Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Clifford M. Hardin
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Hardin, Ehrlichman, Connally
President Nixon, assisted by John D. Ehrlichman and Alexander P. Butterfield, initiated a telephone call to Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin. The primary purpose of the contact was to facilitate direct communication with the Secretary. No further substantive policy discussions were captured in this brief exchange.
President Nixon calls Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin to announce his decision to support the Agricultural Extension Service, effectively overruling the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) staff and siding with the Secretary. Nixon emphasizes the political importance of the service to the American farm community and instructs Hardin to communicate this victory to the department. Additionally, the President speaks with Claude W. Gifford of the Farm Journal to personally encourage him to accept an appointment within the administration.
President Nixon and General George A. Lincoln discuss the federal response to a severe drought in Texas, weighing the implications of a full disaster declaration versus narrower agricultural relief. Nixon expresses concern that a full declaration would trigger unmanageable unemployment claims and complicate the status of migratory workers. Ultimately, Nixon directs Lincoln to have Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin coordinate with Senator John Tower, prioritizing a swift, politically advantageous release of aid information.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury John B. Connally coordinated a forthcoming telephone call to General George A. Lincoln. The discussion focused on establishing clear instructions for Lincoln regarding an unspecified matter, with the President ensuring Connally understood the necessary briefing points. The primary objective was to align their positions before initiating the conversation with the General.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John Connally coordinated a briefing for a delegation including Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin, General George Lincoln, and Peter Flanigan regarding a scheduled federal response to the Texas drought. The President directed Connally to meet with these officials to review their itinerary and logistical maps before their departure. Furthermore, Nixon advised Connally to remain in Washington rather than join the trip to avoid unfavorable political optics.
President Nixon consulted with General James D. Hughes to arrange a larger aircraft for an upcoming trip to Texas, specifically for Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin and his delegation. Hughes confirmed that they would utilize the backup aircraft, designated '970,' which shares the same presidential paint scheme and capacity as Air Force One. Nixon authorized this change to accommodate an expanded party of approximately 60 people.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin. This brief interaction served exclusively as a logistical step to connect the President with a member of his cabinet. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon received a brief communication relayed by the White House operator regarding a call from Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin. The interaction served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with a cabinet official. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin. The interaction served as a logistical bridge to initiate official communication between the President and the Secretary. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief request for assistance.
President Nixon and Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin discussed Hardin’s potential resignation and transition to a private sector role at Ralston Purina. Nixon encouraged Hardin to make his career move before the 1972 election to ensure a smooth transition for his successor and to secure his personal financial future. The two also addressed current administration economic initiatives, farm policy, and the recent Attica state prison riots, with Nixon expressing support for Governor Nelson Rockefeller's handling of the crisis.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to coordinate the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative engagements. The discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for meetings with John D. Ehrlichman and Clifford M. Hardin. Additionally, Bull briefed the President on an upcoming session with John Rawlings to review logistics for impending official discussions.
President Nixon met with William Ruckelshaus, John Ehrlichman, John Whitaker, and later Clifford Hardin to discuss administrative personnel changes and pending agricultural policies. The group focused heavily on managing the timing of Secretary of Agriculture Hardin’s resignation and selecting a successor while avoiding political fallout from various farm interest groups. Additionally, Nixon directed his staff to resolve labor disputes and facilitate a grain sale to the Soviet Union, prioritizing the deal's completion despite resistance from unions.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate the final arrangements for the appointment of Earl L. Butz to replace Clifford M. Hardin as Secretary of Agriculture. They discuss scheduling a meeting between John Mitchell and Butz, as well as the timing for the public announcement and the President's personal involvement in the rollout. Additionally, the pair briefly reviews positive reactions to the President's recent fundraising speeches and outlines the protocol for his upcoming Veterans Day ceremony.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman discussed the strategic framing of personnel changes within the Department of Agriculture, specifically regarding the transition from Secretary Clifford M. Hardin to Earl L. Butz. They reviewed potential government reorganization plans, focusing on the placement of the Coast Guard and concerns regarding Secretary John A. Volpe’s management. Additionally, the President briefly evaluated his public relations strategy, weighing the benefits of potential interviews with various media outlets, including Reader’s Digest and Playboy.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the internal strategy for reorganizing the Department of Agriculture, emphasizing the need to secure support from Roy Ash and the Ash Council. Nixon instructs Ehrlichman to coordinate with Charls Walker to ensure the reorganization plan is presented as a necessary concession to achieve broader community development goals. They also agree to balance the public framing of the decision by providing credit to both Earl Butz and Clifford Hardin.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler reviewed recent press coverage, focusing on the resignation of Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin and the appointment of his successor, Earl L. Butz. They discussed strategies to deflect media scrutiny regarding the administration's investigation of reporter Daniel Schorr, reaffirming their commitment to correcting inaccurate press reports. Finally, they prepared for an upcoming press conference, anticipating questions on foreign policy, Phase II economic plans, and China relations.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place holiday calls to two former Postmasters General, Winton M. Blount and Arthur E. Summerfield, at their respective homes in Alabama and Michigan. During the exchange, the operator noted difficulty reaching Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin. Nixon dismissed the need to continue pursuing the call to Hardin, effectively closing that specific task.
President Nixon and former Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin engaged in a personal exchange to finalize a letter of appreciation regarding Hardin’s tenure. The conversation reflected on the challenging economic climate of 1969–1970 and Hardin’s contributions to the administration’s success in the Farm Belt during the 1972 election. Nixon concluded the interaction by formally expressing his gratitude for Hardin’s dedicated service and extending well wishes to the Hardin family.
President Nixon met with former Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin to discuss the formal conclusion of his tenure. During the session, the President reviewed a dictated letter addressed to Hardin, highlighting his appreciation for the outgoing official's service. No major policy shifts or strategic decisions were recorded, as the meeting functioned primarily as a professional transition acknowledgement.