Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Campaign Strategy
132 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Bull
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to coordinate campaign strategy and counter negative press regarding corruption allegations ahead of the 1972 election. The participants discussed the distribution of a "white paper" to editors and broadcasters to defend the administration's record and address criticisms concerning the U.S.-Soviet wheat deal and other controversies. Additionally, Nixon emphasized his hardline stance against amnesty for draft evaders and reiterated the importance of maintaining an accurate public record of his campaign's activities.
President Nixon met with his senior staff, including H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler, to discuss the ongoing negotiations for a Vietnam peace settlement, emphasizing the necessity of a durable agreement that avoids the pitfalls of previous accords. The discussion also covered campaign strategy, including the management of candidate endorsements and media relations, as well as the political fallout from the Watergate scandal. Additionally, the President reviewed his upcoming schedule, which included meetings with Nelson Rockefeller and security concerns regarding a planned trip to Chicago.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed logistics for upcoming presidential travel, focusing on campaign appearances at O'Hare International Airport and potential trips to Oklahoma and North Carolina. They weighed the strategic benefits of specific crowd locations and decided to finalize and announce the Illinois schedule immediately while keeping other travel plans tentative. The discussion also included a brief interlude involving Stephen B. Bull regarding a signing ceremony for the 1973 Appropriations Act.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss campaign strategy and public relations efforts leading up to the 1972 election, specifically focusing on the influence of Vietnam peace negotiations on voter sentiment. The two evaluated recent polling data, including insights from Albert Sindlinger and George Gallup, while coordinating messaging for the President's upcoming national address. Additionally, they reviewed antagonistic media coverage from the Washington Post and strategized how to handle persistent political attacks regarding the Watergate scandal and campaign corruption.
President Nixon and Raymond K. Price, Jr. discussed the communication strategy for the final stretch of the 1972 presidential campaign, specifically evaluating the effectiveness of public rallies versus radio addresses. The President expressed frustration with disruptive hecklers and emphasized the need for controlled, broadcast-based messaging to reach a broader audience. A primary focus was finalizing a major speech titled 'Look to the Future,' where Nixon refined his rhetoric on 'peace with honor' regarding Vietnam, underscoring his refusal to be rushed into a settlement agreement by election-year deadlines.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and Charles Colson to coordinate strategy for his 'Look to the Future' radio address and manage the final stretch of the 1972 presidential campaign. Discussions centered on Vietnam negotiations, with the President emphasizing the need to avoid a rushed settlement for political gain, and on countering George McGovern through aggressive messaging on social issues like busing and welfare. The group reviewed campaign tactics, including analyzing public sentiment in response to violent demonstrators in Boston and utilizing radio to maintain electoral pressure.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate final logistical and strategic planning for the closing stages of the 1972 presidential campaign. The discussion focused on scheduling upcoming travel and campaign appearances in states like North Carolina and New Mexico, while also addressing technical preparations and staging requirements for a televised address. The two also assessed media coverage and public opinion polls to refine their messaging in the final days before the election.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss campaign strategy and the political climate just days before the 1972 presidential election. The discussion focused on recent public demonstrations in Boston, the perceived shift in support among blue-collar voters, and the electoral outlook in Massachusetts. The pair assessed the influence of figures like Ted Kennedy and George McGovern while evaluating key campaign issues, including the economy and voter motivation, to ensure a decisive victory.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize for the final days of the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on the use of radio addresses to communicate directly with the public while avoiding the hostility of traditional campaign rallies. They discussed the administration's platform, including domestic policy issues and racial topics, and coordinated the development of a series of speeches. A significant portion of the conversation centered on managing the ongoing Watergate scandal, with Nixon and Ehrlichman exploring the potential for a White House-led internal investigation to control the narrative and minimize political damage following the election.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss campaign strategy in the final days before the 1972 election, focusing on the political benefits of recent confrontations between campaign hecklers and supporters. They agree that these incidents, along with their narrative surrounding Vietnam peace negotiations, are damaging Senator George McGovern's momentum and public image. Additionally, they discuss utilizing favorable economic data regarding wholesale prices and framing the election as a vital vote of confidence for the President's diplomatic efforts with the Soviet Union and China.
