Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Howard H. Baker Jr.
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Mitchell, Haldeman, Baker
President Nixon met with a Tennessee delegation led by Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., which included local officials and artist Gordon Wetmore. The conversation centered on Tennessee state politics, specifically the legislative agenda of Governor Winfield Dunn, and included lighthearted social interaction and photo opportunities. The group also discussed various administrative schedules and upcoming cultural events, such as a performance by the Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
President Nixon, John Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman met in the Oval Office to strategize on impending Supreme Court nominations and the administration's relationship with the American Bar Association (ABA). The discussion centered on vetting candidates—specifically Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Howard H. Baker, Jr., and various women—while navigating potential political fallout and media criticism regarding judicial qualifications. The President decided to prioritize Powell and expressed a willingness to move forward with nominees like Baker even if they did not receive full ABA approval, aiming to limit the influence of the organized bar and avoid public controversies similar to past nomination failures.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss potential candidates for a Supreme Court appointment, specifically focusing on the hesitancy of Lewis F. Powell, Jr., and the viability of Howard H. Baker, Jr., and William H. Mulligan. Mitchell outlines Powell's concerns regarding his health and eyesight, though Nixon insists that securing Powell is a priority due to his prestige and the Court's urgent needs. The two agree that Mitchell will personally press Powell to reconsider and that they will keep Baker and Mulligan as contingency options should Powell decline.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss strategy for filling Supreme Court vacancies, specifically focusing on persuading Lewis F. Powell, Jr. to accept an appointment. The two also evaluate the candidacy of Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. and debate the merits of considering William H. Mulligan, noting that an appointment from a school like Fordham would challenge elitist preferences for top-tier institutions. Mitchell is instructed to consult with John Ehrlichman and Richard Moore regarding Mulligan's suitability while leveraging the endorsement of Warren E. Burger.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss political strategies and upcoming Supreme Court nominations. They express frustration with Senator Edward M. Kennedy's criticism of the administration, agreeing that his rhetoric has been damaging to his own political standing. The conversation focuses on securing candidates for the Supreme Court, with Nixon pushing for a swift resolution from Howard Baker while evaluating the political optics of potential nominees William French Smith and William H. Mulligan.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss potential Supreme Court nominees, confirming Lewis F. Powell, Jr.'s acceptance and weighing the qualifications and political implications of appointing William H. Rehnquist and Howard H. Baker, Jr. The two men deliberate on the strategic timing of public announcements and the management of the American Bar Association committee's review process. Throughout the discussion, they evaluate the professional reputation and perceived political benefits of their candidates, while briefly joking about Rehnquist’s religious background.
President Nixon and John Mitchell coordinate the final strategy for upcoming Supreme Court nominations, specifically discussing candidates Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Howard H. Baker, Jr., and William H. Rehnquist. Mitchell briefs the President on the American Bar Association’s negative evaluations of other potential nominees, prompting Nixon to decide to publicly challenge the ABA's influence. Nixon directs Mitchell to finalize the selection of either Baker or Rehnquist to pair with Powell, and concludes that he will make a primetime televised announcement the following evening to control the narrative.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss the ongoing process of selecting Supreme Court nominees, focusing specifically on the potential candidacy of Howard H. Baker, Jr. The two men deliberate over Baker's willingness to accept an appointment and the necessity of resolving his outstanding financial disclosures. They conclude by noting that if Baker declines the offer, they will pivot to William H. Rehnquist as a primary alternative.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss the strategy for upcoming Supreme Court appointments, specifically weighing the candidacy of Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. against William H. Rehnquist. Nixon expresses significant concern regarding Baker’s academic credentials and insists on verifying his law school record before making a final commitment. Ultimately, they decide to decline Baker for the current vacancy based on political considerations and the strength of Rehnquist’s superior academic record, while leaving the door open for Baker’s future appointment.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. This brief administrative interaction serves as a routine coordination step to facilitate communication between the President and the Senator. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon initiated this brief telephone call to Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. primarily to extend personal birthday greetings. The conversation remained cordial and informal, focusing on lighthearted exchanges regarding aging and Baker’s status as a young statesman. No substantive policy matters or political actions were addressed during the interaction.
H. R. Haldeman coordinates with William E. Timmons to arrange an unannounced, private meeting between President Nixon and Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. The participants finalize plans for the Senator to meet the President at the Executive Office Building that afternoon. This off-the-record encounter was strictly confidential, requiring the Senator to be escorted directly to the President.
