Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Constitutional Amendment
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ehrlichman, White House photographer, Ziegler
When Constitutional Amendment comes up
Related topics: BusingSchool DesegregationLegislative strategyEducation policySpeechwritingRepublican PartyRepublican National ConventionPublic opinionPolitical strategyLegislationITT caseWhite House personnelSupreme CourtRonald L. Ziegler
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed political strategies regarding school busing, specifically focusing on how to manage Southern congressional chairmen. Ehrlichman planned to coordinate with Harry Dent to ensure these chairmen were briefed on the administration's intention to pursue a constitutional amendment to limit busing. The discussion aimed to leverage these legislative maneuvers for partisan advantage while maintaining control over the administration's public stance on the issue.
President Nixon consulted with John Ehrlichman to clarify the administration's official stance regarding a proposed amendment on prayer in schools. The two men discussed the nuances of supporting voluntary prayer initiatives as part of their legislative agenda. Ehrlichman remained non-committal about the political viability or certainty of the administration's position during the exchange.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the growing political pressure to address federal busing mandates, noting that the issue has become a significant concern in states like Michigan and Tennessee. They deliberate on potential legislative responses, including the possibility of a constitutional amendment versus other policy interventions during upcoming House debates on school aid. The conversation concludes with a directive for Ehrlichman to continue coordinating with John Mitchell to finalize a strategy by the end of the week.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed political strategies regarding the issue of school busing, evaluating the potential for a constitutional amendment to leverage political advantage against rivals like Edward Kennedy, Edmund Muskie, and Henry Jackson. Nixon emphasized the importance of aligning with the powerful education lobby and explored linking busing to broader education policies, including aid to parochial schools. The pair aimed to capitalize on the busing controversy as a significant electoral issue by appealing to specific interest groups.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed administrative strategy regarding the West Coast dock strike, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against Harry Bridges to avoid public relations issues. The President also requested an options paper by early the following week concerning federal policy on school busing, specifically seeking legislative or constitutional alternatives to pending court decisions. Nixon underscored his desire to clarify his position on the busing issue for the upcoming State of the Union address, directing Ehrlichman to ensure the message was drafted and ready for review.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and various guests to preside over the presentation of the Encyclopedia Judaica, which included discussions on U.S.-Israeli relations and the significance of Jewish heritage. Following the ceremony, Nixon and Ehrlichman transitioned into a private strategy session regarding domestic policy, specifically addressing the administration's stance on busing, the potential for a constitutional amendment, and the political implications of housing integration. They also evaluated ongoing projects, including the Bicentennial park proposal and the political viability of implementing a Value Added Tax (VAT) in an election year.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administration's political strategy regarding court-ordered busing and to manage the fallout from a potentially damaging news exposé involving the President's brother, Donald Nixon. Ehrlichman advised that the President should meet with key Republican sponsors of anti-busing legislation to signal interest without formally committing to a constitutional amendment before his trip to China. Simultaneously, they addressed the imminent release of a Jack Anderson column detailing Donald Nixon's questionable business dealings and ties to controversial figures, ultimately deciding that the President must distance himself from his brother's activities and work with John Mitchell to secure Donald's exit from his current business commitments.
President Nixon met with a bipartisan group of legislators and administration officials to discuss a coordinated strategy to address public opposition to forced busing for school desegregation. The participants evaluated various legal and legislative remedies, including executive intervention in pending court cases, the passage of restrictive legislation, and the potential adoption of a constitutional amendment. The meeting concluded without a final decision, as the President tasked his staff and advisors with synthesizing these diverse perspectives into a unified, formal policy proposal for the administration.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman to coordinate administration messaging on several contentious issues, particularly busing and the economy. They discussed developing a clear, unambiguous policy statement and potential constitutional amendment regarding school busing to gain political advantage ahead of the Florida primary. Additionally, Nixon directed Ehrlichman to manage and align key officials, including John Connally, George Shultz, and Donald Rumsfeld, to ensure consistent economic policy and address personnel concerns within the Department of Justice.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield consult on administrative scheduling and personnel matters, specifically addressing potential judicial appointments and the political optics of the Supreme Court. Nixon expresses deep concern regarding the predictability of his own appointees and contemplates the necessity of a constitutional amendment to override potential judicial opposition. The discussion underscores the President's anxieties about maintaining control over the judiciary's direction and his desire to avoid the political liability of a partisan-branded court.
President Nixon met with H. Allen Smith, Clark MacGregor, and William E. Timmons to strategize on legislative priorities and congressional scheduling ahead of the upcoming national conventions. The participants discussed the feasibility of a constitutional amendment regarding school busing and coordinated efforts to finalize key appropriations bills before the Republican National Convention. Nixon emphasized the need for a small group of senior leaders to reach a consensus on legislative tactics to maximize efficiency during the tight three-to-four-month window before the party conventions.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman reviewed and edited a draft speech concerning school busing and education policy. The President emphasized shifting the speech's structure to lead with clear objectives, adopting a more aggressive tone regarding judicial confusion, and highlighting the administration's record on racial equality over legalistic rhetoric. The conversation concluded with a decision to finalize the draft by the end of the week, with Nixon insisting on maintaining political control over the policy direction despite input from lawyers and staff.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinate the drafting of a presidential address on busing, emphasizing the need for a distinct, declaratory tone that appeals to the political center and right. Nixon mandates that the speech be kept under strict control to exclude input from Leonard Garment and Raymond Price until he has finalized his own vision. The President stresses the importance of crafting a message that preempts criticism from political rivals like George Wallace and Henry Jackson, while maintaining a stance on constitutional moratoriums.
