Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 821
Nixon White House Tape 821 (December 12, 1972)
2 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 19 min of released audio
Featuring Haldeman, Nixon, Strachan, Shakespeare, Keogh
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Gordon Strachan to discuss personnel strategies for his second term, emphasizing the need to purge disloyal bureaucrats and replace them with loyal, courageous appointees. The conversation then shifted to a meeting with Frank Shakespeare and James Keogh, where they evaluated the loyalty of State Department and USIA officials, discussed potential appointments, and lamented the perceived cultural elitism within the media and government bureaucracy. Later, Alexander Haig joined the President to review the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, with Nixon firmly insisting that options for resuming intensive bombing must remain open despite ongoing diplomatic consultations.
H. R. Haldeman met with unidentified individuals to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming reception honoring 1972 election supporters. The discussion focused on necessary event preparations and the integration of these activities into the President’s schedule, including coordination with a scheduled Cabinet meeting. No major policy decisions were made during this brief administrative briefing.