Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Richard Nixon
277 conversations · page 2 of 3 · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Sanchez
On February 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 10:03 pm to 10:04 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-101 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss the highly positive reception from congressional leaders, including Barry Goldwater and J. William Fulbright, regarding the President's recent diplomatic trip to the People's Republic of China. MacGregor emphasizes the Senate's pride in the upcoming visit of Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Minority Leader Hugh Scott to China, noting it bolsters institutional morale. The conversation also touches upon managing Fulbright's specific concerns regarding Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, as well as the President’s need for rest following his intense workload during the trip.
President Nixon and John B. Connally discuss the aftermath of the President’s recent trip to the People's Republic of China, specifically focusing on the overwhelming public relations success and media domination surrounding the visit. Nixon characterizes his negotiations with Chinese leaders Mao Tse-tung and Chou En-lai as firm and pragmatic. They also address technical failures in the airport sound system during the President's return, leading Nixon to offer a summary of his remarks for an upcoming cabinet meeting.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the positive public reception of the President's return from his historic trip to the People's Republic of China. The pair evaluates media coverage of the visit, specifically addressing inaccurate reporting by the Washington Post regarding U.S. defense commitments to Taiwan. Nixon directs Ziegler to deflect further press inquiries on the Taiwan issue by referring back to previous statements made by himself and Henry Kissinger to avoid complicating sensitive diplomatic relations.
President Nixon and Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo held a brief, informal telephone conversation to discuss personal scheduling and the political aftermath of the President’s recent trip to the People’s Republic of China. Rebozo shared his perspective on the Democratic Party's reaction to the visit, and the two men coordinated potential plans for a presidential trip to Florida. The call concluded with updates on their respective work obligations and upcoming social engagements.
President Nixon calls Timothy G. Elbourne to formally express appreciation for his extensive 48-day work assignment supporting the recent presidential trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon acknowledges the logistical challenges faced by Elbourne and his colleagues, lightheartedly noting the positive impression they left on their Chinese counterparts. This brief exchange serves as a gesture of presidential recognition for the staff involved in the mission's successful execution.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for his personal files while interacting with his valet, Manolo Sanchez. The discourse reflects on personal family matters, including recent interactions with his daughter Julie and son-in-law David Eisenhower, alongside introspective musings on the nature of political power and leadership. Nixon touches upon the requirements for effective political operators and briefly mentions Nelson Rockefeller in the context of his political assessments.
On March 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:11 pm and 12:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 688-011 of the White House Tapes.
On March 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:20 am and 10:07 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 690-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon practiced a public address regarding the resignation of AFL-CIO President George Meany from the Pay Board. The speech frames Meany's departure as a rejection of anti-inflationary wage controls, specifically citing the Pay Board's decision to deny a 20% wage increase for longshoremen. Nixon announced his decision to restructure the Pay Board with remaining labor and business leaders to ensure the continuation of his economic policies aimed at halving inflation.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical details for an upcoming White House appearance featuring the 1972 Poster Child for the National Association for Retarded Children, Kevin Heald. The discussion centered on the presentation of ceremonial gifts, including a football autographed by Dallas Cowboys player Calvin Hill, and the physical staging of the event within the Oval Office. Nixon provided specific instructions regarding the signing of mementos and the management of the presentation ceremony to ensure a smooth interaction with the young guest.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum for the file regarding his upcoming political strategy. The discussion centers on preparations for a meeting with Republican officials to outline the party's objectives for the following year. This effort reflects the administration's focus on long-term political planning and party coordination.
President Nixon met with publishing executives, including Oscar Dystel and Samuel Schulman, to discuss the production and marketing of books documenting his historic trips to China and the Soviet Union. The President emphasized the geopolitical importance of these summits, comparing their potential impact to World War II, and explored strategies for distributing the China book through the Committee to Re-elect the President. Additionally, the group discussed logistical management of the press corps for future trips, while Nixon briefly addressed personal scheduling conflicts regarding his absence from the Gridiron Dinner.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull discussed the perceived decline of character among American leadership classes, specifically critiquing various religious and business demographics. Nixon expressed skepticism toward liberal religious groups while praising the perceived integrity and resolve of fundamentalist leaders. This informal assessment of the national social and political climate served as a framework for evaluating the President's support base within the American public.
