Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 859
Nixon White House Tape 859 (February 21, 1973)
39 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 40 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Kissinger, Dent
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to review and adjust the President's upcoming schedule, including various diplomatic, political, and social commitments. They coordinated logistics for meetings with Pakistani officials, congressional leaders, and civic groups, while evaluating potential speaking engagements such as an education policy address at the National Association of School Administrators convention. Nixon provided guidance on prioritizing these events and delegating administrative details, specifically addressing requests from cabinet members and staff regarding the President's availability.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection involving the Rogers Basin area. The brief exchange served primarily to establish communication channels for official business. No further substantive policy decisions were documented in this short interaction.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss strategies for defending administration policies and military spending against domestic political opposition, particularly from Congressional Democrats and the media. The President emphasizes the need to frame these policies as essential for peace and national interest, drawing parallels to post-World War II reconstruction efforts in Germany and Japan. To build support, Nixon outlines plans for upcoming White House outreach events with members of Congress to cultivate key allies.
President Nixon interacts with a White House operator to facilitate communication through the executive switchboard. This brief exchange serves a routine administrative purpose related to the President's immediate telephonic needs. No substantive policy matters or historical developments are recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual to discuss an unspecified matter. During the engagement, Nixon requested that Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler join them. The meeting concluded quickly, with the guest departing the office shortly thereafter.
President Nixon met briefly with Linda Freeman to offer condolences and personal support following the recent passing of her husband, Ben. Nixon expressed his high regard for Ben and shared his regrets regarding his inability to attend the funeral services in person. The conversation served as a private gesture of comfort from the President and the First Lady to a grieving family member.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the President's potential attendance at the upcoming Gridiron dinner and other press-related social functions. Ziegler advised against Nixon attending the Gridiron due to the contentious history with George McGovern, who was scheduled to speak. They ultimately decided to decline the Gridiron invitation while considering a "drop-by" strategy for other events, such as the White House Correspondents' dinner, to maintain professional relations with the press without being subjected to lengthy or uncomfortable programs.
President Nixon initiates a brief request to the White House operator to be connected with Harry Dent. The operator clarifies that Dent is currently occupied on another call. This exchange serves as a routine administrative effort to facilitate communication between the President and his advisor.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler reviewed upcoming scheduling commitments for several prominent media events, including the Gridiron Dinner, the White House Correspondents Association dinner, and the Radio and Television Correspondents dinner. The discussion focused on coordinating these appearances with a potential visit from South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and the desire to avoid public perception of boycotting specific press functions. Nixon evaluated his attendance at these events, weighing the political optics of his presence against scheduling conflicts and his personal distaste for the critical nature of the Gridiron dinner.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator while Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler was present in the Oval Office. Although no transcript exists for this brief exchange, the interaction reflects the President's routine administrative coordination during a period of high-level activity. Ziegler departed the room immediately following this brief engagement, marking the conclusion of his brief appearance.
President Nixon initiated a brief contact with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This interaction functioned as a routine administrative task to establish communication with an unnamed external party. No substantive policy discussions or policy decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The brief exchange focused on establishing a telephonic connection to an unnamed party. No substantive policy matters or complex developments were addressed during this logistical interaction.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods to discuss routine administrative matters, including White House maintenance schedules, correspondence, and potential staff changes involving Henry Kearns. Following Woods' departure, the President spoke with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, to check on her well-being and invite her and David Eisenhower to an upcoming White House church service featuring Norman Vincent Peale. The conversations focused primarily on managing personal scheduling, family arrangements, and logistical issues concerning White House upkeep.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on organizing meetings with James Keogh, Henry Kissinger, and members of the press, specifically Robert Clark and Edgar Allen Poe. Nixon emphasized the importance of his interaction with the press, directing staff to finalize the timing of these interviews.
President Nixon initiates a brief request for the White House operator to connect him to an individual identified as "Dr." This exchange reflects standard administrative procedure for placing outgoing executive calls from the Oval Office. No further substantive discussion occurs during this short segment of the recording.
President Nixon met briefly with White House aide Harry S. Dent to coordinate an informal briefing regarding developments in South Carolina. The conversation served primarily as a scheduling touchpoint to ensure Dent could provide a report and photograph after attending to other business. No major policy decisions were reached during this short interaction.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to coordinate an upcoming session with Harry S. Dent. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements for a photography session involving official White House photographer Oliver F. Atkins. Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler was also mentioned as part of the preparations for the meeting.
President Nixon dictated a personal letter to composer Meredith Willson to express appreciation for Willson's recent letter in the Los Angeles Times regarding political philosophy and music. The President affirmed his own conservative outlook and shared lighthearted commentary on the varied, often unorthodox, international renditions of the American national anthem he encountered during his travels. This brief recording served to facilitate official correspondence between the President and the musician.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Henry Kissinger to coordinate the administration's public schedule, specifically addressing the timing of President Nguyen Van Thieu's visit and the President's upcoming press conference regarding troop withdrawals. The group discussed logistical and political considerations for various correspondents' dinners, including whether the President should attend the Gridiron dinner given the hostile posture of Democratic leaders like George McGovern. Additionally, Nixon and Kissinger reviewed foreign policy developments involving the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, emphasizing the need for strict confidentiality regarding these sensitive diplomatic channels.
President Nixon met briefly with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his daily schedule and upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on managing the logistics for scheduled meetings with Harry S. Dent, Rose Mary Woods, and likely H.R. Haldeman. This meeting served as a routine administrative check-in to organize the President’s morning agenda.
