Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Press briefing
55 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ziegler, Bull, Haldeman
When Press briefing comes up
Related topics: Ronald L. ZieglerPublic relationsMedia relationsWhite House communicationsVietnam WarSchedulingWhite House schedulingWhite House operationsPresidential schedulingJohn W. Dean IIIWatergateWhite House staffWhite House administrationMedia strategy
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to review the administration's public messaging regarding South Vietnamese military operations in Laos and Cambodia. Ziegler detailed how he managed press inquiries about heavy enemy resistance and disputed media reports claiming a surge in North Vietnamese supply traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The two agreed to maintain a low-key approach, emphasizing that the primary objective of interdicting enemy supplies remains on track despite daily combat fluctuations.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss a strategy to utilize New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller to publicly advocate for the administration’s urban revenue sharing initiative. The President considers joining Rockefeller for a press briefing to bolster the proposal’s profile. They agree that Haldeman should coordinate with Rockefeller to arrange his involvement in promoting the policy.
On March 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:01 am and 9:10 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 467-012 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and John B. Connally met to coordinate messaging for an upcoming press briefing, focusing on complex domestic and foreign policy issues. They discussed strategies for managing political optics regarding farm prices, welfare reform, and public skepticism toward military and space-related expenditures. The two also evaluated the geopolitical implications of U.S.-China relations and the necessity of maintaining a firm public stance despite potential domestic resistance.
On March 25, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:25 am and 11:30 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 473-007 of the White House Tapes.
On April 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:40 pm and 1:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 479-006 of the White House Tapes.
On April 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:48 pm and 4:05 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 249-014 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the importance of upcoming media briefings with representatives from Time and Newsweek, specifically mentioning journalists Jerrold L. Schecter and John L. Steele. Nixon emphasizes the critical nature of the coverage expected for the following week and directs Kissinger to ensure he personally speaks with these correspondents before their respective deadlines. Kissinger confirms his intent to meet with the reporters to manage the administration's messaging.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate the administration's public messaging regarding the ongoing Paris Peace Talks, the Pentagon Papers, and the Mansfield Amendment. The discussion focused on managing press speculation and determining the appropriate government posture toward media inquiries and potential information suppression. Nixon expressed a desire to keep official statements brief and dismissive of the controversy surrounding the leaked documents.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate strategy ahead of a forthcoming press briefing. Given the extremely short duration of the recorded segment, the discussion focused on preparing public messaging. No definitive policy decisions were captured before the recording ended.
President Nixon, along with Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Dean, and Ziegler, discussed the timing and format of announcing a new economic program, including potential television speeches, wage and price freezes, and import taxes. They also reviewed Ehrlichman's recent press briefing on declassification efforts related to historical foreign policy events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Pentagon Papers. A key decision point was whether to prioritize domestic economic measures or focus initially on international monetary stabilization by closing the gold window, with a preference emerging for the latter to manage international speculation and allow for a more positive domestic announcement later.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Stephen Bull to coordinate the administration's public response to the resignation of Supreme Court Justice John M. Harlan. The participants discussed talking points for Ziegler's upcoming press briefing, specifically regarding the criteria for new judicial nominees, the timing of vacancy announcements, and how to deflect questions about geographical or political pressures. Additionally, the President provided guidance on managing inquiries regarding domestic conditions in the People's Republic of China, instructing staff to emphasize the limitations of U.S. intelligence on the matter.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the administration's public response to the United Nations vote expelling Taiwan. Ziegler reviewed his recent press briefing, during which he condemned the "shocking" behavior of delegates who celebrated the outcome, effectively distancing the White House from the issue to prevent further damage. They agreed to move past the topic quickly and focus on upcoming developments, specifically Henry Kissinger’s briefing regarding the President’s pending visit to the People's Republic of China.
H. R. Haldeman contacts the White House operator to place a call to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The operator informs Haldeman that Ziegler is unavailable due to an ongoing press briefing. Consequently, the call is not completed, and no further administrative action is taken during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics for a presidential press announcement to ensure optimal timing for ABC broadcast editing. They settled on a 3:45 p.m. start time to accommodate a subsequent National Security Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. Haldeman was tasked with communicating these arrangements to Press Secretary Ron Ziegler while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the event.
President Nixon and John Connally discuss the logistics of an upcoming trip, specifically timing their travel and public engagement to accommodate a press briefing. They coordinate the sequence of events, focusing on how to effectively address the media after thanking their associates. The brief exchange concludes with Connally noting a critical, high-priority matter that requires the President's attention.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinate the messaging and logistics for an upcoming administrative announcement regarding Vietnam policy. Nixon decides to involve Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird in the announcement to allow him to field press questions and receive credit for Vietnam-related developments. The two also discuss personnel management, specifically vetting a candidate for a role under Laird, and deliberate on the diplomatic protocol of withholding immediate formal recognition of a foreign government.
