Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Domestic Council
32 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Bull
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the administration's economic management strategy, including the roles of Cabinet members and key economic advisors like Arthur Burns. They coordinate upcoming meetings with Treasury Secretary John Connally and review the effectiveness of the Domestic Council's economic subcommittee. Nixon emphasizes the need for patience regarding economic growth trends, tasking his team with evaluating the state of the economy by mid-April rather than reacting prematurely to monthly data fluctuations.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, to discuss domestic economic policy and management of cabinet officials. The discussion focused on addressing maneuvering by cabinet members, such as Arthur Burns and Maurice Stans, who were attempting to bypass the established Domestic Council system regarding economic issues. Nixon decided that these matters should be handled exclusively through the formal Domestic Council process rather than through uncoordinated committee meetings, effectively asserting control over his economic advisors and cabinet structure.
President Nixon met with Senator John G. Tower and associates to discuss federal assistance for the severe drought affecting Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The participants strategized on legislative relief measures, including loan forgiveness and expanded Small Business Administration support, to address the political risks the drought posed to the administration. Additionally, Nixon agreed to record a 30-40 second video message for Tower's upcoming decade-of-service dinner in Dallas and discussed the broader political optics of his administration's response to the crisis.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff members to review administrative operations and discuss public relations strategies. They evaluated the success of a recent trip to Alabama, debated the appropriate use of motorcades and podiums to maintain presidential dignity, and addressed upcoming personnel appointments, including a potential position for Albert Watson. Additionally, Nixon emphasized his preference for controlling his media appearances and artistic portraiture, insisting that staff streamline his briefing materials and limit his direct physical engagement with crowds.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss economic strategy and legislative planning following Ehrlichman's meeting with John Connally and Peter Peterson. A key proposal involves extracting public service job provisions from H.R. 1 to create a separate, expedited bill that demonstrates proactive governance in response to potential vetoes. They also evaluate public relations strategies regarding unemployment statistics and express caution about a planned Congressional presentation by Peterson regarding import quotas, fearing it may commit the administration to unintended economic policies.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and George Shultz to manage various administrative and political priorities, including the appointment of Dr. Jerome Jaffe to lead a new government drug abuse program and strategies for labor-related political initiatives. The participants discussed the rollout of housing integration policies, the status of revenue-sharing legislation, and preparations for an upcoming Domestic Council meeting. Furthermore, the group reviewed economic performance, specifically consumer confidence and inflation, while debating the efficacy of potential wage and price controls.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and key staff members to discuss administration strategy regarding the unauthorized publication of the Pentagon Papers and the public messaging for a new drug policy. Regarding the Pentagon Papers, the participants analyzed the shifting public and press sentiment, with Nixon deciding to withhold a formal presidential statement for the moment while exploring potential leaks concerning the Kennedy administration. Simultaneously, they deliberated the format for a drug policy announcement, ultimately rejecting a request for prime-time television in favor of a concise, high-impact radio or press room statement to emphasize the administration's proactive stance. The President also evaluated political polling data and coordination efforts within the Domestic Council to ensure that upcoming legislative and public initiatives were effectively managed.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum to John D. Ehrlichman regarding the strategic allocation of federal expenditures in preparation for the 1972 election cycle. The discussion focused on balancing domestic spending, such as environmental initiatives, with the potential economic and employment impacts of defense budget cuts. Nixon tasked the Domestic Council with analyzing these fiscal trade-offs to inform his final budgetary decisions during an upcoming summit in San Clemente.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the logistical arrangements for the upcoming presidential trip to the People's Republic of China, specifically focusing on the optics of the delegation. Nixon expresses concern that John D. Ehrlichman should not participate in his capacity as domestic policy advisor, citing potential conflicts and the need to manage public perceptions of the mission. The President ultimately decides to restrict Ehrlichman’s role to ensure he is not perceived as part of the primary diplomatic entourage.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and Martin Anderson to discuss staffing needs and the strategic direction of domestic policy, specifically emphasizing the need for conservative viewpoints to balance his administration's economic and social programs. The discussion focused on reforming or dismantling Great Society-era initiatives, such as the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and various model city programs, while addressing challenges in housing integration and international trade. Nixon encouraged Anderson to rejoin the White House staff to provide essential input on the 1973 federal budget and to ensure that his administration's policy development reflects a more distinct ideological alternative to existing bureaucratic approaches.
