Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Congressional leadership
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Butterfield
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of upcoming meetings with congressional leadership. The discussion focused on logistical planning to ensure the President could consult with these key figures in the immediate future. No major policy decisions were made during this brief session, which served primarily to facilitate the President's administrative calendar.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the logistical arrangements for upcoming meetings with John B. Connally, Rudolph A. Peterson, and Congressional leadership. The pair focused on the spatial organization of the Oval Office, specifically discussing the optimal seating placement for the Congressional leaders. They ultimately decided to move the leadership seating to the left bench to better accommodate the group.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Kenneth BeLieu coordinated the urgent assembly of a bipartisan congressional leadership meeting. The participants finalized a list of key legislators from the Senate and House, specifically focusing on members of the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Banking and Currency committees. BeLieu was tasked with contacting the members immediately to arrange the meeting and providing government transportation to facilitate the arrival of lawmakers currently out of town.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the logistics and scheduling for an upcoming interview involving Judge Boldt and other administration officials. The discussion focused on the coordination of a filmed session in the Cabinet Room and the subsequent meeting with Congressional leaders. Bull confirmed that the briefing materials for the 2:30 p.m. training session would be prepared and ready on the President’s desk upon his return.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to finalize the agenda for an upcoming session with congressional leadership. The discussion focused on a resolution introduced by Representative Leslie C. Arends, which the President formally reviewed and approved for the meeting. The brief exchange ensured that the administration’s legislative strategy remained aligned with key congressional allies.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed communication strategies and talking points for the President’s upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, specifically focusing on the tone for addressing Zhou En-lai and handling press inquiries during a planned stop in Hawaii. The pair also coordinated logistical and thematic plans for an upcoming meeting with Congressional leadership, including the potential role of Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for managing the PRC's complex concerns regarding the Soviet Union and the Vietnam conflict.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical details for an upcoming meeting with Republican Congressional leadership. They discussed the agenda, which included pending legislation on welfare reform, revenue sharing, and busing, as well as the tone of Herbert Stein’s forthcoming economic presentation to the Pay Board. The discussion focused on managing the meeting's duration and ensuring the President was briefed on key policy objectives.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons discuss the personal behavior and political standing of House Speaker Carl Albert, expressing concern over his recent public conduct and potential impact on his leadership. The conversation centers on the risks posed by Albert's perceived decline and explores potential ways to handle the situation, including a discreet telephone outreach to address these issues. Nixon ultimately tasks Timmons with coordinating a strategy, potentially involving consultation with others close to the Speaker, to address the vulnerability surrounding Albert's position.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler consulted regarding potential media inquiries following a recent phone call between the President and congressional leaders Mike Mansfield and Margaret Chase Smith. They clarified the nature of the conversation to ensure that laughter overheard by the press would not be misinterpreted or attributed to political leaks regarding China. Additionally, Ziegler provided a brief update on the positive reception of Secretary of State William P. Rogers' recent trade agreement statement and current television news coverage.
President Nixon and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield discuss establishing a more collaborative, bipartisan approach to legislative affairs for the upcoming congressional term. Nixon expresses a desire to move beyond strictly partisan leadership meetings, proposing instead a regular, small-group format with top congressional leaders to address complex issues such as the energy crisis. The two agree to meet after the first of the year to further develop this framework, maintaining confidentiality to avoid political friction within their respective parties.
President Nixon held a brief, informal call with newly elected Democratic majority leader Tip O'Neill and Representative Gerald Ford to congratulate O'Neill on his new role. The conversation served to coordinate the congressional schedule, specifically confirming upcoming bipartisan breakfast meetings and attendance at both Hale Boggs' funeral and Harry S. Truman's memorial service. Additionally, the President clarified his intent to deliver the State of the Union as a written message rather than a formal address to Congress, citing the proximity to his second inaugural address.
President Nixon met with House Majority Leader Tip O'Neill and House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to foster rapport and discuss upcoming legislative agenda items. The President informed the congressional leaders of his decision to prioritize his inaugural address over a traditional State of the Union address to avoid redundant messaging. Nixon extended an invitation to both men for a follow-up breakfast meeting to further coordinate on the administration's legislative priorities.
President Nixon telephoned Representative John J. McFall to offer congratulations on his selection as House Democratic Whip. The conversation served primarily as a professional courtesy, briefly bridging the two men's shared California backgrounds and humble upbringings in agriculture. Nixon concluded the brief exchange by expressing interest in meeting McFall again during a future congressional leadership session.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate scheduling for upcoming meetings with Congressional leadership regarding the 1973 budget and legislative initiatives. The discussion focused on finalizing the timing for bipartisan briefings and clarifying the involvement of Roy L. Ash and William E. Timmons. Nixon emphasized the need for caution and political strategy in handling these sensitive materials to ensure the information remained secure.
President Nixon and Donald Rumsfeld met to discuss U.S. foreign policy challenges, particularly the strain on NATO and European allies' criticism of American actions in Vietnam and recent diplomatic overtures to the Soviet Union and China. The President expressed frustration with the lack of European self-sufficiency and the necessity of convincing allies that the U.S. is indispensable to their security. Following this, the conversation shifted to domestic politics, with Nixon offering his support for Rumsfeld’s potential Senate candidacy and criticizing the perceived weakness and lack of leadership in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez and Stephen B. Bull to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming dinner with Golda Meir, specifically focusing on seating charts and table shapes. Following these preparations, Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding the scheduling and strategy for a forthcoming congressional leadership meeting. The discussion emphasized the need to engage effectively with Republican leaders, including Hugh Scott and Gerald Ford, to maintain bipartisan support and manage legislative objectives.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual, likely a staff member or aide, to review his daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating upcoming engagements, specifically clarifying the timing of a meeting with H. R. Haldeman and the scheduling of a briefing with bipartisan Congressional leadership. The President finalized these arrangements by confirming the absence of any scheduled photographic opportunities.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the logistics and attendee list for an upcoming bipartisan Congressional leadership meeting, emphasizing the need for a small, focused group rather than a large gathering. They specifically discussed the inclusion of key lawmakers, such as Senators Javits, Ribicoff, and Jackson, to address foreign relations and legislative strategy. Additionally, the President reviewed his broader schedule, including plans for a brief meeting with Jewish leaders and coordination regarding John Ehrlichman's activities.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office to coordinate the logistics and schedule for an upcoming bipartisan congressional leadership meeting. They reviewed the guest list, which included notable figures such as John B. Connally, Elliot L. Richardson, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The discussion centered on finalizing the administration of the meeting, including confirming attendee lists and relevant legislative contacts.