Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on 1972 Presidential Election
222 conversations · page 3 of 3 · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Colson, Cox
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss election returns on the evening of November 7, 1972, analyzing the President's significant lead in key states and the potential impact of his coattails on congressional races. They examine specific Senate and House contests, debating the phenomenon of ticket-splitting among 'brass-collar' Democrats who supported the President but voted for local candidates of their own party. The conversation also touches on voter turnout and the President's skepticism toward network news coverage, while Tricia Nixon Cox joins briefly to discuss the unfolding results.
President Nixon met with television and radio technicians in the Oval Office to coordinate the technical logistics and countdown for a televised address regarding his 1972 election victory. Following final preparations and seating adjustments, Nixon delivered a live speech expressing appreciation for his electoral support and emphasizing national unity, peace, and his goals for a second term. The brief session concluded immediately after the broadcast, with the President departing for a celebration at the Shoreham Hotel.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Manolo Sanchez in the Old Executive Office Building shortly after the 1972 election. The discussion centered on early election returns and the personal voting experiences of Sanchez and his wife, Fina. During the brief interaction, the President also utilized White House operators to facilitate multiple telephone communications.
President Richard Nixon called Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo to express his gratitude for Rizzo’s support during the 1972 presidential election. The two discussed Nixon’s significant victory in Pennsylvania and the political landscape, including their shared disdain for Governor Milton J. Shapp and George McGovern’s conduct. The conversation concluded with Nixon expressing a desire to meet with Rizzo in the future to discuss administration goals and national unity.
President Richard Nixon and Nelson Rockefeller spoke following Nixon’s landslide victory in the 1972 presidential election to review preliminary results and the political landscape. They discussed the President’s strong showing in New York, the outcomes of various congressional races, and the failure of George McGovern's campaign. Additionally, Nixon disclosed that North Vietnam had recently agreed to unconditional negotiations, and the two men discussed the importance of post-election national unity.
Henry Kissinger calls President Nixon to offer congratulations on his overwhelming landslide victory in the 1972 presidential election. The two discuss George McGovern's ungracious concession statement and Nixon's subsequent decision to reject a draft telegram from his staff that was overly conciliatory toward his opponent. Additionally, they reflect on disappointing Republican losses in the Senate and interpret the election results as a definitive public rebuke of the media and liberal intelligentsia regarding the administration's Vietnam policy.
In this early morning telephone call following his landslide re-election, President Richard Nixon received a congratulatory call from Hubert H. Humphrey. The two men discussed the political differences between the 1968 and 1972 elections, specifically contrasting the Vietnam War issue and George McGovern’s campaign tactics. They also discussed election results in Minnesota, the future of the country, and Nixon offered Humphrey personal encouragement regarding his political career by referencing the late-career successes of Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review the latest election returns from Illinois, specifically regarding the outcomes for the state's gubernatorial and senatorial races. The discussion further addressed the whereabouts of Charles W. Colson in the immediate aftermath of the 1972 election. This brief interaction served as a status update on electoral results and personnel logistics.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the compilation and delivery of detailed 1972 election results. The President directed Bull to instruct the research group to provide an updated, speech-by-speech breakdown of the national returns, specifically focusing on state-by-state data for California and Minnesota. This information was intended to be prepared and delivered to the Oval Office by 10:00 am to assist the President in analyzing the election outcomes.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull shortly after the 1972 presidential election to address administrative and correspondence matters. Discussions focused on the President's post-election letter to George McGovern, involving coordination with staff members Patrick Buchanan and H.R. Haldeman. Additionally, the participants reviewed the incoming election returns, specifically noting results from California.
President Nixon held an informal telephone conversation with Alice Roosevelt Longworth to discuss the aftermath of the 1972 presidential election and the status of ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. The two reflected on the intense rhetoric used by Democratic opponents during the campaign and celebrated the President's landslide electoral victory. Nixon also shared an update regarding the progress of Alexander Haig's recent diplomatic mission to Saigon, expressing confidence that the Vietnam situation was proceeding as planned despite criticism from the press.
