Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Gerald R. Ford
72 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ford, Ehrlichman, Timmons
These are conversations about Gerald R. Ford. For the 112 conversations Ford took part in, see Gerald R. Ford’s page →
When Gerald R. Ford comes up
Related topics: Congressional relationsWhite House operationsPresidential communicationLegislative strategyPresidential schedulingWhite House communicationsPolitical strategyLogisticsWhite House schedulingJohn D. EhrlichmanH. R. HaldemanWatergateSchedulingLeslie C. Arends
On March 24, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, and Gerald R. Ford met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:54 am and 11:58 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 471-021 of the White House Tapes.
On April 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:59 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 042-008 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Congressman Gerald Ford discuss their mounting concerns regarding House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, whom they characterize as mentally unstable and prone to substance abuse. Due to fears that Boggs cannot be trusted with sensitive information, the President decides to exclude him from an upcoming briefing with congressional leaders. Nixon instructs Ford to consult with Speaker Carl Albert to restructure the meeting to include only Ford and Albert from the House, ensuring that classified matters regarding Vietnam negotiations can be shared securely.
On April 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 9:59 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 245-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald Ford discuss strategy for managing sensitive legislative meetings, specifically seeking to limit attendance to key congressional leaders like Carl Albert to maintain confidentiality. Nixon expresses frustration with political criticism of the FBI and explores ways to bypass public disclosure concerns by restricting the group size for upcoming discussions. The conversation concludes with a plan for Ford to coordinate the meeting logistics while Nixon emphasizes his desire to share confidential insights without the risks associated with larger, record-heavy briefings.
President Nixon and George P. Shultz met to discuss the management of budgetary constraints and the administration's fiscal policy in relation to key congressional figures like Russell B. Long. The President sought to navigate complex appropriations challenges by re-examining current policies to better support political allies. Additionally, they touched upon scheduling matters involving Emil Mosbacher, Jr., the Coral Sea project, and coordination efforts with Gerald R. Ford.
On May 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:37 am and 9:10 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-102 of the White House Tapes.
On May 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:10 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-103 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinated legislative strategy regarding key political figures, specifically Gerald Ford and Wilbur Mills, concerning upcoming policy or administrative appointments. They discussed the necessity of securing Ford’s public support and maneuvering Mills into a position where he would be compelled to endorse or accept their proposal. The conversation focused on tactical timing and leveraging political pressure to ensure the desired outcome before formalizing the plan.
On May 10, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:12 pm and 7:15 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-142 of the White House Tapes.
On May 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 3:27 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-012 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and House Minority Leader Gerald Ford discussed the precarious vote count regarding the Supersonic Transport (SST) funding bill in the House of Representatives. Following a narrow victory in a preliminary teller vote, the two reviewed legislative strategy and the potential need for presidential intervention to secure additional support. Nixon urged Ford to maintain his coalition and prepare to deploy extra votes if necessary, requesting an immediate update once the final results were tallied.
On May 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:24 pm and 4:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-021 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald R. Ford discussed the successful 201-197 House vote to revive the Supersonic Transport (SST) program. The two leaders strategized on how to maintain momentum for the upcoming Senate vote, specifically identifying key Democratic swing votes and potential lobbyists like George Meany. Nixon committed to personally contacting Senator John Sherman Cooper while planning to recognize the House members who supported the administration's position.
On May 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:19 am and 11:50 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-079 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald Ford discussed the political fallout of the administration’s recent Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) announcement, noting that it successfully neutralized criticism from J. William Fulbright and congressional “doves.” Nixon emphasized that this diplomatic breakthrough was only possible because of the administration's firm stance on the antiballistic missile (ABM) program. Ford reaffirmed his support and committed to ensuring the passage of the necessary ABM authorization and appropriation measures in the House.
On June 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:03 pm and 6:21 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-080 of the White House Tapes.
On June 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 6:28 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-082 of the White House Tapes.
On June 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:00 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-118 of the White House Tapes.
On June 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:00 pm and 8:10 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-119 of the White House Tapes.
