Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 826
Nixon White House Tape 826 (December 19, 1972)
12 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 8 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Sanchez, Cole
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss personnel and organizational logistics for the upcoming second term, specifically focusing on the office placement of Counselor Anne L. Armstrong within the White House complex. Nixon insisted that Armstrong be provided with suitable office space inside the White House rather than the Executive Office Building to enhance her profile, even at the expense of office space for other staffers. Additionally, the President received updates on internal leadership disputes within the Republican National Committee regarding finance chair candidates.
President Nixon met with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and key staff members to discuss communications strategies for his second term, with a focus on prioritizing television over traditional print media. The participants reviewed efforts to manage press relations, specifically by limiting the special access afforded to outlets like The Washington Post while promoting regional news coverage. Additionally, the President emphasized the importance of utilizing his office to perform acts of personal outreach, such as phone calls to citizens, and finalized logistical plans for upcoming holiday travel and scheduling.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Maurice Stans, and others to discuss second-term administrative reorganizations, press strategy, and Vietnam policy, specifically the impact of renewed bombing. Much of the discussion focused on managing the aftermath of the 1972 campaign, including the handling of surplus funds and the recognition of major donors through social events and potential appointments. Nixon expressed frustration over the perceived political hostility of the press and the impact of the Watergate scandal on his administration's public reputation and fundraising efforts.
President Nixon met with EPA Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus and aide Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. to discuss Ruckelshaus's professional future and the political climate surrounding the administration's second term. The conversation encompassed Ruckelshaus's potential candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Indiana, his administrative performance at the EPA, and the President's broader theories regarding the "softness" of the American intellectual elite. Ultimately, Nixon encouraged Ruckelshaus to take political risks and maintain a firm stance against congressional budget demands, while expressing his appreciation for Ruckelshaus's work at the agency.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of an upcoming meeting involving Richard C. Van Dusen and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. The discussion centered on logistics and the arrangement of White House gift distributions, specifically concerning ashtrays and cuff links. The brief exchange served to finalize these administrative appointments and protocol details.
President Nixon met with Richard C. Van Dusen and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. to discuss Van Dusen's future career plans following his tenure as Under Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The President expressed appreciation for Van Dusen’s performance in a challenging department and encouraged him to keep various options open, including a potential future political candidacy or a federal judgeship. The conversation concluded with Nixon offering his support and emphasizing that the administration would remain available to assist Van Dusen in his transition back to private law practice in Michigan.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on a meeting with Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and preparations for a physical examination at Bethesda Naval Hospital. The discussion covered the timing of his hospital departure and necessary dietary arrangements. Additionally, the President briefly noted an interest in Joseph R. Biden of Delaware.
President Nixon met with his senior staff, including H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson, to coordinate personnel changes for his second term, discuss strategies for managing press relations, and finalize plans for the upcoming inauguration. A major focus was the administration’s aggressive approach toward media outlets like The Washington Post and the television networks, with Nixon encouraging the use of regulatory pressure and cable television technology to bypass traditional information gatekeepers. Additionally, the President reviewed the status of Vietnam peace negotiations, emphasizing the necessity of firm military action to prevent an enemy buildup while maintaining his public posture of seeking peace.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming personal schedule. The primary focus involved confirming the timing of a planned trip to Florida and verifying the current location of Henry Kissinger. The participants concluded the brief discussion by directing staff to track down Kissinger's whereabouts.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to briefly coordinate the President's personal schedule. The discussion centered on arrangements for an upcoming barber appointment. The conversation concluded with a brief, offhand remark regarding a third party's demeanor.
In this Oval Office meeting, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, H. R. Haldeman, and others discussed the state of Vietnam peace negotiations following a breakdown in talks and North Vietnamese public charges. The participants reviewed the administration's strategic efforts to maintain pressure on Hanoi, including the impact of recent bombing campaigns and the tone of Congressional relations. Additionally, the President and his staff coordinated personnel and administrative matters for the second term, specifically addressing campaign contributor recognition, the vetting of nominees for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the desire for greater loyalty and political reliability in key appointments.
H. R. Haldeman meets with an unidentified individual, potentially Lawrence M. Higby, to discuss personnel management and the physical location of a specific staff member. The conversation emphasizes the need to assert administrative control and ensure the staffer understands their proper place and responsibilities within the White House structure. The exchange concludes with a directive to reinforce these expectations and maintain organizational discipline.