Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Peace with honor
25 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Ziegler, Haldeman
President Nixon met with aides Winston Lord and John K. Andrews, Jr. to rehearse and refine a forthcoming speech regarding the Vietnam War. During the session, the President read a draft that emphasized his refusal to compromise U.S. national interests for election-year political gains, while framing the conflict as a test of American resolve against communist aggression. The discussion focused on adjusting the speech’s length and wording to underscore the necessity of achieving "peace with honor" and maintaining the integrity of the presidency.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to rehearse or review the substance of his upcoming televised address to the nation regarding the Vietnam War. During this discussion, Nixon emphasized the necessity of achieving a peace with honor rather than a premature withdrawal. The conversation served to solidify the President's public messaging strategy concerning his decision to escalate military pressure on North Vietnam while maintaining domestic support.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed strategies for managing public relations regarding the ongoing Vietnam peace settlement. They focused on reinforcing the administration's "peace with honor" narrative by engaging influential journalists and commentators, including William F. Buckley Jr. and Howard K. Smith. The discussion aimed to consolidate domestic support for the administration’s diplomatic strategy as negotiations reached a critical juncture.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate a public briefing regarding the North Vietnamese unilateral release of secret Vietnam peace settlement terms. Kissinger outlined a three-part strategy to explain the procedural status of negotiations, the substantive elements of the agreement, and the necessity of further refinements to ensure long-term enforceability. They agreed to frame the delay not as a failure, but as a commitment to a "right agreement" rather than a hurried one, while preparing to counter potential political criticism from George McGovern.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler consulted on media strategy regarding the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and Henry Kissinger’s recent public claim that “peace is at hand.” They discussed how to frame the potential settlement in light of the upcoming 1972 election, contrasting Nixon's goal of “peace with honor” against the alternatives proposed by George McGovern. The discussion also addressed the administration's concerns regarding the role of a coalition government, the specific concessions made by North Vietnam on October 8, and managing press inquiries about bombing campaigns and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, H.R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger to strategize for the final weeks of the 1972 presidential campaign. The discussion centered on monitoring polling data, countering George McGovern’s platform—particularly regarding Vietnam—and maintaining a strong public image of "peace with honor." Nixon emphasized the importance of aggressive political messaging, including the use of surrogates and media tactics to neutralize negative press and emphasize the administration's foreign policy achievements.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to outline the administration's strategic messaging regarding the ongoing Vietnam War negotiations and the impending 1972 election. They contrasted Nixon's "peace with honor" approach, which prioritized South Vietnamese self-determination and military sustainability, against George McGovern's plan, which they characterized as a surrender that would trigger a communist bloodbath. The discussion also addressed the need to manage President Thieu’s suspicions regarding Henry Kissinger and considered the potential dispatch of alternative representatives to secure a final agreement.
President Nixon and Raymond K. Price, Jr. discussed the communication strategy for the final stretch of the 1972 presidential campaign, specifically evaluating the effectiveness of public rallies versus radio addresses. The President expressed frustration with disruptive hecklers and emphasized the need for controlled, broadcast-based messaging to reach a broader audience. A primary focus was finalizing a major speech titled 'Look to the Future,' where Nixon refined his rhetoric on 'peace with honor' regarding Vietnam, underscoring his refusal to be rushed into a settlement agreement by election-year deadlines.
President Nixon spent this session rehearsing his "Look to the Future" speech, a reflection on his administration's philosophy and policy goals. He focused on themes of individual responsibility, the need to reduce federal bureaucratic overreach, and the pursuit of peace with honor in Vietnam. Nixon emphasized that his administration would not be pressured by election deadlines to accept a peace agreement that fell short of his core requirements, including the safe return of prisoners of war.
President Nixon calls Wesley Powell to offer encouragement and support for his New Hampshire Senate campaign during the final days of the 1972 election. The President expresses his appreciation for Powell's past political support, emphasizes his commitment to "peace with honor," and acknowledges the campaign efforts of his own family members in the state. Beverly Powell joins the call briefly to receive the President's praise for her role in the campaign, while the President reiterates his desire to visit New Hampshire after the election.
President Nixon initiated this call to Georgia Congressman S. Fletcher Thompson to express his support for Thompson's candidacy during the final days of the 1972 election cycle. The two discussed their shared political platform, specifically emphasizing peace with honor, national strength, and the enforcement of law and order. Nixon encouraged Thompson to continue his campaign efforts in Georgia, expressing optimism that the "Thompson-Nixon" ticket would succeed in the upcoming vote.
President Nixon called Wisconsin campaign chairman John K. MacIver to express his appreciation for the local organization's efforts and to encourage a strong voter turnout in the final days of the 1972 election. The two discussed campaign themes, including the President's commitment to peace with honor, economic prosperity, and national strength. They also assessed the outlook for competitive House of Representatives seats in Wisconsin, with MacIver reporting that increased volunteer mobilization had improved their standing.
