Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Bipartisanship
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, White House photographer, Ziegler
President Nixon met with George W. Ball to express personal gratitude for Ball's bipartisan assistance on legislative efforts, specifically regarding the Senate. The discussion touched upon the strategic importance of bipartisan cooperation and the tactical necessity of keeping key senators involved to ensure legislative success. Nixon also signaled that an upcoming announcement would reflect the administration's ongoing progress on these policy objectives.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate the press strategy for the President’s upcoming energy message. Nixon emphasized the importance of framing the initiative as a bipartisan effort and instructed Ziegler to acknowledge the specific support of key congressional figures, including Chet Holifield, John O. Pastore, and Craig Hosmer. The discussion focused on maximizing favorable media coverage by highlighting this legislative cooperation.
President Nixon consulted with Congressman Craig Hosmer regarding a new bipartisan initiative on breeder reactors and energy policy. Nixon emphasized his commitment to directing energy and saline water projects to Southern California to support local employment and requested that Hosmer advocate for this regional focus. The two also discussed the recent release of $16 million in federal funding for an enriching complex, which Hosmer noted would help resolve ongoing political tensions.
President Nixon called Senator John O. Pastore to inform him that his energy message had been submitted to Congress and to ensure the administration's public messaging highlighted the bipartisan nature of the effort. Nixon specifically credited Pastore, Chet Holifield, and Craig Hosmer for their crucial contributions to the policy's development. In response, Pastore pledged to deliver supportive remarks on the Senate floor to underscore this cooperative legislative approach.
President Nixon initiated this call to thank Senator Hubert H. Humphrey for defending his administration on the Senate floor. The two discussed the necessity of bipartisan cooperation regarding the Vietnam War, with both men affirming their shared desire for peace and their respect for the efforts of previous administrations. The conversation concluded with a brief, informal exchange concerning Humphrey’s ongoing political activities and current public opinion polling.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald R. Ford discuss recent legislative successes, noting the importance of these victories in demonstrating national strength to North Vietnam. The two also address the administration's aggressive stance against drug trafficking and the political controversy surrounding the New York Times' publication of the Pentagon Papers. Nixon instructs Ford to personally thank Congressman F. Edward Hébert for his role in the legislative wins while advising a cautious, hands-off approach regarding the media's handling of the classified documents.
President Nixon met with members of Congress and administration officials, including Joseph Blatchford and Arnold Weber, to promote a bipartisan volunteer initiative and discuss upcoming legislative priorities. The President emphasized the importance of non-partisan service, highlighting a new university program that integrates student service with academic credit and soliciting congressional support for these efforts. Additionally, the President shared personal anecdotes regarding military service and the Medal of Honor, while also briefly touching upon anti-drug initiatives and the White House Conference on Aging.
President Nixon met with Raymond K. Price, Jr. and John D. Ehrlichman to finalize his upcoming economic address to Congress. The participants reviewed and revised multiple drafts of the speech, focusing on the tone toward congressional Democrats and the strategic presentation of tax and spending policies. Nixon emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation and specific wording regarding the legislative agenda, while also discussing logistical arrangements for the event and upcoming official functions with Alexander P. Butterfield.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss the highly positive congressional and public reception following the President's recent address to Congress. MacGregor reports that key Republican leaders expressed strong support for the speech's bipartisan tone and legislative proposals, particularly regarding revenue sharing and welfare reform. The two also coordinate the logistics and attendee lists for upcoming White House sessions with labor, business, agricultural, and congressional leaders.
President Nixon called Virginia Governor Linwood Holton to discuss the impending announcement of his Supreme Court nominations of William H. Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Nixon urged Holton to publicly endorse the selections during his press conference, emphasizing the high quality of the candidates and the bipartisan nature of the appointments. The conversation also touched on international affairs, including tensions in Pakistan and the Middle East, before concluding with plans for Holton to meet with White House staff regarding Virginia's school policies.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers placed a joint congratulatory call to Senator John L. McClellan following his recent electoral victory. During the discussion, McClellan reflected on his successful campaign against organized labor efforts in his state while expressing a bipartisan commitment to cooperate with the administration. Both Nixon and Rogers emphasized their professional respect for the Senator and the importance of his continued service to the nation.
President Nixon met with a large delegation of mayors and local government officials to strategize on securing the passage of federal revenue sharing legislation in the Senate. Nixon emphasized the necessity of a bipartisan, non-restrictive bill and cautioned the attendees against allowing extraneous amendments—such as welfare reform—to jeopardize the legislation's chances before the upcoming Republican convention. The participants expressed their gratitude for the administration's leadership and pledged to lobby key senators to ensure the bill remained clean and reached the President's desk without delay.
President Nixon telephoned Raymond A. Gallagher to express gratitude for his public support of the administration's Vietnam War policies and its strategy regarding POWs. The two men criticized George McGovern's approach to the conflict, affirming the necessity of maintaining military pressure on the North Vietnamese. Nixon also solicited Gallagher's help in framing his reelection campaign as a non-partisan effort, while discussing the potential appearances of Vice President Spiro Agnew at upcoming veterans' conventions.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed campaign strategy, focusing on utilizing John Connally to critique George McGovern's position on Vietnam. They determined that Connally, rather than the White House or Nixon himself, should deliver a measured, bipartisan-themed speech at a Veterans of Foreign Wars event to avoid a perceived political attack. The conversation also covered personnel moves, including a potential government post for Tom Johnson, and emphasized keeping the White House staff at arm's length from direct campaign rhetoric, while coordinating media access to favor cooperative journalists over CBS.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategies for countering political attacks by characterizing the opposition's campaign as a "low-road" effort defined by smear and fear tactics. They deliberated on potential speakers for a speech promoting bipartisanship in foreign policy, ultimately favoring John Connally to deliver a message emphasizing that peace should not be treated as a partisan political issue. Additionally, Nixon instructed that White House spokespeople, including Ron Ziegler, should remain distanced from these public rebuttals to maintain an elevated, non-partisan posture.
President Nixon met with Representative John Jarman and aide John E. Nidecker to express his appreciation for the support of conservative Democrats in Congress. The discussion focused on the necessity of bipartisan cooperation regarding national defense, foreign policy, and the Vietnam War. Nixon emphasized the importance of prioritizing national interests over party lines, citing historical precedents of Democratic support for Republican administrations.
President Nixon met with William Timmons and Stephen Bull to coordinate strategy for upcoming congressional outreach and the transition into his second term. The participants discussed plans for an initial bipartisan congressional briefing on economic policy, as well as a separate reception for newly elected freshman representatives. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality in meetings with Democratic leadership and directed his staff to streamline the timing and structure of these official gatherings.
President Nixon met with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to discuss upcoming bipartisan Congressional leadership meetings, administrative reorganization, and the status of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon emphasized the need for strict confidentiality regarding the sensitive peace talks while requesting Mansfield’s assistance in managing Congressional pressure. The two leaders also coordinated on procedural matters, including the handling of Cabinet confirmations and the structure of future legislative communication.
President Nixon met with Nelson Rockefeller, Russell Peterson, and Kenneth Cole to discuss the progress of Rockefeller’s Commission on Critical Choices for Americans, emphasizing the need for bipartisanship and the selection of high-profile contributors. During the discussion, Nixon and Rockefeller pivoted to the Watergate scandal, with Nixon dismissing the involvement of his inner circle as the actions of "cheap crooks" while expressing frustration over the press's focus on the scandal over his 1972 foreign policy achievements. Nixon asserted his innocence regarding the break-in, framing his administration’s prior efforts as necessary measures to stop damaging national security leaks.