Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on John Connally
135 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Haig, Bull
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate a future meeting with John Connally to discuss his personal plans and future political alignment. Nixon requests that this dialogue remain separate from other scheduled commitments to ensure Connally’s ongoing training remains unaffected. Haldeman is tasked with notifying Connally to arrange the session for early in the upcoming week.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and later John Ehrlichman to coordinate administrative scheduling and legislative strategy. The discussions covered logistics for diplomatic credential presentations, Pat Nixon’s appearances at upcoming events, and the status of John Connally. Additionally, the group debated legislative strategy regarding a debt limit and expenditure ceiling bill, specifically evaluating the effectiveness of White House congressional liaisons and the necessity of direct presidential engagement with legislative leaders.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed the 1972 re-election campaign's media strategy, focusing on the effectiveness of negative advertisements targeting George McGovern's shifting positions on welfare, amnesty, and Vietnam. They discussed concerns regarding the tone of campaign commercials and logistical issues involving funding for the 'Democrats for Nixon' group led by John Connally. Additionally, the President briefly coordinated his administrative schedule, including upcoming meetings with Senate leaders regarding busing legislation and instructions for Henry Kissinger's reporting process.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to publicly discredit a political opponent, specifically by framing his positions on Vietnam as naive, fraudulent, and indicative of an unfitness for the presidency. The two strategize on using John Connally to counter the opponent's messaging and discuss the necessity of securing prime-time television coverage regardless of cost. Nixon emphasizes the importance of highlighting the opponent’s perceived support for the enemy and his failure to condemn communist aggression during sensitive negotiations.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and other staff members to discuss political messaging and public relations strategies regarding the 1972 presidential campaign. Key topics included the administration's response to the Watergate scandal, the ongoing Vietnam War, and framing Senator George McGovern's platform as out of touch with the American mainstream. The participants focused on coordinating media responses and leveraging the influence of allies like John Connally to bolster the President's position on national security and economic issues.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to place a telephone call to Idanell “Nellie” Connally, the wife of John Connally. The brief exchange serves as the logistical coordination required to establish contact with Mrs. Connally. No further substantive policy matters are discussed during this operational connection attempt.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations, focusing on strategies for communicating with South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and managing domestic press relations. The participants evaluated potential candidates for an emissary to Thieu, including John Connally, to deliver a firm message regarding the settlement agreement. Additionally, they reviewed the timing of the troop withdrawal plans and the political impact of the peace terms ahead of the 1972 election.
President Nixon requested a telephone connection to Leonard Garment while receiving a status update from the White House operator regarding John Connally. The operator informed the President that Connally was currently located on an island off the coast of Texas and reachable only via radio. Nixon declined a radio-based connection, deciding instead to wait until the following evening to communicate with Connally via a standard telephone line.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum outlining key strategies for his second-term administration and executive reorganization. He specifically considered implementing a 'Super Cabinet' structure to better navigate relations with Congress. Additionally, the President reviewed John Connally’s proposal regarding the potential retirement and reconfirmation of Supreme Court justices.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and staff members to coordinate the details of the White House holiday schedule, including press tours, receptions, and religious services. The discussion then shifted to a strategic review of a proposal from Henry Kissinger regarding a potential televised address following the breakdown of Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon expressed skepticism toward Kissinger’s suggested approach, fearing it would be perceived as a failure and ultimately decided to have Charles Colson and John Connally review the materials before finalizing his public response.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum regarding urgent Vietnam negotiations and the necessity of escalating military action. He references key advice from Henry Kissinger and John Connally, emphasizing the need for a firm stance following the administration's recent success in the 1972 election. The President uses this time to formalize his strategic directives and reflections on the ongoing peace process.
