Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Political outreach
32 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Bull
When Political outreach comes up
Related topics: Public relations1972 electionPresidential schedulingPresidential communicationWhite House operationsWhite House communicationsWhite House schedulingPhiladelphiaLegislative strategyEconomic policyCongressional relationsCampaign StrategyBirthdayWilliam E. Timmons
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met with several aides and officials, including Harry Dent and Robert Finch, to strategize on public relations, political outreach, and the upcoming 1972 campaign. The discussion covered the President's scheduled travel and appearances, the necessity of carefully managing his time and public messaging, and the ongoing administrative handling of internal personnel issues, specifically the dissenting foreign service officers. They also touched upon foreign policy communications, the importance of maintaining control over official messaging, and the logistical organization of White House workspaces and executive meetings.
President Nixon directs Donald Rumsfeld to contact Ted Husky, a community leader from Central Harlem, to cultivate a line of communication regarding local intelligence and feedback. Nixon instructs Rumsfeld to emphasize that the President personally values Husky’s input and wants him to report any significant developments directly. This outreach serves as an effort to gather grassroots political information and maintain a channel for community insights.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss efforts to coordinate outreach to former President Lyndon B. Johnson and Walt W. Rostow, facilitated by Bryce Harlow. The primary objective is to deliver a specific message to Johnson, but the team encounters delays in reaching him. They decide to wait until the following morning to establish direct contact, ensuring the message is delivered by someone with the appropriate standing.
President Nixon met with Under Secretary of Agriculture J. Philip Campbell to express personal appreciation for his recent performance and regional outreach efforts. During the brief exchange, Nixon encouraged Campbell to increase his administrative visibility and impact within the administration. The President further directed Campbell to communicate specific feedback regarding these outreach efforts to John Ehrlichman.
On July 27, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:05 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 007-006 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon called Congressman Roger H. Zion to offer birthday greetings and encourage him to mention the President’s well-wishes during his upcoming speaking engagements in Indiana. The conversation also touched upon Zion reaching his fiftieth birthday, with Nixon jokingly remarking on his youthful appearance and expressing a playful frustration with the younger generation. The exchange served primarily as a gesture of political camaraderie and personal rapport between the two men.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed positive public relations developments and favorable economic trends in the wake of the administration's recent policy initiatives. They discussed successful outreach efforts involving political endorsements from Miss America and US Jaycees members, as well as the positive reception of staff field trips in Columbus and Dallas. Additionally, they examined economic data from Albert Sindlinger and Harold Passer, concluding that consumer sentiment and retail metrics remained strong despite the impending release of the Consumer Price Index.
On November 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:55 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-081 of the White House Tapes.
On November 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 8:55 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 301-003 of the White House Tapes.
On November 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:10 am and 10:41 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-091 of the White House Tapes.
On November 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:39 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-101 of the White House Tapes.
On November 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:35 am and 7:50 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-145 of the White House Tapes.
Donald Rumsfeld instructs his staffer, Lee, to draft a recommendation for H.R. Haldeman or Dwight Chapin regarding a potential presidential appearance at a meeting of influential Midwest business and financial leaders. Rumsfeld emphasizes that a brief drop-by at the Roosevelt Room or the Old Executive Office Building would be a low-effort way to bolster political support for the administration's economic agenda. The task is to be finalized under the signature of Richard Cheney to facilitate the scheduling request.
President Nixon met with aides Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate scheduling for upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on managing the President's interactions with Congressional candidates and local political figures, including a representative from the Kentucky State Sheriff's office. The group reviewed these meeting logistics to ensure proper protocol for the visitors.
President Nixon met with George P. Shultz and Caspar Weinberger to discuss the visibility and media coverage of administration-related films being broadcast in Minnesota. The participants briefly noted the positive impact of this media exposure, though the brief discussion did not result in any formal policy decisions. The exchange functioned primarily as a casual briefing on public relations and ongoing outreach efforts.
