Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Military draft
21 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, MacGregor, BeLieu
President Nixon met with student leaders and Robert H. Finch to discuss strategies for improving the Administration’s communication and credibility with the nation’s youth. The group addressed specific student concerns, including the military draft, loan programs, and government internship opportunities, while exploring ways to increase student participation in public service. The President emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue and encouraged the deployment of Administration officials to college campuses to foster better relationships with the student body.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the positive reception of the President's recent televised speech on the Vietnam War, noting that even skeptical media commentators like Dan Rather recognized the administration's success in meeting troop withdrawal goals. Nixon expresses intense frustration with military leadership regarding the transition to an all-volunteer army, vowing to override their resistance to secure strategic breathing room for the war effort. The conversation also highlights Nixon's desire to promote patriotic narratives, specifically contrasting the heroism of fallen soldiers with the public controversy surrounding Lieutenant William Calley.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to discuss the administration's legislative and economic agenda. The participants analyzed current economic indicators, including inflation and productivity, and evaluated the implementation of the Task Force for International Development's recommendations regarding foreign and military aid. Additionally, the group addressed the future of the military draft, focusing on pay increases and the transition toward an all-volunteer force while assessing potential legislative hurdles in Congress.
President Nixon met with Senator William B. Saxbe and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss the political challenges of extending the military draft and maintaining U.S. foreign policy commitments in Vietnam and Asia. Saxbe expressed concerns regarding growing anti-military sentiment among the youth and in Congress, warning that a filibuster could derail draft legislation and force a precarious renewal in a presidential election year. The President emphasized the necessity of a stable military to support international standing and urged Saxbe to help solidify support among Republican legislators, while also briefly discussing the strategic importance of various domestic infrastructure projects in Ohio.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate the administration's legislative agenda, specifically addressing the ongoing national railroad strike and the upcoming Congressional vote on the military draft. The discussion also focused on foreign policy, with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Henry Kissinger providing briefings on the status of NATO, the credibility of U.S. military commitments in Europe, and the implications of recent Soviet statements regarding mutual force reductions. The President urged the Congressional leaders to maintain a firm stance against unilateral U.S. force withdrawals while emphasizing the need to handle these matters through stable, negotiated frameworks rather than disruptive legislative amendments.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discussed the status of a Congressional conference committee report regarding military pay and the controversial Mansfield Amendment. MacGregor reported a breakthrough on military pay but warned that Representative F. Edward Hébert’s firm opposition to the amendment risked a legislative stalemate through the July 4th holiday. To expedite a compromise that would protect the President's induction authority, MacGregor advised Nixon to call Hébert and advocate for language that avoids setting a terminal date for the draft.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig, and Representative F. Edward Hébert met to discuss congressional strategy regarding the draft and the influence of legislative language on ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. The President tasked Hébert with reviewing specific amendment language to ensure it aligned with White House objectives while avoiding problematic deadline constraints. The discussion also addressed the administration's high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering, specifically balancing potential summits with the Soviet Union and China.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Stephen Bull, and Charles Rebozo to refine his public schedule and manage ongoing policy initiatives. Key discussions included limiting press access for the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China, strategies to resolve the ongoing dock strike, and legislative maneuvering regarding the military draft extension. Nixon emphasized the need to prioritize substantive leadership activities over 'cosmetic' public relations events while preparing for Phase II of his economic program.
President Nixon met with Senator Gordon Allott and other administration and congressional officials to secure the passage of the military draft extension bill. The discussion focused on overcoming legislative stalemates, specifically the concerns surrounding the Mansfield Amendment and the threat of a Senate filibuster. Nixon emphasized that extending the draft was critical to maintaining the United States' international standing and global leverage, and he committed to personally lobbying Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to reach a resolution.
President Nixon and an unknown associate discuss urgent legislative strategies regarding an extension bill for the military draft. The participants analyze the timing of a recent legislative vote and the necessity of coordinating with figures like George P. Shultz and F. Edward Hébert to influence the Senate. Nixon emphasizes the need for a swift, decisive approach to manage political deadlines and ensure the success of the administration's policy objectives.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the stalled peace negotiations regarding Vietnam and the critical, unresolved issue of American prisoners of war. Facing pressure from Senator Mike Mansfield to set a withdrawal deadline, Nixon expresses frustration with the political opposition and orders an urgent, independent military and political assessment from Sir Robert Thompson. Additionally, the pair reviews the status of the Draft Extension Bill, with Nixon expressing deep skepticism regarding the feasibility and cost of transitioning to an all-volunteer military.