President Nixon consulted with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate adjustments to his daily schedule and upcoming obligations. The two finalized plans for a 5:00 PM campaign taping session, with the President explicitly requesting that stand-ins be used for technical preparations until his arrival. Additionally, they rescheduled an appointment with Dr. W. Kenneth Riland for 5:30 PM and confirmed a haircut for the President at 12:30 PM.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss campaign strategy in the final days before the 1972 election, focusing on counter-attacking George McGovern's campaign. They reviewed media coverage of political demonstrations and agreed on the necessity of portraying the McGovern camp as being behind the chaotic protests and "dirty" campaign tactics. Nixon instructed his staff to aggressively utilize surrogates and negative advertisements to highlight issues like welfare and taxes while framing the opposition as desperate and failing. The discussion also included plans for the President's upcoming speeches and strategies for managing voter concerns regarding the Vietnam War.
President Nixon called Thomas A. Pappas to express gratitude for his successful organization of a recent campaign rally and dinner in Boston. The two discussed the positive feedback from First Lady Pat Nixon regarding the event's success despite the presence of disruptive protesters. Both men agreed that the unruly behavior of the demonstrators ultimately benefited the campaign's image as they looked toward the final days of the 1972 election.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate final logistics for the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on radio addresses, polling strategies, and scheduling for upcoming candidate support calls. The discussion covered concerns regarding campaign disruptions, such as heckling at events, and the ongoing fallout from the Watergate investigation, including the roles of John Mitchell and Donald Segretti. Additionally, the President and his staff discussed the rollout of national health insurance policy and their desire to maintain a distance from certain political candidates while managing public perceptions through television and media engagement.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the logistics of candidate-related telephone calls and the distribution of the President’s campaign speeches. Nixon requested that specific recipients be prioritized for direct outreach while delegating others to a general list for supplementary contact. Additionally, the pair briefly reviewed Haldeman’s daily schedule and upcoming meetings.
President Nixon consulted with Senator Clifford P. Case regarding the status of ongoing peace negotiations and the complexities involved in finalizing an agreement. The President addressed lingering challenges related to prisoners of war and ceasefire terms while expressing a desire for continued cooperation with the Senator. Additionally, Nixon requested that Case help manage public expectations and political messaging regarding the President’s campaign travel schedule, specifically mentioning a competitive race in Oklahoma.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the final stages of the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing on the President's positive momentum, strong polling data, and the apparent disintegration of George McGovern's campaign. The two men review the political landscape in key states like Michigan and Massachusetts, evaluate recent campaign rhetoric regarding Vietnam, and finalize a decision to cancel Vice President Agnew's appearance on CBS to avoid crossing a picket line. They also note the significance of rising stock market figures as a reflection of public confidence in the President's reelection.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate final 1972 campaign strategies and manage the administration's response to a recent speech by George McGovern. They evaluated the effectiveness of McGovern’s public presentation and discussed the involvement of key aides, including Charles Colson, in shaping the campaign's messaging. Additionally, the pair reviewed upcoming scheduling requirements, specifically regarding calls involving New Jersey political figures like William T. Cahill and Clifford P. Case.
President Nixon and his senior staff, H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, coordinated campaign messaging in the final days before the 1972 election. Much of the discussion focused on refuting George McGovern’s criticisms regarding Vietnam, specifically emphasizing the administration's stance that they had achieved a breakthrough toward "peace with honor" while clarifying that remaining "central points" were merely details requiring resolution. To reinforce these themes, Nixon made a series of telephone calls to various Republican candidates across the country to offer his endorsement, boost morale, and provide talking points for their final campaign appearances.
President Nixon held a brief campaign-focused telephone call with Senator J. Caleb Boggs and Congressman Pierre S. DuPont shortly before the 1972 election. Nixon expressed his support for their respective candidacies in Delaware, highlighting his appreciation for their past cooperation and his affinity for the state. The participants discussed the final stages of the campaign, and Nixon briefly outlined his own upcoming travel schedule to North Carolina, New Mexico, and California.
President Nixon initiated this call to Georgia Congressman S. Fletcher Thompson to express his support for Thompson's candidacy during the final days of the 1972 election cycle. The two discussed their shared political platform, specifically emphasizing peace with honor, national strength, and the enforcement of law and order. Nixon encouraged Thompson to continue his campaign efforts in Georgia, expressing optimism that the "Thompson-Nixon" ticket would succeed in the upcoming vote.
