Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Phase II economic policy
21 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Safire, Haldeman, Mitchell
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the President's upcoming travel schedule, specifically focusing on trips to Montana, Portland, and Alaska. They discussed the political optics of specific events, such as a potential pipeline announcement and a reception with Governor Walter Hickel in Anchorage, while also evaluating how to manage press relations and public perception regarding economic policies and the Vietnam War. Additionally, they reviewed strategies for handling political rivals like Edmund Muskie and prepared for an upcoming address to Congress concerning economic stabilization.
President Nixon met with John Mitchell and Arthur Burns to discuss a range of sensitive political and economic issues, including potential Supreme Court appointments following Justice John Harlan's resignation and the administration's international economic strategy. The participants evaluated the challenges of currency realignment, the gold standard, and U.S. negotiating positions ahead of upcoming international meetings with central bankers and finance ministers. Additionally, they addressed the implementation of the administration's post-freeze 'Phase II' economic policies and the importance of securing labor cooperation to maintain public support for these initiatives.
President Nixon met with the White House Consumer Advisory Council to discuss the economic implications of the administration's recently implemented wage-price freeze and the planning for Phase II economic policies. The participants, including Virginia H. Knauer and various consumer advocates, addressed the need for consumer representation, effective enforcement mechanisms, and the impact of inflation on fixed-income groups. The meeting served as a forum for the council to express support for the President's economic stabilization efforts while emphasizing the importance of public participation and transparency in controlling costs.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Stephen B. Bull, and an unidentified individual to coordinate the administration's scheduling, economic strategy, and public relations. Discussions focused on preparations for Phase II economic policies, including upcoming meetings with key economic advisors, and the management of the President's public appearances and travel schedule. The group also reviewed the reception of the President's recent appearance at the National League of Families convention and discussed the political impact of his entry methods and press coverage.
President Nixon consulted with aides John Mitchell, Charles Colson, H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and John Connally regarding strategic messaging for the upcoming Phase II economic policy and the political fallout of his planned trip to the People's Republic of China. The participants coordinated a media roll-out for the economic plan, specifically scheduling Connally to hold a follow-up press conference to anchor the administration's position after the President’s speech. Additionally, the group discussed the positive impact of the China announcement on foreign policy optics, successfully shifting media focus away from the recent South Vietnamese election.
President Nixon spoke with Representative David N. Henderson to express appreciation for his legislative support and to discuss strategy for upcoming votes in the Senate. The President vowed to pressure Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott to prevent opposition to the administration's tax bill and noted his intent to announce Phase II economic plans soon. Additionally, the two discussed hurricane damage in North Carolina and made a lighthearted agreement to attend a college football game between Duke and the University of North Carolina.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed legislative strategy regarding the Byrd amendment on chrome, focusing on the need to manage relations with Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. and the broader implications for Congress. The conversation also touched upon the administration's stance on the PRC and upcoming messaging efforts, including the preparation of the President's Phase II economic speech. Kissinger committed to coordinating with Clark MacGregor to ensure key political allies were reassured and remained aligned with the administration's objectives.
President Nixon consults with speechwriter William Safire regarding the inclusion of legislative updates in an upcoming Phase II economic address. Nixon directs Safire to incorporate a segment urging the Senate to act promptly on a tax program already passed by the House, highlighting its potential for job creation. This addition serves to reinforce the administration's momentum on the "three-front program" of restraining prices, creating jobs, and stabilizing the dollar.
President Nixon met with speechwriter William Safire to finalize the text for a upcoming speech regarding the administration's Phase II economic policies. The pair discussed specific wording and necessary revisions for the speech's concluding page. Nixon directed Safire to polish the final draft and coordinate with Rose Mary Woods to ensure the document was prepared for his review the following morning.
President Nixon and William Safire discussed revisions to a speech regarding Phase II economic controls, specifically focusing on how to address corporate profits without alarming the business community. Nixon insisted on narrowing the language to target only "exorbitant" or "windfall" profits, ensuring that the Price Commission would not be perceived as having broad regulatory authority to monitor all business earnings. Consequently, they decided to strike several paragraphs and soften the rhetoric surrounding mandatory controls on dividends and interest to avoid unnecessary political or economic friction.
President Nixon consulted with William Safire to check on the progress of a draft for an upcoming Phase II economic policy speech. Safire confirmed that the document was in the final stages of proofreading and would be delivered to the President immediately. Nixon emphasized the urgency of the delivery to ensure he received the materials in a timely manner.