President Nixon provided detailed guidance to William Safire regarding a speech on busing, emphasizing a 10-minute length and a tilt towards the majority view against mandatory busing. Nixon stressed the need for simple, impactful language understandable to a television audience, using vivid examples of children facing long bus rides past neighborhood schools. He directed Safire to focus on the detrimental effects on education and well-being, while acknowledging the need to avoid turning back desegregation and to present a balanced message to Congress the following day. Key action items included drafting the speech with these points, with Nixon to review a draft by 9:30 am the next morning, and strict instructions to keep the draft confidential.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed the strategy for releasing a speech on busing, agreeing to let the speech itself carry the message rather than pre-empting it with wire leads. They reviewed the delivery and lighting of the speech, and anticipated press reaction, with the goal of shifting attention away from the ITT scandal. Ziegler also noted that reporters were pushing for morning press conferences.
President Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman discussed the delivery and reception of Nixon's recent speech on busing. They reviewed reactions from various politicians and media figures, noting that while some criticized specific aspects or desired stronger stances on constitutional amendments, the overall response was positive, with many praising the speech's clarity and focus on improving educational quality. Nixon instructed Haldeman to encourage supporters to contact their congressmen.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the strategy for a forthcoming speech on busing, emphasizing the President's opposition to busing and his support for a legislative moratorium as the immediate solution, while keeping the option of a constitutional amendment open. They also discussed the speech's delivery, the importance of generating mail to Congress, and the need to stir up support through telegrams, with Ehrlichman tasked to contact Charles Colson. The conversation touched on the speech's emotional element, positive reactions from Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower, and good responses from black administration staff.
President Nixon and Robert Finch discussed the positive West Coast reaction to Nixon's speech on busing, with Finch detailing his upcoming press conferences and the strategy to emphasize the legislative and constitutional amendment routes. They also touched upon the negative press coverage of the ITT case, its potential impact on the administration and Republican Party, and Nixon's assertion that he was not involved in the site selection for the ITT convention. Finch also expressed his belief that Edwin Reinecke had damaged his standing with the President due to his handling of the ITT matter.
President Nixon met with bipartisan Congressional leaders, administration officials, and cabinet members to advocate for a legislative moratorium on court-ordered busing to achieve racial balance in schools. Nixon argued that current judicial mandates were causing societal turmoil and urged Congress to act immediately to stop new busing orders while advancing his broader 'Equal Educational Opportunities Act.' The administration proposed a two-pronged strategy involving an immediate legislative moratorium followed by a long-term commitment to compensatory education funding to improve school quality, specifically for low-income and minority students.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and H.R. Haldeman to discuss the administration's political strategy regarding school busing and a proposed Constitutional amendment. The participants reviewed the public response to the President's recent policy announcement, focusing on favorable polling data and bipartisan support from congressional allies. They also discussed the utility of utilizing computer-categorized call data to gauge public opinion and counter critical news media coverage.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler to discuss messaging strategies for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the administration's stance on school busing. Nixon instructed Ziegler to emphasize his broad support for a constitutional amendment while deferring the technical wording and legislative process to Congress to avoid getting bogged down in legal debates. Regarding busing, they reviewed the political impact of the issue, concluding that public sentiment largely aligned with the President's position despite opposition from the press and political liberals.
President Nixon directed John Ehrlichman to prepare for a pivot toward a constitutional amendment regarding busing legislation, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in Congress. Nixon argued that the administration's current, more moderate proposal was ineffective and that an amendment would provide a clear ideological battleground against the eventual Democratic presidential nominee. Ehrlichman was instructed to task staff with drafting the amendment for a potential rollout by September or shortly before the Republican National Convention.
President Nixon met with a large group of Republican Congressmen and candidates, along with White House staff, primarily to coordinate strategy regarding anti-busing legislation. The discussion focused on the current status of busing bills in the Rules and Education and Labor Committees, including the feasibility of a constitutional amendment versus a moratorium. Nixon and the legislators explored pushing an 'affirmative standards' bill through the House to pressure the Senate, while strategically maneuvering against liberal opposition to strengthen the Republican position on the issue.
President Nixon consulted with speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. to refine a draft for an upcoming radio address concerning campaign reform. The President instructed Price to adjust the language regarding constitutional amendments, specifically requesting a more neutral framing for the proposal of a single six-year presidential term while maintaining a firm stance on extending terms for the House of Representatives. These revisions were intended to ensure the speech prioritized clear policy positions while downplaying less feasible constitutional changes.