On January 24, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 3:32 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 317-014 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon initiated this brief telephone call to extend birthday greetings to Representative Robert McClory. The two briefly discussed McClory's upcoming birthday celebration and the Congressman's ongoing efforts to support the President's 1972 re-election campaign. The conversation concluded with a lighthearted exchange regarding the President's piano playing.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman briefly conferred regarding the administration's outreach strategy following a recent legislative vote. Nixon inquired about the status of replies to correspondence from VIP supporters and proposed sending personalized 'one-liner' acknowledgments to the 47 senators who voted in favor of the Byrd Amendment. Upon reflection, they collectively decided to abandon the direct outreach to the senators, opting instead to rely on the personal calls Nixon had already initiated.
On July 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:17 pm and 5:19 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 753-004 of the White House Tapes.
On July 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Vito Marzullo talked on the telephone from 5:19 pm to 5:21 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 027-053 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political necessity of engaging a specific advocacy group to ensure they remain aligned with the administration. Nixon directs Colson to invite the group's representative to the White House for a brief meeting to prevent them from feeling alienated. The President emphasizes managing these relationships to maintain support for specific projects, concluding that a personal outreach is the most effective approach to avoid future friction.
President Nixon facilitates a brief phone call between Congressman Joe D. Waggonner, Jr. and John B. Connally to foster communication between the two men. Following introductory pleasantries, the conversation transitions into a casual, lighthearted exchange regarding the perceived differences in manners between the wealthy and the poor. No substantive political developments or policy decisions are documented in this portion of the recording.
On August 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and William E. Timmons talked on the telephone from 3:05 pm to 3:10 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 028-032 of the White House Tapes.
On August 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 10:58 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 765-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Marjorie P. Acker and briefly communicated with Indianapolis Mayor Richard G. Lugar to coordinate a series of administrative phone calls. The primary focus involved managing logistics for outgoing communication with various political figures, including Ronald Reagan, Edward W. Brooke, and Anne L. Armstrong. The conversation concluded with arrangements to reconnect with Mayor Lugar later in the day to facilitate further political outreach.
President Nixon contacted Ralph Marrinson to express personal appreciation for his campaign contributions and advocacy work regarding nursing home issues. The discussion centered on the importance of improving conditions within these facilities, reflecting the President's stated personal concern for the elderly. No specific policy actions were decided, as the call served primarily as a gesture of political recognition and encouragement for Marrinson's efforts.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the logistics of candidate-related telephone calls and the distribution of the President’s campaign speeches. Nixon requested that specific recipients be prioritized for direct outreach while delegating others to a general list for supplementary contact. Additionally, the pair briefly reviewed Haldeman’s daily schedule and upcoming meetings.
On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:08 am and 10:09 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-015 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon held a series of phone conversations with political allies including Robert Dole, William Mills, Gordon Allott, and James McKevitt on November 4, 1972. The calls served to build momentum and express appreciation for campaign support from key constituencies and regional leaders as the general election approached. Nixon discussed localized campaign strategies, the importance of maintaining unity within the party, and securing support from diverse groups, including the black community. The discussions also touched on logistical concerns regarding campaign messaging and the management of sensitive political relationships.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming meetings with Charles W. Colson and William E. Timmons regarding congressional relations. They discussed strategies for engaging Vietnam supporters, specifically focusing on labor and ethnic groups. Bull confirmed that Colson believes current outreach efforts are sufficient and that congressional allies will handle remaining matters.
President Nixon met with Representative Samuel L. Devine and members of his staff to receive the Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Award, an honor celebrating the perpetuation of American constitutional principles. The participants engaged in brief pleasantries regarding William Mnich’s Ohio radio and television efforts, while the President reciprocated by presenting official gifts, including photographs and cuff links. The discussion also touched upon Captain Rickenbacker’s health recovery following a stroke and the presentation of a gift to Mnich's son.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the necessity of contacting Howard Smith to convey the President's personal gratitude. The brief exchange focuses on coordinating this outreach, with Nixon emphasizing his appreciation for Smith's past actions. Ziegler is tasked with facilitating this communication to ensure the sentiment is properly relayed.