Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 802
Nixon White House Tape 802 (October 17, 1972)
10 conversations · Oval Office · about 1 hr 2 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Butterfield, Bull, Connally
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, John Connally, and other advisors to discuss campaign messaging, the effectiveness of recent political television broadcasts, and the President's upcoming schedule. The group evaluated the impact of Nixon’s defense and foreign policy messaging, deciding to forgo the release of a new tax plan to avoid unnecessary controversy. Nixon and his team also strategized on the handling of upcoming legislative vetoes, particularly a water bill, while weighing the benefits of presidential travel versus remaining in Washington to maintain a 'presidential' public image.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic communication through the White House operator to place an outgoing call. The interaction serves as a routine administrative step to facilitate a connection for the President. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to discuss the administration's schedule and specific legislative priorities. The primary focus of the brief conversation centered on the potential veto of an upcoming water bill. No further actions or broader policy developments were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to review and coordinate upcoming scheduling matters regarding Pegge Begich and Lindy Boggs. During the brief session, the President also held a short telephone conversation with First Lady Pat Nixon. The discussion served primarily as an administrative update to finalize the President's immediate agenda.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator place a telephone call for him. This brief administrative interaction served to facilitate presidential communication. No further substance was recorded beyond the request to initiate the connection.
President Nixon met briefly with Pegge Begich to offer personal condolences and moral support following the recent disappearance of her husband, Representative Nick Begich, whose plane had gone missing in Alaska. The President expressed sympathy regarding the family's dual crises of the missing aircraft and the illness of her children. He concluded the brief exchange by encouraging her to remain hopeful during this difficult period.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman engaged in a brief exchange regarding the logistics of Haldeman's schedule and a pending request for a meeting with the President. The dialogue served to coordinate the President's availability and manage administrative priorities. No substantive policy decisions were reached during this short interaction.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The conversation was extremely short, lasting less than a minute, and concerned personal matters rather than official policy. No substantive administrative or political decisions were recorded during this interaction.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman and Alexander Haig regarding critical foreign and domestic policy matters, most notably the status of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon instructed Haig to ensure Henry Kissinger avoided traveling to Hanoi unless a final agreement was secured, while expressing concerns about North Vietnamese military maneuvers near Saigon. Additionally, the President and his staff discussed managing the optics of his 1972 re-election campaign, specifically defending the strategy of remaining in the White House to focus on official duties rather than traditional public campaigning.
United States Secret Service agents met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to discuss logistical details regarding the President's upcoming schedule and location movements. The brief interaction focused on the operational security and coordination required for his planned travel. Due to the limited nature of the recording, no further substantive decisions or developments are documented.