Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 820
Nixon White House Tape 820 (December 12, 1972)
26 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 50 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Sanchez, Haig
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss the President's upcoming daily schedule and agenda. The brief exchange focused on administrative logistics regarding Nixon's movements for the day. No significant policy decisions were reached during this informal logistical coordination.
President Nixon met briefly with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to provide specific instructions. Sanchez acknowledged the directives given by the President before departing the room shortly thereafter. The interaction served as a routine administrative exchange between the President and his personal staff member.
President Nixon held a brief, private meeting with an unidentified individual to arrange the handling of personal items. During the encounter, the President instructed the visitor to place a specific bag inside his private bedroom. This exchange reflects the logistical management of personal belongings within the residential quarters of the White House.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to facilitate the arrival of unnamed individuals to his office. This brief administrative interaction serves as a logistical instruction to manage the President's immediate schedule. No broader policy matters or significant political developments are addressed during the exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig evaluated the status of Vietnam peace negotiations following a critical speech by South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, which rejected key provisions of the proposed settlement. The President expressed frustration with North Vietnamese intransigence and emphasized that the U.S. must remain firm in its resolve to secure an agreement, even if it requires pressuring Thieu to accept terms. The pair discussed potential tactical responses to a stalemate, including a possible recess in talks, the potential for a diplomatic mission by Vice President Agnew, and the eventual resumption of intensified military pressure, such as mining and bombing, should the North Vietnamese continue to withhold cooperation.
President Nixon dictated a formal letter of appreciation to Blake Sanborn, Mayor of Whittier, and Donald Kemp, President of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce. The correspondence acknowledges a congratulatory scroll signed by 5,000 residents of his hometown following his 1972 election victory. Nixon expressed that the overwhelming support from his community over the past 25 years remained a source of deep personal gratitude, noting that the scroll would be preserved for his future presidential library.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate public messaging regarding the administration's second-term reorganization and ongoing press relations. The discussion covered the upcoming announcement of personnel changes in the Department of Agriculture, strategies for shaping public perception of staff cuts, and the management of Christmas-related events at the White House. Additionally, they reviewed recent media coverage, specifically critiquing inaccuracies in news magazine reports concerning administrative departures and the performance of George P. Shultz in communicating economic policy.
President Nixon met with personal secretary Rose Mary Woods and aide Stephen B. Bull to address administrative matters and the management of various gifts received by the White House. The discussion covered the categorization and placement of presidential mementos, including a gold album, a watch, and other personal items designated for different presidential residences. Additionally, the participants briefly touched upon incoming correspondence, including a message from Henry Kissinger regarding Vietnam negotiations and a letter from Whittier, California.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the potential role of Julie Nixon Eisenhower within the White House during the second-term reorganization. Nixon expressed a strong desire to utilize his daughter in a capacity where she could manage public relations planning and help coordinate his and the First Lady’s schedules more effectively. The two also addressed operational concerns regarding the President’s scheduling process, specifically criticizing staff failures to handle significant symbolic events and high-level visits appropriately.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to provide specific instructions regarding his upcoming schedule and administrative details. The discussion focused on managing photograph sessions, including specific requirements for the attire of a female guest, and confirming the duration of a scheduled meeting with W. Clement Stone. The brief interaction served as a logistical briefing to ensure the President's public appearances and private meetings were handled according to his preferences.
President Nixon met with W. Clement Stone, Douglas K. Kinsey, and Leonard Garment to evaluate the progress and future leadership of the National Center for Voluntary Action (NCVA). The discussion focused on revitalizing the organization through the potential involvement of George Romney, improving private sector financial support, and shifting the focus toward specific, actionable community goals. Additionally, Nixon and Stone addressed public speculation regarding a potential ambassadorship for Stone, with Nixon confirming his intent to retain the current ambassador and advising Stone to focus on his non-political volunteer initiatives.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss an injury to the President’s foot and the associated press coverage. Additionally, the two reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule, specifically addressing a planned meeting with J. Willard Marriott and the involvement of Dwight L. Chapin. The discussion concluded shortly thereafter as Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with J. Willard Marriott, Jeb Stuart Magruder, and Dwight L. Chapin to discuss the organizational preparations for the 1973 presidential inauguration. The conversation included a presentation of gifts for the President, specifically a Hopi Indian doll, and a review of various commemorative items, including watches, cuff links, and presidential glassware. The participants coordinated photograph sessions and touched upon the administrative logistics and fundraising efforts associated with the upcoming inaugural events.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Stephen B. Bull to discuss operational planning for the 1973 Inauguration, including venue logistics and the President's public appearances. The participants also reviewed second-term staff reorganization, focusing on potential roles for Julie Nixon Eisenhower and the need for stronger executive support for congressional liaison William Timmons. Additionally, they addressed the sensitive transition of Richard Helms from the CIA to an ambassadorship and expressed frustration over Henry Kissinger’s recent press interactions.
