Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Personnel appointments
118 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Haig, Rogers, Bull
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for his files, addressing administrative matters and potential personnel appointments. The discussion included references to a recent meeting with John J. McCloy, from whom the President solicited advice and recommendations regarding the selection of a new chairman, specifically considering David Packard for the role. The President also touched upon staffing concerns and broader political outlooks related to future elections.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with H.R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and potentially Jeb Stuart Magruder to discuss personnel matters and media relations, specifically involving the New York Post. During the session, the President dictated a memorandum for his files regarding these discussions. The conversation centered on administrative strategy and the appointment of John V. 'Jack' Brennan as a chief aide.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, and others to discuss various administrative and economic policy challenges, including the status of an industrial commission and potential adjustments to farm subsidy programs. The conversation emphasized a desire for proactive political positioning on upcoming legislative issues rather than reactive policymaking. Additionally, the group reviewed personnel matters, specifically the resignation of Henry Kearns and the potential reappointment of Pierre-Paul Schweitzer at the IMF.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the potential appointment of David Packard to a high-level position, evaluating his qualifications, political alignment, and rapport with Kissinger. The conversation also covers the success of Nixon’s recent meetings with West German Chancellor Willy Brandt and Egon Bahr, including the tone of Nixon's comments regarding the Soviet Union. Nixon concludes by reinforcing the administration's commitment to upcoming Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), instructing Kissinger to maintain high morale and execute their diplomatic strategy.
President Nixon and William P. Rogers met to discuss the staffing of the White House Counsel position following the resignations of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, as well as the ongoing management of the Watergate scandal. The two evaluated potential candidates for Counsel—including George H. W. Bush, John W. Byrnes, and others—emphasizing the need for a candidate with legal expertise who could effectively manage Cabinet and Congressional relations. Furthermore, they reviewed the search for a Special Prosecutor to handle the difficult legal proceedings involving high-level administration officials, ultimately favoring individuals with strong integrity and non-partisan backgrounds.
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.
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 Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss the difficulty of finding qualified personnel for an unspecified position, weighing the challenges of legal and financial complications against the need for a mature, capable candidate. The conversation touches on the frustrations of delegating authority to individuals who attempt to overreach their roles, specifically mentioning a candidate who demanded control over staff appointments. Nixon ultimately expresses a desire to avoid hasty decisions regarding these personnel matters and briefly confirms Rogers’s upcoming diplomatic trip to Latin America.
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 Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss potential appointments and personnel strategies intended to demonstrate administrative stability during a period of political turmoil. The conversation touches upon the selection of a career official to fill a specific position, emphasizing the need to move forward with staffing despite external pressures. Additionally, Nixon prepares Rogers for an upcoming briefing with Henry Kissinger regarding recent diplomatic developments following Kissinger's return from Russia.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the public relations fallout surrounding the indictments of John Mitchell and Maurice Stans, with Nixon expressing frustration over the underlying circumstances. The conversation shifts to scheduling meetings with Henry Kissinger and William Rogers to manage media coverage, as well as vetting William C. Sullivan for the FBI directorship based on strong recommendations from Senator Henry Jackson. Additionally, they review potential candidates for other high-level appointments, including James Schlesinger and replacements for the commission roles previously discussed with Earl Warren.
In this meeting, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Secretary of State William Rogers discussed the administration's foreign policy strategy amidst the growing pressure of the Watergate scandal. The participants focused on preparing for an upcoming Soviet summit, managing ongoing negotiations regarding the Paris Peace talks and Cambodia, and evaluating personnel changes within the State Department. Despite concerns about domestic distractions and Congressional opposition, they emphasized the necessity of maintaining a firm stance in international negotiations, particularly regarding nuclear arms control and Southeast Asian stability.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz met to coordinate strategy on several administrative and economic issues, including energy policy, the federal budget, and personnel appointments. Shultz briefed the President on potential voluntary allocation plans for energy and strategies for maintaining a balanced budget, while the two also discussed the political impact of the Watergate scandal and the status of ongoing grand jury investigations. Furthermore, they reviewed international development commitments and specific cabinet-level appointments, with Nixon encouraging Shultz to pursue these initiatives despite the prevailing political climate.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly conferred regarding the logistics of an upcoming event and the appointment of an individual to lead the Blair House. Nixon expressed a preference for the specific administrative arrangement being proposed to ensure proper management. The discussion concluded with a consensus to proceed with the planned approach for the evening's proceedings.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the administration's strategic response to ongoing Watergate allegations and the public's waning interest in the scandal. They agree to refrain from a direct White House rebuttal to John Dean's claims, favoring instead a focus on positive policy achievements, such as new economic initiatives and key personnel appointments, to project stability. Nixon expresses confidence that the administration has moved past the threat of impeachment or resignation and emphasizes that maintaining a busy, productive agenda is the best way to ensure political survival.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the ongoing efforts to secure an appointment for Melvin Laird, noting Laird’s reluctance and the administration's use of political leverage, including the potential influence of John Connally. The conversation then shifts to the Watergate scandal, specifically regarding John Dean's notes on his meetings with the President. Nixon expresses a desire to secure and personally review these notes to assess the extent of Dean's allegations and plan a strategic response, including potential involvement from Hugh Scott.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the potential appointment of former Pennsylvania Governor William W. Scranton to lead the administration's energy initiatives. Nixon characterizes Scranton as a capable administrator who could benefit the administration by bringing an outside perspective to the complex energy challenge, potentially supported by Charles DiBona. The conversation concludes with Nixon instructing Haig to contact Scranton the following morning to gauge his interest.
President Nixon, Alexander Haig, and Anne Armstrong discuss the recruitment of William Scranton for a high-level position, emphasizing the importance of securing his agreement despite his wife's influence. They also finalize administrative announcements, including the appointment of Bryce Harlow and a change in title and salary for Rose Mary Woods. Haig confirms that Scranton is prepared to travel to Florida to finalize the arrangement, and the President requests a photograph with Harlow to coincide with the public announcement.