Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on John A. Scali
30 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Scali, Colson, Haldeman
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss foreign policy messaging, the administration's defensive stance regarding the Vietnam War, and potential media strategies. A primary focus was the potential recruitment of journalist John A. Scali to assist in communications and press relations, despite concerns about how he would interact with Henry Kissinger and the National Security Council. The group also reviewed current Gallup poll trends and the impact of public-facing appearances, including the President's daughter’s engagement and media interviews, on the administration's approval ratings.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Representative Gerald Ford discussed the potential appointment of journalist John Scali to a senior White House role intended to improve the administration's public relations and media strategy. Nixon emphasized the need for a seasoned professional to help streamline communication and counter negative media coverage, specifically regarding Vietnam and the Supersonic Transport (SST) funding vote. They also coordinated logistics for the upcoming funeral of Thomas E. Dewey, including seating arrangements and travel, while reflecting on the political challenges of the administration's legislative agenda.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to review the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative priorities. The discussion focused on coordinating a meeting with John A. Scali and arranging the logistics for a forthcoming signing ceremony. The brief interaction concluded with the finalization of these immediate ceremonial and professional engagements.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to review and finalize the President’s daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating appointments with John A. Scali, Oliver F. Atkins, and Henry A. Kissinger. They confirmed the expected duration and logistical arrangements for these upcoming meetings.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place a telephone call to journalist John A. Scali. This brief interaction served as the administrative bridge to initiate communication with Scali regarding undisclosed matters. No further substantive discussion took place during this exchange beyond the request to connect the two parties.
President Nixon consulted with John A. Scali regarding the sensitive management of an upcoming visit by a Chinese athletic team to the United States. Emphasizing the need for subtlety, the President instructed Scali to coordinate with Henry Kissinger and William T. Gossett to ensure the visit was controlled, low-key, and aligned with diplomatic protocol. Nixon stressed the importance of timely execution to maximize the impact of the initiative while maintaining a balance between visible government oversight and avoiding excessive press scrutiny.
President Nixon initiates a request to the White House operator to place a telephone call to journalist John A. Scali. The brief communication serves solely as an administrative directive to establish contact with Scali. No further substantive policy matters or tactical decisions are addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to journalist and television correspondent John A. Scali. The brief interaction served as a logistical arrangement to establish communication with Scali. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request for a return call.
President Nixon dictates a letter reflecting on his past interactions with the press while preparing for an upcoming press conference. He specifically discusses the performance of Ronald L. Ziegler and John A. Scali, evaluating their roles in managing media relations. The President further analyzes his own strategic approach to public appearances, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining a cooperative persona when addressing the White House press corps.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place an outgoing call to journalist and television correspondent John A. Scali. The brief communication served exclusively as a request to initiate contact with Scali. No further substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Richard Nixon engaged in a brief telephone conversation with John A. Scali, a journalist and future diplomat. Given the lack of a transcript and the withdrawn status of the primary segment, the specific subject matter remains restricted. No substantive policy decisions or actionable outcomes are reflected in the available documentation.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed the success of a recent cabinet meeting, specifically praising a presentation by John Scali. They discussed the public relations strategy for the Soviet Union grain deal, with Colson outlining efforts to ensure the President receives personal credit for the diplomatic and economic success. Additionally, they touched upon the status of current unemployment figures, the performance of the stock market, ongoing negotiations regarding the Pay Board, and the necessity of maintaining favorable relations with pollster Louis Harris.
Henry A. Kissinger directed the White House operator to place an outgoing call to journalist John A. Scali. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to facilitate direct communication between Kissinger and Scali. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this connection attempt.
Henry Kissinger directed the White House operator to facilitate urgent communications regarding ongoing diplomatic efforts. He requested a call to journalist John A. Scali, specifying that Secretary of State William P. Rogers should be contacted instead if Scali proved unavailable. This instruction underscores Kissinger’s intent to manage external messaging or gather information through both media and official State Department channels.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate the administration's public relations strategy following an interview given by H. R. Haldeman. They discussed whether to issue a formal statement regarding the controversy or simply allow the issue to fade, ultimately deciding against volunteering further information to the press. The conversation also touched on preparations for the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China and the timing of a planned foreign policy address.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to discuss the administration's public relations strategy regarding a specific news story involving Kenneth W. Clawson and John A. Scali. The President instructed Colson to investigate the details of this story to preempt potential complications. Manolo Sanchez joined the meeting briefly at its conclusion as the President managed his scheduling obligations.