H. R. Haldeman contacts the White House operator to request a telephone connection to John Connally. The conversation serves solely as a logistical request to facilitate communication between Haldeman and Connally. No substantive political or policy discussions occur during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, H.R. Haldeman, Alexander Haig, and Julie Nixon Eisenhower to discuss political strategy and administrative appointments for the second term. The participants analyzed the perception of the Republican Party, debated the potential for a political coalition involving John Connally, and reviewed candidate selections for key positions, specifically within the Department of Labor. Nixon emphasized the importance of ensuring high-level appointees were strategically aligned with the administration’s policy goals and internal machinery.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss strategies for shaping public perception and press relations following the 1972 election and the Vietnam peace settlement. The conversation focused on the placement of favorable articles and editorials, emphasizing the need to utilize external authors to maintain distance from the White House. Additionally, they evaluated potential political maneuvers, including the role of John Connally and the management of ongoing press inquiries regarding the President's schedule and political opponents.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Stephen B. Bull to strategize on press relations and manage the administration's political image in the wake of the Vietnam peace settlement. The participants discussed handling media inquiries regarding amnesty, scheduling upcoming press conferences, and coordinating with Ronald Ziegler and Henry Kissinger to manage interviews with high-profile journalists like Barbara Walters. The discussion also touched upon internal party dynamics, specifically the prospects of John Connally and potential political shifts within the administration.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Stephen Bull met to discuss upcoming public appearances, including the National Prayer Breakfast and a potential press conference. Nixon expressed his intent to emphasize a silent prayer during the prayer breakfast rather than delivering a standard reconciliation speech, while also reviewing plans for a televised Q&A session. They additionally coordinated logistical details regarding an upcoming meeting with Henry Kissinger and the briefing materials Nixon required for his schedule.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss a wide-ranging agenda including ambassadorial appointments, personnel management within the administration, and the administration's response to the recent murder of U.S. diplomats in Sudan. They reviewed the status of various staff members, discussed the political implications of John Connally's expected party switch, and evaluated the President's press strategy. During the meeting, Nixon decided to lower the White House flag to honor the slain diplomats and instructed staff to streamline ceremonial swearing-in events.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Stephen Bull, and Ronald Ziegler to manage a wide array of administrative, political, and public relations tasks, including scheduling future events and evaluating recent White House hosting efforts. A significant portion of the discussion focused on coordinating upcoming private meetings between the President and POWs, specifically Captain Jeremiah Denton and Colonel Robinson Risner, to ensure these encounters remained low-profile yet impactful. Additionally, the group reviewed the political maneuvering surrounding John Connally’s impending party switch from Democrat to Republican, with Nixon advising caution to insulate Connally from ongoing Watergate-related controversies.
President Nixon met with RNC Chair George H.W. Bush and Janet J. Johnston to discuss Republican Party strategy, personnel, and upcoming electoral goals. They reviewed internal leadership races, specifically addressing tensions between Clarence J. Brown and Robert H. Michel, and discussed the President's stance on intervening in internal party contests. Additionally, the group strategized on recruitment, focusing on potential party-switching candidates in Virginia and the broader political implications of recruiting high-profile figures like John Connally to the Republican cause.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate administrative communications. During this short exchange, Nixon provided specific instructions for Ziegler to report back to John Connally regarding ongoing matters. The conversation functioned as a quick directive to ensure alignment between the White House and key political advisors.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated a meeting for later that afternoon to discuss pending administrative matters. During the call, they celebrated the news that John Connally had officially announced his decision to switch his party affiliation to the Republican Party. Both men characterized this political realignment as a significant and mutually beneficial development for both Connally and the Nixon administration.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate the logistical details for an upcoming meeting with West German officials, including Chancellor Willy Brandt and Foreign Minister Walter Scheel. The discussion focuses on scheduling a photo opportunity to occur at the end of the session to avoid any appearance of conflict. Additionally, the pair briefly touches upon administrative concerns, including the roles of Vice President Spiro Agnew and John Connally, alongside ongoing developments regarding the Watergate scandal and Cabinet-level appointments.
