Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 799
Nixon White House Tape 799 (October 16, 1972)
37 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 12 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Butterfield, Kissinger
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the scheduling of upcoming campaign activities. The conversation centered on logistics related to the ongoing 1972 presidential election. This brief morning interaction facilitated the coordination of the President's daily agenda as he prepared for his reelection efforts.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming appointments. The discussion centered on arrangements for Henry Kissinger's inclusion in the President's calendar. The meeting concluded with Woods preparing to return to finalize these logistical details.
President Nixon and his personal secretary Rose Mary Woods coordinate the logistics for an upcoming meeting with Henry Kissinger. They discuss timing constraints, specifically noting Kissinger's departure schedule to ensure the President's meeting occurs between 9:00 and 9:31 a.m. This brief administrative exchange serves to finalize the President's morning agenda regarding his advisor.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to discuss administrative matters regarding H.R. "Bob" Haldeman's schedule. The conversation focused on managing the Chief of Staff's availability and logistical arrangements. No major policy decisions were reached during this brief organizational briefing.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative tasks and personnel logistics. The primary focus of the discussion concerned the scheduling of H.R. "Bob" Haldeman, the White House Chief of Staff. The meeting resulted in the assignment of specific administrative duties to facilitate the efficient management of the President's inner circle.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed strategies for managing the media's growing focus on the Watergate scandal and its potential links to White House staff, specifically Dwight Chapin and Donald Segretti. Nixon expressed indignation toward the 'Eastern Establishment' press, instructing the administration to pivot by attacking the media's double standards rather than responding to Democratic opponent George McGovern. They agreed to maintain a unified front, emphasizing the President's public condemnations of campaign disruptions while utilizing executive privilege to deflect inquiries regarding the scandal.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his upcoming schedule. The brief discussion centered on managing the President's interactions and upcoming meetings, specifically regarding Henry A. Kissinger. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon initiates a request for the White House operator to place a telephone call to Senator Barry Goldwater. This brief interaction serves as the logistical step to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Senator. No further substantive policy matters are discussed in this segment.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss high-stakes negotiations regarding Vietnam, including potential terms for a peace settlement, the role of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, and the strategic timing of public announcements. They evaluated the political risks of these negotiations—particularly regarding the upcoming election and public perception—while contemplating a secret diplomatic approach that might involve a private meeting with Thieu at Midway. Additionally, they coordinated Kissinger’s upcoming public appearance before the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, aiming to bolster domestic support for the administration's 'peace with honor' policy without providing false hope or prematurely leaking the status of the ongoing talks.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to discuss managing presidential appearances and media strategy during the final weeks of the 1972 election campaign. They deliberated on whether the President or Kissinger should address the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia to avoid negative press perceptions. Additionally, Nixon decided to schedule a radio address on government philosophy for the upcoming Thursday, emphasizing that the administration should avoid the pressure of manufacturing daily news stories.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the logistical arrangements for upcoming Vietnam peace negotiations, focusing on a potential secret meeting with South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu at Midway Island. They deliberated on travel schedules to Hanoi, Saigon, and Midway while strategizing how to keep these plans discreet, specifically aiming to exclude Secretary of State William P. Rogers from the core negotiations. The pair agreed to finalize the itinerary to ensure diplomatic secrecy and maintain control over the high-stakes peace process.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for a scheduled appearance before the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. Haldeman briefed the President on the informal, standing-room arrangement at the hotel and the plan for Henry Kissinger to address the group prior to Nixon’s arrival. They agreed that Nixon would replace the originally planned format to ensure a brief, efficient interaction with the attendees.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to urgently coordinate a follow-up meeting with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. Nixon emphasized the necessity of Kissinger returning to the Oval Office immediately to discuss pressing matters. This brief interaction served primarily as a logistical instruction to facilitate high-level communication.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to finalize the language for a forthcoming public statement regarding ongoing negotiations over the Vietnam War. They specifically discussed framing the administration's position to avoid creating false expectations while reaffirming commitment to critical conditions, including the release of POWs/MIAs and the protection of U.S. honor. Nixon confirmed his intention to state that the U.S. would not impose a specific government on South Vietnam, seeking to balance diplomatic caution with the preservation of allied interests.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical arrangements for his upcoming daily schedule. The discussion centered on managing specific appointments, including a planned telephone call with Senator Barry Goldwater and a meeting with representatives from the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. This interaction served to finalize the President's immediate agenda and ensure proper briefing protocols for these high-priority engagements.