President Nixon held a phone conversation with Alice Roosevelt Longworth shortly after his 1972 landslide reelection victory. They discussed the overwhelming electoral results, the unfairness of press criticism during the campaign, and the status of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon expressed personal satisfaction in overcoming political adversaries and suggested a future social meeting to celebrate their shared conservative perspectives.
President Nixon called Mamie Eisenhower to extend birthday wishes and check on her well-being following the recent presidential election. The two discussed Nixon's post-election workload, specifically his focus on budget preparations and upcoming administration appointments, as well as their shared satisfaction regarding the President's victory in Pennsylvania. The conversation concluded with plans for Eisenhower to meet with Pat and Julie Nixon at the theater.
President Nixon met with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, at Camp David to discuss personal domestic projects and share brief political observations. The President proposed redecorating the third-floor room to make it more comfortable and vibrant, suggesting they enlist a decorator to update the space with brighter colors. Additionally, the pair touched upon the aftermath of the recent election, with Nixon critiquing George McGovern’s post-election rhetoric regarding voter shifts.
President Nixon spoke with International Longshoremen’s Association leader Thomas W. Gleason to express gratitude for the support of maritime unions during the 1972 presidential election. Gleason congratulated Nixon on his landslide victory, specifically praising the President’s handling of the Vietnam War in contrast to his Democratic opponents. The conversation concluded with Nixon requesting that Gleason extend his thanks to the union staff for their political contributions.
President Nixon utilized this session to dictate personal correspondence to Robert H. Finch and Leonard Garment following the 1972 election. The letters reflect on his historic landslide victory, acknowledging the long-standing support of his associates and the success of the campaign in previously unlikely political areas. The President also discussed the necessity of generating standardized letters of appreciation for the thousands of volunteers and officials who contributed to his second-term win.
President Nixon calls Paul W. Keyes to extend an invitation for an upcoming post-Thanksgiving getaway at Mermaid Key with Robert Abplanalp and Bebe Rebozo. The two briefly discuss the President's recent landslide election victory, with Nixon noting that his electoral margin surpassed that of Lyndon B. Johnson. Keyes commends the tone of Nixon's victory remarks, and they finalize logistical plans for their Florida trip.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political fallout and public relations strategy surrounding an impasse in the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. While Henry Kissinger advises the President to deliver a televised address to rally public support, both Nixon and Colson express concern that such a move would unnecessarily escalate the war as a domestic issue and potentially signal weakness to the North Vietnamese. Ultimately, they decide to maintain a firm stance and avoid a major public statement, concluding that the American public is generally satisfied and would prefer to avoid further drama regarding the conflict.
President Nixon called veteran journalist Arthur Krock to express his well-wishes regarding Krock's declining health. The conversation focused on their long-standing professional relationship and mutual admiration, with Nixon reflecting on his political career and the significance of his 1972 electoral victory. Nixon also took the opportunity to critique contemporary journalism, noting his appreciation for Krock's past objectivity compared to the current state of the New York Times.
President Nixon dictates a formal letter to Raymond C. Moley to express personal gratitude for Moley’s long-standing support, including his backing during Nixon's time as Vice President and his period out of office. The President reflects on the 1972 election campaign and the role of the National Committees, while also including a New Year's greeting from First Lady Pat Nixon. The discussion focuses on refining the letter's tone and content to ensure it appropriately acknowledges Moley's past contributions.
President Nixon and former Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin engaged in a personal exchange to finalize a letter of appreciation regarding Hardin’s tenure. The conversation reflected on the challenging economic climate of 1969–1970 and Hardin’s contributions to the administration’s success in the Farm Belt during the 1972 election. Nixon concluded the interaction by formally expressing his gratitude for Hardin’s dedicated service and extending well wishes to the Hardin family.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to be introduced to Thomas Hart, an individual with a background in business education. The brief discussion focused on Hart’s educational history at Harvard Business School and the prevailing political attitudes and voting patterns of students during the 1972 presidential election. The interaction served primarily as a formal introduction and a cursory exchange regarding youth political sentiments.