Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Fundraising
20 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Woods, Colson
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming executive scheduling and logistical arrangements. The discussion primarily focused on the itinerary and fundraising presentation for an upcoming dinner with W. Clement Stone, as well as preparations for meetings with economic advisors and government officials. Additionally, they reviewed logistical details for gifts for international dignitaries and clarified the status of certain judicial appointments and administrative personnel.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the reception of the President's recent dinner for donor W. Clement Stone and the positive reaction to his public remarks. Nixon specifically reviews his implicit criticism of Senator Charles H. Percy regarding the Supersonic Transport (SST) controversy, which Colson praises for its effective delivery. The conversation also highlights the strong approval from core supporters regarding the President's recent April 7th speech and his emphasis on American global leadership.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the importance of fostering patriotism among a specific group of supporters who have demonstrated financial loyalty to the administration. Nixon reflects on the necessity of ensuring these individuals feel a broader sense of commitment to America's global role, emphasizing that this psychological alignment outweighs other political concerns. The brief exchange concludes with an affirmation of their shared belief in the effectiveness of this approach to maintaining supporter morale.
President Nixon and Leonard Garment discuss the positive reception of the President's recent speech on the arts, which Nancy Hanks reported was well-received by leaders in the field. Beyond cultural policy, Garment informs the President of a significant fundraising development involving Taft Schreiber, Sam Rothberg, and other California Democrats targeting $5 million for the 1972 campaign. Nixon emphasizes the importance of framing arts and culture as essential to the human experience, transcending basic material needs like food stamps or Social Security.
President Nixon met with Marie Lombardi and a large group of associates in the Oval Office to discuss the Vince Lombardi Memorial fund and the broader societal value of sports. The conversation focused on the role of athletics in fostering character, discipline, and competitive drive, with Nixon sharing personal anecdotes about his own experiences as a student-athlete. The meeting concluded with the President presenting commemorative gifts, including cufflinks and golf balls, and pledging his personal financial support to the memorial fund.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the logistics and staffing for an upcoming White House visit by a group of African athletes. The discussion included the participation of key aides, such as Henry Cashen, Charles Colson, and H.R. Haldeman, as well as the involvement of the official photographer, Ollie Atkins. Additionally, the President briefly touched upon fundraising efforts and the potential scheduling of a follow-up call with a political supporter.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods reviewed recent political fundraising events in Chicago and New York, assessing crowd reactions and the political stature of figures such as Richard B. Ogilvie. They discussed strategies for donor recognition, including the distribution of certificates of appreciation and letters from the President to event chairmen and speakers. Additionally, the pair coordinated guest lists and logistical arrangements for upcoming White House events, including a state dinner for Emilio Garrastazu Medici.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss a favorable recent Senate vote and the potential forestalling of the Cooper-Church amendment. MacGregor provides an update on the legislative schedule, noting the possibility of an early Senate adjournment, which would allow the President to depart for California sooner. Additionally, the President speaks briefly with Anna Chennault to acknowledge her ongoing fundraising efforts and express appreciation for her political support.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to finalize the seating arrangements and logistics for a White House dinner honoring DeWitt and Lila Wallace. The discussion focused on balancing the guest list to ensure a lively atmosphere while navigating the last-minute attendance changes caused by a flu outbreak. Additionally, the President reviewed various administrative matters, including incoming correspondence, potential fundraising requests, and his own upcoming travel and scheduling preferences.
President Nixon consulted with Henry Kissinger regarding the Vietnam War, foreign policy, and campaign-related fundraising issues. Nixon also held a telephone conversation with former President Lyndon B. Johnson to ensure that members of Johnson's circle would not be embarrassed by their potential support for John Connally's pro-Nixon Democratic fundraising organization. The discussion with Johnson further touched on providing security and diplomatic courtesies for upcoming travel by Lady Bird and Luci B. Johnson, as well as acknowledging the quiet support Johnson had provided the administration on critical national security matters.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Ronald Ziegler, and other staff members to strategize for the 1972 presidential campaign, specifically focusing on fundraising, speech preparation for the Republican National Convention, and managing press relations. They discussed the political fallout surrounding the Thomas Eagleton health controversy, the management of the Committee to Re-elect the President, and the ongoing investigation into the Watergate break-in. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a presidential posture during press conferences while utilizing staff to counterattack the opposition on issues of incompetence and foreign policy.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Maurice Stans to evaluate the 1972 re-election campaign's status, discussing polling data, fundraising, and strategic responses to George McGovern. The participants reviewed campaign finance regulations, media advertising efforts, and the political impact of the Watergate scandal on the Washington establishment. Additionally, they coordinated the President's upcoming schedule, including the production of campaign-related audio recordings and outreach to business and labor leaders.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to finalize preparations for a meeting with representatives from the Finance Committee of the Committee for the Re-election of the President (CRP), including Maurice Stans. The discussion focused on the distribution of presidential gifts to major corporate donors. Nixon concluded the brief session by expressing his intent to personally meet with the committee members.
President Nixon met with Clark MacGregor, Maurice Stans, and a large group of staff from the Finance Committee of the Committee to Re-elect the President in the Cabinet Room. The meeting served as a morale-boosting session or formal gathering for the campaign’s fundraising team. Due to the presence of a withdrawn item spanning over seven minutes, the specific substantive discussions remain restricted or were largely ceremonial in nature.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Edward W. Carter, the chairman of Broadway-Hale Stores. The purpose of the outreach was to follow up on a fundraising dinner held in Los Angeles the previous evening. No further actions or policy decisions were discussed during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon and Richard A. Moore discuss organizing a financial contribution to a memorial fund associated with John Kenneth Galbraith. Nixon instructs Moore to initiate the effort with a symbolic personal donation and to encourage other White House staff members to contribute. The conversation focuses on establishing momentum for the fund and coordinating how the President's support will be communicated to organizers.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed administrative papers and discussed upcoming White House social programming. The conversation centered on achieving ethnic balance in these events and organizing a fundraising initiative for children of Missing in Action (MIA) servicemen. Nixon reviewed plans for a scholarship program involving celebrities like Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bob Hope to promote voluntary action and charitable efforts regarding Vietnam-era veterans.
President Nixon met with George H.W. Bush, William Brock, Robert Michel, and other Republican allies to discuss party fundraising challenges in the wake of the Watergate scandal and urgent legislative efforts to maintain funding for U.S. military operations in Cambodia. The group addressed the financial difficulties faced by the Republican National Committee, specifically exploring the potential transfer of funds from the Committee to Re-elect the President to support GOP candidates. Nixon emphasized the importance of distancing the party from the Watergate fallout and urged his allies to remain focused on upcoming congressional votes despite political distractions.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to discuss the ongoing fallout from the Watergate scandal and manage public perception of his administration. They reviewed sensitive matters regarding fundraising efforts by Tom A. Pappas, the potential involvement of John W. Dean III, and the President's desire to clarify that no illicit discussions took place. The conversation also touched upon the President’s political standing, the impact of congressional inquiries, and the strategic importance of highlighting public support to counter the negative narrative surrounding the White House.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met to discuss ongoing concerns regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the potential testimony of Thomas A. Pappas. Nixon expressed anxiety about his March 7 meeting with Pappas, emphasizing his desire to ensure there was no implication that he had thanked Pappas for raising funds to pay off Watergate defendants. The conversation also touched on the broader political climate, the impact of the Ervin Committee hearings, and the need to maintain staff morale while preparing for potential legal scrutiny.