Henry Kissinger and Ronald Ziegler discussed public reaction to President Nixon's recent Vietnam speech, specifically focusing on a favorable account from an Indiana academic. Ziegler shared how the speech successfully shifted the perspective of a former skeptic, while Kissinger questioned the necessity of his upcoming press briefing in light of the positive momentum. Ultimately, Ziegler insisted that the briefing remain on the schedule to maintain the administration's communication strategy.
On February 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:53 pm and 8:52 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-054 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield briefly discussed the scheduling of a meeting with Earl Butz and Richard Lyng. The purpose of that meeting was to receive the National Advisory Committee on Child Nutrition Report. They considered moving the meeting earlier, before an 11:00 am press briefing, to potentially influence the timing of the report's release or discussion.
President Nixon consulted Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler regarding media inquiries addressed during the daily briefing to prepare for his upcoming press conference. Ziegler reported that he successfully navigated questions concerning controversial busing policies, the Florida primary, and potential rumors surrounding the China trip, including the ITT and Lockheed aircraft deals. The President approved of Ziegler’s strategy to delay the busing decision until after the Florida referendum and to maintain a low-key response to primary election results.
President Nixon consults Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler regarding whether an upcoming press briefing will impact his own scheduled preparations for the following day. The brief exchange focuses on ongoing media scrutiny surrounding the ITT Corporation and the potential necessity for the administration to manage the narrative effectively. Nixon prompts Ziegler to confirm the public status of the ITT inquiry to better inform his own strategy.
Stephen B. Bull met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was a briefing involving Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. Bull provided the President with documents, including a letter, for his review prior to these engagements.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the strategy for handling press briefings on a speech concerning busing, agreeing that advance distribution of the speech text was preferable to a live briefing. They also touched upon the positive reception of the speech within the Cabinet and anticipated the political fallout regarding the busing issue, predicting that Democrats like Muskie and Humphrey would face pressure to support a moratorium or similar action, while the administration would position itself as acting to resolve the issue through Congress.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to discuss press briefings and strategy. The conversation focused on the President's desire for a "mighty posture" towards the press and the content of an upcoming speech, which Nixon felt should emphasize positive aspects rather than "dickerings." The discussion also touched upon potential political maneuvers involving Senator Muskie.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Rose Mary Woods to formulate a media strategy regarding the ongoing military offensive in South Vietnam. Nixon instructed Ziegler to maintain a posture of studied ambiguity, directing him to decline day-to-day commentary on the battle and instead defer military-specific evaluations to General Abrams in Saigon. The President emphasized a narrative that the South Vietnamese line was bending but not breaking, drawing historical parallels to maintain public resolve and avoid speculation about future US ground troop involvement or bombing campaigns.
On April 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:24 pm and 4:26 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-073 of the White House Tapes.
On April 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 4:26 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-074 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate administrative messaging and press strategy regarding upcoming national security matters. They discussed Ziegler's inclusion in a National Security Council meeting and the timing for an imminent presidential speech. The brief exchange served to align the White House communications team on the disclosure of sensitive policy details.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed press coverage of Nixon's walk and his upcoming departure for the Soviet Union Summit. Ziegler confirmed that reporters who accompanied Nixon on his walk briefed the press, and that Nixon's statement about leaving on Saturday was the first official confirmation. Ziegler also provided a briefing on statements made by Nixon and John B. Connally, emphasizing key points from their discussions, and noted positive press reaction and good photographs, particularly in light of the George Wallace shooting.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed the potential scheduling of a meeting with Congressional leaders following a telephone call regarding the upcoming Congressional adjournment. Additionally, they touched upon the press briefing strategy for an impending U.S.-Soviet Union trade agreement. The conversation concluded quickly as the two coordinated their immediate schedules.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler reviewed recent administration messaging, specifically focusing on the announcement of the second phase of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) and budget briefings conducted by John Ehrlichman. They coordinated logistical arrangements for an upcoming presidential trip to Camp David, including the scheduling of a photo opportunity with a working group and the planning of press pool coverage for the President's transit. Throughout the conversation, they emphasized the positive impact of the administration's recent policy initiatives and media engagement strategy.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate messaging for upcoming press briefings, focusing on legislation, the schedule for farm and urban affairs speeches, and the administration's stance on Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon directs Ziegler to explicitly deny rumors of a coalition government in South Vietnam and to prepare a response to George McGovern's criticisms regarding the peace process. Ultimately, they decide to frame McGovern’s comments as irresponsible and contrast the President's commitment to 'peace with honor' against the risks posed to ongoing negotiations.
