Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Protocol
50 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Woods
An unidentified White House guide provided a tour of the Cabinet Room to a group of visitors. The discussion focused on the room’s organizational structure, specifically detailing the seating arrangements for Cabinet members and the hierarchical ranking system based on their appointment dates. The recording concludes as the group observes the layout and receives explanations regarding the executive branch's formal seating protocol.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize logistical details regarding an upcoming public event held during the President's Open Door Hour. The discussion focused on scheduling procedures for a Rose Garden ceremony involving the presentation of a plaque and photographs with guests, specifically Robert and Richard Santin from Nebraska. The meeting served as a brief coordination session to ensure proper protocol for the interaction with the press and the gift presentation.
President Nixon and John A. Scali discussed the sensitive logistical and protocol-related preparations for an upcoming visit by an athletic team, likely related to the diplomatic opening with the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized the need for discretion to avoid excessive press scrutiny and political backlash, mandating that the visit be handled strictly and exclusively through the White House rather than standard government channels. The President directed Scali to coordinate with Henry Kissinger and William Gossett to ensure the visit proceeded promptly and effectively while maintaining diplomatic decorum.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to finalize logistical arrangements for a dinner event involving agricultural representatives. Nixon expressed a strong desire to streamline the reception process by minimizing physical contact and restricting time spent in formal conversation with attendees. Consequently, the President decided on a truncated greeting strategy where he and the First Lady would greet guests briefly upon entry before promptly departing.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the logistics and presentation strategy for the National Medals of Science awards ceremony. They discussed the physical handling of the medals, specifically debating the most effective way to present the awards to recipients without creating awkward or cumbersome visual moments. The discussion focused on streamlining the protocol to ensure the ceremony proceeded smoothly and with proper decorum.
President Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, and Alexander Butterfield met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the placement of a gift received from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The participants discussed whether the item should be displayed in the White House or transferred to the presidential library. They ultimately concluded the session by formalizing plans for the gift's handling and display.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and Rose Mary Woods to coordinate logistical arrangements for upcoming events and personal scheduling. The discussion focused on securing a suitable venue for a reception involving the Peter G. Peterson group and clarifying the President's protocol and time commitments for a meeting with the American Committee on Italian Migration. Additionally, the participants reviewed the maintenance and use of the Tayloe House and discussed potential dinner reservations for the President and First Lady.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate logistical details regarding an upcoming appointment with Baron Guido Zerilli-Marimo. The discussion focused on scheduling the meeting and arranging for an appropriate gift for the visitor. This brief exchange served to finalize the protocol and administrative preparations for the President’s diplomatic encounter.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed appropriate diplomatic gift exchanges for Consuelo Juan Velasco following an unexpected gift they received from her. The couple debated sending a Boehm bird and cufflinks, ultimately deciding to coordinate with Stephen B. Bull to have these items delivered via the Peruvian ambassador. They prioritized this gesture despite the State Department's classification of the interaction as a non-state visit.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate the staging and visual presentation of an upcoming public event, specifically focusing on the President’s demeanor during the playing of the national anthem. They determine that the President and others should stand at attention and salute without singing to maintain appropriate decorum. Additionally, Nixon briefly tasks Haldeman with drafting a letter to address a personal administrative matter.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review administrative preparations for upcoming meetings and the logistics of presenting presidential mementos to guests. The discussion centered on managing the presentation of gifts and coordinating the scheduling of materials for visitors. Nixon and Bull finalized these arrangements to ensure that appropriate tokens were ready for distribution during his scheduled appointments.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the logistics for the arrival of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. Bull confirmed he would personally notify the President the moment the Vice President’s vehicle entered the White House grounds. The discussion ensured that the President would be present to greet Agnew upon his arrival.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the logistical arrangements for Vice President Spiro T. Agnew’s upcoming arrival at the White House. The discussion focused on establishing the specific protocols and entry procedures required to ensure the smooth reception of the Vice President. The meeting concluded with the two men departing to facilitate the implementation of these arrival plans.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate security protocols and prepare the space for an incoming group of high-level attendees. The brief interaction focused on timing and room readiness, ensuring that personnel were properly positioned before the commencement of a scheduled meeting. The agents successfully cleared the area, facilitating the transition for the President’s subsequent engagement in the Cabinet Room.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming photo opportunity with attendees of the International Seminar on Illicit Drug Traffic and Abuse. Bull briefed the President on the group's composition, the requirement for French translation, and the expectation that the President provide brief remarks and commemorative cufflinks. The meeting served to finalize the brief protocol for the interaction, confirming that Nixon would not be expected to deliver an extensive address.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the logistical arrangements and public appearance protocols for a female guest's visit. Nixon expresses concern regarding the planning of her arrival, specifically emphasizing the importance of her being accompanied rather than walking alone. He critiques the performance of the advance man and instructs Haldeman to revise the setup to ensure a more controlled and professional presentation.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon coordinate their respective schedules, specifically focusing on upcoming social obligations and White House church services. The President decides to bypass a wedding reception for Helen Thomas to avoid excessive public exposure, delegating the attendance to their daughter Tricia and her husband, Edward Cox. Additionally, they discuss streamlining the receiving line protocols for future church services to manage the President's time more efficiently.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods discuss the guest list and planning for an upcoming state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The conversation focuses on streamlining the invitee list, specifically regarding officials from the State Department, military representatives, and cabinet members like Elliot Richardson. Nixon emphasizes limiting the number of attendees to avoid unnecessary complications while managing the social protocol for the event.