On April 5, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 9:57 am to 9:58 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-082 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1972, Henry A. Kissinger, White House operator, and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:51 pm and 12:59 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-096 of the White House Tapes.
On April 10, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield talked on the telephone from 2:59 pm to 3:00 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-099 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon utilized this session to rehearse portions of an upcoming speech in French ahead of his diplomatic visit to Canada. The brief meeting focused exclusively on linguistic preparation for the international trip. No substantive policy matters or broader political strategies were addressed during this practice session.
On April 13, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:34 pm and 4:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 708-008 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon utilized this session to rehearse French-language segments for his upcoming address before the Canadian Parliament. The discussion involved a review of his intended remarks and a brief assessment of his oratorical performance in previous international engagements. No major policy decisions were made, as the primary focus remained on refining the linguistic delivery of his speech.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy regarding the Vietnam War, specifically addressing the North Vietnamese proposal for a public plenary session on April 27. They determined that the U.S. should condition its attendance at the public meeting on the North Vietnamese agreeing to a prior private meeting on April 24, aimed at breaking the diplomatic deadlock. Furthermore, they discussed the possibility of a naval blockade of Haiphong and emphasized that Nixon’s upcoming trip to Moscow must be contingent upon substantive progress regarding Vietnam, with the President prepared to cancel the summit if necessary to protect his administration's political standing.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing public perception of the administration's Vietnam policy, focusing on generating support from religious leaders like Cardinal Krol and discrediting political opponents. They emphasize a high-pressure public relations campaign, including coordinated efforts by the Vice President and Senate allies to frame critics as being aligned with communist interests. Additionally, Nixon instructs Colson to formalize a system for generating organized pressure on local television stations to counter critical network news coverage.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate the public announcement of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's death. Nixon rejects an initial recommendation for Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst to break the news, insisting that he personally make the announcement to reflect the national significance of the position. They discuss the circumstances of Hoover's passing, including the timing and natural causes, while finalizing logistics for the President's upcoming television statement.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the delivery of unspecified materials to the Old Executive Office Building. Nixon instructed that these items be left outside the office to avoid direct interaction with the couriers. The exchange reflects the President's desire to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive operational or personal details during the delivery process.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors and officials to manage the leadership transition at the FBI following J. Edgar Hoover’s death and to strategize regarding the upcoming Soviet summit amid the North Vietnamese invasion. The group discussed the political implications of L. Patrick Gray’s nomination as acting FBI director and debated whether to proceed with the summit given potential domestic backlash and the ongoing conflict. Ultimately, Nixon signaled his intent to project strength and maintain leadership, emphasizing that he would only cancel the summit if it demonstrably improved the prospects for ending the war in Vietnam.
President Nixon met in the Oval Office to rehearse and refine the delivery of his eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover. He practiced specific passages characterizing the late FBI Director as a national giant who set a noble standard for the country. This preparation served to finalize the formal remarks he would deliver to honor Hoover’s legacy.
President Nixon directed Richard A. Moore to facilitate a media strategy following the death of J. Edgar Hoover to distance the administration from L. Patrick Gray III. Nixon instructed Moore to place a human-interest story emphasizing the deep, 25-year personal friendship between Nixon and Hoover to contrast it with his purely professional, non-personal relationship with Gray. The President also ordered a total media blackout regarding CBS reporters, specifically citing animosity toward the network.
Henry Kissinger contacts Admiral Thomas H. Moorer to coordinate a high-priority, clandestine meeting with President Nixon. Kissinger instructs Moorer to expedite the departure of a visiting Taiwanese admiral to ensure immediate availability for the President. The conversation emphasizes strict operational security, specifically warning Moorer not to disclose his movements to anyone.
