Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Bob Hope
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Hope
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discussed the logistical arrangements for upcoming White House entertainment featuring the group Up With People and comedian Bob Hope. The President outlined his preferences for the program flow, specifically regarding the timing of his own stage appearances and the formal introductions of the performers. The conversation served to clarify the President's public engagement expectations to ensure the event proceeded according to his desired schedule.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, met to discuss logistical arrangements for upcoming events, including a party planned for that evening and gift-giving matters. The conversation touched upon a tie sent by David J. Mahoney, Jr. and the presentation of a photograph to First Lady Pat Nixon. Additionally, the President inquired about Woods’s personal health during the brief administrative meeting.
President Nixon met with Harvey Firestone, General Emmett O'Donnell, Jr., and George T. Bell for a brief, informal session in the Oval Office that included a photo opportunity. The discussion touched on military service and the contributions of Bob Hope to the USO, with the President specifically criticizing religious leaders for their opposition to Hope's work. The participants also exchanged gifts, including photographs, and witnessed the President sign a proclamation.
President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew discuss the public and media reception of the President's recent television address regarding the Vietnam War. Agnew offers praise for the speech's effectiveness and highlights an uncharacteristically positive analysis from CBS regarding the administration's withdrawal commitments. Nixon expresses frustration with congressional critics and reaffirms his commitment to his Vietnam policy, while instructing Agnew to relay to Bob Hope that a specific segment of the speech was inspired by their previous conversation.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler held a brief meeting to coordinate messaging regarding the President’s recent leisure activities. The discussion focused on establishing the narrative for upcoming golf outings involving William P. Rogers at Burning Tree and Bob Hope in San Clemente. This interaction served to ensure consistent public communication regarding the administration's recreational schedule.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and Stephen Bull to discuss administrative arrangements for White House gifts and the President's upcoming schedule. The participants coordinated the distribution of customized putters intended for political contributors and reviewed logistical details for an upcoming meeting with Bob Hope. The discussion also included a brief review of photographs involving astronauts and preparations for the President’s scheduled appearances.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with Bob Hope, ensuring photographer Ollie Atkins captures images in both the Oval Office and the Rose Garden for a commemorative album. They also review the political fallout from a recent Democratic caucus vote on Vietnam, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of highlighting low attendance and partisan dynamics. To counter the narrative, they discuss leveraging Republican allies and staffer Charles Colson to amplify support for the position from loyal Democrats.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to facilitate the scheduling of an upcoming visit by entertainer Bob Hope. The primary objective of the meeting was to coordinate Hope's arrival and manage his interactions with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and Ronald L. Ziegler. Nixon emphasized the urgency of the logistics, specifically tasking Bull with capturing photographs of the guest before anticipated weather complications.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative logistics and personal scheduling matters. The discussion centered on the arrangements for Bob Hope’s upcoming meeting, including the necessity of capturing photographs before expected inclement weather. Additionally, the group reviewed the President’s travel itinerary to Camp David and confirmed plans regarding Bebe Rebozo’s arrival.
President Nixon met with entertainer Bob Hope, Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler, and photographer Ollie Atkins to discuss logistics for an upcoming photo session in the Rose Garden. The group coordinated the use of flags and specific lighting for the shots, while also briefly reflecting on Hope’s golf game and past encounters. Additionally, they touched upon potential comedic material regarding the President’s attendance at an American Society of Newspaper Editors reception, specifically mentioning pandas and columnist Jack Anderson.
President Nixon met with Bob Hope, Ronald Ziegler, and others to discuss the current military situation in Vietnam, specifically the North Vietnamese offensive and the American response. Nixon emphasized that the U.S. was committed to using overwhelming air and sea power to prevent a South Vietnamese collapse and to maintain international credibility, framing the conflict as a high-stakes geopolitical poker game with implications for the Middle East. The President expressed deep frustration with the American press, accusing journalists of defeatism and actively undermining the war effort by inciting troops and supporting the enemy.