President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discussed potential personnel appointments, including the recruitment of David Packard and E. Barrett Prettyman as White House Counsel, while navigating complex conflicts of interest and personal reservations. The two men also reviewed the political fallout of John Connally’s party switch and tensions regarding Vice President Spiro Agnew’s role on the Domestic Council. Finally, they addressed the ongoing Watergate scandal, agreeing that while the disclosure of the Daniel Ellsberg break-in would be unpleasant, the administration must focus on maintaining government functionality.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize on administration personnel shifts, specifically focusing on calming cabinet anxieties and implementing a 'paced' approach to management rather than sudden, spectacular changes. They finalized the appointments of William E. Colby to the CIA and planned the selection of a professional to lead the FBI, while weighing the potential involvement of John Connally and Horace 'Chappie' Rose to stabilize the White House staff. Nixon expressed a desire to maintain administrative continuity, manage the ongoing Watergate fallout by delegating legal inquiries to the Justice Department, and prepare for an upcoming Cabinet meeting to reinforce government stability.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig held a brief, informal meeting in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative strategy and personnel considerations. Their conversation touched on the potential involvement of John Connally and the management of federal programs to ensure effective executive control. The discussion primarily focused on navigating internal political maneuvers and reinforcing the administration's authority in the wake of ongoing institutional pressures.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss the urgent need to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the confirmation process for Elliot Richardson and the potential risks of selecting an independent candidate. The President expressed frustration with current legal strategies and directed Haig to coordinate with J. Fred Buzhardt to develop a new "game plan" to regain political initiative. Additionally, they reviewed scheduling logistics for John Connally and Henry Kissinger, as well as preparations for an upcoming presidential address regarding Vietnam and national economic policies.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to briefly discuss the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation concluded immediately, with the participant departing the Oval Office at the same time the recording began. No significant policy decisions or substantive developments were captured during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss managing the ongoing Watergate crisis, focusing on the need for a non-defensive, proactive White House response through a forthcoming White Paper. They reviewed the political and economic implications of potential new wage and price controls, with Nixon stressing the need for decisive action to restore public confidence despite resistance from his economic advisors. Additionally, the two discussed the status of a potential Vietnam ceasefire communiqué and coordinated the release timing to align with POW developments.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the successful recruitment of Melvin Laird to the White House staff and strategies for managing John Connally's potential departure and future role. Haig provides an update on his recent meetings, noting that the administration is preparing to announce several major initiatives concerning Vietnam, energy, and the economy, as well as a new FBI director. Additionally, Nixon and Haig address the ongoing Watergate investigation, with the President reporting that his review of recordings has convinced him that allegations involving John Dean are fraudulent.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss urgent diplomatic developments regarding the Paris peace talks, specifically tensions between Henry Kissinger and the South Vietnamese government. Following advice from Kissinger, Nixon agrees to meet with Ambassador Tran Kim Phuong to address these critical issues. Consequently, the President adjusts his upcoming schedule, including postponing a bipartisan Congressional meeting and coordinating a private dinner with John Connally, Bryce Harlow, and Haig.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss ongoing political damage control regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on efforts to implicate previous Democratic administrations in illegal wiretapping. Nixon and Haig strategize on maintaining pressure on figures like Joseph Califano and McGeorge Bundy by highlighting hypocrisy regarding past surveillance practices. Additionally, the pair reviews economic policy, including potential wage and price controls on gas and food, and confirms the scheduling of upcoming meetings, including one with John Connally.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss urgent economic and administrative challenges, specifically deliberating on whether to implement a price freeze and how to restructure White House economic and energy policy leadership. They considered roles for John Connally and the potential appointment of Lady Bird Johnson to the Bicentennial Commission. Additionally, Haig briefed the President on a sensitive, emerging legal issue concerning Charles G. "Bebe" Rebozo, involving an unreported Howard Hughes campaign contribution, and the two discussed strategies for securing appropriate legal counsel to mitigate potential political fallout.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss several pressing administrative and political matters, including the selection of an energy czar and the development of a potential 60-day economic price freeze to leverage Congressional action. They also addressed the inclusion of John Connally in White House operations and reviewed efforts to maintain message discipline within the State Department regarding nuclear war agreements and Vietnam negotiations. Additionally, the pair touched upon ongoing Watergate concerns, specifically the activities of William J. Casey and the status of internal files.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig, Anne Armstrong, Bryce Harlow, and others to discuss public relations strategies following his June 13, 1973, address on economic price controls. The conversation focused heavily on managing the political influence and public roles of John Connally and George H. W. Bush within the administration and the Republican Party. Additionally, the group reviewed potential candidates for leadership roles, including positions within the Bicentennial Commission, while touching upon concerns regarding Watergate, upcoming elections, and personnel management.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the positive television coverage of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's visit, while also finalizing negotiations regarding SALT and MBFR. The pair reviews the political fallout of the Watergate scandal, specifically monitoring media reports regarding John Dean's upcoming testimony and Senator Hugh Scott's remarks. Additionally, they coordinate the timing of personnel announcements for the SEC and John A. Love to avoid negative headlines, and they clarify the future advisory role of John Connally to mitigate public misperception.