Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Lockheed Corporation
16 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Connally, MacGregor
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John Connally discussed economic stability, the potential federal bailout of Lockheed, and various Cabinet personnel changes. They examined strategies to restore public confidence in the economy and assessed the leadership vacuum within Congress. Additionally, the President and Connally evaluated potential candidates for Cabinet and agency roles, emphasizing the need for effective 'salesmanship' and public relations skills in promoting the Administration's agenda.
President Nixon met with a group of Republican congressmen and administration staff to discuss the dire financial situation of the Lockheed Corporation and the political implications of a government-backed rescue. The discussion focused on the potential economic impact of a Lockheed collapse, particularly regarding job losses among subcontractors, and the challenge of securing congressional approval for necessary financial support. The participants weighed the broader risks to the economy and the administration's leadership against the optics of bailing out a defense contractor amid competing domestic budget priorities.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew, Treasury Secretary John Connally, and Republican Congressional leaders to address critical economic and legislative challenges. The primary focus was the potential bankruptcy of the Lockheed Corporation and the necessary legislative strategy to secure government loan guarantees to prevent a ripple effect of industrial failures and job losses. Additionally, the group reviewed the administration's legislative priorities, including welfare reform, general and special revenue sharing, and the status of various appropriations bills.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leadership, including Hugh Scott and Gerald Ford, to coordinate the administration’s messaging on key domestic and economic issues. The discussion focused on framing the recent mass arrests of anti-war protesters as a necessary measure to maintain public order against vandalism. Additionally, the President urged the leaders to publicly support the Lockheed loan guarantee as a critical initiative for protecting peacetime jobs, aiming to preempt political opposition from Democratic rivals.
President Nixon met with John B. Connally and George P. Shultz to discuss the international monetary crisis and the political strategy for securing Congressional approval for the Supersonic Transport (SST) and Lockheed funding. Nixon emphasized his refusal to sacrifice the domestic economy to stabilize the dollar, asserting that the administration should maintain a firm stance while allowing European nations to manage their own monetary issues. Furthermore, the participants strategized on building a coalition of Republicans and Southern Democrats to advance the administration's legislative agenda, specifically focusing on the upcoming appropriations votes.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the administration's response to the anti-war "May Day" protests in Washington, D.C., and to strategize on key legislative priorities. The participants discussed public relations efforts regarding the recent mass arrests, specifically aiming to project a unified, firm stance of support for local law enforcement. Additionally, Nixon directed efforts to secure sufficient support in Congress for the Supersonic Transport (SST) funding bill, linking its success to future technological defense initiatives like the B-1 bomber program.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman briefly discussed the ongoing crisis surrounding the Lockheed Corporation's financial stability. The conversation focused on the potential resignation of Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard amidst the government's deliberations over a corporate bailout. No final policy resolution was reached during this brief exchange, which centered primarily on personnel implications regarding the Lockheed decision.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss various personnel matters, upcoming scheduling, and economic policy strategies. The conversation focused on the administration's support for Lockheed despite internal cabinet dissent and general economic stabilization efforts. Additionally, they reviewed logistical plans for upcoming public relations events, including meetings with local officials and Business Council members.
Senator John G. Tower and Howard Payne University President Guy D. Newman met with President Nixon for a brief, ceremonial visit that included the presentation of a university medallion and an honorary gift. The discussion quickly shifted to substantive legislative strategy regarding the pending Lockheed loan guarantee bill. Senator Tower briefed the President on the precarious vote count for cloture, outlining his plan to persist with further petitions if the initial vote failed.
President Nixon held a series of meetings involving staff and administration officials to coordinate on several pressing domestic and economic policy matters. The participants discussed legislative strategy regarding the Lockheed Corporation, the political risks associated with school busing and desegregation litigation in Texas, and the appointment of William D. Eberle as the new Special Trade Representative. Nixon emphasized a transition toward prioritizing domestic interests in international trade negotiations and sought to align his team on messaging regarding the administration's stance on school integration compliance.
President Nixon initiated this call to Senator Carl T. Curtis to lobby for support on the proposed Lockheed loan guarantee amendment, emphasizing the severe political and economic risks to the 1972 election in California. Drawing on conversations with Governor Ronald Reagan, Nixon highlighted how further distress in the aerospace and defense sectors would exacerbate regional unemployment. Beyond the immediate legislative push, Nixon requested a private future meeting with Curtis to discuss the administration's welfare reform bill, H.R. 1, seeking to align Republican support while minimizing public friction within the party.
President Nixon and Senator Barry Goldwater discuss the political stakes of an upcoming Lockheed loan guarantee amendment, with Nixon highlighting the potential economic fallout for Southern California's unemployment rate. Despite acknowledging Goldwater's principled opposition to the government intervention, Nixon emphasizes the necessity of the legislation to avoid further economic and political distress. The conversation concludes with a discussion regarding U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, with Goldwater expressing support for the administration's strategy to maintain Taiwan's status in the United Nations.
President Nixon consulted Senator George D. Aiken regarding the Lockheed loan guarantee, emphasizing the urgent need to support the Southern California aerospace industry following the cancellation of the SST program. Aiken expressed reservations about the selective nature of the proposal but agreed to remain neutral during the upcoming debate, acknowledging the economic hardships facing the region. The two also discussed current foreign policy, specifically affirming their mutual support for the administration's stance on maintaining Taiwan's position in the United Nations amid the evolving relationship with the People's Republic of China.
H. R. Haldeman and Treasury Secretary John Connally coordinated lobbying efforts to secure support for the Lockheed loan guarantee legislation. They reviewed the status of various senators, noting disappointing results from President Nixon's outreach to Barry Goldwater and George Aiken. The pair strategized on further persuasion tactics, specifically requesting presidential contact with J. Caleb Boggs while agreeing to abandon efforts to influence William V. Roth, Jr. due to perceived conflicts of interest.
President Nixon lobbied Senator J. Caleb Boggs to support a government loan guarantee for the Lockheed Corporation, citing concerns raised by California Governor Ronald Reagan regarding the potential for increased unemployment in Southern California. Boggs explained that he faced significant political pressure in Delaware, noting that his colleague in the House and local news journals were staunchly opposed to the measure. While Boggs remained noncommittal due to his local political climate, he agreed to keep his vote open, prompting Nixon to suggest the administration would exert influence on Boggs's colleague.
President Nixon telephoned Representative Wright Patman to offer birthday well-wishes and acknowledge his pivotal role in passing the Lockheed loan guarantee legislation. Nixon commended Patman’s legislative efforts while emphasizing the collaborative success between the administration and Congress on the bill. The brief call concluded with the President urging Patman to take an hour off from his duties to celebrate the occasion.