An unidentified guide provides a tour of the White House Cabinet Room for unknown visitors, highlighting the specific seating arrangements for the President and Vice President. The discussion focuses on the historical significance of the room and encourages the visitors to examine the brass nameplates on the chairs. No substantive policy matters or executive decisions are addressed during this brief walkthrough.
A White House tour group received an informational walkthrough of the Cabinet Room, guided by an unidentified staff member. The briefing covered the historical arrangement of seating by protocol, the significance of the presidential chair and its integrated service buttons, and the selection of portraits displayed in the room. The tour also highlighted the aesthetic and ceremonial history of the adjacent Rose Garden, including its use for wedding ceremonies.
United States Secret Service agents convened in the Oval Office for a brief, recorded interaction characterized primarily by room noise and muffled dialogue. The exchange was extremely limited in scope, consisting of a single directive to remain in place before the participants departed. No substantive policy discussions or significant presidential decisions were captured during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods, H. R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield to manage his schedule and handle administrative tasks, including a document signature request from John Dean. The group discussed preparations for an upcoming prayer breakfast, specifically expressing frustration over the excessive length of speeches and the need for the President to keep his own remarks brief. Additionally, they reviewed presidential gifts, including sculptures of Winston Churchill and John Foster Dulles, and briefly reflected on the deaths of prominent aging statesmen.
Stephen B. Bull met with Secret Service agents to coordinate logistics and security for upcoming White House events involving President Nixon and members of Congress. The discussion focused on managing the arrival and greeting of prominent Democratic lawmakers, including individuals like George Mahon and John Stennis. Bull emphasized the necessity of these meetings to ensure proper protocol for the visiting congressional groups.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified individual regarding logistics for White House access. The discussion focused on coordinating with Rex W. Scouten to ensure that guests or personnel utilize the front door for entry instead of the middle entrance. This administrative request reflects the President's attention to security and protocol arrangements for upcoming visitors.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming dinner honoring Duke Law School alumni. They reviewed the guest list, including attendance by various administration officials, and discussed the appropriate protocol for distributing guest gifts. Ultimately, the President decided to have the gifts mailed to attendees rather than displayed on the dinner tables.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the presentation of gifts to Soviet representatives. The discussion focused on the selection of cuff links and the logistical scheduling for the gift-giving ceremony. This brief consultation ensured that the appropriate items were prepared for upcoming diplomatic interactions.
Bill Beckman and an unidentified staff member coordinate the arrival and escort of two visitors at Camp David. The participants clarify a discrepancy regarding the visitors' location, confirming they are currently waiting at the Aspen Lodge. Beckman confirms his role in escorting the guests to facilitate their entry to the presidential retreat.
White House staff members conducted preparations in the Cabinet Room for a scheduled 9:00 a.m. meeting with Republican Congressional leadership. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements, specifically identifying the President's official chair and ensuring the recording equipment would be deactivated prior to the arrival of the legislators. This brief exchange served as a preparatory briefing for the staff managing the physical space and protocol for the upcoming high-level session.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Frederic V. Malek’s staff. The discussion centered on managing the flow of the visit, specifically outlining protocols for photographs, handshakes, and the presentation of gifts. These administrative preparations ensured the event proceeded according to the President's scheduled itinerary.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the logistical details for upcoming White House photography sessions and the presentation of gifts to various visitors. The discussion focused on scheduling groups including Roland L. Elliott, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Raymond K. Price, Jr., while clarifying protocols regarding gift distribution, such as cufflinks. Nixon confirmed the need for brief, efficient photo opportunities for these individuals and their associates.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming state dinner honoring Sir Alexander F. Douglas-Home. The discussion centered on room selection and seating configurations, specifically navigating the usage of the Red and Blue Rooms for the small group. They agreed on a plan to maintain the group's proximity at the table to facilitate conversation throughout the event.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with Mstislav V. Keldysh. The discussion centered on administrative arrangements, specifically involving Henry Kissinger and the protocol for seating configurations. The President emphasized the need to adhere to strict time constraints during the scheduled appointment.
President Nixon directs Stephen B. Bull to coordinate with the Kennedy family and the State Department regarding a potential reception for visiting foreign dignitaries attending the upcoming funeral/memorial services. Drawing a comparison to the protocol followed after Dwight D. Eisenhower's death, Nixon emphasizes the need for discreet inquiries to determine if such a diplomatic gesture is appropriate. He delegates the final recommendation to the State Department while expressing a personal willingness to host the event if deemed necessary.
