Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Dan Rather
26 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Colson, Woods, Bull
President Nixon met with Stephen Bull and Alexander Butterfield to coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with Vice President Spiro Agnew, specifically focusing on scheduling and arrival details. Following this, Charles Colson joined the President to discuss press reaction to recent Supreme Court nominations, including critical commentary from CBS newsman Dan Rather. The conversation concluded with a discussion on managing media relations and the administration's ongoing efforts to pressure news organizations regarding their reporting.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, exchanged New Year's greetings and discussed the President’s upcoming schedule and holiday plans. The conversation covered media-related topics, including preparations for an interview with Dan Rather, a feature in TV Guide, and a positive Time magazine article regarding Edward Cox. They also touched upon Pat Nixon’s upcoming travel plans to Africa.
President Nixon and Taft Schreiber exchanged New Year's greetings and expressed mutual optimism for the country in 1972. Nixon noted that he was spending the evening at the White House preparing for an upcoming televised interview with Dan Rather. Schreiber shared his own plans to visit mutual friend Theodore E. Cummings, prompting Nixon to send his regards to Cummings and his wife.
President Nixon and television producer Paul W. Keyes exchanged New Year's greetings and briefly discussed the President's upcoming travel schedule between Florida, Washington, and California. Nixon confirmed his participation in an upcoming CBS television interview with Dan Rather while noting his preference for a quiet weekend. The conversation concluded with casual remarks regarding their respective workloads and social acquaintances.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss political strategy regarding an upcoming Vietnam policy announcement, focusing on which cabinet members should be consulted for input on publicity and media tactics. They also coordinate details for an upcoming televised interview with CBS correspondent Dan Rather, specifically rejecting proposed 'teaser' questions and staging elements to maintain presidential decorum. Haldeman confirms he has successfully negotiated the format with Rather to avoid these gimmicks and ensure the interview proceeds directly from the Oval Office.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger strategized on how to address public and press inquiries regarding American prisoners of war (POWs) ahead of an upcoming televised interview with Dan Rather. They agreed to emphasize the administration's ongoing, confidential efforts to secure releases, while countering the political push for a specific withdrawal deadline by noting that the North Vietnamese had not indicated a willingness to trade prisoners for such a concession. Additionally, Kissinger updated the President on his progress regarding the cessation of the draft, with Nixon explicitly warning against any leaks regarding the initiative.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss his upcoming daily schedule. The primary focus of the brief consultation was a planned interview with journalist Dan Rather. No further substantive policy decisions were recorded during this interaction.
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.
A caller identified as Commander Coach contacted the White House operator to confirm that an interview featuring journalist Dan Rather had concluded. The brief exchange served as a status update regarding the completion of the television broadcast. No further policy discussions or substantive actions occurred during the call.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman reviewed public and political feedback regarding the President's recent televised interview with Dan Rather. The discussion highlighted the generally positive reception of Nixon's performance and policy positions, while specifically critiquing Rather’s antagonistic interviewing style. To capitalize on the public's perception of Rather's bias, Nixon directed Haldeman to coordinate with Charles Colson to generate a campaign of letters and wires criticizing the reporter's conduct.
President Nixon and his personal secretary Rose Mary Woods discussed the positive public and political reception of the President's recent television interview with Dan Rather. Woods relayed enthusiastic feedback from William P. Rogers and Donald Rumsfeld, both of whom praised Nixon's composed performance and criticized Rather's unprofessional, combative questioning. The conversation also touched upon the President's firm stance regarding amnesty for draft evaders and the treatment of prisoners of war, positions that Woods felt resonated well with the public.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss the positive reception and impact of the President's recent televised interview with Dan Rather. Rogers praises Nixon’s composed handling of Rather's antagonistic questioning, particularly regarding sensitive domestic and racial topics. The conversation concludes with administrative planning for upcoming meetings involving Gerard C. Smith regarding the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and trade discussions with Peter G. Peterson.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed positive public and media reactions to Nixon’s January 2 interview with CBS correspondent Dan Rather. The conversation focused on the political benefits of the President's performance, particularly his firm stance on delaying amnesty until the return of prisoners of war. Nixon directed Colson to continue pressuring Rather and to coordinate with White House staff to amplify the favorable coverage.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, held a brief late-night telephone call to coordinate the President's sleep schedule and discuss his recent interview with CBS journalist Dan Rather. Woods provided her personal assessment of the interview's reception and updated the President regarding subsequent phone calls she had received concerning the broadcast. The conversation served primarily as a debriefing session to gauge public and media reaction before the President retired for the evening.