President Nixon called Wisconsin campaign chairman John K. MacIver to express his appreciation for the local organization's efforts and to encourage a strong voter turnout in the final days of the 1972 election. The two discussed campaign themes, including the President's commitment to peace with honor, economic prosperity, and national strength. They also assessed the outlook for competitive House of Representatives seats in Wisconsin, with MacIver reporting that increased volunteer mobilization had improved their standing.
President Nixon held a campaign encouragement call with South Dakota congressional candidate Robert Hirsch just days before the 1972 election. Nixon expressed his strong support for Hirsch’s candidacy, emphasizing their shared ideological alignment on peace, national strength, and economic prosperity. The discussion also addressed broader electoral prospects in South Dakota, including the potential success of other Republican candidates and the First Lady’s ancestral ties to the state.
President Nixon called Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. to convey his well-wishes for the upcoming 1972 election and to outline campaign talking points regarding his administration's pursuit of "peace with honor" in Vietnam. Nixon emphasized the progress made on cease-fire negotiations and the return of prisoners of war, while dismissing opposition claims of a political hoax. The President also requested that Baker personally contact various House candidates on his behalf to demonstrate his support.
President Nixon held a series of phone conversations with political allies including Robert Dole, William Mills, Gordon Allott, and James McKevitt on November 4, 1972. The calls served to build momentum and express appreciation for campaign support from key constituencies and regional leaders as the general election approached. Nixon discussed localized campaign strategies, the importance of maintaining unity within the party, and securing support from diverse groups, including the black community. The discussions also touched on logistical concerns regarding campaign messaging and the management of sensitive political relationships.
President Nixon called Senator Robert Dole while the latter was in Kansas to offer campaign support and well wishes to Republican candidates Morris Kay and Chuck McAtee. The discussion focused on bolstering the GOP ticket in Kansas, specifically emphasizing the importance of securing a win for the gubernatorial race. Nixon expressed his appreciation for Dole's national campaigning efforts and agreed to reach out to former Governor Alf Landon as a gesture of party unity.
President Nixon spoke with Senator Gordon Allott and Congressman James D. “Mike” McKevitt to offer encouragement regarding their respective reelection campaigns and to express appreciation for the Colorado delegation’s support. The conversation focused on the status of various competitive congressional and Senate races across the country, as well as the President’s campaign travel schedule. Nixon also emphasized his commitment to achieving “peace with honor” in the Vietnam War negotiations, ensuring that any final agreement would be more robust than previous diplomatic settlements.
President Nixon called Montana Senate candidate Henry Hibbard to offer his personal encouragement during the final days of a difficult election campaign. Nixon emphasized his alignment with Hibbard on the issues of achieving 'peace with honor' in Vietnam and maintaining national strength. While discussing the state's patriotic electorate, the President explained that he could not personally visit Montana due to the political complications involved in traveling to neighboring states like South Dakota. Nixon tasked Hibbard with conveying the President's full support to the local press.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the administrative reorganization for the President’s second term, focusing on key cabinet appointments, ambassadorships, and the removal of certain personnel. They discussed strategies for managing political loyalists, including the potential reassignment of H. R. Haldeman and other staff, while addressing the optics of these shifts. Furthermore, they deliberated on managing the Watergate fallout, specifically regarding the handling of sensitive staff departures and the strategic messaging required to insulate the White House from ongoing investigations.
President Nixon met with David R. Young, Jr., George H. W. Bush, William E. Timmons, Thomas C. Korologos, Stephen B. Bull, and Senator Ted Stevens to discuss the upcoming Alaskan congressional election and potential candidacy options. The group reviewed campaign strategies, including the use of aviation for outreach and the political landscape regarding taxes, prices, and the Office of Economic Opportunity. The session also served as an opportunity for official photography and brief coordination on legislative matters involving Senator Stevens.
President Nixon met with Representative Don Young, Jack Coghill, and Richard Cook to discuss Alaska politics, the 1972 election, and legislative priorities. They reviewed campaign strategies—specifically the effective use of anti-bureaucracy messaging and counter-attacks against political opponents—and discussed the critical need for the Alaska pipeline. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong rapport between the White House and the Alaska congressional delegation to advance administration goals.
President Nixon, David Eisenhower, and Representative Samuel L. Devine met to discuss strategy regarding Eisenhower’s potential run for Congress. The group analyzed campaign logistics, including managing residency requirements and balancing potential political exposure through the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee versus a staff position. Nixon advised Eisenhower to move deliberately, maintain a low profile in the district initially, and focus on developing his knowledge through political research to build his credentials for a future candidacy.