H. R. Haldeman and William E. Timmons discuss the appointment of Fred Thompson as a staffer for the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. They evaluate Thompson’s lack of experience and weigh the implications of hiring George D. Webster to assist or advise the Republican side of the committee. The participants weigh potential titles for Webster, such as associate or co-counsel, in order to balance Republican influence against the perception of Thompson as a political lightweight.
H. R. Haldeman and John Dean discussed strategies for encouraging the Senate Select Committee, specifically Senator Howard Baker, to broaden their inquiry to include Democratic campaign irregularities. Haldeman proposed leveraging opposition research, such as potential communist financing and the activities of Dick Tuck within the McGovern campaign, to create a more balanced investigation. They acknowledged a current lack of hard documentation but agreed to continue compiling and sharing any available materials to support this offensive approach.
President Nixon met with Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. to discuss the ongoing Senate Watergate hearings and the importance of managing the political fallout. The two reviewed strategies for navigating the committee's inquiries, with Nixon emphasizing the need to avoid negative public commentary and prevent a broader scandal. They explored tactics to shift the narrative and ensure the administration maintains a controlled response to the investigators' requests.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing the political fallout of the Watergate scandal and countering congressional investigations. They analyze the impact of upcoming Senate hearings, expressing frustration with the lack of loyalty from Republican legislators like Howard Baker while praising the support of others like Barry Goldwater. Nixon instructs Colson to discreetly shore up support among key Senate allies and agrees to meet with Baker to reassure him of the White House's innocence, aiming to prevent the administration's political agenda from being derailed.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the need for Kleindienst to serve as the primary point of contact for Senator Howard Baker, who has expressed frustration over communication lapses regarding the Watergate investigation. Nixon explicitly directs Kleindienst to "babysit" Baker to ensure he receives proper guidance and stays aligned with White House strategy. Additionally, they discuss the confirmation prospects of L. Patrick Gray as FBI Director, considering potential alternatives like a judicial appointment if his Senate support falters, and confirm the details of a limited policy regarding the release of raw FBI files to the Ervin Committee.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the potential resolution of the Wounded Knee occupation, which appears to be collapsing due to reports that leadership absconded with donated funds. Ehrlichman updates the President on the scheduling of Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, noting that logistical conflicts require postponing their meeting until Kleindienst's upcoming trip to Los Angeles. Furthermore, the two coordinate a follow-up with L. Patrick Gray to address his recent silence and discuss reports provided by Senator Howard Baker.
John D. Ehrlichman calls Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. to establish a formal channel of communication between the White House and the Senate Select Committee on Watergate, following a directive from President Nixon. The participants discuss logistical challenges in scheduling a meeting with Senator Sam Ervin, who is currently away for his brother's funeral. Baker expresses concern regarding the lack of centralized coordination within the White House, prompting Ehrlichman to confirm that he has been tasked with overseeing the administration's response to the committee's inquiries.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the White House’s political strategy regarding the escalating Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the public perception of executive privilege. Haldeman briefed the President on discussions with George H.W. Bush and Howard Baker concerning legislative negotiations and the need for a shift in policy regarding witness appearances. They also reviewed the content of the President’s forthcoming address, which was intended to address public concerns while balancing policy issues like the defense budget and price controls.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative tasks and schedule management. The President directed Bull to instruct William E. Timmons to call Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. to convey the President's personal appreciation for Baker's recent, well-received speech to the Young Republicans Leadership School. Additionally, the President addressed logistical matters, including declining an invitation from Senator Barry Goldwater.
President Nixon held a brief, two-minute meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The discussion served as a precursor to the President's scheduled appointment with Senators Howard H. Baker, Jr. and William E. Brock, III, regarding a visiting Tennessee delegation. No specific policy decisions or substantive actions were recorded during this abbreviated exchange.
Leonard Garment and Ronald Ziegler discuss coordinating a response to an unfounded news story circulating via United Press International regarding the Ervin Committee. Garment reports that Senator Howard Baker denied the story's validity and clarifies that investigator Carmine Bellino is in Washington rather than California. The two agree that the committee must expedite their public rebuttal of the claims to align with the White House briefing schedule, with Ziegler emphasizing the need for a more urgent administrative response.
President Nixon and William E. Timmons met to discuss strategies for managing congressional relations and the ongoing Watergate investigations. The President expressed intense frustration with Senator Howard Baker’s conduct during the hearings, particularly his questioning of John Mitchell, and directed that Baker be denied further access to the White House. They also reviewed plans to engage supportive members of Congress through White House meetings to build a stronger political base, while dismissing the impact of John Dean’s testimony as a failure to implicate the President.