Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 827
Nixon White House Tape 827 (December 20, 1972)
26 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 19 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Ziegler, Monzon
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics for upcoming events. The discussion centered on finalizing the President’s schedule, specifically regarding his attendance at a diplomatic children’s party and commitments in the Executive Office Building. No major policy decisions were made during this administrative planning session.
President Nixon met with Zosimo T. Monzon in the Oval Office to discuss logistical arrangements regarding the President’s office in the Executive Office Building. The conversation primarily focused on the retrieval of personal items, specifically a briefcase and eyeglasses. The brief interaction concluded with administrative coordination concerning the President's children.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Ronald Ziegler, and Zosimo Monzon to discuss adjustments to his upcoming travel itinerary. The participants focused on coordinating a delay in the President's scheduled trip to Florida. The discussion specifically addressed the logistical impact of this scheduling change on First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review and confirm the scheduling of an upcoming meeting with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. The brief discussion focused on coordinating the President's calendar to facilitate this high-level consultation. Following the brief administrative briefing, Bull concluded the meeting and departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to review and finalize the details of the President’s upcoming schedule. The discussion specifically focused on coordinating Henry Kissinger's availability for an extended budget briefing. The participants sought to clarify the expected duration of this briefing to ensure proper time management for the President.
President Nixon met with his personal aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming agenda items. The brief discussion primarily focused on the President's schedule and the arrangements for an impending meeting with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. No other significant policy matters were addressed during this short administrative exchange.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler discuss managing press relations and public perception during the ongoing stalemate in Vietnam negotiations. A key focus is correcting the narrative regarding Henry Kissinger's role, specifically addressing the concern that Kissinger is attempting to distance himself from the administration or claim personal credit for peace efforts. Nixon also decides to cancel a scheduled meeting with the Productivity Commission, citing personal fatigue and health concerns, as he balances administrative duties with the pressures of the war and upcoming inaugural preparations.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Stephen Bull discussed the President’s upcoming meeting with the Productivity Commission, specifically delegating a brief, non-deliberative appearance to thank labor leaders. Haldeman and the President also reviewed restructuring the White House staff management process, deciding to shift away from daily large staff meetings in favor of a core group of senior advisors coordinating the agenda. Finally, they addressed personnel issues involving Rose Mary Woods and managed the optics regarding Charles “Bebe” Rebozo’s recent real estate investment.
Stephen B. Bull met with Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to address technical concerns regarding a range finder. The discussion centered on an administrative request to disable the device, involving an individual identified only as Chuck. The brief exchange focused on resolving this specific equipment issue before Bull concluded the meeting.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to discuss the stalled Vietnam peace negotiations and the intense US bombing campaign north of the 20th parallel. The conversation centered on the continued intransigence of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, with the participants evaluating the strategic risks of either forcing Thieu to accept a settlement or pursuing a separate bilateral deal with North Vietnam. Despite mounting casualties from B-52 operations and criticism from some Congressional leaders, Nixon and Kissinger decided to maintain military pressure in hopes of securing a breakthrough in technical talks and achieving a final peace agreement.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review administrative logistics and personal arrangements before his upcoming departure for Florida. They discussed the organization of materials for his briefcase, including documentation related to inaugural addresses and photographs, and coordinated the scheduling of a press conference with Ronald Ziegler. Additionally, the President briefly touched upon a Christmas gift for First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and key staff to coordinate end-of-year administrative tasks, including the scheduling of holiday messages and upcoming inaugural activities. The discussion focused on managing the White House staff's workload, press relations regarding the escalating bombing campaign in Vietnam, and strategic planning for bipartisan congressional outreach in the second term. Nixon also addressed personal correspondence regarding a recent article about his family and coordinated efforts related to the establishment of the Nixon Foundation.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon hosted Edward V. Jones, the James Balling, Jr. family, and a White House photographer for a brief courtesy visit in the Oval Office. During the session, the President presented the guests with official White House gifts, including Presidential Seal pins and Apollo viewmasters. The group engaged in informal conversation regarding the office's historical furnishings, such as Steuben glass and crewelwork by Julie Nixon Eisenhower, while Nixon expressed appreciation for the guests' contributions to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.