President Nixon and his close associate Bebe Rebozo discussed recent professional football developments involving the Miami Dolphins and their upcoming schedule against the Dallas Cowboys. The conversation also included the President’s assessment of a recent interview with journalist Dan Rather, specifically focusing on Rather’s preparation and the quality of his questioning. This informal exchange reflects the President’s reliance on Rebozo for casual discourse on both sports and media relations.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger debriefed regarding Nixon’s recent television interview with Dan Rather, focusing on the President’s performance and the interviewer's combative style. They agreed that Rather’s confrontational approach inadvertently benefited Nixon, allowing him to frame complex issues like the Vietnam War, POWs, and international relations within a broader, more favorable context. The two concluded that the President effectively navigated sensitive topics, including troop withdrawals and allegations of political maneuvering regarding Moscow and the PRC, while successfully portraying himself as a steady leader under pressure.
President Nixon and Richard A. Moore reviewed the President's recent television interview with Dan Rather, comparing it unfavorably to his previous appearance with Howard K. Smith. They discussed specific inquiries Rather raised regarding the administration's political timing on Vietnam, foreign summits, and economic policy, as well as the President’s traditional views on social nomenclature like the term "Ms." The two concluded the meeting by assessing the strategic value of such televised interviews versus traditional press conferences for the administration's public image.
President Nixon met with Gerald L. Warren and Rose Mary Woods to assess the fallout and public reception of his recent televised interview with CBS correspondent Dan Rather. The participants reviewed Rather's confrontational tone and the specific subject matter covered, including the Vietnam War, POWs, and race relations. Nixon and Warren concluded that the interview was ultimately favorable for the President’s interests despite Rather's critical approach.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods, Manolo Sanchez, and others in the Oval Office to discuss administrative tasks, including the location of misplaced papers and the placement of a bust of John Foster Dulles in the Executive Office Building. The conversation prominently featured a review of Nixon's recent television interview with Dan Rather, during which Woods praised the President's composed demeanor despite Rather's aggressive questioning regarding the Vietnam War and the President's use of formal honorifics. Additionally, Nixon briefly consulted Gerald L. Warren regarding the scheduling and announcement of the upcoming State of the Union address.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discussed the public and political reception of his recent television appearance. They analyzed the antagonistic interviewing style of journalist Dan Rather, comparing it to a previous program hosted by Howard K. Smith, and reviewed specific segments of the interview concerning the Vietnam War, foreign policy, and domestic issues. The conversation also touched upon upcoming travel schedules for the First Family and minor political planning regarding the 1972 primary season.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and other staff members to review his recent television interview with Dan Rather, focusing on the public and political reception of his performance. Nixon discussed his strategy for handling hostile media, the necessity of maintaining dignity under pressure, and the benefits of appearing as a 'dignified statesman' compared to the 'sniping' nature of the interviewer. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the 1972 presidential campaign, the administration's stance on primaries, and concerns regarding office cleanliness and staff protocol.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed the positive public reception of the President's recent trip to the People's Republic of China, emphasizing how Nixon's poise and confidence helped cultivate a stronger, more favorable personal image among the American public. Colson shared feedback from various media figures and pollsters, noting that observers were particularly impressed by the President's leadership during the trip, even amidst critical reporting regarding the Taiwan issue. The pair agreed that the successful projection of presidential strength and control was vital for political standing, and they coordinated efforts to push back against unfavorable media coverage, specifically targeting the reporting of Dan Rather.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephonic communication through the White House operator to place a call to journalist Dan Rather. This interaction serves as a preliminary administrative step to facilitate direct contact between the President and the media figure. No further substantive policy matters are addressed in this short exchange.
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 initiates a request to the White House operator to determine the current location of journalist Dan Rather. This inquiry serves as a precursor to a planned return call. No further substantive policy matters are addressed in this brief administrative exchange.
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.