Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 823
Nixon White House Tape 823 (December 14, 1972)
12 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 27 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Bull, Sanchez, Eisenhower
President Nixon met with his key advisors, including Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig, and H.R. Haldeman, to discuss the deteriorating state of Vietnam peace negotiations following North Vietnamese intransigence and bad faith. Kissinger detailed the tactics used by the North Vietnamese, including reneging on previously agreed-upon points and introducing new, unacceptable demands, which led to an impasse. The group resolved to maintain a firm posture, agreeing to intensify military pressure through bombing campaigns while carefully managing public relations to ensure the responsibility for the stalled peace process remained with the North Vietnamese. Nixon decided against a televised address at that moment, opting for a low-key briefing to frame the situation as a failure of communist cooperation rather than a total breakdown of talks.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate official communication. The discussion served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with other parties via the White House telephone system. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon held a brief, informal check-in with the White House operator to facilitate immediate communication needs. The discussion functioned as a logistical coordination point to bridge the President with other individuals or offices. No specific policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon held a brief communication with the White House operator from the Oval Office. The interaction focused on facilitating telephonic connections for the President. No further substantive policy or administrative matters were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon held a brief, one-minute meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual. Given the extremely short duration and lack of available documentation, no specific topics, policy decisions, or action items could be determined from the recording. This interaction remains an inconclusive entry in the White House taping system.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff to review administrative reorganizations, personnel appointments for his second term, and preparations for his upcoming meeting with Senator John Stennis. The discussion focused on shifting away from internal promotions, with specific deliberations on staffing the CIA, identifying potential female candidates for government roles, and reevaluating the use of military aides in social settings. Nixon emphasized a desire for a more "hard-nosed" approach to congressional relations and requested that his team focus on political strategy rather than traditional gift-giving or ceremonial scheduling.
President Nixon met with Senator Hugh Scott and William Timmons to discuss legislative strategy, Republican leadership roles, and the status of ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations as the administration prepared for the 93rd Congress. The President emphasized his desire to unify Republican political operations under George H.W. Bush and Bill Brock, while addressing concerns about party performance in the 1972 elections. Nixon also signaled his intent to maintain military pressure on North Vietnam to secure a favorable peace settlement and underscored the importance of bipartisan communication to manage Congress on spending and key policy initiatives.
President Nixon speaks with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, to check in on her recent travel experiences and social engagements in Britain. During the conversation, Nixon discusses international political resilience and offers encouragement for a message to be relayed to a British political contact regarding political perseverance. They also touch upon diplomatic relations and the President's personal fondness for J. Paul Getty.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a long-distance call to London. The purpose of this communication was to reach Paul A. in recognition of his 80th birthday. The operator acknowledged the request, initiating the logistical task of connecting the President to his party abroad.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss upcoming administrative arrangements and scheduling. The discussion briefly touched upon the President's scheduled meeting with H.R. Haldeman and concluded with instructions regarding personal items, specifically the retrieval of the President’s cuffs. This brief interaction served as a coordination of immediate logistical and personal needs during the workday.
President Nixon initiates a brief request for the White House operator to connect him with a contact identified as Joy. This brief interaction serves as a routine administrative communication to facilitate a follow-up phone call. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the administrative reorganization for the second term, which included staff reductions and reassigning personnel to cabinet departments to improve efficiency. They discussed managing the East Wing and the role of Julie Nixon Eisenhower in assisting with transitions, as well as preparations for the 1973 Inauguration, including speechwriting and inaugural events. Additionally, the President reviewed his strategy for Vietnam negotiations, focusing on a proposal to link the cessation of bombing and troop withdrawal to the return of American prisoners of war.