Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Kenneth Rush
25 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Woods, Butterfield
When Kenneth Rush comes up
Related topics: Henry KissingerDepartment of DefensePresidential communicationWhite House operationsForeign PolicyVietnam WarThomas H. MoorerLogisticsCamp DavidPublic relations strategyPublic relationsJohn B. ConnallyWilly BrandtWhite House scheduling
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discussed administrative scheduling matters and a gesture of condolence. They agreed that the White House should send flowers for the funeral of Lieutenant Governor J. Sargent Reynolds, a Democrat, to maintain positive political optics. Additionally, Nixon coordinated his upcoming schedule, including a meeting with union officials and a subsequent 6:00 p.m. appointment with Kenneth Rush.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and U.S. negotiator Kenneth Rush to review high-stakes foreign policy developments, including progress on secret channels regarding the People's Republic of China and sensitive negotiations over Berlin. The discussion emphasized the need to link various diplomatic issues, such as the Berlin Agreement and Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction (MBFR) talks, to prevent the Soviets from isolating or dividing Western allies. Nixon directed the team to maintain strategic pressure and prepare for an upcoming meeting with West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, while acknowledging the importance of Rush's role in the ongoing negotiations.
In this extensive series of phone calls, President Nixon coordinates legislative and public relations strategy for the upcoming State of the Union address and the administration's Vietnam policy. He consults with key officials including Secretary of State William Rogers, Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, and Henry Kissinger to finalize the decision to announce a further troop reduction to 69,000. Additionally, the President manages personnel matters, such as selecting Kenneth Rush as a successor, while also directing staff to launch a public campaign framing Senator Edmund Muskie as a proponent of busing.
President Nixon and Peter M. Flanigan discussed the search for a successor to outgoing official Kenneth Rush. Nixon instructed Flanigan to meet with Rush to vet potential candidates, prioritizing William P. Clements, Jr. while acknowledging Robert S. Ingersoll's interest in Japan and the withdrawal of Robert W. Galvin. The President delegated the vetting process to Flanigan, aiming to finalize a recommendation without further direct involvement from the Oval Office.
President Nixon and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird discuss the potential appointment of Kenneth Rush to a high-level position, emphasizing the need to resolve his potential conflicts of interest. The conversation also focuses on finalizing the logistics for an upcoming public announcement regarding the reduction of U.S. troop levels in Vietnam to a 69,000 ceiling by May 1st. Finally, the two address the need for a coordinated response to ongoing intelligence leaks involving the Joint Chiefs of Staff and plan to meet with John Mitchell to formalize their strategy.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss various foreign policy matters, including the recent conflict in South Asia and the diplomatic implications of the independence of Bangladesh. They also review domestic political strategy, specifically coordinating the rollout of the annual foreign policy report with an upcoming presidential press conference to maximize media coverage. Additionally, they discuss the appointment of Kenneth Rush to a key position, emphasizing his ability to navigate the administration's power dynamics and his role in facilitating communication between the President and the national security apparatus.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discussed the positive reception of the President's recent Vietnam speech, agreeing that media coverage was unexpectedly favorable compared to the hostile reaction from some congressional leaders. The pair also coordinated the integration of Maurice Stans into administration activities to boost his morale and affirmed the strategic appointment of Kenneth Rush to the Defense Department. The conversation concluded with Nixon confirming their upcoming Friday meeting despite his temporary departure for Camp David.
President Nixon held a brief morning meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified woman before transitioning to discussions with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Thomas H. Moorer and Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Rush. Henry Kissinger was also involved in the deliberations during this session. Although the specific substance of the dialogue remains unrecorded, the participants focused on high-level foreign policy and national security matters.
On April 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:06 pm and 12:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 709-017 of the White House Tapes.
On May 4, 1972, Henry A. Kissinger and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:04 pm and 3:44 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-156 of the White House Tapes.
On May 4, 1972, Henry A. Kissinger and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:04 pm and 3:44 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-157 of the White House Tapes.
On May 4, 1972, Alexander P. Butterfield, Henry A. Kissinger, President Richard M. Nixon, and John B. Connally talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:55 pm and 5:15 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-159 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to finalize logistical details for an upcoming Duke Law School dinner to be hosted at the White House. The discussion focused on event flow, including seating arrangements, venue selection for the pre-dinner cocktail hour, and the designation of the East Room for refreshments. Nixon also established a strict speaking order and duration for guest speakers, specifically limiting remarks by Dean Joseph T. Sneed and Kenneth Rush to three minutes each.
On May 8, 1972, Henry A. Kissinger and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 2:10 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-003 of the White House Tapes.
On May 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:23 pm and 10:42 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-025 of the White House Tapes.
On May 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 11:53 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-049 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger deliberate on potential diplomatic emissaries to South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, considering figures such as William F. Buckley Jr. The discussion shifts to evaluating the qualifications and suitability of high-level diplomatic appointees, specifically debating the effectiveness of Ambassador Kenneth Rush. The conversation highlights the administration's strategic search for an envoy capable of managing delicate negotiations with the South Vietnamese government.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum at Camp David to record his assessments of key personnel and organizational strategies for his second term. He evaluated potential cabinet roles, including the performance of Kenneth Rush and William J. Casey, and expressed his intent to maintain executive control over foreign policy decisions rather than delegating them to the State Department. Additionally, he reflected on recent interactions with prominent figures such as Nelson Rockefeller and James R. Schlesinger regarding administrative shifts and Republican National Committee leadership.
President Nixon attempted to reach Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman, who was unavailable while attending an event at the Washington National Cathedral. Upon learning of the delay, the President redirected the operator to initiate a call to Undersecretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The conversation reflects Nixon’s efforts to conduct official business regarding the Department of Defense during the evening hours.
On December 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 6:52 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-029 of the White House Tapes.
On December 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 6:52 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-030 of the White House Tapes.
On December 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 6:52 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 237-037 of the White House Tapes.
On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 12:38 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 238-015 of the White House Tapes.
On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 12:40 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-054 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss high-level personnel appointments and administrative staffing, specifically evaluating candidates like David Packard and Kenneth Rush for key roles. The discussion centered on Packard's potential hesitance regarding his stock holdings and his stance on U.S. troop withdrawals from Europe, as well as the political implications of considering John B. Connally. Ultimately, Nixon and Kissinger agreed that Kissinger would pressure Packard to accept a position before his departure, with the understanding that Rush would serve as the secondary choice for the assignment.