Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 818
Nixon White House Tape 818 (December 5, 1972)
9 conversations · Oval Office · about 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, White House photographer, Haldeman, Winchester
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule and address pending logistical decisions. The discussion primarily focused on planning for the Christmas season and arranging a time to review the President's calendar in greater detail. Nixon directed Bull to involve Lucy A. Winchester in the planning process to expedite administrative approvals.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and staff members to coordinate the details of the White House holiday schedule, including press tours, receptions, and religious services. The discussion then shifted to a strategic review of a proposal from Henry Kissinger regarding a potential televised address following the breakdown of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon expressed skepticism toward Kissinger’s suggested approach, fearing it would be perceived as a failure and ultimately decided to have Charles Colson and John Connally review the materials before finalizing his public response.
President Nixon met with Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., the new U.S. Ambassador to Spain, to provide guidance on his diplomatic objectives and assess the political future of the Spanish regime under General Francisco Franco. Nixon emphasized the importance of strengthening U.S.-Spanish relations through trade and mutual cooperation, while positioning Spain as a significant European power. The discussion also covered the transition to a post-Franco government, the necessity of maintaining a robust U.S. Sixth Fleet to ensure global stability, and the potential for Spain to serve as a diplomatic bridge between the United States and the Arab world.
President Nixon met with Henry O. Dormann and Herbert G. Klein to discuss media coverage and exchange personal gifts. The discussion touched on the circulation and content of the National Enquirer, including the involvement of Edward Nixon and potential photo features. Nixon expressed his appreciation for Dormann’s ongoing support and authorized the publication of various photographs featuring himself and his visitors.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to finalize logistical details regarding an upcoming photograph session. The discussion focused on coordinating the President's schedule to accommodate a meeting with M. Harvey Taylor, Leroy S. Zimmerman, and Alexander P. Butterfield. Following these administrative arrangements, Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with Pennsylvania political figure M. Harvey Taylor and District Attorney Leroy S. Zimmerman, accompanied by Alexander P. Butterfield, for a courtesy visit to the Oval Office. The discussion focused on Pennsylvania politics, reflections on the 1972 election results, and the exchange of gifts and presidential mementos. During the meeting, Nixon encouraged Taylor to return for future visits and touched upon Zimmerman’s potential future career path in the judiciary.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate upcoming schedule logistics, specifically focusing on an impending trip to New York. The discussion centered on arrangements for the President's barber, Milton Pitts, and the timing and location for a meeting with John B. Connally. They ultimately determined that the session with Connally should take place at the Executive Office Building.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull engaged in a brief, administrative exchange involving the coordination of logistics or scheduling, specifically referencing an individual named Tom. The conversation concludes with Bull acknowledging the President's instructions before departing. No major policy or political developments are recorded during this short interval.
Manolo Sanchez met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to coordinate the President’s logistical schedule. The discussion focused specifically on upcoming appointments or administrative movements involving the Executive Office Building. No further significant developments were recorded before the brief meeting concluded.