President Nixon and Senator Barry Goldwater discuss the political landscape of the 1972 campaign and the ongoing allegations regarding "dirty tricks." Nixon expresses his gratitude for Goldwater's public support and effective criticism of political opponents. Additionally, the President conveys his personal concern for a wounded individual, promising full access to Veterans Affairs services and direct communication.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate a strategy for handling ongoing media inquiries and allegations concerning the Watergate break-in and other campaign practices. The two agreed that the White House should refuse to dignify what they characterized as hearsay, innuendo, and partisan smears, while pivoting the narrative toward the opposition's own use of aggressive tactics and a hypocritical double standard regarding media coverage. Nixon instructed Ziegler to maintain a composed demeanor and pivot all questions toward policy issues, such as Vietnam and the economy, rather than engaging with speculative or unproven claims of White House involvement.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull engaged in a brief logistical exchange regarding the President's upcoming schedule and movements. The conversation touched upon the President's recent communications with H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman. The meeting served primarily as a transitional moment to coordinate the President's immediate agenda.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to coordinate administration strategy regarding the upcoming election and legislative agenda. The discussion focused on managing the political fallout of the Watergate scandal—specifically involving Donald Segretti—and planning aggressive media and press relations to ostracize outlets considered hostile to the White House. Additionally, the participants addressed the potential for significant budget cuts across federal departments and the President's firm stance against amnesty for draft evaders.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review the logistics of a recent meeting involving General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. The President expressed satisfaction with how the session was managed, characterizing it as well-run. This brief exchange served as a debriefing on executive scheduling and performance oversight.
President Nixon initiates a call through the White House operator to contact Robert Galvin, the head of Motorola. The brief exchange serves as a logistical setup to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and the corporate executive. No further policy discussions or significant decisions occur during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate scheduling for an upcoming meeting. The brief discussion facilitated a quick transition in the President’s agenda and included logistics regarding a telephone call from Robert W. Galvin. Following the brief exchange, both aides departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with General Creighton Abrams and Melvin Laird to strategize on the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and secure South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu's cooperation. Nixon emphasized that the U.S. would not accept a coalition government, a firm stance he insisted must be communicated to Thieu to ensure South Vietnam's long-term survivability. The participants assessed the military and political pressures facing Hanoi and the urgency of reaching a settlement, while acknowledging the sensitive psychological need to manage Thieu’s concerns regarding U.S. support and his political future.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place outgoing telephone calls to Mr. Stone and Mr. Gallin. This brief administrative interaction facilitates the President's personal communication with these two individuals. No other substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to discuss administrative logistics regarding the schedule of an unidentified individual. The brief consultation centered specifically on matters related to the Executive Office Building (EOB) Health Unit. No major policy developments were recorded, as the discussion remained focused on internal White House personnel and facility coordination.
President Richard Nixon met with major Republican donor and insurance magnate W. Clement Stone for a brief, one-minute private discussion in the Oval Office. Given the brevity of the meeting and the withdrawal of segments under personal returnable status, the exchange likely concerned sensitive political fundraising or personal matters. No substantive policy decisions were documented during this recorded interval.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review a list of potential telephone calls and discuss administrative procedures regarding the President’s schedule. The conversation touched upon the involvement of Rose Mary Woods and the possible scheduling of a meeting with Boston Mayor John Collins, whose name had been recommended by Charles Colson. The participants focused on coordinating these outreach efforts as part of the President's daily agenda.
President Nixon coordinated with the White House operator regarding the management of incoming telephone calls. The discussion centered on handling a high volume of traffic, with the operator confirming that calls were being held back to prevent a backlog. The President authorized the operator to continue managing the queue as necessary to ensure efficient communication flow.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a series of telephone calls to key political supporters and donors. The discussion centered on contacting W. Clement Stone and Robert W. Galvin to manage outreach. The meeting concluded with instructions regarding the logistical details and expected duration of these communications.
President Nixon held a brief one-minute meeting with Robert A. Forst in the Oval Office. Due to the lack of available transcripts or descriptive logs, the specific subject matter and outcomes of this discussion remain officially undocumented. The interaction stands as a routine administrative or personal engagement captured by the White House taping system.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, for a brief administrative exchange. The conversation focused on the handling and processing of a specific letter. The interaction concluded with the President offering well wishes as Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Richard M. Nixon met with William M. Fast for a brief discussion in the Oval Office. The conversation was classified as personal and returnable material, and no transcript remains available to confirm specific topics or outcomes. Consequently, the meeting did not result in any publicly recorded policy decisions or formal action items.
President Nixon met briefly with Joseph Townsley to discuss logistical frustrations regarding outgoing telephone communications and the efficiency of the White House switchboard. The conversation centers on the President's desire for improved responsiveness from his staff, specifically regarding instructions previously given to Lacey. The interaction highlights the administrative challenges and pressures Nixon faced in managing his immediate communications workflow during this period.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss and establish administrative protocols for managing the President's telephone communications. The discussion focused on refining the internal procedures for processing calls, including adjustments to the pace and flow of incoming requests. No major policy decisions were reached, as the meeting served primarily as an operational briefing to ensure greater efficiency in the White House switchboard functions.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate an upcoming meeting with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief encounter focused on managing the President's schedule and the arrangements for this high-level staff discussion. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon held a brief, informal telephone conversation with Paul Miller to inquire about Miller’s activities and golf plans. The discussion remained personal and social in nature, serving as a check-in rather than a deliberation on official policy or administrative matters. No significant decisions or action items were addressed during the brief exchange.
Secret Service personnel engaged in brief communications regarding the current location of President Nixon. The discussion specifically confirmed that the President was situated in the Executive Office Building. No further substantive policy matters or tactical developments were recorded.