Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Frank L. Rizzo
21 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Rizzo, Bull, Ehrlichman
When Frank L. Rizzo comes up
Related topics: Presidential schedulingPhiladelphia1972 electionWhite House communicationsPolitical strategyLaw and orderJohn D. EhrlichmanGeorge McGovernRevenue sharingRepublican PartyElectionsWilliam SafireWhite House staffWashington Redskins
On November 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:55 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-081 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon telephoned newly elected Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo to offer congratulations on his victory and express support for his law-and-order platform. Nixon emphasized his desire for a nonpartisan working relationship with the new administration, designating John Ehrlichman as the primary White House liaison for federal assistance. The two also briefly touched upon planning for the upcoming Bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia.
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 consulted with John Mitchell regarding whether to reach out to W. Thacher Longstreth following his defeat in the Philadelphia mayoral election. Concerned about the political fallout regarding Frank Rizzo and the importance of Pennsylvania’s Italian American voters, Nixon sought to maintain positive party relations without inciting unwanted publicity. Ultimately, Mitchell advised that a private note of encouragement would be appropriate to preserve future Republican support in the region.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly discussed the scheduling of Frank L. Rizzo. The President instructed Bull to bring Rizzo in alone first, before potentially bringing others in, indicating a desire for a private initial discussion with Rizzo. This meeting appears to be a quick logistical arrangement for an upcoming encounter.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s daily schedule, focusing on coordination for upcoming appointments and document reviews. Key items included arranging a meeting with Frank L. Rizzo, scheduling a photograph session with John D. Ehrlichman, and managing the review of a speech draft prepared by William L. Safire. The discussion concluded with instructions for Bull to manage the logistics of these meetings and finalize the timeline for the President's remaining tasks.
President Nixon met with Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo and John D. Ehrlichman to discuss urban policy, federal funding, and the political landscape of Philadelphia heading into the 1972 election. Rizzo expressed his personal support for the President and his desire to align with Republican principles, though he and Nixon strategized on how to manage this shift without alienating Rizzo’s Democratic base. They further coordinated on establishing direct lines of communication between the White House and city officials to bypass local political friction and secure federal aid for Philadelphia through programs like revenue sharing and the LEAA.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate political strategy for the 1972 reelection campaign, with a heavy emphasis on securing Pennsylvania through the support of Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo. The discussion covered the importance of maintaining an ethnic, law-and-order coalition in key urban centers and utilizing damaging information about Democratic opponents to bolster the President's standing. Additionally, they addressed personnel concerns, including the management of Howard Hughes-related loan controversies and the navigation of diplomatic and economic challenges like relations with China and the Soviet Union.
President Nixon initiated this call with D.C. Police Chief Jerry V. Wilson to commend him on a 13% reduction in the District’s crime rate, a milestone the President highlighted in his recent State of the Union address. Nixon requested that Wilson convey his personal appreciation to the police inspectors for their contributions to this success. The brief discussion also touched upon Nixon's recent meeting with Frank Rizzo and concluded with the President extending well-wishes for the health of Wilson’s wife.
On June 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:40 pm and 9:06 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 026-019 of the White House Tapes.
President Richard Nixon contacted Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo to inquire about his health following his recent hospital discharge. The two also touched upon political matters, including the President's upcoming trip to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and the presidential campaign of George McGovern. Additionally, they briefly mentioned a prior conversation Nixon had held with John Cardinal Krol.
On July 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:02 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 027-005 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon calls Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo to commend him for a recent public statement and to discuss political support from Philadelphia operating engineers. The two leaders also deliberate on the political optics of associating with Frank Sinatra, specifically gauging how law enforcement officials might perceive potential ties between Sinatra and organized crime figures. Finally, the conversation touches upon upcoming scheduling matters, including a potential visit from Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti.
President Nixon spoke with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, by telephone from Camp David. They discussed Tricia's recent trip, including her husband Ed's meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, who was scheduled to meet the President later that week, and Tricia's campaign events at a HUD-funded senior citizens' residence and Vanderbilt University. The President confirmed his return to Washington the following evening.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and organize the day's upcoming official schedule. The discussion centered on managing appointments with senators, representatives from the Philadelphia Police Athletic League, and a high-profile meeting involving Frank L. Rizzo and John D. Ehrlichman. The primary outcome was ensuring the coordination of these sessions, including a planned photography opportunity.
President Nixon met with Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo, White House aides, and various local stakeholders to coordinate campaign strategy for the 1972 election in Pennsylvania. The discussion focused on leveraging the benefits of incumbency, securing federal aid for Philadelphia to bolster political support, and actively undermining the campaign of George McGovern through negative publicity regarding his policy positions and past voting records. The participants also discussed efforts to engage other mayors and business leaders to align with the President's platform against McGovern's perceived socialist agenda.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate the distribution of a book. The discussion focused on managing acknowledgments for the publication, specifically mentioning Leonard H. Tose and Frank L. Rizzo. The participants also briefly touched upon professional football, referencing the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins.
On November 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:54 am and 1:00 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-054 of the White House Tapes.
President Richard Nixon called Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo to express his gratitude for Rizzo’s support during the 1972 presidential election. The two discussed Nixon’s significant victory in Pennsylvania and the political landscape, including their shared disdain for Governor Milton J. Shapp and George McGovern’s conduct. The conversation concluded with Nixon expressing a desire to meet with Rizzo in the future to discuss administration goals and national unity.
President Nixon calls Assistant Secretary of Labor Willie J. Usery, Jr. to commend his successful mediation of the Philadelphia strike. The President also expresses appreciation for the collaboration with Secretary of Labor Peter J. Brennan and Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo, noting the political value of maintaining support among the city’s labor unions. Nixon instructs Usery to convey these congratulations to Brennan and the Mayor, while explicitly declining to call the Mayor himself to avoid anticipated requests for federal funding.