Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on John A. Volpe
17 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Volpe, Ehrlichman
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed political strategies in response to recent public opinion polls and negative media coverage regarding the Vietnam War, demonstrations, and the administration's policy initiatives. They analyzed the electoral impact of the administration's China initiative, explored public relations tactics for the Cabinet, and considered the timing of a future presidential press conference to regain control of the political narrative. The conversation also touched on personnel matters, including a potential ambassadorship for John A. Volpe and the administrative reorganization of the United Nations staff.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe and aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistics for an upcoming event involving Congressman Peter W. Rodino, Jr. The discussion centered on the personal nature of the meeting and the potential attendance of a political candidate named Tomas. The participants briefly reviewed scheduling details before concluding the encounter to prepare for the subsequent public interaction.
President Nixon, Alexander Butterfield, and Stephen Bull met to coordinate the distribution of an economic fact sheet to Cabinet members. They discussed administrative logistics and timelines regarding these materials, specifically noting the roles of Charles Colson and Secretary John A. Volpe. The discussion focused on ensuring consistent communication of economic statistics across the administration to avoid redundancy or conflicting statements.
President Nixon and Stephen Bull met to finalize scheduling and logistical details for an upcoming meeting with John A. Volpe and Aldo Moro of the Sons of Italy. The President emphasized a strict time limit of ten minutes for the event and instructed Bull to ensure the interaction remained focused solely on the presentation of awards. To facilitate the proceedings, Nixon decided to present the group with presidential paperweights as gifts.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman discussed the strategic framing of personnel changes within the Department of Agriculture, specifically regarding the transition from Secretary Clifford M. Hardin to Earl L. Butz. They reviewed potential government reorganization plans, focusing on the placement of the Coast Guard and concerns regarding Secretary John A. Volpe’s management. Additionally, the President briefly evaluated his public relations strategy, weighing the benefits of potential interviews with various media outlets, including Reader’s Digest and Playboy.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman debriefed regarding a recent Cabinet meeting, specifically criticizing Secretary of Transportation John Volpe’s comical and repetitive presentation style. They discussed the logistics of 'Transpo '72,' with Nixon expressing concern that the event would lead to significant traffic issues. Additionally, they reviewed Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot Richardson’s performance, concluding that he had received the President's firm message regarding budgetary constraints.
President Nixon initiated this call to Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe to exchange Christmas greetings and discuss the current political climate in Italy. They evaluated the election of Giovanni Leone as the new Italian president and agreed on the necessity of retaining Graham A. Martin as U.S. Ambassador to Italy despite some criticism regarding his social engagement. Nixon clarified that although there had been suggestions to appoint Volpe to the ambassadorship, he ultimately decided against it because of Volpe's vital role and importance to the administration's efforts domestically.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate communication with members of his administration regarding scheduling conflicts. After failing to reach George W. Romney, who was reportedly traveling in Canada, Nixon requested that the operator connect him with Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe instead. The brief exchange highlights the administrative logistics involved in managing the President's internal communications and cabinet scheduling.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to verify the current location of Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe, who was visiting the Virgin Islands. The brief exchange served as a logistical coordination effort to facilitate contact with the Secretary. No significant policy decisions were made during this short communication.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the logistics of administrative restructuring following the 1972 election, focusing on the upcoming submission of resignations by Cabinet members. Nixon instructed that all Cabinet officials submit their resignations to facilitate a comprehensive transition, with individual follow-up meetings planned within the next two weeks. The conversation also touched on the schedules of John A. Volpe and general preparations for the President's second-term reorganization.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the logistics of second-term administration staffing, specifically confirming George H. W. Bush’s acceptance of the Republican National Committee chairmanship. The two men also strategized on managing Robert Dole’s transition and finalized plans to replace Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe. They determined that a firm, consistent policy of limiting domestic cabinet appointments to four years would be the primary justification for personnel changes.
President Nixon met with outgoing Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe and Henry Kissinger to discuss Volpe’s transition to his new role as U.S. Ambassador to Italy. They reviewed strategic objectives for the ambassadorship, focusing on strengthening ties with Italian political factions to ensure stability and navigating the country's complex economic and political climate. The discussion also addressed broader administration goals, including improving outreach to ethnic communities, managing public perception of domestic achievements, and the logistical challenges of a potential presidential tour of Europe.
President Nixon met with James M. Beggs and his wife to discuss Beggs's tenure at the Department of Transportation and his future career prospects. The President expressed appreciation for Beggs's work under former Secretary John A. Volpe while acknowledging the immense difficulty of the department's mission. The conversation concluded with Nixon advising Beggs on potential private sector opportunities in California, specifically praising the management quality of the Howard Hughes organization.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review his upcoming daily schedule and manage logistical arrangements for pending appointments. The discussion focused on coordinating the President's interactions with key figures, including H.R. Haldeman, Giulio Andreotti, and John A. Volpe. Nixon provided specific instructions regarding the scheduling of these meetings and clarified his availability for the remainder of the week.
President Nixon met with Ambassador John A. Volpe to discuss Volpe's diplomatic activities in Italy, specifically regarding the political strength of Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. The conversation also covered the selection process for a new ambassador to Poland, with Volpe providing recommendations and status updates on potential candidates who had been vetted by the FBI and Catholic leadership. The two also addressed the logistical complexities of appointing a military officer to a civilian diplomatic post.
Rose Mary Woods facilitates a telephone conversation between Ambassador John A. Volpe and the White House during a period of significant political instability. Volpe expresses his admiration and support for President Nixon following a televised address, praising the President’s courage and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the office. Volpe also offers to provide specific suggestions regarding White House staff reorganization, which he agrees to transmit via a formal cable marked for the President’s personal attention.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss an impending economic freeze supported by John Connally and review the progress of Henry Kissinger’s negotiations regarding South Vietnam. They determine that if the South Vietnamese government continues to obstruct the peace process, the U.S. should issue an ultimatum regarding future foreign aid. Additionally, Nixon agrees to meet with John Volpe during a helicopter ride to discuss remarks made by Pope Paul VI.