Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Anti-war protests
32 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Bull
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss political strategies for managing public perception regarding upcoming anti-war demonstrations and media coverage. They analyze the impact of recent polls and the potential political fallout for Congress members, with Nixon expressing a desire for protesters to target the Capitol. Additionally, they review the success of Nixon's recent radio-based outreach and finalize plans to utilize television media in future communications to avoid overexposure.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategies to bolster support for the administration, focusing on efforts to discredit anti-war veteran demonstrations by highlighting the presence of non-veteran infiltrators. They also reviewed political outreach, expressing frustration with Republican senators who remained pessimistic despite positive polling on the economy, the China initiative, and the Vietnam War. Consequently, Nixon directed Colson to instruct Clark MacGregor to share these favorable poll results directly with key lawmakers to discourage them from aligning with opposition positions.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing public perception regarding anti-war protests and the welfare system. The President expresses concern over the political optics of demonstrators occupying the National Mall and emphasizes the need to leverage support from conservative factions. Nixon instructs Colson to monitor current legislative developments and mobilize political allies to take a firm stand on these divisive issues.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, John Mitchell, and other administration officials to coordinate political strategy regarding ongoing anti-war demonstrations and personnel appointments. The group discussed ensuring peaceful compliance with court orders concerning protestors, while Mitchell provided an update on staffing, including plans to recruit Ken Rush and Vernon Walters for key administration roles. Nixon also instructed Mitchell to delay antitrust litigation against television networks to avoid negative political fallout following the Pentagon Papers controversy, while maintaining his overall goal of aggressively challenging the media establishment.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, H. R. Haldeman, and other staff members to discuss administration messaging regarding the China initiative and the ongoing anti-war protests in Washington, D.C. The President expressed frustration over not receiving proper credit for his foreign policy initiatives and directed his team to ensure the public understands these efforts are directed by him rather than the State Department. Regarding the protests, Nixon instructed his team to maintain a posture of 'cool respect,' avoid direct confrontation, and leverage public sentiment against the demonstrators to reinforce his broader philosophy of personal responsibility and national character.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the political liability of White House-sponsored youth conferences, which they agree have been infiltrated by radical, anti-capitalist activists. The President expresses frustration with Stephen Hess's management of these events and concludes that future conferences, such as those for the elderly, should be held outside of Washington, D.C., to limit media exposure and ensure better administrative control. Additionally, they assess the progress of upcoming anti-war protests, aiming to highlight low attendance numbers to discredit the organizers and manage the optics of the demonstrations.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to discredit anti-war veterans' protests by emphasizing the presence of radical elements and the lack of authentic veteran status among participants. They review the success of congressional allies in publicizing pro-administration views, express frustration with Senator Charles Mathias, and praise the recent political alignment of Senator William Saxbe. Additionally, they discuss upcoming negative press regarding Senator Edmund Muskie and analyze the political implications of current anti-war demonstrations in Washington.
President Nixon and John A. "Jack" Mulcahy spoke briefly to exchange personal pleasantries regarding Mulcahy’s health and the upcoming wedding of Tricia Nixon Cox. The conversation shifted to political matters, with Mulcahy expressing support for the President’s handling of ongoing anti-war veteran demonstrations in Washington. Nixon reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining his current policy stance, dismissing the protesters as a small minority whose activities would eventually run their course.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger discussed the political fallout and public optics of anti-war protests occurring at the U.S. Capitol, which were causing significant disturbances for members of Congress. Nixon expressed satisfaction with the Senate's reaction to the protesters, specifically citing supportive comments from Senator Russell Long, and analyzed how these demonstrations might alienate the public. The participants deliberated on strategies for managing upcoming protests in Washington, D.C., ultimately deciding to prioritize law enforcement arrests to maintain order while cautioning against overreaching for new federal legislation at that time.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the administration's response to organized anti-war protests scheduled to block traffic in Washington, D.C. They conclude that the situation should be managed by local police rather than federal troops or injunctions, agreeing that the President should adopt a firm public stance during his upcoming press conference. Additionally, Ehrlichman confirms that Treasury Secretary John Connally is handling opposition from business executive Fred Borch regarding administration policy, and they finalize plans for the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the scheduling of the President's upcoming travel and the need to manage public expectations regarding his return to Washington to avoid the appearance of responding to political pressure from anti-war protests. They evaluate the ongoing demonstrations, expressing frustration with media coverage and emphasizing the necessity for government departments to maintain a hard line against protesters. Haldeman notes that intelligence gathering, assisted by informants within the activist groups, will provide a clearer picture of potential disruptions by early next week.
