Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 800
Nixon White House Tape 800 (October 16, 1972)
6 conversations · Oval Office · about 47 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Miller, Haig, Hearst
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Paul Miller in the Oval Office to address an undisclosed matter. The conversation occurred as an ongoing discussion, though the specific substance remains unavailable due to the lack of a transcript and the withdrawal of one item from the record. No definitive actions or decisions were captured in the available documentation for this short exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize on the Vietnam peace negotiations, specifically focusing on pressuring South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu to accept a proposed settlement. Nixon directed that General Creighton Abrams act as a primary advocate to convince Thieu that the deal was honorable and necessary, while explicitly stating that rejection of the agreement would result in a loss of presidential confidence and support. The discussion also addressed the timing of a potential announcement ahead of the 1972 election and the importance of maintaining the support of POW families by ensuring the terms prevented the collapse of South Vietnam.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a series of upcoming telephone calls to various individuals, including John F. Collins, John T. Connor, Francis Scumaci, and Fred Gualtieri. The discussion focused on establishing the proper scheduling and timing for these communications. Nixon specifically instructed Bull that these calls should be placed between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative coordination. The discussion focused on organizing a telephone call to Richard M. Scaife and determining the availability for a potential meeting with H.R. Haldeman. Bull provided input on Haldeman’s current whereabouts to facilitate these arrangements.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to review 1972 election polling data, discuss campaign strategy against George McGovern, and coordinate the administration's response to negative press coverage concerning campaign practices. They assessed the political impact of McGovern’s Vietnam peace proposals and determined that the President should distance himself from allegations of political sabotage by keeping the campaign focused on substantive issues like welfare and foreign policy. Additionally, they reviewed Vice President Spiro Agnew’s upcoming schedule and finalized plans for Agnew to represent the President at the Al Smith dinner.
Secret Service personnel engaged in an internal discussion within the Oval Office regarding security logistics and the status of President Nixon’s location. The participants focused on maintaining operational protocols while the President was situated in the White House residence. No specific policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.