Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Political outreach
33 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Bull
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 Attorney General John N. Mitchell discuss the coordination of political outreach involving Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and philanthropist W. Clement Stone. The conversation focuses on the Supersonic Transport (SST) program as a primary subject for these interactions. The pair coordinates these efforts to manage Daley’s upcoming visit with the President.
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.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an urgent contact with New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Upon learning that the Governor was dining at the Knickerbocker Hotel, the President instructed the operator to attempt to place the call immediately. This brief exchange reflects the administrative process involved in the President's efforts to reach high-level political associates.
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.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place a congratulatory call to Frank L. Rizzo following his victory in the Philadelphia mayoral election. The President provided the operator with brief background information, identifying Rizzo as the newly elected mayor and former police chief. This administrative request initiated the process of reaching out to a key political figure immediately after his successful campaign.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a congratulatory phone call to newly elected Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo. The President notes Rizzo’s background as the city's former chief of police, underscoring the political significance of his victory the previous night. This action initiates a prompt effort to establish a direct line of communication with the incoming mayor.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a congratulatory telephone call to Pete Wilson. This outreach followed Wilson's successful election as the new mayor of San Diego the previous night. The conversation served as a logistical request to facilitate communication between the President and the newly elected official.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place a telephone call to Frank S. "Hap" Farley, a state senator from Atlantic City, New Jersey. The President provided the operator with the necessary identifying information to locate Farley and facilitate the connection. No further discussion occurred during this brief exchange regarding the purpose of the call.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Edward V. Regan, the newly elected county executive in Buffalo, New York. The President provides the necessary spelling and location details to ensure the operator can successfully facilitate the connection. This administrative request initiates an outreach effort to a local political official.
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.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to contact Congressman Frank to communicate the details of a specific offer. The discussion focuses on facilitating political outreach or legislative coordination through an intermediary. This brief administrative exchange serves as a logistical instruction for managing executive-congressional communications.
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.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Vito Marzullo, a prominent Chicago political figure. The President briefly characterizes Marzullo as an 'all-arounder' to provide context for the request. This interaction serves as the administrative bridge for the President to initiate contact with a local Democratic operative.
President Nixon and Illinois State Representative Vito Marzullo engaged in a brief telephone conversation, though the specific substance remains classified under a personal withdrawal notice. The interaction serves as a record of high-level political outreach between the President and state-level leadership. No substantive policy decisions or developments are discernible from the available documentation.
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.
President Nixon consulted with legislative liaison William E. Timmons regarding ongoing congressional strategy and outreach. The conversation focused on managing key legislative priorities and coordinating executive influence on Capitol Hill. While the specific transcript is largely unintelligible, the discussion served to align White House goals with current developments in the legislative branch.
President Nixon met with aide Stephen B. Bull to review his upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on a planned appearance with Miss Teenage America. They discussed the inclusion of this event in a news summary and analyzed the political views held by Junior Miss contestants. This meeting served as a brief administrative coordination regarding the optics and public relations strategy of the President's public appearances.
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.
President Nixon communicated with the White House operator to manage outgoing telephone calls to New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill and political operative Wesley Powell. The operator informed the President that the connection to Cahill was delayed, prompting Nixon to prioritize the call with Powell. This interaction illustrates the President's direct involvement in coordinating political outreach during the final days of the 1972 election cycle.
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.