Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on CBS
22 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Colson, Rather, Haldeman
President Nixon checked on Representative William M. Colmer’s recovery following a recent surgery and discussed plans for a future lunch meeting during the upcoming Easter recess. The two men also briefly touched upon the President’s travel schedule to California and Nixon’s support for F. Edward Hébert in his public opposition to a CBS news story. The conversation concluded with Colmer reaffirming his commitment to supporting the President's legislative agenda and the military.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to discuss preparations for his upcoming televised address regarding the situation in Southeast Asia. The conversation specifically addressed the involvement of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in the broadcast. Following the brief exchange, the unidentified party departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss media strategy and public relations efforts in the face of ongoing political criticism. The conversation touched upon the necessity of maintaining a firm public stance and managing information provided to major news outlets like CBS. Nixon emphasized the importance of utilizing presidential authority to influence public perception and underscored the need for continued, persistent communication to counteract opposing political narratives.
President Nixon utilized this session to dictate correspondence to Leonard H. Goldenson of ABC and William S. Paley of CBS regarding recent wedding coverage. The letters specifically highlighted the roles of Charles W. Colson and White House staff, while also touching upon the New York Times. These communications served as a formal acknowledgment of the network executives' cooperation with the administration.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategies to manage media coverage, specifically focusing on cultivating more favorable reporting from CBS regarding the administration's economic and policy successes. They reviewed the political benefits of the recent People's Republic of China initiative, which they agreed served as a valuable tool for boosting support among youth and improving the administration's overall image. Additionally, they touched on ongoing political operations, including the strategic use of Pentagon Papers-related information against Democratic candidates and the importance of John B. Connally’s role in managing labor relations.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss recent favorable media coverage regarding Vietnam casualty figures and the success of Colson’s efforts to pressure CBS executive Frank Stanton into providing more balanced reporting. The two also analyze recent polling data, expressing skepticism toward George Gallup while planning to utilize Donald Rumsfeld to influence poll results regarding the President's upcoming initiative with the People's Republic of China. Ultimately, they agree that shifting media narratives is crucial to overcoming negative public sentiment surrounding the national economy.
Staff members or guests discussed the technical installation and operation of a new multi-screen television console located in the Cabinet Room. The participants evaluated the equipment's functionality, including the ability to toggle between various network broadcasts and adjust audio controls. The conversation also briefly touched upon recent television coverage by CBS and NBC regarding agricultural issues in Illinois and environmental programming.
President Nixon and Nellie Connally discussed the positive public and media reception following a recent press conference held by Treasury Secretary John Connally, specifically noting praise from CBS executive Frank Stanton. The President outlined his upcoming travel itinerary, which included stops in New York, Illinois, Dallas, and California. Additionally, Mrs. Connally urged the President to ensure her husband received necessary rest due to exhaustion, while also expressing her personal support for the President’s leadership.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to bolster public support for the administration's economic program, specifically focusing on influencing media coverage and managing labor union relations. They express satisfaction with positive Harris poll results and coordinate efforts to marginalize Democratic rival Edmund Muskie. Additionally, they plan to aggressively promote Edith Efron’s book as a way to critique CBS media bias, prioritizing this effort as a significant political goal.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum regarding the filming of a CBS Christmas special featuring his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The President notes technical challenges and humorous incidents involving the family dogs during the production process. He expresses his appreciation for the production crew's assistance in managing these disruptions and navigating the filming requirements.
President Nixon consulted with Alvin Snyder regarding logistics for a CBS Christmas television special. The discussion focused on coordinating the President’s arrival time to ensure he could receive makeup application before filming began. Nixon ultimately decided to head to the location in five minutes to begin his segment of the production.
President Nixon held a brief, informal New Year's Eve telephone exchange with Elmer H. and Dodo Bobst. Nixon explained that he was working late in his office to prepare for an upcoming interview. The conversation concluded with casual well-wishes and a brief exchange regarding contact information for CBS journalist Mike Wallace.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to request a telephone connection with CBS journalist Mike Wallace. He instructed the operator to obtain the necessary contact information from CBS to facilitate the call. No further substantive matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator obtain a contact number for an unnamed individual at CBS. The brief interaction focused on facilitating communication with the news network for an unspecified purpose. No further substantive details regarding the identity of the contact or the nature of the inquiry were recorded during the exchange.
President Nixon met with CBS staff, including Dan Rather, to prepare for and record a televised interview in the Oval Office. The conversation encompassed technical production logistics, such as lighting and makeup, followed by a formal interview addressing key administration priorities including the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, the Vietnam War, and potential re-election plans. Nixon utilized the session to articulate his foreign policy objectives and domestic stance on issues such as economic controls, amnesty, and the role of women in politics.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate a telephone call to Frank Stanton, the president of Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). This interaction served as a logistical step to initiate direct communication between the President and the broadcasting executive. No further policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon called CBS President Frank Stanton to offer formal commendation for the professionalism of the technical crews who produced recent broadcasts, specifically citing Julie Nixon Eisenhower's Christmas special, Dan Rather's interview, and his own January 25, 1972, Vietnam address. Stanton reciprocated by sharing positive viewership ratings for the President's recent speech and noting the high public engagement. The conversation concluded with Nixon requesting that Stanton document his praise in the employees' personnel files and convey his appreciation to CBS Chairman William S. Paley.
President Nixon consulted with Patricia A. Gleason regarding the whereabouts of journalist Dan Rather. The brief exchange focused on locating Rather, presumably to track his presence at the CBS press room. The conversation concluded with no further policy decisions or significant developments recorded.
President Nixon initiated this brief telephone call with CBS correspondent Dan Rather to express his appreciation for the network's broadcast coverage of Tricia Nixon Cox's wedding. The conversation touched upon the President's personal schedule, specifically his activities aboard the presidential yacht, the Sequoia. The exchange served primarily as a professional courtesy between the President and the media figure.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed their intense dissatisfaction with a recent, aggressive press interview of First Lady Pat Nixon, which the President characterized as an unfair 'inquisition.' Consequently, Nixon ordered the immediate cancellation of a planned interview between National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and CBS correspondent Marvin Kalb, vowing to shift future media opportunities to other networks to punish CBS. The two also coordinated the President’s potential attendance at an upcoming Olympic team reception at the White House while reviewing security concerns regarding the event.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss a hostile interview conducted by a reporter with Pat Nixon, expressing significant anger over the nature of the questions. Incensed by the perceived bias and personal attacks, the President orders Haldeman to instruct Ron Ziegler to cancel an upcoming CBS appearance by the reporter. Nixon further expresses his intent to retaliate against CBS by restricting their access in favor of other networks.
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.