionally, the participants reviewed the unfolding legal risks associated with Watergate, including Grand Jury testimony and the potential exposure of White House staffers involved in campaign sabotage operations.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to review a draft of the President’s upcoming radio address focused on crime and drug abuse. During this brief consultation, the two discussed the content and messaging of the speech scheduled for October 15, 1972. They also touched upon the President’s administrative schedule to ensure coordination with his public remarks.
President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, and Ronald Ziegler met to discuss legislative strategy regarding a controversial water bill and H.R. 1, weighing the political risks of a pocket veto against the necessity of limiting federal spending. The group examined concerns about congressional session timelines and the potential for a spending ceiling, ultimately agreeing to delay a final decision while maintaining a low-key public posture. Beyond legislative mechanics, the President and Ehrlichman analyzed the 1972 campaign landscape, noting that their focus on fiscal conservatism, social values, and national defense was resonating with voters disillusioned by the perceived permissiveness of the opposition.
President Nixon met with Representative Joe D. Waggonner, Jr., Richard K. Cook, and Helmut Sonnenfeldt to discuss Waggonner's upcoming diplomatic trip to Romania to attend the Bucharest Trade Fair. The President briefed Waggonner on how to advocate for Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status with Romania, emphasizing that the U.S. should frame such trade normalization as standard treatment for nations with positive relations rather than as special favoritism. Additionally, the participants discussed political strategy for the 1972 campaign, congressional cooperation, and personal security concerns regarding the President.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to briefly coordinate the daily schedule of Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. The exchange was administrative in nature, focusing on the logistical arrangement of Haldeman's upcoming appointments. The meeting concluded quickly after the brief procedural review.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to conduct a brief review of administrative scheduling. The discussion focused on coordinating the upcoming engagements and briefings for key staff members, including H.R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler. No major policy decisions were made during this short administrative check-in.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative logistics regarding staff schedules. The discussion focused on the upcoming briefing schedule for Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler and the personal calendar of special counsel Charles W. Colson. No major policy decisions were made, as the brief interaction served primarily to align the President's daily agenda.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met briefly to coordinate administrative logistics regarding the President’s upcoming radio address on crime and drug abuse. The discussion focused on the distribution of document copies to Egil Krogh and the scheduling of a meeting with James S. Copley. The pair confirmed the status of final revisions being made to the address before the President’s scheduled signing.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Charles Colson to discuss press relations, the 1972 campaign, and strategies for neutralizing political attacks regarding the Watergate scandal. The participants expressed frustration with perceived media double standards and reviewed plans to prepare a 'white paper' documenting Democratic campaign improprieties to mirror those alleged against the Republicans. Additionally, they analyzed George McGovern's recent political comments on troop commitments and discussed the effectiveness of internal polling data in mitigating the impact of Watergate coverage.
President Nixon met with the executive board of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) to accept their formal endorsement for the 1972 presidential campaign. During the session, the President and union representatives discussed labor issues, the necessity of nuclear energy development despite environmental opposition, and the complexities of regulating executive salaries. The meeting concluded with the exchange of presidential memorabilia, reinforcing the administration's attempt to build rapport with labor leadership.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistics for a scheduled appearance with former baseball players Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca, and Claire Ruth. The discussion focused on the agenda for this meeting, which included a photo session and the presentation of commemorative golf balls. This interaction served to finalize the President's public relations schedule and ensure the smooth execution of the planned gift exchange.
President Nixon hosted a meeting with baseball figures including Claire Ruth, Bobby Thomson, and Ralph Branca to discuss the history and cultural significance of baseball. The conversation focused on iconic moments like Thomson's 1951 home run and Babe Ruth's legendary "called shot" during the 1932 World Series. Nixon used the occasion to reflect on the role of sports in promoting patriotism and unity, and he presented his guests with gifts bearing the presidential seal.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull engaged in a casual discussion regarding baseball history, specifically reflecting on the physical stature and aging of players like Ralph Branca and Bobby Thompson. The conversation transitioned into a brief review of the President's upcoming schedule. Manolo Sanchez joined the meeting briefly toward its conclusion, though the discussion remained informal throughout.
Secret Service agents conducted brief communications involving at least one unidentified individual to coordinate logistical details regarding President Nixon’s location and movements. These discussions focused specifically on the President’s presence within the Executive Office Building. Due to poor audio quality, the substance of the exchanges remains largely unintelligible beyond these confirmed navigational updates.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to briefly coordinate professional schedules and workflow requirements. The discussion focused on the necessity of completing pending tasks before the participants moved on to other obligations. No substantive policy decisions were documented during this short exchange.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to discuss political strategy regarding the upcoming 1972 presidential election, focusing on countering George McGovern's attacks on the administration's Vietnam policy. The group analyzed the status of peace negotiations with North Vietnam and the potential for a breakthrough, while also addressing the delicate diplomatic management of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. Nixon directed Kissinger to maintain a firm stance with Thieu to ensure cooperation while preparing for an imminent trip to Saigon to solidify the path toward a potential cease-fire.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review upcoming adjustments to the presidential schedule. The discussion centered on appointments involving Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren and newspaper publisher James S. Copley. The brief exchange served as a logistical update to ensure these meetings were properly integrated into the President's calendar.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, held a brief administrative meeting in the Oval Office. The primary focus of the discussion concerned the President's schedule and the logistical arrangements for upcoming appointments. No significant policy decisions were made during this short exchange, which served primarily to coordinate the President's calendar.