On October 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 2:40 pm to 2:41 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-055 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for the file reflecting on the recent breakthrough in Vietnam peace negotiations, detailing his strategy and the difficulties encountered with South Vietnamese President Thieu. He discussed the roles of Henry Kissinger, Bob Haldeman, John Mitchell, John Connally, and others in navigating the complex diplomatic landscape, including Thieu's resistance to peace and Kissinger's initial misjudgments about the negotiations' progress. The President also recounted Kissinger's press briefings on October 24th and 25th, noting that Kissinger may have prematurely announced a breakthrough to reassure congressional leaders and the press.
On January 5, 1973, the White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 12:36 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-094 of the White House Tapes.
On January 8, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:33 am and 9:35 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 835-005 of the White House Tapes.
On February 3, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:59 am and 11:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 840-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon, Stephen Bull, and Ron Ziegler discussed the President's schedule, including upcoming events like the Golda Meir dinner and a Governors' Conference, as well as arrangements for astronauts and Sammy Davis Jr. A significant portion of the conversation focused on the Vietnam War, specifically the status of POW lists, potential press briefings by Secretary of Defense Elliot Richardson, and the timing of a presidential press conference. Decisions were made to postpone any public statements regarding POWs or military actions until more definitive information was available, and to schedule the President's press conference for Monday, February 5th, after the Golda Meir visit.
President Nixon called John Dean to inquire about the status of Ronald Ziegler's press briefing. Nixon suggested that Dean and Richard Moore meet with him after the briefing concluded to discuss another unspecified matter. Dean confirmed he was not planning to go to lunch and would check with Moore.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the administration's ongoing public relations strategy to manage the Watergate investigation. They coordinate efforts to brief columnists, emphasizing the administration's cooperation while specifically distinguishing the current situation from the Sherman Adams scandal. Nixon stresses the importance of clearly communicating that, unlike the Adams case, White House staff members are not currently formal targets of misconduct charges.
President Nixon and Ron Ziegler discussed John Dean's recent public statement and a New York Times article suggesting Dean might implicate others in the Watergate scandal. They strategized on how Ziegler should respond to press inquiries, agreeing to emphasize the administration's commitment to finding the truth rather than scapegoats and to fully cooperate with the grand jury. Nixon authorized Ziegler to state that no one would be made a scapegoat, a message Ziegler relayed to Dean. The conversation also briefly touched on a meeting with Jewish leaders regarding Soviet emigration.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate the administration's public response regarding the President’s ongoing meetings with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen. They specifically discuss how to address media inquiries concerning Watergate investigations and clarify that the President does not receive reports from the grand jury. Nixon instructs Ziegler to emphasize that while he receives updates on general investigative progress from Petersen, he is not privy to the contents or internal proceedings of the grand jury.
On April 30, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:02 am to 11:03 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 164-051 of the White House Tapes.
On May 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:53 pm and 12:59 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 917-032 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Ron Ziegler discussed press relations and the ongoing Watergate investigation. They focused on how Ziegler handled press briefings, the tone of White House communications, and potential strategies to manage public perception. Key topics included the President's August 1972 statement, John Dean's role, and the possibility of a press conference. They also touched upon the Ellsberg break-in and the handling of sensitive files, with a decision to potentially adjust the frequency of Ziegler's briefings.
President Nixon directs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to launch a public offensive against the Senate Watergate Committee, specifically targeting Senators Sam Ervin and Howard Baker. Nixon instructs Ziegler to denounce the committee for its failure to formally repudiate a recent Santa Ana Register story, arguing that the committee has essentially 'indicted itself' through its inaction. He mandates that Ziegler use his upcoming press briefing to demand a formal retraction, an apology, and the firing of the responsible committee staffer.
On May 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:21 pm and 12:24 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 918-022 of the White House Tapes.
On May 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:21 pm and 12:24 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 918-023 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified individual to discuss scheduling arrangements regarding Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler’s ongoing press briefing. The conversation centers on logistical coordination between the Oval Office and the Executive Office Building, specifically regarding the timing of the briefing and the President's subsequent movements. No substantive policy decisions were reached during this short interaction.
On May 16, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:49 am and 12:34 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 919-022 of the White House Tapes.
On May 16, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:49 am and 12:34 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 919-023 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, specifically coordinating upcoming meetings and potential phone calls related to the Soviet summit. They discussed the current whereabouts and activities of staff members, including Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and Robert H. Finch. The President also requested a meeting with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler prior to his scheduled press briefing to ensure message alignment.
On May 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 5:10 pm to 5:11 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-157 of the White House Tapes.