John Ehrlichman and Clark MacGregor coordinate the President’s urgent delivery of documents to Congress, acting on advice from Gerald Ford that a prompt response is of the highest importance. The participants discuss scheduling a breakfast meeting to facilitate this transfer and consider expanding the guest list to include key congressional leadership, such as Mike Mansfield and Carl Albert. They conclude by confirming the logistical arrangements to ensure the President’s actions are handled effectively without negative press or legislative friction.
On June 28, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at 6:47 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 531-022 of the White House Tapes.
On July 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and unknown person(s) talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:40 pm and 5:49 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-104 of the White House Tapes.
On July 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 5:49 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-105 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted with William E. Timmons to assess the viability of using Representative Richard H. Ichord’s House Internal Security Committee to conduct an investigation into the Pentagon Papers. Nixon envisioned the committee using its investigative powers—including the authority to subpoena individuals like Morton Halperin and Leslie Gelb for questioning—to counter the administration's political opposition. The President instructed Timmons to gauge the interest of Ichord and Minority Leader Gerald Ford in this strategy, suggesting that such a probe would provide political benefits for ambitious committee members.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate his official schedule. The brief discussion primarily focused on logistical arrangements regarding an upcoming meeting with Representative Gerald R. Ford. No further actions or policy decisions were recorded during this scheduling consultation.
On October 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:03 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 010-058 of the White House Tapes.
On October 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:05 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 010-060 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Congressman Gerald Ford discuss a recent legislative victory and the political fallout surrounding the withdrawal of Richard H. Poff from consideration. Ford praises the effectiveness of the White House staff, specifically Charles Colson, in pressuring the Chamber of Commerce regarding federal pay raise legislation. The conversation concludes with Nixon agreeing to call Senator Hugh Scott to ensure firm support for the administration's position in the Senate.
On November 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:27 pm and 12:31 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 611-009 of the White House Tapes.
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 and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discuss the reception and technical logistics of a recent Republican fund-raising dinner in Boston featuring Gerald Ford and Bob Hope. They review the success of the event, including the funds raised and the audience's reaction to the President's broadcast remarks, while also noting the attendance of Tricia's family friends. Additionally, the conversation touches upon upcoming political concerns in Massachusetts and the President's personal schedule for the following weekend.
President Nixon consulted with Clark MacGregor regarding the administration's strategy to defeat the impending Boland amendment during a scheduled congressional vote. MacGregor reported confidence in the outcome while noting efforts to suppress Howard W. Robison’s substitute proposal to ensure a clean up-or-down vote. Nixon emphasized the severe political consequences of the amendment, reinforcing the administration’s firm opposition previously communicated to Gerald R. Ford.
President Nixon called Congressman James Harvey to express his appreciation for Harvey's efforts in supporting election reform legislation and combating unfavorable amendments. They discussed the upcoming conference on the bill, with Harvey expressing optimism and outlining a potential compromise on Section 315 that would exempt the President after the next election, a proposal he had discussed with Max Friedersdorf.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place holiday-themed or administrative outreach calls to four key congressional leaders. The President requested to reach Senator Hugh Scott in Philadelphia, Senator Michael J. Mansfield in Florida, Congressman Gerald R. Ford in Colorado, and Speaker Carl B. Albert. The operator confirmed the locations of the legislators and verified that contact information was available to facilitate the calls.
President Nixon met with Frederic V. Malek and several staff members and personnel recruiters to facilitate formal introductions and oversee a photo session with White House photographer Ollie Atkins. The discussion touched upon executive recruitment efforts involving prominent political figures such as Gerald R. Ford and Thomas Hale Boggs. The meeting concluded with the President presenting ceremonial gifts to the attendees.
Henry A. Kissinger and Richard K. Cook discussed legislative strategy regarding a proposal to end the Vietnam War. They focused on coordinating with Republican leadership, specifically reviewing Cook’s recent consultations with Gerald R. Ford and Leslie C. Arends. The discussion aimed to align these legislative efforts with the President’s upcoming schedule and forecast potential congressional support.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman consulted on the viability of sustaining a presidential veto regarding Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) legislation. They assessed the reluctance of congressional leaders like Gerald Ford and Hugh Scott to support the veto, noting Ford's specific preoccupation with a Civil Air Patrol program in his district. Nixon directed Ehrlichman to consult with William Timmons for a more definitive assessment of the legislative prospects before moving forward.