President Nixon called Senator Margaret Chase Smith three days before the 1972 election to express his support for her campaign and discuss their mutual electoral outlook. The conversation focused on the political climate in Maine, the impact of local media opposition, and Nixon's strategy for achieving "peace with honor" in the Vietnam War. Nixon provided Smith with specific talking points to defend his administration's peace negotiations and firm stance against a coalition government, encouraging her to remain confident as she campaigned for re-election.
President Nixon called Montana Senate candidate Henry Hibbard to offer his personal encouragement during the final days of a difficult election campaign. Nixon emphasized his alignment with Hibbard on the issues of achieving 'peace with honor' in Vietnam and maintaining national strength. While discussing the state's patriotic electorate, the President explained that he could not personally visit Montana due to the political complications involved in traveling to neighboring states like South Dakota. Nixon tasked Hibbard with conveying the President's full support to the local press.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Henry Kissinger to coordinate the administration's public and congressional messaging regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations and recent military actions. They discussed refuting media narratives of presidential indecisiveness by emphasizing the consistency of the "May 8th policy" and the necessity of pressure tactics to achieve a "peace with honor." Nixon also expressed his deep resentment toward critical members of the press, academia, and Congress, instructing staff to exclude hostile media outlets from White House social functions while preparing to consolidate negotiating authority ahead of further Paris talks.
President Nixon met with Raymond K. Price, Jr. to provide detailed guidance for a televised speech announcing the imminent Vietnam settlement. Nixon emphasized the importance of framing the agreement as a achievement of "peace with honor" while explaining why his administration had refrained from publicizing the complexities and frustrations of the secret negotiations. He instructed Price to draft a concise, non-defensive address that would resonate with the American public without alienating international partners or undermining the fragile diplomatic process.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the logistics of his upcoming public address regarding the Vietnam settlement and the pursuit of "peace with honor." The conversation touched upon the strategic implications of the recent bombing campaigns and their role in facilitating negotiations. Beyond political discourse, the participants coordinated the President’s personal schedule, specifically managing his needs for refreshments and rest.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to refine the rhetoric for an upcoming public address regarding the Vietnam peace agreement. The discussion focused on framing the Paris agreement as "peace with honor" to secure support from Congress and the public while countering criticism. By reviewing dictated drafts and recordings, Nixon finalized his messaging strategy to distinguish his administration's diplomatic success from a policy of surrender.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for his files to document internal reflections regarding the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and the upcoming memorial services at the Capitol. The recording also touches upon the administration's strategic goals for the Vietnam settlement, emphasizing the commitment to achieving a "peace with honor." The dictation serves as an official record of the President's private assessments of these high-level political and foreign policy matters.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman to dictate a memorandum regarding the framing of the Vietnam peace settlement. The discussion focused on establishing a public relations strategy to define the agreement as "peace with honor" and secure support against political opposition. They emphasized the importance of managing congressional relations and clearly communicating the impact of the administration's policies on South Vietnam's future and the return of prisoners of war.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed concerns regarding Henry Kissinger’s public relations strategy and his perceived efforts to distance himself from the President’s Vietnam policies. Haldeman reviewed his recent attempts to counsel Kissinger on the necessity of reinforcing the President's central role in the peace process and the strategic validity of the December 1972 bombing campaign. They determined that Kissinger must stop subtle posturing that encourages the media to separate his reputation from the administration's, deciding that he should explicitly emphasize the President’s decisive leadership in future public appearances.
President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan discuss the public and political reception of the President's recent press conference, focusing specifically on the administration's hardline stance against amnesty for Vietnam draft evaders. Nixon emphasizes his commitment to achieving "peace with honor" in Vietnam, expressing frustration that critics and the media have failed to acknowledge the achievement. Both men agree that those who avoided service should face legal consequences rather than perform alternative service in the Peace Corps, and they note with surprise the absence of questions regarding the Watergate scandal.
President Nixon called Governor George Wallace to request that he convey the administration's gratitude and support to attendees at a dinner honoring returning Vietnam Prisoners of War. The two leaders discussed the importance of achieving 'peace with honor' and recognized the fortitude of the POWs and their wives. Additionally, they briefly touched upon Wallace's recent health issues and confirmed arrangements for Wallace's upcoming participation in the National Governors' Conference.
President Nixon contacted Governor George C. Wallace to offer his support and appreciation for a dinner event honoring returning Vietnam War prisoners of war. Nixon emphasized that the nation’s success in securing 'peace with honor' was due to the resilience of the POWs and their families. The discussion centered on the importance of maintaining national pride and gratitude for the sacrifice and steadfastness of those affected by the war.
President Nixon dictated a formal speech to be broadcast to the nation regarding the conclusion of the Vietnam War and domestic economic policy. The address emphasized the achievement of 'peace with honor,' honored the sacrifices of veterans, and defended controversial military actions taken in Cambodia and Vietnam. Additionally, the President articulated his administration's efforts to combat inflation, characterizing the stabilization of the economy as a key post-war priority.