President Nixon initiates a request for the White House operator to place a telephone call to John A. Scali. This brief interaction serves as a logistical bridge to connect the President with his contact. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this specific transmission.
President Nixon consulted with John A. Scali regarding a personal matter involving a potential future commitment. The brief exchange centered on Nixon’s recent conversation with professional football player Sonny Jurgensen and the President's deliberation over an unspecified offer or request. Nixon ultimately expressed a desire to keep the matter private, concluding the discussion without any further formal action.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met briefly to coordinate administrative logistics and executive appointments. The discussion centered on the timing of the announcement regarding John A. Scali’s nomination as Ambassador to the United Nations. Additionally, the participants reviewed the President’s schedule, including a planned telephone call to Arthur Krock.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss communication strategy regarding the Vietnam War, emphasizing the need for administration officials to remain silent until concrete developments occur. Nixon stresses that public appearances, such as his attendance at President Truman's funeral, serve to project stability without necessitating political commentary. The two also evaluate the appointment of John A. Scali as UN Ambassador and address concerns regarding Henry Kissinger’s sensitivity to press leaks and his unauthorized meeting with Senator Charles Percy.
Charles W. Colson contacted his office and Holly Holm to secure transcripts of the President's remarks and Ronald Ziegler's press briefing regarding a bipartisan leadership meeting. Additionally, he instructed Holm to relay authorization to John A. Scali concerning the handling of CIA reports. This directive emphasized that Scali had a "green light" to proceed with his proposal while maintaining strict discretion.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and upcoming engagements. The discussion focused on preparations for a Cabinet meeting, specifically ensuring the participation of George H. W. Bush and John A. Scali. Additionally, the President reviewed plans regarding an interaction with Charles W. Colson.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to coordinate logistics for a scheduled photo session with Ambassador John A. Scali. They discussed moving the shoot to the Rose Garden to take advantage of the pleasant weather. The President directed Bull to inform relevant staff of the change in venue before the participants proceeded with the walk and subsequent meeting.
President Nixon met with incoming UN Ambassador John A. Scali and General Brent Scowcroft to discuss strategies for representing U.S. interests within the United Nations. Nixon emphasized that Scali should adopt a pragmatic approach, defend U.S. foreign policy, and actively challenge the 'double standard' often applied to the United States by smaller nations. The discussion also covered logistical improvements for the UN mission staff, the status of Vietnam POWs, and the administration's firm stance against international subversion, particularly regarding Cuba.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call through the White House operator to contact John A. Scali, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The primary purpose of this interaction was to secure a direct line of communication with the Ambassador for an unspecified objective. No further substantive discussion occurs during this short exchange as the operator processes the request.
President Nixon called John A. Scali to offer his well wishes before Scali assumed his new role as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During the brief exchange, the President also extended congratulations regarding Scali’s recent marriage to his wife, Denise. The conversation served primarily as a formal and personal gesture of encouragement as Scali prepared for his upcoming diplomatic assignment.
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled exchange with John A. Scali, his newly appointed Ambassador to the United Nations, to touch base regarding his recent appointment. The conversation lasted only one minute and appears to have served as an informal check-in rather than a substantive policy discussion. No significant developments or specific action items were recorded during this brief interaction.
A White House tour group consisting of an unidentified man and woman visited the Cabinet Room, where they discussed the room's layout and the specific roles of various Cabinet members. The participants examined the Cabinet table and identified the assigned seating positions for officials such as George P. Shultz, Anne L. Armstrong, and John A. Scali. The interaction concluded without any significant policy developments or administrative action items.
President Nixon coordinated the logistics for an upcoming meeting with John A. Scali, including the specific timing of the session and the necessary protocol for staff. The participants finalized plans for a press photograph to be taken during the encounter to document the meeting. Nixon provided clear instructions to his staff to be signaled when the guest was ready to be escorted into the Oval Office.
President Nixon, Secretary of State William P. Rogers, and Assistant Secretary Joseph J. Sisco discussed the development of a statement for U.S. Ambassador to the UN John A. Scali regarding Security Council operations. The participants coordinated how Scali should address the press following his meeting with the President. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the ongoing Paris peace negotiations, with Nixon suggesting that Henry Kissinger personally brief Rogers on the latest developments.