Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Press relations
633 conversations · page 7 of 7 · frequently with Nixon, Ziegler, Haig, Kissinger
President Nixon coordinated with an unknown associate regarding the logistics of a photo opportunity featuring journalists from the People's Republic of China. The discussion focused on minimizing press presence in the Oval Office to prioritize a controlled, singular photographic session. Nixon directed that the journalists be promptly escorted out to the press briefing area immediately following the conclusion of the session.
President Nixon initiates a brief telephone call to determine the status of Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler’s current briefing session. Upon learning that the briefing is nearing completion, the President instructs that Ziegler be sent to meet with him immediately. The primary purpose of the communication is to facilitate a direct follow-up meeting between the President and his press secretary.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate their strategy regarding ongoing investigations into the Watergate scandal and press relations. The participants discussed the potential risks of grand jury appearances, the challenges posed by the Special Prosecutor, and the necessity of maintaining a firm, combative stance against public accusations. Additionally, they reviewed concerns regarding the security and eventual disposition of the White House taping system and legal defense strategies for key staff members.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Henry Kissinger to discuss press strategy, ongoing Watergate inquiries, and the management of presidential papers, before transitioning to a formal meeting with Huang Chen and Chi Ch’ao Chu of the People's Republic of China. During the session with the Chinese representatives, the President reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening US-PRC relations, emphasizing mutual sovereignty and strategic cooperation. Nixon also sought to assure the Chinese leadership that his upcoming summit with Leonid Brezhnev would not be detrimental to PRC interests, and he solicited their assistance in facilitating a peace agreement in Cambodia.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss a public relations strategy to control the narrative regarding historical government wiretaps of newsmen. Nixon instructs Haig to orchestrate a methodical, staged release of this information to make the disclosure appear deliberate and formal rather than spontaneous. The President emphasizes the need to secure specific names and data from Secret Service Director James J. Rowley, threatening his position if he fails to produce the files quickly, in order to use the information to intimidate political opponents and critics.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discuss a communications strategy to counter negative press coverage and leaks regarding the Watergate scandal. They evaluate the timing for releasing information about past wiretap records, hoping to identify potentially damaging precedents involving Robert F. Kennedy to deflect from current criticisms. The President affirms a 'moderate profile' strategy, agreeing with Ziegler that they should stop responding to individual leaks and instead rely on previous official denials, while also coordinating with congressional allies like Edward Gurney to challenge the Ervin Committee's proceedings.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss internal administrative management and the broader political strategy regarding ongoing investigations. The President emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary confrontations and instructs Haig to ensure White House staff refrain from answering legal questions during press briefings. They also touch upon the political nature of the opposition's efforts to target the presidency and the complications surrounding executive privilege and document disclosure.
Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. discuss the administration's response to press reports regarding a potential subpoena from Samuel Dash, chief counsel for the Senate Watergate Committee. Buzhardt confirms he communicated with Dash to dispute the reports, noting that Dash denied ever stating an intention to issue a subpoena. The participants coordinate efforts to have the record publicly corrected to mitigate the political fallout.
President Nixon, Alexander Haig, and Melvin Laird met to coordinate the announcement of Laird's return to the administration as Counselor for Domestic Affairs. They discussed strategies for managing press inquiries, particularly regarding Watergate, and debated potential economic interventions like a wage-price freeze. The group also planned Laird's forthcoming schedule, which included meetings with key congressional figures and labor leader George Meany to ensure a smooth transition and maintain party unity.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to coordinate the timing and communication of personnel changes involving Melvin Laird and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The discussion centered on ensuring the public announcement of Haig’s retirement from the military was handled properly. The parties agreed to contact staff members John Irving and others to manage the dissemination of this information through wire services.
President Nixon and Gerald L. Warren discuss media strategy, specifically the successful press reception of Melvin R. Laird’s recent briefings and the administration's efforts to project strength regarding economic policy and Congressional relations. The conversation also addresses ongoing Watergate pressures, with Nixon expressing confidence that public interest in impeachment and resignation has waned, while strategizing on how to use FBI wiretap disclosures to intimidate political opponents. Finally, they coordinate the optics for a forthcoming meeting on the Sequoia, intended to signal stability through discussions with John B. Connally and Bryce N. Harlow.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the public announcement of Clarence M. Kelley as the new FBI Director to ensure it receives optimal press coverage. They decide to schedule the announcement for 11:30 a.m. the following day, specifically timing it to follow a Cabinet meeting and fill a media gap created by ongoing Vietnam-related news. The pair also briefly discuss the delay in locating South Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Kim Phuong.
President Nixon, Ronald Ziegler, and Alexander Haig met to discuss communication strategies for managing the fallout from the Watergate scandal and countering negative press narratives. They analyzed recent media commentary, specifically columns by Joseph Alsop and Patrick Buchanan, to reinforce their resolve against John Dean and the Ervin Committee hearings. Nixon and his advisors decided to shift the White House's public focus toward positive domestic issues, such as the national economy and the forthcoming visit of Leonid Brezhnev, while adopting a more aggressive, "slam-bang" stance toward political opponents.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the administration's public relations strategy amidst intensifying Watergate scrutiny, particularly regarding allegations involving John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and claims of hush money. The two analyzed shifts in press coverage and evaluated how to manage media inquiries regarding upcoming Ervin Committee testimony and potential grand jury indictments. Nixon instructed Ziegler to avoid commenting on legal matters and emphasized that the administration should remain focused on its schedule rather than reacting to aggressive media antagonism.