President Nixon, Vice President Agnew, and H. R. Haldeman discuss the recent disruptions by anti-war demonstrators in the Senate galleries and the media's biased coverage of the event. The group analyzes the tactical behavior of protesters, including their plans to target Selective Service offices and train for future demonstrations. Nixon expresses frustration with the news media's portrayal of Republican senators' roles in clearing the galleries while Agnew updates the President on protest activity near government facilities.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman and First Lady Pat Nixon regarding the viability of a scheduled congressional wives luncheon amidst planned anti-war protests expected to disrupt Washington traffic. The President resolved to proceed with the event to avoid appearing intimidated by demonstrators, emphasizing a policy of conducting business as usual. To ensure the luncheon occurred as planned, Nixon directed that White House staff coordinate with Rex Scouten to billet necessary service personnel overnight, ensuring they would be available despite potential road closures.
President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan reviewed the President’s recent news conference, focusing on the effectiveness of his messaging regarding anti-war demonstrations and foreign policy. Nixon emphasized his goal of projecting confidence and signaling that the administration would not be deterred by protesters, while specifically highlighting his remarks on “peace in their time” and the recent opening of relations with China. The conversation concluded with Nixon praising Buchanan and the White House staff for their preparation for the event.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the status of anti-war protests and arrests in Washington, D.C., alongside the performance of the stock market. The President also reviewed procedures for an upcoming meeting with Republican congressional leadership, expressing a desire to avoid lengthy, unproductive sessions in favor of efficient, agenda-driven discussions. Nixon drew on his past experience with the Eisenhower administration to structure these meetings, aiming to maintain rapport with leadership while minimizing wasted time.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leadership, including Hugh Scott and Gerald Ford, to coordinate the administration’s messaging on key domestic and economic issues. The discussion focused on framing the recent mass arrests of anti-war protesters as a necessary measure to maintain public order against vandalism. Additionally, the President urged the leaders to publicly support the Lockheed loan guarantee as a critical initiative for protecting peacetime jobs, aiming to preempt political opposition from Democratic rivals.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the political fallout and public reception of the ongoing anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C. They express satisfaction with the perceived public backlash against the protesters' disruptive tactics and the firm handling of the situation by the local police. The President and Haldeman analyze the strategic benefit of highlighting the extremism of the demonstrators to bolster public support for the administration's policies.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss the administration's political strategy regarding recent anti-war protests and civil demonstrations in Washington, D.C. They focused on discrediting Democratic rivals—specifically Hubert Humphrey, Ted Kennedy, and Edmund Muskie—by highlighting their earlier endorsements of these movements, which the President characterized as hypocritical in light of the resulting violence and disorder. Additionally, the participants reviewed the effectiveness of local police leadership, discussed Rose Mary Woods’ recent trip to the Kentucky Derby, and touched upon logistical details for an upcoming meeting with Jeane Dixon and a gift donation from Walter Annenberg.
President Nixon and Deputy Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discussed the ongoing mass anti-war protests in Washington, D.C., and the government's strategy for managing demonstrators. Kleindienst reported on the successful, orderly arrest of thousands of protesters for unlawful assembly, noting that the coordinated effort between police and military forces allowed for improved identification procedures. The President praised the government's operational cohesion and expressed his intention to formally commend the police department and National Guard for their handling of the situation.
President Nixon and Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. discussed the administration's recent handling of anti-war demonstrators in Washington, D.C., expressing mutual agreement on the necessity of clearing protest camps to maintain government operations. Byrd offered his support for the President’s Vietnam policy, and Nixon thanked the Senator for his vocal backing during a period of political scrutiny. The conversation served to reinforce the political alignment between the two men regarding law enforcement and foreign policy.
President Nixon met with Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. to discuss the administration's firm handling of anti-war demonstrators in Washington, D.C. Nixon expressed his resolve to maintain order, citing his recent support for local police to clear protesters from government spaces. The two also exchanged political pleasantries regarding upcoming administrative announcements and mutual legislative support.