Secret Service agents and an unidentified individual discuss media misrepresentation regarding a recent event involving Bob Hope. The speakers express frustration over a press report that falsely characterized a small number of hecklers as a negative reaction from a large audience of 15,000. This dialogue highlights the administration's concern over perceived journalistic bias and the distortion of public perception.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum for the file to summarize recent events and internal administrative considerations. He reviews a dinner involving John B. Connally, discusses the involvement of entertainers like Bob Hope in Vietnam, and touches upon military matters including drug use and dishonorable discharges. Additionally, the President briefly reflects on the activities of defense officials Melvin R. Laird and Thomas H. Moorer regarding the escalation of the Vietnam War.
H. R. Haldeman coordinates with Lawrence M. Higby to schedule a same-day meeting between President Nixon and Bob Hope at Camp David. Haldeman provides specific logistical instructions, directing that Hope be transported via a 3:15 p.m. helicopter and provided with private car service. The directive emphasizes the need for efficiency, explicitly instructing staff to ensure Hope does not have to wait for other visitors.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his upcoming schedule and travel arrangements. The discussion focused on logistics for a planned trip to Camp David with family members and staff, as well as the potential for a meeting with Bob Hope regarding a USO award. Additionally, the pair addressed administrative details concerning the President's upcoming birthday celebrations and inaugural preparations.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to entertainer Bob Hope. The brief exchange serves as a logistical coordination to facilitate communication between the President and the celebrity. No further policy or administrative matters are addressed during this brief connection.
President Nixon and entertainer Bob Hope engaged in a informal, wide-ranging conversation that covered television ratings for Hope's past Christmas specials and brief administrative tasks. The discussion included lighthearted banter regarding personal projects and media appearances, as well as a request for Hope to contact Leonard Grinde to facilitate a specific professional matter. The call concluded with the President acknowledging receipt of information and directing coordination through his staff.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to instruct Leonard Garment to contact entertainer Bob Hope. The call was initiated to facilitate the exchange of information that Hope wished to provide to the administration. The operator confirmed the directive and prepared to relay the request to Garment.
President Nixon dictated a letter of appreciation to entertainer Bob Hope following a private screening of Hope’s latest Christmas television special. The President praised the performance, specifically highlighting the contributions of Delores Hope and the program's positive impact on the morale of U.S. servicemen during conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Beyond this commendation, Nixon briefly touched upon his personal aspirations and goals for his second presidential term.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to place a telephone call to entertainer Bob Hope, who is located in California. This brief administrative interaction serves solely to facilitate communication between the President and the celebrity. No substantive policy discussions or political decisions occur during this brief exchange.
President Nixon held a phone call with Bob and Dolores Hope to discuss the emotional return of American prisoners of war (POWs) from Vietnam and the strategic necessity of the 1972 bombing campaign in securing their release. The President praised the heroism of the returning soldiers, emphasizing the importance of national unity and the administration’s commitment to "peace with honor." Additionally, Nixon consulted Hope regarding a future ceremony to present the Medal of Freedom to director John Ford and discussed coordinating schedules for upcoming social engagements in California.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review administrative items and prioritize pending tasks. The discussion included an update on a telephone communication involving entertainer Bob Hope. No significant policy decisions were made, and Bull was instructed to handle the remaining correspondence.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the final draft of a forthcoming presidential speech addressing crime and drug policy. The pair discussed the integration of contributions from John D. Ehrlichman and members of the Cabinet into the text. Additionally, they coordinated a potential telephone call and a subsequent meeting between the President and comedian Bob Hope.
President Nixon consulted with Henry Kissinger regarding the logistical requirements for comedian Bob Hope’s proposed visit to the People's Republic of China. Kissinger confirmed he had already received film footage from Hope and requested a formal letter detailing the specific objectives and materials associated with the entertainer's trip. This documentation was deemed necessary to finalize arrangements and maintain the positive rapport Kissinger had established with Chinese officials.