President Nixon and Harry S. Dent reviewed the political success of the President's recent visit to South Carolina, focusing on favorable media coverage and the positive reception he received despite a Democrat-controlled state government. The conversation shifted to long-term political strategy, including the potential for a party switch by John B. Connally and the search for viable Republican candidates in the South for the 1974 elections. Nixon also discussed his ongoing efforts to curb government spending, expressing frustration with congressional resistance and special interest groups while reaffirming his commitment to his second-term domestic and foreign policy agendas.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator regarding a request or suggestion to attempt to reach Billy Graham. The exchange was brief and focused on administrative assistance in establishing contact with the evangelist. No further policy-related developments were recorded during this short interaction.
President Nixon consulted with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a telephone call between the President and Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. Bull facilitated the outreach by directing H.R. Haldeman and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to assist in connecting the call. The brief exchange served to finalize the logistical arrangements for this executive communication.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a call to Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. The brief discussion centered on Ziegler's capability to manage communications and provide effective counsel. This interaction served primarily as a logistical step to secure direct contact with a key advisor.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly consulted on a strategic decision regarding a previously discussed policy matter. The President expressed a firm stance on rejecting a proposal, citing concerns raised by Henry Kissinger about its potential negative impact on established metrics. The discussion concluded with a brief internal agreement to proceed with this rejection.
President Nixon briefly conversed with the White House operator to address a logistics issue regarding seating arrangements. Due to the lack of available space, the President instructed the operator to hold the request and indicated he would call back to resolve the matter. No other substantive policy or administrative topics were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this brief coordination.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate scheduling details, including appointments regarding South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and various White House events. The conversation focused on managing outreach to the wives of Prisoners of War, with Nixon requesting a comprehensive list of those expressing support. Additionally, they reviewed personnel administration, specifically discussing departure timelines for staff members transitioning to consultant roles or external employment.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to discuss scheduling arrangements and coordinate upcoming availability. The brief interaction served to confirm the President's status and clear any potential conflicts regarding his time. No substantive policy matters or strategic decisions were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon met with aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling and logistical arrangements for an upcoming state visit by Zulfiker Ali Bhutto. The discussion centered on identifying the specific date of the request, confirming the timeline for the visit, and addressing the status of the ambassador. This administrative briefing served to ensure the President was prepared for upcoming diplomatic proceedings.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the logistics and scheduling for an upcoming visit by Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The discussion focused on finalizing the specific dates for the visit and evaluating the potential involvement of National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. They ultimately sought to adjust the existing itinerary, reflecting the President's personal attention to the planning details.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate administrative and diplomatic matters, including the President's decision to skip the Gridiron dinner due to his disdain for George McGovern's political conduct. They discussed the logistics of hosting South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and selecting an ambassador for the People's Republic of China, with Nixon emphasizing the need for a high-level political appointee rather than a career diplomat to maintain White House control. Additionally, they coordinated a confidential update for William Downey regarding the impending release of his brother, John Downey, from imprisonment in China, and reflected on the success of the administration's Vietnam policy and the resulting strengthening of Nixon's public standing.
President Nixon met briefly with Stephen B. Bull to address scheduling and administrative matters. The discussion centered on coordinating a meeting with James Keogh and managing phone calls from John B. Connally. H.R. Haldeman was also identified as a subject of interest during this short administrative briefing.
President Nixon met with USIA Director James Keogh and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to discuss the agency's mission, budget, and strategy for improving America's image abroad. Nixon emphasized the need for the USIA to provide a balanced narrative of the United States to counter the negative, sensationalized reporting prevalent in international media. The President directed Keogh to collaborate closely with Kissinger and the National Security Council to ensure USIA programs effectively support administration foreign policy objectives.
President Nixon held a brief, one-minute meeting with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office. Given the extremely limited duration of the interaction, no substantive policy matters or administrative developments were recorded. The encounter served primarily as a brief administrative check-in between the President and a member of his immediate staff.
President Nixon and Rex W. Scouten discussed various logistical and renovation projects at the White House, specifically focusing on the construction of a new bowling alley and necessary improvements to the shop and kitchen areas. They deliberated on financial strategies for these projects, including how to categorize expenses as government-funded write-offs versus contributions from private donors. Additionally, the pair addressed staffing concerns, specifically the difficulty in recruiting white house staff and the optics regarding the racial composition of the butler corps during state visits.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review administrative arrangements, specifically discussing scheduling for an upcoming meeting with freshman Congressmen. The two deliberated on the most effective way to communicate specific political points during these sessions. Additionally, Bull informed the President that Billy Graham had returned his telephone call, which Nixon planned to address shortly.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed a wide range of administrative and political issues, including the management of White House renovations, the scheduling of upcoming presidential appearances, and strategies for maintaining positive congressional and public relations. They debated the optics of Nixon's potential attendance at the Gridiron dinner and discussed the importance of securing private contributions to fund renovations to avoid budget controversies. Additionally, they addressed the recent return of Henry Kissinger, the status of Vietnam-related letters to Congress, and the selection of military aides. The conversation concluded with a brief overview of the latest developments concerning the ongoing Watergate investigation.
Stephen B. Bull met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office for a brief two-minute session. While no transcript exists to detail the specific content, the meeting was recorded as part of the formal White House taping system. No specific policy developments or further actions are documented from this brief encounter.