President Nixon and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird discuss the recent handling of anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C., as well as the proposed restructuring of the U.S. Military Command in South America (ComSouth). Nixon commends the security response to the protests and emphasizes the need to avoid any public perception that U.S. military engagement in Latin America is being downgraded. The two agree to postpone a final decision on the ComSouth command structure and staffing until Laird returns to the office, at which point they will convene a small group to evaluate the foreign policy implications.
President Nixon and John Dean discuss the status of anti-war protests in Washington, D.C., specifically focusing on a planned demonstration at the Capitol. Dean informs the President that approximately 2,000 protesters intend to march on the Capitol, but confirms that local authorities are prepared to handle the situation without federal intervention. The conversation concludes with an assessment that the protesters' movement is losing momentum due to internal tactical disagreements among leadership figures like Rennie Davis.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to leverage public support for the administration in the wake of anti-war demonstrations. They specifically examine the role of Peter J. Brennan and the potential for a 'hardhat' labor mobilization to counter protesters, including a proposed march on Wall Street. Additionally, the pair discusses the political implications of Edward M. Kennedy's involvement in recent demonstrations and the perceived need for congressional allies to speak out in support of the administration.
Participants discuss the recent anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C., focusing on the rationale behind the mass arrests of protestors. The speakers justify the police action by asserting that the demonstrators intentionally broke the law and were prepared for incarceration. They characterize the protestors' behavior as performative and conclude that the legal consequences were an expected and appropriate outcome of the participants' actions.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Ronald Ziegler, and Stephen Bull to discuss public perception of the administration's firm handling of recent anti-war protests in Washington, D.C. The participants reviewed strategies for countering criticism from political opponents and the media, specifically focusing on documenting evidence of communist support behind the demonstrations. Additionally, they coordinated plans to leverage political allies, such as labor leader Peter Brennan, to mobilize public support and ensure the administration’s narrative regarding the restoration of order remained dominant.
President Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover discussed strategies for strengthening public support for law enforcement and the military amidst ongoing anti-war protests and civil unrest. The President emphasized the need for a national narrative that frames service and law enforcement as pillars of societal stability, contrasting this with the negative portrayal of such institutions by media and protest movements. They further explored legislative ideas, including potential federal benefits for the families of slain police officers, as part of an effort to bolster morale and public respect for those in uniform.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed the status of recent anti-war demonstrations, noting that poor weather and low turnout had minimized their impact. They discussed a strategy to weaken the organization Common Cause by pressuring administration officials associated with the group to resign. Additionally, the pair coordinated plans to boost the administration's public image through economic messaging, specifically regarding public service employment and the promotion of favorable economic indicators.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Patrick Buchanan coordinated on the development of a speech for Vice President Spiro Agnew regarding the Vietnam War. The discussion focused on drafting rhetoric to sharply criticize Ivy League university presidents who opposed the administration's bombing campaigns against North Vietnamese military targets. Nixon directed his staff to emphasize themes of North Vietnamese aggression and to explicitly attack the perceived lack of patriotism and moral courage among academic leaders.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the strategy and messaging for an upcoming televised address regarding the Vietnam War and a proposed blockade. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the American 'leader class'—including university presidents, the media, and business elites—whom he accused of lacking the fortitude to support his policies. Consequently, the two agreed to coordinate a political counter-offensive that would blame congressional 'doves' for the breakdown in peace negotiations and the enemy's continued intransigence.
H. R. Haldeman and Billy Graham discussed the public and international reception of President Nixon's recent announcement regarding a naval blockade of North Vietnam. Graham praised the President’s decisive action, expressing confidence that it would galvanize the American public despite anticipated protests. To counter expected opposition, Graham committed to publicly voicing his strong support for the administration during his upcoming press conferences in Memphis and Birmingham.
President Nixon met with Senator Robert J. Dole and Charles W. Colson to devise campaign strategies for the final stretch of the 1972 presidential election. The discussion focused on countering George McGovern's campaign, managing the fallout from anti-war protests and hecklers, and framing the Vietnam peace negotiations as a victory for peace with honor rather than surrender. Additionally, the participants addressed public perception regarding the Watergate break-in, attempting to minimize its political impact by characterizing it as a misguided security operation.