President Nixon consults with pollster Louis Harris regarding a proposed study on public sentiment toward domestic issues, particularly the economy. The two discuss the potential benefits of integrating foreign policy topics, such as the China initiative and Vietnam, to better understand their influence on the public's overall economic optimism. Harris agrees to coordinate with staff members Chuck Colson and Edwin Harper to develop a comprehensive survey that probes beyond surface-level polling data.
President Nixon telephoned newly elected San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson to congratulate him on his electoral victory and establish a framework for future cooperation. The President directed Wilson to inform the press that the White House, specifically through John Ehrlichman and the Domestic Council, would assist San Diego with its municipal challenges on a non-partisan basis. The conversation served to solidify a professional relationship between the administration and the incoming mayor while acknowledging Wilson’s long-standing political career.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman consulted regarding the President's upcoming address to the Second Decennial White House Conference on Aging. Their discussion focused on refining specific policy positions, particularly those involving Medicare, prescription drug provisions, and property tax reforms. The two finalized language for the speech, addressing concerns regarding budget constraints and the role of the Domestic Council in managing conference proposals.
President Nixon consulted with John D. Ehrlichman to prepare for his upcoming address to the Second Decennial White House Conference on Aging. The discussion focused on managing policy expectations regarding Medicare prescription drug coverage and income floor acceleration under H.R. 1, given the significant budget constraints facing the administration. They specifically addressed the role of Arthur S. Flemming and the Domestic Council in navigating these complex fiscal challenges and conference resolutions.
Stephen B. Bull and Lyndon K. Allin met in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics and scheduling. The discussion focused on the preparation of an Executive Order and the management of the White House press corps. Furthermore, the participants arranged a Domestic Council meeting to be held in the Cabinet Room.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate an upcoming presentation by HUD Secretary George Romney regarding an urban revitalization initiative. They strategized on how to manage Romney's proposal by routing it through a Domestic Council meeting to solicit broader Cabinet feedback, thereby shielding the President from an immediate decision. Additionally, they discussed Romney's resistance to a proposed regionalization plan for Federal Executive Boards and made arrangements to secure publicity for a Soviet cultural group’s visit with First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman conducted a wide-ranging review of domestic and foreign policy priorities, including the administration's messaging strategy, upcoming travel, and staff management. They discussed organizational shifts within the Domestic Council under John Ehrlichman, the economic outlook provided by George Shultz, and the need for more aggressive public positioning on issues like busing and the environment. Additionally, the conversation covered debriefings on the recent Gridiron Dinner and logistical planning for press relations regarding the President’s upcoming trip to the Soviet Union.
Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Egil Krogh, and members of the Domestic Council convened in the Cabinet Room for a meeting that was primarily occupied by non-substantive maintenance activities. The recording reflects a period of inactivity regarding policy or administration, as the participants were largely displaced by unknown personnel performing routine maintenance. Consequently, no significant policy discussions, executive decisions, or official action items were recorded during this session.
Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Egil Krogh, and members of the Domestic Council met to coordinate White House legislative strategies, address internal communication issues with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and manage specific policy challenges. The group discussed delicate administrative and legal matters, including the handling of environmental regulations, lobbying by tax-exempt organizations, and the management of a Justice Department lawsuit regarding Texas offshore oil and fishing rights. Krogh emphasized the difficulty of communicating with John Connally and expressed concerns regarding the internal bureaucratic processes and potential for staff friction.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the President’s upcoming schedule and manage key domestic policy communications. The discussion focused on preparations for a Domestic Council meeting, a scheduled session with Caspar Weinberger, and a prospective television address regarding school busing. The participants evaluated the tone and content of the busing statement, incorporating input from Patrick Buchanan to refine the administration's messaging strategy.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met to coordinate their upcoming legislative schedule and domestic policy agenda. They specifically discussed the arrangements for a Friday meeting between the administration and congressional leaders. The conversation functioned as a logistical briefing to ensure alignment on pending executive-legislative priorities.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum for John D. Ehrlichman regarding the strategic investigation of top Democratic officials. The conversation focuses on gathering damaging information on political opponents and emphasizes the need for rapid follow-up on these inquiries within a 24-hour window. Nixon asserts personal control over the flow of this intelligence and demands that he be kept apprised of all developments regarding these investigations.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding the incorporation of his personal views on education reform into his forthcoming acceptance speech. Expressing frustration with standard platform rhetoric and the influence of the National Education Association, Nixon instructed Haldeman to bypass the Domestic Council if necessary to ensure his specific ideas and critiques were integrated. He emphasized a need to re-examine the education system while including supportive remarks about individual teachers.
