Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on ITT scandal
23 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Ziegler
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to discuss political strategy, including his administration's position on a busing moratorium and the status of his forthcoming meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Education. The group addressed internal staff tensions, specifically regarding Pat Buchanan's potential resignation over disagreements with the Shanghai Communiqué and his frustration with the administration's perceived failure to satisfy conservative interests. Additionally, the President and his advisors reviewed the escalating ITT antitrust controversy, evaluating the political risks associated with the Justice Department's settlement and allegations involving Dita Beard and Jack Anderson.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to prepare for an upcoming session with Republican Congressional leadership regarding welfare reform, revenue sharing, and the ongoing ITT controversy. Nixon instructed Ehrlichman to lead the presentation on policy matters while avoiding direct engagement on the ITT scandal. They further discussed political strategy to discredit columnist Jack Anderson and manage the testimony of Dita Beard, focusing on evidence that the Republican Party had previously rejected ITT contributions.
President Nixon met with Mark Andrews, Ronald Ziegler, and Henry Kissinger to coordinate the administration's public relations strategy regarding his upcoming trip to the Soviet Union and to manage political fallout from the ITT scandal. The participants discussed ensuring that details of potential bilateral agreements with the Soviets remain confidential to avoid premature disclosure or diplomatic friction involving Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Furthermore, they addressed the need for a unified response to media inquiries, specifically regarding allegations involving John N. Mitchell and the ITT case, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict control over information leaked to the press.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, Kenneth Clawson, and others to discuss public relations strategies regarding the burgeoning ITT controversy and the authenticity of the Dita Beard memorandum. The participants expressed concerns that the memo was a fabrication, likely manipulated by Jack Anderson or his staff, and strategized on ways to discredit the document while navigating negative media coverage orchestrated by political opponents, including Senator Ted Kennedy. The President emphasized his belief that the memo was logically inconsistent and forged, instructing his staff to aggressively investigate its origins and use the findings to protect the administration from scandal.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler coordinated messaging strategies for upcoming press briefings, specifically regarding contentious political issues like school busing and the ongoing ITT controversy. They analyzed the political implications of the ITT scandal, including potential connections to Peter M. Flanigan and the role of campaign contributions in the broader debate. Additionally, they touched upon the public reception of a book by James Keogh and addressed logistical details concerning the arrival of pandas at the National Zoo.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing negative press coverage regarding the International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) scandal. They specifically address efforts to influence the Washington Star and journalist Smith Hempstone, as well as the investigation into Dita Beard and the involvement of White House staff. The conversation focuses on countering damaging narratives through media management and monitoring ongoing inquiries.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler and Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman to review Ziegler's recent press briefing regarding the International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) scandal and controversy surrounding Peter M. Flanigan. Nixon and Haldeman critiqued the media's performance and instructed the press team to adopt a more aggressive, combative stance against partisan critics rather than remaining on the defensive. They also briefly discussed the administration's upcoming television address on busing and potential strategies for the President’s participation in the Gridiron dinner.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and Henry Kissinger to discuss international strategy and domestic political challenges. The group reviewed the potential for a Secretary of State trip to Europe to bolster ties before the Soviet summit, as well as plans to reorganize the State Department to better align with presidential goals. A significant portion of the discussion focused on managing the political fallout from Nixon's recent speech on busing, with action items assigned to staff to influence Southern conservatives and local press. The participants also explored strategies to handle the ITT controversy and the investigation into Dita Beard's memorandum.
President Nixon and John B. Connally held a wide-ranging discussion to coordinate political messaging and strategy regarding the upcoming presidential election. They focused on managing negative press, particularly concerning the ITT scandal and rising food prices, while solidifying their stance on domestic policy issues such as Social Security and environmental regulations. Nixon emphasized the necessity of standing firm on these policies rather than reacting to every fluctuation in public sentiment or media criticism.
President Nixon met with Raymond Shafer, John Ehrlichman, and Egil Krogh to discuss the forthcoming release of the President's Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse report. The group strategized on how to frame the findings, with the President emphasizing his opposition to marijuana legalization while acknowledging the commission's recommendation to decriminalize private possession. Additionally, they reviewed political campaign dynamics, the President's position on school busing, and a sensitive plan to involve J. Edgar Hoover in authenticating an ITT-related document to neutralize media scrutiny.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and others to strategize on managing the political fallout from George Meany’s resignation from the Pay Board and the ongoing ITT controversy. The participants discussed crafting the President’s public response to minimize criticism of his labor policies, focusing on the "special interests" narrative to isolate Meany and neutralize Democratic attacks. Additionally, the President issued directives to accelerate government spending through federal agencies and instructed his staff to aggressively challenge congressional misconduct, including the potential release of derogatory information on political opponents.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discuss the political fallout and media coverage surrounding Dita Beard and the ongoing International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) investigation. They specifically evaluate the implications of Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s aggressive questioning of Beard and explore potential White House strategies for managing the situation. The conversation concludes with a brief review of the President's upcoming schedule.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discussed the sudden collapse and reported heart seizure of Dita D. Beard during her intense questioning by Senator Edward M. Kennedy regarding the ITT case. Colson provided the President with details on the medical incident and speculated on the potential political fallout and media narrative surrounding the event. The two men agreed that the dramatic nature of the situation would likely dominate news coverage in the coming days.