President Nixon, Tip O'Neill, and Gerald Ford discuss the imminent adjournment of Congress and the formal notification process required. The President invites O'Neill, Ford, and Speaker Carl Albert to the White House for an informal meeting and coffee later that afternoon. Nixon tasks his aide, William Timmons, with coordinating the logistics of this meeting based on the progress of the Senate's final activities.
President Nixon spoke with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, about remarks she could make regarding two key Republican leaders in Congress, Les Arends and Gerald R. Ford. Nixon provided specific praise for Arends's leadership on national defense and peace with honor, and for Ford's role as Chairman of the 1968 and 1972 Republican Conventions, highlighting their loyalty and strength as political allies.
H. R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman coordinated the President’s administrative schedule at Camp David following a meeting with Robert Dole. The participants discussed the transition to a meeting with Gerald Ford, where Ehrlichman was requested to be present, and arranged for a subsequent meeting between the President and Richard Kleindienst. They also touched upon the potential appointment of Joseph T. Sneed, ultimately deciding to bypass him due to the speculative nature of his candidacy.
On December 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:31 pm and 4:40 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 157-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Representative Gerald Ford discussed the upcoming reorganization of the Republican National Committee and the administration’s cabinet. Nixon confirmed that George H.W. Bush would be appointed as RNC Chair to replace Robert Dole, while Ford provided updates on managing internal party friction regarding other leadership roles, specifically balancing regional representation. The two also addressed personnel shifts, including the transition of John Volpe to Ambassador to Italy and the difficulty of vetting candidates for high-level government positions due to background check concerns.
President Nixon and Gerald Ford met to coordinate staffing and leadership changes within the Republican Party and the administration. The conversation centered on the planned appointment of George H.W. Bush as Republican National Committee chairman and the strategic necessity of balancing party leadership across various geographic and ideological lines. They also discussed administrative personnel changes, specifically the appointment of John Volpe as Ambassador to Italy and the vetting challenges associated with potential high-level appointments.
On January 3, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:52 pm and 2:59 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-074 of the White House Tapes.
On January 3, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and William E. Timmons met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:52 pm and 2:59 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 831-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon held a brief, informal call with newly elected Democratic majority leader Tip O'Neill and Representative Gerald Ford to congratulate O'Neill on his new role. The conversation served to coordinate the congressional schedule, specifically confirming upcoming bipartisan breakfast meetings and attendance at both Hale Boggs' funeral and Harry S. Truman's memorial service. Additionally, the President clarified his intent to deliver the State of the Union as a written message rather than a formal address to Congress, citing the proximity to his second inaugural address.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the logistics and venue for a televised address regarding the impending Vietnam peace settlement. The discussion focused on the political implications of delivering the speech before Congress, specifically weighing the advice and perspectives of Speaker Carl Albert and Representative Gerald Ford. The participants evaluated the potential for a Congressional boycott and the broader necessity of securing legislative prestige for the administration's foreign policy announcement.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the logistics of an upcoming meeting with the Executive Committee of the Republican Governors, specifically focusing on how to elevate the status of Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. within the administration. They also reviewed recent political events, including a critique of Speaker Carl B. Albert's performance at a Time magazine anniversary dinner compared to the more favorable impression made by Gerald R. Ford. Finally, they briefly touched on perceived slights by Senator Mark O. Hatfield during a recent presidential breakfast event.
President Nixon consulted with Speaker of the House Carl Albert regarding the selection of House members for future diplomatic visits to the People's Republic of China. Nixon advised Albert to coordinate closely with House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to recommend a delegation that would ensure fair and cooperative representation for the House. This conversation served to delegate the vetting process to congressional leadership, with the President pledging to facilitate the administration's approval of their choices.
On February 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:32 pm and 3:38 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 043-192 of the White House Tapes.
On February 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:32 pm and 3:38 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 043-193 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 12:11 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-126 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:10 pm and 2:11 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-125 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:11 pm and 3:25 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-127 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 3:25 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-128 of the White House Tapes.
On April 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:29 pm and 12:34 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-144 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics and the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on arrangements for a dental appointment and the logistics of personal correspondence and phone calls, including outreach to Gerald R. Ford. They also touched upon matters involving H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman regarding the management of presidential communications and scheduling.