An unidentified tour guide or staff member conducts a walkthrough of the Oval Office, describing the space to visitors. The dialogue focuses on the room's significance as the seat of government, highlighting its use for press conferences, televised speeches, and the display of service flags to denote the President's role as Commander-in-Chief. The participants also briefly discuss the President's movements between the Oval Office and the Executive Office Building and note the presence of press photographers.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler, Alexander Haig, and William Timmons to coordinate White House strategy regarding the impending Ervin Committee testimony of John Dean and the administration’s broader press relations. The participants discussed the necessity of discrediting Dean and managing public perception amid the Watergate scandal, while balancing these concerns with the President's upcoming economic address and the diplomatic significance of the forthcoming Leonid Brezhnev summit. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified front with congressional allies and directed his staff to ensure that supporters, including members of the Chowder and Marching Society, publicly prioritize national policy over the ongoing hearings.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the upcoming announcement of William W. Scranton’s appointment to an energy position and the timing of a related presidential economic speech. They discuss the strategic staging of news to ensure maximum media impact, specifically aiming to hold the Scranton announcement for the Sunday papers while keeping the energy message for Saturday. Additionally, the pair reviews the logistics for that day's scheduled Cabinet and Bipartisan Congressional Leadership meetings.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to connect him with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler for a telephone conversation. He explicitly directed the operator to avoid interrupting Ziegler if he was currently speaking at a podium. The primary objective of the call was to facilitate an immediate communication between the President and his press secretary.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinated the messaging strategy for an upcoming televised speech on the economy. The discussion focused on maintaining public momentum following recent diplomatic successes while carefully managing media expectations. Nixon explicitly instructed Ziegler to withhold the full text of the speech from Cabinet members and Congressional leaders prior to the 7:00 pm briefing to avoid last-minute critiques and prevent market volatility.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed the positive media reception of Henry Kissinger’s recent Paris briefing and logistics regarding the President’s upcoming economic address. Nixon emphasized the importance of securing favorable press coverage and instructed Ziegler to coordinate photo opportunities with the Cabinet and Congressional leaders. To prevent premature media leaks, Nixon strictly ordered that the text of his economic speech be withheld from Cabinet members and legislators until 7:00 p.m., shortly before the address.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler coordinate the restricted release of sensitive documents to specific leaders. They decide that the text of the materials should not be provided early to these individuals, scheduling a formal delivery to their offices for 7:00 pm. This instruction serves to maintain strict control over the distribution of information during a politically sensitive period.
President Nixon instructs the White House operator to summon Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to his office. The brief exchange serves as a direct directive to facilitate an immediate meeting between the President and his top spokesperson. No further policy or strategic details are discussed during this administrative call.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate administration strategy regarding ongoing Watergate investigations, public relations for upcoming economic policy speeches, and Vietnam-related diplomacy. Nixon directed Ziegler to encourage allies on the Ervin Committee, such as Edward Gurney and Howard Baker, to increase their pushback against Democratic-led inquiries. Additionally, they discussed methods for managing press narratives through third-party contacts and ensuring that recent successes in Vietnam negotiations, driven by Henry Kissinger, were presented in a positive light.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place an outgoing call to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to facilitate direct communication between the President and his top spokesperson. No further policy or substantive matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed the press reaction to the President’s recent economic speech and its potential to shift media focus away from the Watergate scandal. While Nixon expressed concern that journalists remained obsessed with Watergate, Ziegler noted that the press was generally impressed by the President's display of leadership and control. The two concluded that the positive reception of the address had successfully mitigated negative media scrutiny.
President Nixon consulted with an aide regarding the logistical arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The discussion focused on managing press access, specifically the duration and scope of photographic opportunities at the meeting site. The President emphasized a preference for minimizing media presence and streamlining the encounter to ensure a quick and efficient engagement.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig reviewed the results of a recent press conference held by John Connally, focusing on his remarks regarding the national economy and his future role on the White House staff. While Nixon expressed slight disappointment that Connally's comments on his staff involvement were not more assertive, they agreed his performance on economic messaging was effective. Additionally, Haig provided updates on his ongoing communications with George Shultz and Melvin Laird and briefed the President on upcoming administrative actions.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate logistics for a signing ceremony scheduled for the following day. They discuss the potential need for official remarks, ultimately deciding against them to maintain control over the event's messaging. Nixon also outlines plans to organize a seating line for participants while minimizing press interaction.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to review the public reception of the recently signed Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War, specifically focusing on Kissinger's press briefing and the challenges of explaining the accord's scope regarding nuclear first use, China, and regional military operations. They discussed how to frame the agreement as a significant symbolic commitment to peace while managing skepticism from the press and political critics. Additionally, the President briefly consulted with an unidentified staffer regarding legislative meetings and discussed a potential postponement of negotiations concerning a US-USSR air services protocol.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to coordinate the logistics for the National Farm Family of the Year award presentation to the Buxton family. The discussion focused on managing press relations for the event, including the involvement of Gerald L. Warren and photographer Oliver F. Atkins. The meeting served as a brief administrative planning session to ensure proper media coverage and briefing protocols for the ceremony.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to facilitate a photo opportunity. The session served strictly administrative and public relations purposes related to the President's official schedule. The interaction concluded immediately after the photograph was successfully captured.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to coordinate his immediate schedule and upcoming engagements. The brief discussion focused on planning a press briefing and securing photographs on Capitol Hill. The President also confirmed his availability to meet with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler regarding meal arrangements and further scheduling.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler met to discuss public relations strategies regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation and the Ervin Committee hearings. They evaluated the performance of witnesses like John Mitchell and considered ways to shift the national narrative toward the President's economic initiatives and foreign policy successes. Ultimately, they decided that a more calculated, proactive public relations campaign—centered on a clear philosophical framework rather than just policy technicalities—was necessary to counter media hostility and move past the Watergate crisis by the fall.