President Nixon consulted with Stephen B. Bull regarding the logistical planning and protocol for the upcoming memorial service for former President Harry S. Truman. The discussion centered on managing the attendance of international dignitaries and heads of state, specifically contrasting the scale of this event with the more elaborate funeral arrangements for Dwight D. Eisenhower. Nixon expressed concern over the time-consuming nature of reception lines and requested that the State Department ensure clear communication regarding the expectations for these visiting delegations.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Stephen Bull, and staff members to discuss details regarding the President's 60th birthday celebration, the upcoming inauguration, and long-term staffing reorganization. The group reviewed the success of a surprise birthday film featuring football highlights and discussed the necessity of strictly limiting guests at inaugural events to avoid uncontrollable crowd sizes and political optics issues. Additionally, Nixon emphasized his desire to move toward more informal White House gatherings, while Haldeman provided updates on personnel appointments and strategies for handling the skeptical Washington press corps.
President Nixon met with Stephen Bull to finalize complex logistical arrangements for attending the funeral of Lyndon B. Johnson, including motorcade routes, wreath-laying ceremonies, and interactions with the Johnson family and congressional delegates. The discussion also addressed a request for biographical data regarding the death dates of several former U.S. presidents and involved planning for a separate meeting with a retiring Chicago Tribune journalist. These instructions ensured the President’s itinerary remained synchronized with the state funeral proceedings.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed protocol and security arrangements for an upcoming state dinner hosting King Hussein of Jordan. The pair focused on logistics regarding vehicle transport and seating for the official party to avoid potential security risks and crowd management issues. Nixon directed Bull to handle these instructions carefully so that the guests would not be offended by the revised itinerary.
President Nixon directed Stephen Bull to expand the guest list for an upcoming breakfast meeting to include Charles Colson, Leonard Garment, Richard Moore, William Safire, and Raymond Price. The President emphasized that the primary goal was to increase attendance to fill the large room and facilitate better interaction between White House staff and Cabinet members. Specific seating arrangements were ordered, placing William Rogers and Peter Brennan beside the President to ensure they could address specific business.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize the logistics and seating arrangements for an upcoming dinner with attendees of the National Governors Conference. The discussion focused on balancing the guest list to ensure proper protocol, specifically managing the ratio of governors and their spouses at the head tables. The President also adjusted his afternoon schedule to accommodate a brief meeting with John D. Ehrlichman, H. R. Haldeman, George P. Shultz, and Roy L. Ash.
President Nixon and Stephen Bull discussed the logistics for an upcoming visit to the State Department to meet with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. They reviewed the schedule for a proposed luncheon and an event involving the unveiling of a bronze plaque, while dismissing the idea of a large address to Foreign Service officers. Nixon ultimately deferred to Rogers's preferences regarding the luncheon guest list and the format of the visit.
President Nixon met with an unidentified Navy Chief in the Oval Office for a brief, informal encounter. The primary purpose of the meeting was to offer refreshments to the guest. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule, including meetings with Congressional leaders, a planned farewell call to John J. McCloy regarding his resignation from the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and a briefing with Hermann Kahn. The conversation also covered administrative details for the President’s public events, specifically regarding the handling of drug enforcement personnel and protocol for White House reception lines. Nixon provided instructions to Bull on streamlining these social duties to improve efficiency and personal comfort during official engagements.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to coordinate the logistics and protocol for an upcoming visit by the Soviet gymnastic team. The discussion focused on arrangements for press coverage, the sequence of events, and the presentation of a commemorative book. Stephen B. Bull was identified as a key point of contact for finalizing the scheduling and the President's remarks.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Michael J. Farrell to verify the list of former presidents he had previously met for an upcoming photo opportunity with Mrs. Bruce Bedford. The participants confirmed that Nixon had encountered five former presidents, ranging from Herbert Hoover through Lyndon B. Johnson. They also discussed logistical arrangements for the meeting, including the specific seating configuration at the President's desk for the session.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming state dinner honoring Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The discussion focused on establishing precise protocol for the arrival of the color guard and the timing of musical fanfares during the event. Additionally, they reviewed details regarding the guest list, specifically confirming the status of Paul W. Keyes as a new staff member expected to participate in the receiving line.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Old Executive Office Building to review logistical arrangements for an upcoming Congressional reception. The discussion focused on establishing a formal scenario and protocol for the event. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative meeting.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics for a brief gathering involving three officers. The participants arranged for coffee service and specific seating configurations for the upcoming meeting. The interaction was limited to these administrative preparations before the visitor departed.
An unidentified White House tour guide leads a group through the Cabinet Room, providing details on the facility's layout and historical functions. The participants discuss the specific seating arrangements, noting where the Vice President and the United Nations representative are situated. This recording serves as an informal orientation for visitors regarding the room's furniture and protocol.
President Nixon coordinated the logistics for an upcoming meeting with John A. Scali, including the specific timing of the session and the necessary protocol for staff. The participants finalized plans for a press photograph to be taken during the encounter to document the meeting. Nixon provided clear instructions to his staff to be signaled when the guest was ready to be escorted into the Oval Office.
President Nixon directed Stephen B. Bull to ensure that proper lighting arrangements were made for the podium to be used at that evening’s state dinner for Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Emphasizing the importance of the setup, the President specifically requested that the lighting be sufficient for both himself and his guest. Bull committed to executing these instructions immediately.