President Nixon met with Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren to briefly review the logistics and personnel involved in a recent visit from James S. Copley. The discussion touched upon the duration of the meeting, the physical appearance of the attendees, and the roles of associated individuals including Helen Copley and Victor H. Krulak. The exchange served as a debriefing regarding the administrative and personal aspects of the encounter.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming logistical details for the President's schedule. The discussion focused on the timing and planning of meetings involving James S. Copley, Henry A. Kissinger, Victor H. Krulak, and Gerald L. Warren. Bull also received instructions regarding the handling of specific nicknames during these engagements.
President Nixon met with newspaper publisher James S. Copley and his wife, Helen, along with Victor Krulak and Gerald Warren to discuss media relations and the President's perspective on the press. During the conversation, Nixon critiqued the editorial leanings of major national newspapers like the Washington Post and the New York Times, contrasting them with the more balanced coverage he perceived in the Washington Star. The meeting concluded with a presentation of gifts, including presidential mementos and a discussion of various diplomatic artifacts displayed in the Oval Office.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate their respective schedules. The discussion was limited to logistical arrangements and the synchronization of their daily agendas. No significant policy decisions or strategic actions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The discussion remained private, as evidenced by a brief withdrawal of personal material from the record. No substantive policy matters or official administrative actions were documented during this short encounter.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review the scheduling of an upcoming appointment with Charles W. Colson. The discussion centered on arrangements for a television taping session involving Colson. Bull exited the Oval Office shortly after the brief logistical consultation.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to conduct a brief administrative review of Charles W. Colson's upcoming schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating Colson's movements and engagements for the period. No major policy shifts were recorded, as the meeting served primarily for logistical oversight of White House staff activities.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to review preparations for the President’s upcoming October 15 radio address regarding crime and drug abuse. The discussion focused on the inclusion of a specific anecdote concerning the death of Frank Tummillo, which Nixon intended to highlight to emphasize the severity of the issue. Egil “Bud” Krogh, Jr. was identified as a key contributor to the drafting process for these remarks.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors to discuss 1972 campaign strategies, including countering Democratic attacks on corruption and addressing negative press coverage. The participants evaluated legislative priorities, specifically the potential vetoes of the welfare reform bill (H.R. 1) and the water pollution control bill, while navigating the timing of Congressional adjournment. Finally, Nixon discussed the recent Washington, D.C. jail takeover, requesting an assessment of potential prison reforms and the feasibility of incorporating D.C. facilities into the federal prison system.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler to discuss administrative matters, including Oval Office furnishings, and casual commentary on the 1972 World Series. The conversation shifted to critical foreign policy updates regarding Henry Kissinger's ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and the strategic timing of a potential ceasefire announcement before the 1972 election. Additionally, the group touched upon political campaign activities, specifically addressing allegations of "dirty tricks" linked to Charles Colson and the Committee to Re-elect the President regarding rival candidates Edmund Muskie and Henry Jackson.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Manolo Sanchez to discuss various administrative, diplomatic, and personal matters, including the handling of official gifts and correspondence. They reviewed potential diplomatic outreach to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia regarding oil interests and addressed political concerns from American Jewish leaders concerning Soviet emigration. Additionally, the President authorized the procurement of commemorative plates for use as future state gifts and reviewed protocols for presidential seals on commemorative items.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical details regarding upcoming White House communications. They discussed a potential health-related telephone call between First Lady Pat Nixon and Eleanor McGovern. Additionally, the pair addressed the administrative preparation for the President's scheduled radio address on crime and drug abuse, specifically assigning transcription responsibilities to Rose Mary Woods and Marjorie P. Acker.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on Nixon's intense personal animosity toward George McGovern and his firm refusal to grant the Democratic nominee any post-election courtesies. The conversation touches upon perceived double standards in press coverage, grievances regarding the Democratic Party’s campaign tactics, and the ongoing complexities of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon expresses deep contempt for the opposition, dismissing the idea of diplomatic post-election gestures while emphasizing the strategic importance of securing a settlement in Vietnam before the election.
Secret Service agents and unidentified individuals convened in the Oval Office while President Nixon was located in the Cabinet Room. The recording captures brief, unintelligible interactions among these personnel. No substantive policy discussions or specific action items were discernable due to the lack of available transcript data.
Secret Service agents and unidentified individuals met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics regarding the President's schedule. The conversation focused on the movements and security arrangements for Richard Nixon, with input from Alexander P. Butterfield. No specific substantive policy decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.