President Nixon and Congressman F. Edward Hébert discussed legislative strategy regarding the extension of the military draft, emphasizing the need to maintain a hardline stance to protect national security interests. Nixon requested that Hébert avoid making immediate public comments if an initial vote fails, instead deferring to the President so they can coordinate a secondary strategy with key allies like Leslie Arends and John Stennis. Additionally, Nixon agreed to attend Hébert's 70th birthday portrait-hanging ceremony on October 12, 1971, contingent upon their continued collaboration on the draft legislation.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate strategy regarding the pending draft extension bill and upcoming diplomatic events. The discussion focused on securing legislative support from congressional leaders like F. Edward Hébert and managing the political narrative around the volunteer army and forthcoming summit announcements. Nixon also instructed Haldeman to coordinate with Clark MacGregor to ensure a friendly question regarding foreign policy is planted at the President’s next press conference.
President Nixon met with his staff and members of the press to review his recent, highly effective performance during a press conference. They discussed the tactical success of his responses regarding key administration initiatives, including the military draft extension, Phase II of his economic policy, and his upcoming summit in the People's Republic of China. The conversation underscored the administration's determination to maintain the draft to safeguard U.S. peace initiatives and focused on framing the South Vietnamese elections within a realistic, historical context of global democratic development. Finally, the group considered future media strategies and the need for supporting data regarding U.S. foreign aid distribution to bolster the President's public narrative.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for securing a pivotal Senate vote on the military draft and managing the associated political fallout. Nixon emphasizes the national security implications of the draft, framing opposition as a threat to global peace initiatives and United States' standing. They assess the legislative outlook, expressing confidence that winning a key tabling motion will psychologically defeat the opposition and stall the ongoing debate.
President Nixon met with American Legion leaders, including John H. Geiger and William F. Hauck, to secure the organization's support for his foreign policy, military draft initiatives, and economic agenda. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining military and economic strength to ensure national security and a favorable position in international negotiations, urging the Legion to pressure Congress to sustain the draft. Additionally, the participants discussed concerns regarding the Veterans Administration budget, specifically addressing funding for drug abuse and venereal disease programs, and Nixon promised to coordinate further on these issues through Charles Colson.
President Nixon met with Kenneth BeLieu, William Timmons, and Clark MacGregor to discuss BeLieu's transition to his new role as Undersecretary of the Army. The President emphasized the need for stronger leadership and management within the Army and stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination between the Pentagon and the White House on legislative defense matters. The participants further deliberated on potential military leadership candidates, including Gen. Creighton Abrams, and reflected on the ongoing political challenges regarding the military draft.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinated a strategic public relations schedule for January 1972 to manage the administration's Vietnam policy and pre-empt political opposition. They agreed to separate the announcement of troop withdrawals and the cessation of draftees from the State of the Union address to ensure a sustained series of favorable news cycles. Kissinger was tasked with consulting Admiral Thomas Moorer to finalize the military feasibility of ending the draft, bypassing potential bureaucratic resistance from Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger strategized on how to address public and press inquiries regarding American prisoners of war (POWs) ahead of an upcoming televised interview with Dan Rather. They agreed to emphasize the administration's ongoing, confidential efforts to secure releases, while countering the political push for a specific withdrawal deadline by noting that the North Vietnamese had not indicated a willingness to trade prisoners for such a concession. Additionally, Kissinger updated the President on his progress regarding the cessation of the draft, with Nixon explicitly warning against any leaks regarding the initiative.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss campaign messaging strategy, specifically focusing on the administration’s credibility and the successful transition to an all-volunteer military. They emphasize leveraging the reduction of draftees and the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam as key accomplishments to highlight during the reelection campaign. Nixon underscores the importance of publicizing these defense-related achievements to bolster his political standing against opponents.
President Nixon met with outgoing Secretary of the Army Robert F. Froehlke to express appreciation for his service, specifically citing his contributions to the troop withdrawal from Vietnam and the end of the military draft. The discussion transitioned to the necessity of maintaining conventional military strength, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of public messaging regarding advancements like the B-1 bomber and missile development. The meeting concluded with the President presenting ceremonial gifts to Froehlke and offering his support for Froehlke's future endeavors in Wisconsin.