Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 803
Nixon White House Tape 803 (October 18, 1972)
22 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 9 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Sanchez, Timmons
President Nixon met with William E. Timmons and John D. Ehrlichman to discuss legislative strategy regarding the federal debt limit, impending congressional adjournment, and the political fallout from his recent veto of a water bill. The President emphasized his desire to use these vetoes to frame a narrative of fiscal responsibility, specifically positioning the water bill as a choice between higher taxes and fiscal restraint. Nixon also directed his staff to continue pursuing substantial cuts to federal personnel and spending while carefully timing additional vetoes to maximize political advantage before the 1972 election.
President Nixon met with Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira and other officials to discuss the shifting landscape of Asian diplomacy, specifically regarding Japan's recent normalization of relations with the People's Republic of China. The participants addressed the implications of this new relationship for the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, the stability of the Korean Peninsula following South Korea's declaration of martial law, and the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon emphasized that the U.S. remained committed to negotiating peace with honor in Vietnam and cautioned that the administration would not be pressured by the upcoming presidential election to accept a forced coalition government in South Vietnam.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to discuss formal protocol and logistical arrangements for upcoming visits by foreign dignitaries, specifically focusing on Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira. Nixon instructed Bull to ensure that standard amenities, such as cigarettes, are consistently provided for heads of state who are known smokers. Additionally, the pair coordinated an upcoming meeting between the President and Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review upcoming scheduling logistics and administrative briefings. The discussion focused on coordinating meetings involving Alexander Haig, Secretary of State William Rogers, and U. Alexis Johnson, alongside a specific request for a consultation with John Ehrlichman. They also touched upon the status of sensitive documents related to Russia and the management of ongoing domestic policy assignments.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss routine personal matters. The conversation was brief and administrative in nature, focusing on the valet's duties and personal arrangements. No substantive policy decisions or political discussions were recorded during this interaction.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on the administration’s domestic policy messaging, focusing on crafting a unified narrative of responsible governance versus Congressional fiscal irresponsibility ahead of the 1972 election. They discussed the tactical use of veto messages, upcoming radio talks, and regional outreach efforts to contrast the President's legislative priorities with Congress's performance on issues like welfare reform, environmental policy, and taxation. To reinforce this image of a diligent executive, they planned to stage a photographic opportunity at the White House showcasing the President's extensive workload of legislative review and veto preparation.
President Nixon consulted with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming meetings. The discussion focused on securing the availability of Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and H.R. Haldeman for immediate briefings. Nixon prioritized these appointments to facilitate executive decision-making and administrative oversight.
President Nixon initiates a call to entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. through the White House operator. After confirming Davis is likely located in Las Vegas, Nixon requests that the operator facilitate the connection. This brief interaction serves as a routine administrative request to place a personal or political outreach call.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to assess the status of ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and coordinate strategy regarding South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu's resistance to a potential ceasefire. They discussed the necessity of securing Thieu's cooperation to resolve remaining deadlock issues, while maintaining a firm public stance that the U.S. would resume military action if North Vietnam violated agreements. Additionally, the President instructed Haig to coordinate with William P. Rogers to ensure a positive, high-profile presentation of the forthcoming U.S.-Soviet trade agreement during an upcoming White House visit by Soviet officials.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and an unidentified individual to coordinate his immediate schedule and manage logistical arrangements. During the brief session, the President requested a meeting with William E. Timmons and discussed Senator Hugh Scott. The dialogue concluded with the President utilizing the White House operator to facilitate further administrative communications.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons discussed logistical arrangements for the upcoming congressional adjournment, specifically regarding how legislative leadership would formally notify the President. They reviewed historical precedents for this notification process, weighing options such as a personal visit to the White House or a telephone call from key leaders like Mike Mansfield. The conversation also briefly touched upon the status of Hale Boggs following his recent airplane disappearance, with Nixon suggesting this should be treated as a matter of public concern.
President Nixon met with Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott to discuss recent political matters and express gratitude for Scott's support on specific legislative or public policy issues. The discussion touched upon the strategic optics of political appearances, involving governors and mayors, as well as the upcoming post-election transition. Additionally, the two briefly addressed budgetary concerns and the necessity of managing the administration's fiscal image moving forward.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Alexander Butterfield to debate campaign strategy and the President's public schedule for the final weeks of the 1972 election. They discussed the political risks of intensive campaign travel versus staying in the White House, ultimately weighing the benefits of presidential-style events—such as bill signings and meetings on defense or budget issues—against the potential for appearing to be "smoked out" into a competitive race. Nixon expressed a strong preference for limited, controlled appearances to maintain a presidential image, rejecting proposals for excessive rallies or unscripted press interactions while considering a targeted trip to Kentucky to bolster support.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the President's schedule and manage accessibility regarding upcoming engagements. The discussion centered on managing the President's availability for meetings with Soviet officials, consultations with Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and potential communications with Speaker of the House Carl B. Albert concerning Congressional adjournment. Ultimately, Nixon directed Bull to restrict his availability, explicitly instructing him to inform callers that he was not present.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed the potential scheduling of a meeting with Congressional leaders following a telephone call regarding the upcoming Congressional adjournment. Additionally, they touched upon the press briefing strategy for an impending U.S.-Soviet Union trade agreement. The conversation concluded quickly as the two coordinated their immediate schedules.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of upcoming meetings and manage Congressional affairs. The discussion centered on the implications of Congressional adjournment and recent communications from William E. Timmons regarding legislative progress. Additionally, the two addressed the timing and logistics of Nixon's scheduled engagement with Soviet officials.
President Nixon and Tip O'Neill discussed scheduling logistics for an upcoming meeting involving House leadership. Nixon coordinated with O'Neill to have staff finalize timing and ensure the Speaker of the House would be present for the session. The brief interaction concluded with plans to communicate further details through White House staff once the schedule was confirmed.
President Nixon met with Soviet Minister of Foreign Trade Nikolai Patolichev, Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin, and senior U.S. officials to finalize and sign a major bilateral trade agreement. The discussion emphasized the importance of strengthening U.S.-Soviet economic ties, including the role of the Export-Import Bank and Most Favored Nation status, as a foundational element of long-term diplomatic relations. Following the departure of the Soviet delegation, the President consulted with his staff regarding the sensitive, ongoing negotiations to end the Vietnam War and secure a cease-fire.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief, informal encounter. The meeting primarily involved personal matters and routine administrative exchanges between the President and his staff member. No significant policy decisions or substantive political developments were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual in the Oval Office to briefly review his upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on coordination with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler regarding an impending press briefing. No further substantive details are available, as the brief meeting concluded shortly thereafter.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate his upcoming schedule and manage administrative priorities. The discussion centered on organizing meetings with Soviet officials, including Ambassador Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, and addressing legislative matters such as the recent rejection of a spending limit. The President also deliberated on the necessary messaging and involvement of staff members John Ehrlichman and Caspar Weinberger regarding these congressional relations.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the administration's upcoming schedule, including meetings with Congressional leaders and campaign travel logistics for Kentucky and Michigan. The discussion shifted toward significant foreign policy concerns, specifically reviewing US-Soviet trade, maritime, and Lend-Lease agreements, as well as the status of ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. The participants evaluated political messaging and organizational strategies, emphasizing the need for disciplined scheduling and timely execution of executive briefings.