President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis, John H. Kauffmann, and Michael J. O'Neill to discuss their recent experiences and observations from a trip to the Soviet Union. The participants exchanged views on the stark differences between Soviet and American systems, the challenges of managing U.S.-Soviet trade and information programs, and the necessity of maintaining a realistic, self-interested foreign policy. Nixon also explored potential future professional opportunities for his son-in-law, David Eisenhower, and evaluated leadership options for the U.S. Information Agency and the Bicentennial Commission.
President Nixon met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss the status of stalled Vietnam peace negotiations and potential military escalations. They analyzed North Vietnamese tactics, including the recent breakdown in talks and the perceived influence of Soviet and Chinese pressure on Hanoi. The President and Haig reviewed target lists for renewed bombing operations, specifically emphasizing the necessity of using B-52s and precision munitions to compel North Vietnam to reach a settlement.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief, informal encounter. The primary purpose of the meeting involved the delivery and consumption of refreshments, specifically consommé. No significant political or policy decisions were documented during this short exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss White House staff reorganization, upcoming inauguration ceremonies, and public relations strategy. They reviewed the logistics of the inaugural worship service—specifically balancing religious representation—and debated how to manage personnel departures, including Dwight Chapin and Alexander Butterfield, to avoid political damage. Additionally, the President expressed reluctance to issue formal statements regarding the Watergate and Segretti controversies before trial proceedings concluded, opting instead to maintain a low profile to protect his credibility.
Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office to confirm the whereabouts of H.R. Haldeman. The brief exchange focused on coordinating a planned meeting with Haldeman, who indicated he would wait for the President before departing. No further substantive policy matters were discussed before the participants moved to follow through on these logistical arrangements.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the management and social protocols surrounding invitations for upcoming White House Cabinet and staff dinners. Nixon expresses frustration with the perception that staff members must attend every social event to maintain their professional standing, specifically questioning the necessity of including certain advisors like Peter Flanigan. He instructs Haldeman to shift these customs to avoid the implication that attendance is mandatory for job security or status.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to formulate firm instructions for Henry Kissinger regarding the stalled Vietnam peace negotiations in Paris. Disturbed by North Vietnam's reneging on prior positions and the resulting delays, Nixon directed Haig to inform Kissinger that all previous understandings were void and that no further U.S. concessions would be offered. Nixon emphasized his readiness to pursue military options if a favorable settlement could not be reached, asserting that he prioritized securing the "right kind of peace" over any specific timeline.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met with Jewell R. LaFontant to discuss her recruitment for a high-level role in the Justice Department as part of the administration's second-term reorganization. Nixon offered LaFontant the position of Deputy Solicitor General to build her federal legal experience, explicitly framing this appointment as a stepping stone toward a future nomination to the federal judiciary. The meeting also addressed the administration's desire to appoint more minority and female judges, the strategic challenges of navigating the American Bar Association, and coordination with legal staff to facilitate her transition to Washington, D.C.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate updates to his daily appointment schedule. The discussion specifically addressed the logistics of arranging meetings with Gordon C. Strachan and H. R. Haldeman. This brief exchange served to finalize the President's immediate agenda.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Gordon C. Strachan to discuss personnel strategy and the challenges of implementing a second-term reorganization within the federal bureaucracy, specifically the United States Information Agency (USIA). Nixon emphasized the difficulty of finding staff who possess both professional competence and political loyalty, lamenting that many conservative talents remain in the private sector while liberals dominate government service. The participants evaluated the performance of Frank Shakespeare at the USIA, debating the effectiveness of reassigning versus removing career bureaucrats who were viewed as unaligned with the administration's goals.
President Nixon met with an unknown woman to discuss a ceremonial visit from the Mayor of Whittier, California, Blake Sanborn. The dialogue centers on the receipt of a scroll presented by the Mayor, which the President intends to acknowledge formally. The participants briefly coordinate the scheduling of this interaction and the inclusion of First Lady Pat Nixon and Alexander Haig.
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled meeting in the Oval Office with unidentified participants to address urgent administrative or political matters. Given the brevity of the encounter and the lack of a transcript, the specific agenda remains officially unverified. The discussion likely concerned time-sensitive executive business or internal scheduling, though the absence of documentation precludes confirmation of any formal decisions.