President Nixon instructed H. R. Haldeman to secure substantive, bold proposals for education reform to be integrated into administration policy. The President expressed a preference for sourcing these ideas from the Domestic Council or, if necessary, through consultation with Ken Cole. Haldeman acknowledged the directive, marking a push for the development of concrete educational initiatives.
Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and an unidentified interlocutor discuss concerns regarding the vulnerability of White House financial records to public scrutiny and potential audits. They focus specifically on the controversial travel expenses of G. Gordon Liddy, which were processed through the Domestic Council. The participants conclude that destroying these records would be disastrous and argue instead for the necessity of developing a defensible justification for the existing expenditures.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed upcoming scheduling commitments, including a strategy meeting at Camp David and a planned event at the F St. Club. Nixon emphasized limiting the attendance of Domestic Council staff at the Camp David session to maintain a focus on future policy projections. They also coordinated logistical details regarding Caspar Weinberger's participation and Nixon’s subsequent trip to Texas with Senator John Tower.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on the administration’s domestic policy messaging, focusing on crafting a unified narrative of responsible governance versus Congressional fiscal irresponsibility ahead of the 1972 election. They discussed the tactical use of veto messages, upcoming radio talks, and regional outreach efforts to contrast the President's legislative priorities with Congress's performance on issues like welfare reform, environmental policy, and taxation. To reinforce this image of a diligent executive, they planned to stage a photographic opportunity at the White House showcasing the President's extensive workload of legislative review and veto preparation.
President Nixon directs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to enforce a strict information blackout regarding a sensitive timing issue, specifically tasking Ziegler with instructing Alexander Haig to police the Pentagon's compliance. Nixon expresses frustration over perceived malicious leaks from the State Department and demands that Ziegler silence members of the Domestic Council, including staff under George Shultz. The conversation serves as a directive to centralize control over communications and neutralize internal dissent across key executive departments.
President Nixon met with Robert J. Brown and John D. Ehrlichman to discuss Brown's departure from his White House role and his future professional plans. The discussion covered Brown's potential involvement in international marketing programs and public broadcasting, as well as addressing the broader challenges of the American public image regarding political violence and radicalism. Following the Browns' departure, Nixon and Ehrlichman briefly addressed staffing concerns at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, specifically regarding administrative appointments and regionalization policies.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated logistics for upcoming administrative engagements, specifically focusing on funeral arrangements for the families of diplomats Cleo A. Noel, Jr. and George C. Moore. The discussion addressed the families' inability to attend a planned State Department meeting and finalized the scheduling of a Domestic Council meeting. Nixon firmly rejected a proposed press program for the Council, emphasizing the need to adjust the meeting’s public presentation.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, specifically focusing on arrangements and agendas for upcoming Domestic Council and Cabinet meetings involving key staff like John D. Ehrlichman. The discussion also addressed logistics for a meeting with Thomas A. Pappas and a scheduled engagement with Nelson A. Rockefeller that included George H.W. Bush. Additionally, the conversation briefly touched upon personnel matters, including a mention of Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., and the coordination of a follow-up meeting with John W. Dean, III.
President Nixon met with Vice President Spiro Agnew to discuss insulating the Vice President from the growing Watergate scandal and to strategically realign his role within the administration. Nixon explicitly instructed Agnew to remain silent regarding the investigation to avoid being ensnared by the press or the special prosecutor. To enhance Agnew's standing and involvement, Nixon decided to appoint him as Vice Chairman of the Domestic Council and include him in 'Quadriad' economic meetings, while tasking Kenneth Cole with facilitating these new intergovernmental responsibilities.