Ronald Ziegler and Charles Colson coordinate the White House's public response to the International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) scandal. They agree to maintain a "no comment" position from the administration while tasking William R. Merriam with issuing a denial regarding allegations of inappropriate White House contacts. The pair seeks to confirm whether the improper communications originated from Edward J. Gerrity, Jr. or Merriam so that the appropriate individual can formally refute the claims.
President Nixon met with Clark MacGregor and Alexander Butterfield to coordinate a messaging strategy for Republican members of Congress regarding the economy and the administration's price stabilization program ahead of their recess. The discussion also addressed the stalled confirmation of Richard G. Kleindienst and the ongoing ITT controversy, with Nixon pushing for a swift committee vote to resolve the matter. Finally, Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the geopolitical risks and potential benefits of including a stop in Poland during the President's upcoming trip to the Soviet Union.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the ongoing political damage caused by the International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) scandal and the resulting controversy surrounding Richard G. Kleindienst's Senate confirmation. They express frustration with the media's handling of the case and the unauthorized television appearances of White House staff, specifically Peter M. Flanigan. To mitigate political fallout during an election year, the President and Colson determine that they must force a resolution to the ITT matter and minimize the duration of the Senate hearings to prevent further damage to the administration.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and senior staff to discuss foreign policy developments, specifically focusing on Vietnam, Middle East peace strategies, and the logistics of upcoming summit travels to Russia, Poland, and Iran. The group deliberated on how to handle the political fallout from the ITT scandal and the associated legislative impacts, emphasizing the need for a more disciplined communication strategy. Nixon and his advisors also reviewed political maneuvering regarding the upcoming election, including the importance of tax rhetoric and the necessity of maintaining control over internal messaging.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss a wide range of political strategies, focusing heavily on managing the ongoing International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) investigation, avoiding an anti-labor legislative trap, and finalizing the President's stance on busing and aid to parochial schools. Nixon emphasized the need for his staff to remain focused on key political issues—the cost of living, busing, and the Vietnam War—while insulating the White House from the fallout of the ITT hearings. The participants strategized on how to handle Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman James Eastland to bring the ITT investigation to a close, balancing the desire to end the hearings with the need to avoid appearing as if they are orchestrating a cover-up.
President Nixon met with his inner circle and advisors, including Henry Kissinger, John Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman, to discuss the intensifying North Vietnamese offensive and the resulting requirements for U.S. military response, specifically air strikes. The conversation covered the necessity of maintaining national resolve and foreign policy credibility amidst political pressure and the upcoming 1972 election. They also addressed the ITT political controversy, with Mitchell advising the President to handle it with caution, and briefly touched upon diplomatic staffing changes and the upcoming Soviet summit.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and Alexander Butterfield to manage the administration's public relations, messaging, and political strategy. Key discussions included the ITT case and the selection of the Republican National Convention site, criticism of speechwriting staff, and the administration's aggressive approach to domestic issues such as busing, crime, and morality. Nixon emphasized the need to prioritize major issues and ordered a shake-up of his speechwriting team to ensure messaging aligned with his conservative agenda.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed strategies to manage the ongoing ITT-related congressional hearings, specifically focusing on limiting the testimony of Peter M. Flanigan and avoiding the appearance of Jack Gleason. The administration secured an agreement with Chairman Sam Ervin to restrict White House witnesses and conclude hearings by Thursday, contingent upon Flanigan providing a written statement. To bolster this position, Nixon and Haldeman planned for Republican senators to stall during executive sessions and raise objections regarding the relevance of testimony to delay or prevent further questioning.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategies to manage the ongoing ITT confirmation hearings, focusing on limiting hostile questioning of witness Jack Gleason and stalling Democratic probes. Nixon directed Colson to leverage information regarding past Democratic contributions from ITT to deflect political pressure and, if necessary, expose financial ties between the company and members of the Senate. The conversation also touched on the administration's aggressive communication strategy, specifically praising John Connally’s public defense of Vietnam policy and planning for Vice President Spiro Agnew to confront dissenting Ivy League university presidents.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative tasks and discuss sensitive political matters. The conversation covered logistical arrangements for providing the film *Sunrise at Campobello* to George C. Wallace and addressed Elmer Bobst’s urgent recommendation that the President seek legislation for capital punishment regarding hijackers and kidnappers. Additionally, the participants touched upon the health and behavior of Martha Mitchell and the associated stress placed on John Mitchell amid the ongoing ITT and Watergate controversies.