President Nixon and speechwriter William Safire discuss the strategy for an upcoming Phase II economic speech, specifically focusing on how to manage the release of accompanying letters to the press. Nixon instructs Safire to withhold the letters from the prepared text to maintain a spontaneous appearance, preferring they emerge as a secondary story. Regarding a report from George Shultz on labor cooperation, Nixon decides against including a reference to George Meany’s support, choosing instead to let labor leaders speak for themselves to avoid potential public contradiction.
President Nixon and speechwriter William Safire reviewed final revisions for a major upcoming address concerning the administration's Phase II economic policies. The discussion focused on refining specific phrasing regarding wholesale prices and business cost-savings to ensure the message was clear and firm for the public. Nixon emphasized that the policy must apply equitably across all sectors and expressed indifference toward potential short-term volatility in the stock market, which he characterized as neurotic.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss the administration's recent legislative successes, specifically a Senate vote on federal pay and House passage of a tax bill, which serve as positive momentum for the upcoming Phase II economic policy announcement. The President outlines his strategy for an upcoming meeting with Senator Russell Long to expedite tax legislation and pressure the Senate to act more decisively on his broader domestic agenda. MacGregor confirms his plans to attend a Midwest Republican Conference in Indiana, where he will promote the administration’s legislative programs and the President's vision for government reform.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and key staff members to review the administration’s domestic and foreign policy priorities, primarily focusing on the economic transition to 'Phase II' and the announcement of a 1972 Soviet summit. Officials discussed the successful implementation of the wage-price freeze and the strategy for securing organized labor's cooperation on the newly formed Pay Board and Price Commission to curb inflation. Additionally, the President addressed the importance of linking economic policy to job growth through his pending tax proposals, while Secretary of State Rogers and the President emphasized that international diplomatic overtures toward the Soviet Union and China were part of a cohesive, long-term strategy for global peace.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed ongoing negotiations with labor leaders regarding the Pay Board and the economic freeze. Colson reported progress in securing a commitment from Frank Fitzsimmons to maintain labor participation on the board, provided the sanctity of contracts is recognized. Additionally, the pair reviewed recent election results—highlighting victories by Rizzo, Perk, and Heinz—and analyzed Louis Harris’s polling data concerning public sentiment on Vietnam, the United Nations, and the political opposition.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming daily schedule, specifically reviewing appointments with John B. Connally and George E. Allen. They discussed the logistics for an upcoming Cabinet meeting, which included agenda items concerning John A. Volpe's reports and Phase II economic policies. Additionally, the pair coordinated the scheduling and press strategy for the Cost of Living Council meeting involving Donald Rumsfeld and other economic officials.
President Nixon calls Treasury Secretary John B. Connally to coordinate logistics for a meeting with Henry Kissinger and to adjust the agenda for an upcoming Cabinet session. Nixon advises Connally to refrain from making extensive remarks regarding major policy issues during the Cabinet meeting to avoid overshadowing Secretary John A. Volpe’s report and potential friction with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Consequently, they decide that Connally will limit his Cabinet contribution to a discussion on Phase II economic policy.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John Connally discussed the administration's aggressive legislative strategy with congressional leaders and the political opposition they faced. They reviewed the status of Phase II economic policies, including wage retroactivity and market perceptions, while expressing mutual confidence in their economic direction. The conversation also touched upon Connally's potential political vulnerability following his trip to Vietnam and concluded with arrangements for an upcoming Quadriad meeting.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to review recent polling data, discuss political appointments, and address various scheduling items. They analyzed a drop in the President's approval ratings, speculating on the impact of Phase II economic policy implementation and the recent United Nations vote regarding Taiwan. Additionally, the President reviewed a request to visit the Washington D.C. subway construction site to influence a forthcoming congressional vote, and Haldeman provided updates on upcoming labor-related meetings.
President Nixon met with representatives from the medical community, including John W. Kauffman and Jack A. L. Hahn, to discuss national health insurance policy and the administration's strategy for reforming the U.S. health care delivery system. Nixon expressed his strong opposition to the Kennedy bill, characterizing it as socialized medicine that would compromise the quality of care, while affirming his support for market-based improvements to the current system. The conversation also touched upon the implementation of Phase II wage and price controls within the hospital sector and the challenges of managing rising medical costs.