President Nixon uses his recording system to dictate a letter of appreciation to journalist Ronald Kessler regarding a recent Washington Post article about the First Family. The President reflects on the piece, which featured personal anecdotes from Clifford and Willard Moore about their time with the Nixons. Nixon emphasizes the warmth of these memories and directs that the message be formally transcribed for the reporter.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to manage administrative tasks, including the selection of gifts and the coordination of presidential correspondence. They discussed the distribution of custom-made music boxes and reviewed letters to individuals such as Ronald Kessler. Nixon also decided to reduce the number of congressional birthday calls and events, opting instead to prioritize more impactful outreach.
President Nixon used this session to dictate a letter to journalist Ronald Kessler regarding an article about the Nixon family's history and personal connections. The President reflected on his career in the House, Senate, and Vice Presidency, while also emphasizing his enduring closeness to long-time associates like Clifford and Archie Moore. Furthermore, Nixon finalized arrangements for a future White House visit for Mrs. Moore to coincide with the return of his daughters, Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Tricia Nixon Cox.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss the scheduling of an upcoming press conference for Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief encounter focused on administrative logistics regarding the press office's activities. The meeting concluded quickly after these scheduling matters were addressed.
President Nixon and his personal secretary Rose Mary Woods briefly discuss the President's upcoming meeting with Associated Press reporter Saul Pett. They weigh the potential value of the interaction, with the President expressing skepticism about Pett's reputation and character. Ultimately, Nixon instructs Woods to gauge the reporter's intentions and determine whether a meeting is advisable.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate arrangements for an upcoming interview with journalist Saul Pett, focusing on ensuring Rose Mary Woods participated to provide necessary background context. The discussion transitioned to managing press coverage, specifically approving candid photography by Henry Burroughs to humanize the President's public image. Finally, they reviewed public relations strategies regarding increased U.S. bombing in Vietnam, emphasizing that these actions represented a continuation of existing policy rather than a new escalation or a military defeat.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler to manage White House operations and staff relations heading into the new year. The discussion centered on limiting unnecessary scheduling demands, specifically the burden of ceremonial photo opportunities, and addressing personnel issues involving Rose Mary Woods and staff dynamics. They also reviewed cabinet appointments, the status of the Watergate investigation, and preparations for the 1973 inaugural address.
President Nixon met with journalist Saul Pett for a reflective interview regarding his health, management style, and the nature of the presidency following his 1972 reelection. Nixon emphasized the importance of physical, mental, and emotional discipline in maintaining the objectivity required to handle intense national crises, such as the Vietnam War. He asserted that being reelected allowed him to govern with greater focus on long-term national interests rather than short-term political gains, while also highlighting his preference for delegation and his detachment from reactive news media.
President Nixon met with key staff and George Shultz to discuss administrative priorities, including the upcoming second-term reorganization, press relations, and economic strategy. Discussions centered on the continuation of wage and price controls, the development of new trade negotiation authority, and managing congressional relations for upcoming legislative initiatives. Additionally, the President reviewed proposals for a scholarly book project by Patrick Buchanan and provided guidance on navigating personnel decisions, specifically regarding energy policy and Federal Reserve appointments.
President Nixon met with political advisor Murray Chotiner to discuss various Republican political maneuvers and personnel strategies for the upcoming term. The conversation centered on potential candidates for California, including Robert H. Finch and Ronald Reagan, as well as the importance of strengthening Republican representation in the House and Senate. Nixon emphasized the need for better quality candidates and active involvement in future electoral efforts to ensure the success of his administration.
H. R. Haldeman met with Secret Service agents and unknown personnel in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding the Presidential Locator System and monitor the President’s location in the Cabinet Room. The discussion also touched upon personal administrative matters, specifically Haldeman’s purchase of a vehicle through the United Buying Service. The brief meeting concluded after addressing these security and private procurement arrangements.
This brief interaction in the Oval Office involved President Nixon and unidentified participants. Due to the lack of available transcript data and the short duration of the recording, the specific subjects of the discussion remain unknown. No clear policy decisions, directives, or significant developments were captured during this four-minute window.
An unidentified group met with President Nixon in the Oval Office for a brief five-minute engagement. The transcript of this encounter remains undefined, leaving the specific purpose, topics, and outcomes of the discussion unrecorded. Consequently, no substantive policy developments or action items can be attributed to this meeting.