President Richard Nixon and Representative Gerald R. Ford discuss the administration's recent success in sustaining a veto, noting the strong support received from both Republican and Democratic members of the House. Ford suggests that the administration should pursue strategic legislative compromises, specifically regarding the Older Americans Act, rather than maintaining a rigid stance on every issue. Nixon tasks Ford with discussing these potential compromises with John Ehrlichman at an upcoming White House reception to ensure the administration continues to achieve its policy goals without unnecessarily exhausting their legislative allies.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the political risks associated with the pending Economic Stabilization Act conference report. While they express frustration over unfavorable provisions like mandatory disclosure of business profits and wage exemptions, they ultimately conclude that the risk of losing the legislation entirely outweighs these concerns. Nixon decides against supporting Gerald Ford’s attempt to defeat the report in the House, directing his team to manage the bill's implementation instead. The conversation also touches on political tensions regarding the emigration of Soviet Jews and the potential impact on upcoming summits.
On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:30 am and 8:33 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 908-007 of the White House Tapes.
On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at 1:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-082 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon initiated this call to thank Representative Gerald Ford for a supportive note following the difficult resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Nixon urged Ford to rally congressional Republicans to counterattack against political critics, specifically disparaging Senator Charles Percy’s call for a special prosecutor. Ford assured the President that he was actively encouraging his colleagues to speak out in defense of the administration, noting that several members had already pledged their public support.
President Nixon met with House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to solicit political support during the escalating Watergate scandal. Nixon expressed deep personal anguish over the forced resignations of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, while urging Ford to rally Republican members of Congress to defend his administration. He specifically requested that allies push back against critics like Senator Charles Percy and publicly support his leadership during the crisis.
President Nixon and William Timmons discussed the recent House defeat of a Defense Department transfer authority provision, which had been linked to Cambodian funding. Timmons provided an update on the administration's efforts to regroup and salvage portions of the authority related to non-Southeast Asian operations through a potential amendment by Samuel Stratton. Nixon emphasized minimizing the political fallout in the press and instructed Timmons to coordinate with Alexander Haig and Gerald Ford to issue statements clarifying that the vote did not signal the end of U.S. policy in the region.
President Nixon coordinated with Stephen B. Bull to organize a meeting with key Republican congressional leaders, including Gerald R. Ford and George H. W. Bush. Nixon instructed Bull to track the arrival of the attendees and ensure they were provided refreshments while awaiting his arrival at the Executive Office Building. Bull confirmed that a partial group had already arrived, prompting Nixon to direct that the present guests be escorted to the location immediately while he prepared to join them shortly.
On June 5, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:44 pm and 5:21 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 039-092 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted with William E. Timmons to discuss the effectiveness of a recent meeting with Republican Congressional leadership. Nixon explained that his earlier critical stance toward Timmons and his staff was a deliberate tactical move to address the concerns of Congressional members. The President expressed his full appreciation for the hard work of Timmons, Thomas C. Korologos, and the Congressional relations team, instructing Timmons to relay this gratitude to his staff.
President Nixon met with William E. Timmons to discuss legislative strategy and the President's ongoing outreach to Republican leadership, specifically referencing recent interactions with Gerald Ford. Nixon expressed appreciation for the efforts of Timmons and his staff in managing congressional relations despite political pressures. The conversation served primarily as an informal morale boost and a reaffirmation of the administration's coordinated efforts on Capitol Hill.
On June 6, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:51 pm and 4:56 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 039-119 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon prepares for an upcoming meeting with Congressional leaders, including Gerald Ford and Leslie Arends, to discuss legislative strategy and pending petitions. The participants coordinate the arrival of these guests and emphasize the importance of maintaining communication with Senate leadership. The brief discussion serves as a final briefing to ensure the President is ready to address key legislative priorities upon the arrival of the congressional delegation.
President Nixon consulted with an aide regarding his immediate schedule and the management of upcoming meetings with prominent political figures, including Hubert H. Humphrey and Gerald R. Ford. The discussion centered on logistics and the coordination of press attendance for these engagements. Nixon directed the staffer to finalize preparations to accommodate the arriving guests and the accompanying media presence.