Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Elections
16 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haig, Colson, Woods
President Nixon directed Alexander Haig to demand an immediate report from the State Department regarding the legitimacy of current foreign leaders in countries receiving U.S. aid. Nixon expressed frustration with the State Department's interpretation of his request, clarifying that he wanted to specifically identify which leaders had participated in contested elections that met American standards. He ordered Haig to ensure the department delivered this prioritized list within 15 minutes.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the need for a briefing regarding the democratic legitimacy and election histories of various foreign nations receiving U.S. aid. Nixon expresses frustration with the pace of the administrative staff, directing Haig to ensure the State Department produces a concise fifteen-minute report. The President intends to use this data to evaluate the political background of current foreign leaders in relation to American democratic standards.
President Nixon instructed Alexander Haig to broaden the criteria for evaluating foreign democratic processes beyond a limited focus on only two nations. Nixon emphasized that assessments of legitimate governance should center on whether a country holds truly contested elections rather than one-party systems or non-competitive processes. He specifically cited countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Ethiopia as examples of nations that fail to meet this standard of a contested, democratic election.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified individual regarding political developments in Richmond. The discussion focused on localized electoral or regional concerns relevant to his administration's political strategy. No further details regarding specific actions or outcomes were documented in this brief fragment.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed ongoing negotiations with labor leaders regarding the Pay Board and the economic freeze. Colson reported progress in securing a commitment from Frank Fitzsimmons to maintain labor participation on the board, provided the sanctity of contracts is recognized. Additionally, the pair reviewed recent election results—highlighting victories by Rizzo, Perk, and Heinz—and analyzed Louis Harris’s polling data concerning public sentiment on Vietnam, the United Nations, and the political opposition.
President Nixon instructed his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to contact Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg regarding recent election results and the administration's political positioning. Nixon specifically requested that Woods inform Annenberg of his congratulatory call to Frank L. Rizzo, emphasizing the importance of Rizzo's victory over William Thacher Longstreth. The conversation also touched upon favorable electoral outcomes for Republicans Richard G. Lugar and Ralph J. Perk, reflecting the President's satisfaction with these results.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss the possibility of the Department of Justice intervening in a Grand Rapids, Michigan, school busing case following concerns raised by Representative Gerald Ford and Senator Robert Griffin. The President urges Mitchell to signal administration opposition to busing during upcoming appearances with Michigan lawmakers and to investigate similar intervention potential in Detroit. Additionally, the pair reviews the positive results of the recent November 2nd mayoral elections, specifically noting the strong support from Philadelphia's Frank Rizzo and the successful reelection of mayors in Cleveland, Indianapolis, and San Diego.
President Nixon calls New Jersey political leader Frank S. "Hap" Farley following his recent election loss. Farley attributes his defeat to negative publicity orchestrated by Senator Clifford P. Case, who he claims is targeting him over a Florida-related federal investigation. Farley requests that the President speak with Attorney General John Mitchell to express his view that the ongoing investigation is unnecessary and politically motivated.
President Nixon consulted with Senate leaders Hugh Scott and Mike Mansfield regarding the formal opening of the Senate and his upcoming address to a joint session of Congress. Nixon confirmed his intention to speak on January 20th, joking about the length of his remarks while coordinating logistics for his appearance. The participants also exchanged pleasantries about their recent recesses and briefly discussed the senators' lack of involvement in current presidential campaigns.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers placed a joint congratulatory call to Senator John L. McClellan following his recent electoral victory. During the discussion, McClellan reflected on his successful campaign against organized labor efforts in his state while expressing a bipartisan commitment to cooperate with the administration. Both Nixon and Rogers emphasized their professional respect for the Senator and the importance of his continued service to the nation.
President Nixon spoke with Senator Margaret Chase Smith to congratulate her on a significant primary victory in Maine. The discussion touched upon her low-budget campaign strategy and the political landscape in Maine following the exit of Edmund Muskie. Nixon expressed his desire to visit the state and urged Smith to focus on securing strong Republican candidates for upcoming congressional races.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Stephen Bull, and Alexander Butterfield to discuss press relations, pending legislation, and the political fallout of the Watergate break-in. They reviewed strategies for managing the media's coverage of the administration and the Vice President, while also discussing the tactical benefits of leaking information about the RNC files to shape public perception. Additionally, the President reviewed his legislative agenda, ultimately deciding to sign the Social Security bill while considering vetoes on various veterans' bills to manage the federal budget.
President Nixon initiated this brief, informal call to Goldthwaite H. Dorr to offer personal well-wishes following Dorr's recent hospitalization. During the exchange, Nixon expressed his hope for Dorr’s continued health and shared a lighthearted invitation for a future birthday celebration at the White House. The President concluded the conversation by emphasizing the importance of Dorr voting in the upcoming November 7th election.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate messaging regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations to ensure public rhetoric emphasizes long-term stability over short-term political gain. Nixon instructs Haig to distance the current administration's goals from the failed 1952 Laos settlement, framing their objective as securing "peace for the next generation." This effort is intended to provide talking points for Henry Kissinger and clarify the administration's stance ahead of the upcoming election.
President Nixon met with Bud Wilkinson to discuss a variety of personal and political matters, ranging from sports and the upcoming Olympic committee roles to potential Republican candidacies for governor and senate seats in Oklahoma. Nixon encouraged Wilkinson to pursue a political office, citing a lack of quality candidates in the current landscape and noting that Oklahoma would benefit from his leadership. The pair also touched upon the return of prisoners of war from Vietnam and potential future diplomatic or administrative assignments for Wilkinson.
President Nixon held a brief introductory meeting with newly elected Representative Lindy Boggs to congratulate her on a decisive electoral victory. The discussion centered on pleasantries regarding her successful campaign and the prospect of her future visits to the White House. The conversation served primarily as a formal, cordial welcome to the incoming congresswoman.