Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 815
Nixon White House Tape 815 (November 24, 1972)
19 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 53 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Ehrlichman, Sanchez
President Nixon dictates a congratulatory letter to Washington Redskins running back Larry Brown regarding his recent athletic achievement of surpassing 1,000 yards. Beyond sports, the letter emphasizes Nixon’s admiration for Brown’s volunteer work at the Washington Receiving Home for Children, highlighting the importance of assisting those less fortunate. The President concludes by praising Brown’s character and offering encouragement for the team's upcoming Super Bowl prospects.
President Nixon consults with an aide regarding the availability of John D. Ehrlichman to coordinate their meeting schedule. The brief discussion focuses on logistics, specifically confirming Ehrlichman’s current status and ensuring he is directed to the study center upon the conclusion of his prior obligations. No major policy decisions are reached, as the exchange is limited to administrative scheduling and staff movements.
President Nixon dictated a letter to sportscaster Frank Gifford to acknowledge an invitation to appear in the ABC booth during a Monday Night Football broadcast. He expressed regret that his schedule prevented him from attending games in person, though he praised the quality of the commentary provided by Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith. The President also included warm regards from First Lady Pat Nixon and authorized Gifford to share the letter with ABC executive Roone Arledge to assist in his upcoming contract negotiations.
President Nixon and personal secretary Rose Mary Woods met to manage administrative tasks and office correspondence. They discussed the President’s personal notes and specific letters, including a piece of correspondence from Marjorie P. Acker. The meeting also addressed logistical preparations for the President’s upcoming trip to New York.
President Nixon met in the Oval Office to dictate a formal letter of consolation to University of Nebraska football coach Bob Devaney following his team's recent loss to the University of Oklahoma. Nixon expressed his belief that while Devaney is accustomed to the frequent praise associated with winning, a defeat presents an unfamiliar and difficult experience. The President focused on crafting a message that would offer support to the coach during a rare moment of professional adversity.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the staffing and strategic reorganization of the administration's second term, including the planned departure of Cabinet members like George Romney and John Volpe. They evaluated the optics of announcing these changes, weighing the advantages of a symbolic press event at Camp David to project an image of decisive action. Additionally, they reviewed the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, acknowledging the high public expectations created by Henry Kissinger, and strategized on potential personnel appointments, including the U.N. ambassadorship for John Scali and various departmental roles.
President Nixon dictates a congratulatory and consolatory letter to University of Nebraska head football coach Robert Devaney following his final home game. The President expresses his regret over the team's loss to the University of Oklahoma while emphasizing that the defeat does not diminish Devaney's status as one of the greatest coaches in football history. The dictation serves to formally acknowledge Devaney's career achievements and the loyalty of his national fan base.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield in the Oval Office to discuss the handling of a sensitive letter. The primary focus of the brief interaction involved logistics regarding the delivery of this document to National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. No further substantive policy developments were recorded during this encounter.
President Nixon dictated a congratulatory letter to Charles Fairbanks, head coach of the University of Oklahoma football team, following their recent victory over the University of Nebraska. Drawing a parallel to his own political career, Nixon expressed admiration for the team's ability to execute a significant comeback. The President concluded the dictation by noting his intention to watch the team’s upcoming appearance in the Sugar Bowl on television.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the President's upcoming daily schedule, specifically focusing on an impending appointment with George W. Romney. The discussion involved administrative logistics regarding the timing of the meeting and the preparation of correspondence by Rose Mary Woods. John D. Ehrlichman briefly interrupted the briefing to address internal scheduling matters.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) George Romney and John Ehrlichman to discuss Romney’s impending departure from the administration and his post-government career plans. They reviewed potential leadership roles for Romney in the private sector, focusing on his interest in merging the Urban Coalition and the National Center for Volunteer Action to create a new, non-partisan "think tank" for community development. The participants also discussed the structural reorganization of HUD for Nixon’s second term, emphasizing decentralization and the necessity of finding a suitable successor to maintain momentum on domestic policy goals.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the logistics of the President's daily schedule. The brief discussion centered on managing the President's upcoming appointment with his barber. No major policy developments occurred during this brief administrative encounter.
President Nixon met with Peter Flanigan to review ambassadorial appointments and strategy for his second-term administration. The discussion focused on replacing non-performing or aged diplomats with individuals possessing strong economic backgrounds capable of influencing European political leaders. Nixon explicitly tasked Flanigan with taking personal responsibility for vetting candidates and managing the appointment process to prevent back-channel influence from Henry Kissinger or campaign contributors like Maurice Stans. Additionally, the two discussed organizational restructuring within the State Department and proposed consolidating certain European ambassadorial posts to enhance administrative efficiency.
President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, and John Volpe met to discuss the administration's second-term reorganization and Volpe's potential transition from Secretary of Transportation to Ambassador to Italy. Nixon emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening relations with Italian-Americans and the Catholic Church, viewing Volpe as a vital political asset for these goals. Volpe, who expressed concerns about his recent health and the logistical challenges of the ambassadorship, agreed to consider the offer while keeping open the possibility of a delayed start to allow for a smooth leadership transition at the Department of Transportation.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the public messaging and logistics for an upcoming trip to New York and the subsequent presidential retreat at Camp David. The two discussed how to frame the New York visit to minimize unwanted press intrusion while framing the break as a necessary respite following the intensity of post-election reorganization. Furthermore, they strategized on using Camp David as a functional extension of the White House for announcing second-term administrative appointments to project a sense of stability and active governance.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his upcoming itinerary and schedule. The discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for the President's impending trip to New York. During the brief exchange, Nixon emphasized his need to review specific materials before his departure.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief informal interaction. The primary purpose of the meeting was to address arrangements for refreshments. No further official business or significant policy decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate logistics for upcoming meetings with H. R. Haldeman and Rose Mary Woods. Nixon instructed Bull to interrupt Haldeman’s current phone call to prioritize the scheduling of these discussions. The conversation centered on managing the President's immediate agenda and ensuring the timely attendance of key staff members.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Rose Mary Woods, and Stephen B. Bull to discuss administrative transitions, personnel changes, and political strategy following the 1972 election. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the necessity of a formal, categorical statement regarding the Watergate investigation to protect the integrity of the presidency. Additionally, the participants deliberated on the logistics of announcing cabinet shifts and strategies for managing key political figures, including Bob Dole and Dwight Chapin.