President Richard Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, held a brief personal telephone conversation. The exchange served as a social check-in between family members. No substantive policy discussions or political decisions were recorded during the call.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to briefly discuss his upcoming schedule and logistical arrangements regarding a visit with his longtime valet, Manolo Sanchez. The conversation centered on the President's personal movements and the coordination of his car transport. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin to discuss the ongoing war in Vietnam. The primary focus of the conversation was Nixon's dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of U.S. propaganda efforts against North Vietnam, particularly concerning the bombing campaign and potential prisoner exchanges. Nixon directed Kissinger to pressure intelligence agencies, specifically the CIA under Richard Helms, to develop more aggressive and imaginative propaganda strategies, including the dissemination of disinformation and the announcement of increased B-52 deployments, to demoralize the enemy. Nixon also expressed a desire for new ideas on psychological warfare to be presented by Friday.
On May 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 5:57 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-015 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the political reception of the President's recent address to Congress following his historic trip to the Soviet Union. While both men expressed private reservations regarding the quality of the speechwriting, they reviewed positive feedback from various congressional members, newspaper editors, and public segments. The conversation concluded with discussions regarding the upcoming ratification process for the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) and the President's need for rest in Florida.
President Nixon utilized this session to dictate and review a personal memorandum regarding his upcoming schedule and dinner plans. He specifically noted details related to the anniversary of Tricia Nixon Cox's wedding. The recording concludes with the President documenting notes for a speech.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum regarding his recent diplomatic mission to the Soviet Union. The primary focus of the brief recording was a discussion involving Leonid Brezhnev. The President specifically noted the overwhelming nature of the ceremonial engagements during his visit.
President Nixon met with aide Lawrence M. Higby to coordinate administrative tasks and discuss his upcoming schedule. The conversation touched upon the logistics of a Saturday morning in-office press conference and the potential involvement of John B. Connally. Additionally, the President ruminated on media perceptions of his campaign, emphasizing a desire to project a strong and vigorous public image.
H. R. Haldeman and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate to gather specific biographical and statistical data for President Nixon regarding his list of all-time baseball greats. The conversation focuses on verifying the careers and performance records of pre-war relief pitchers, specifically Hugh Casey, Mace Brown, and Doc Crandall. Haldeman also tasks Ziegler with identifying the first name of a prominent Pittsburgh relief pitcher named Face to finalize the President's personal list.
President Nixon and Reverend Billy Graham engaged in a telephone conversation primarily focused on personal rapport and mutual support. The dialogue included casual exchanges regarding baseball trivia, specifically concerning pitcher Jim Konstanty, before transitioning to a discussion centered on Graham’s ongoing political and personal backing of the President. The conversation served to reaffirm the alliance between the two figures during a period of significant political stress.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the logistics and strategic timing of a forthcoming televised press conference to be held in the East Room. The discussion focused on balancing the reach of the viewing audience against potential interruptions to prime-time network programming. Nixon tasked Ziegler with finalizing the scheduling details while considering the impact of different time slots on West Coast and Midwest viewership.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the specific handling and physical presentation of sensitive documents. Nixon issued explicit instructions to avoid sealing the materials, emphasizing that they should be hand-delivered. This exchange highlights the administration's cautious and unconventional approach to managing internal communications during this period.
On July 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at 9:01 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 027-100 of the White House Tapes.
On July 31, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:51 pm to 9:57 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 757-013 of the White House Tapes.
On August 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 2:22 pm to 2:40 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 028-030 of the White House Tapes.
On August 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox talked on the telephone from 10:24 am to 10:25 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 029-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. engaged in a brief, cordial exchange to return a previous call initiated by the Senator. The conversation focused on social pleasantries and the President's upcoming schedule in Maryland. The two men also commiserated over their mutual distaste for the Washington Post, with Nixon suggesting that the Senator consult a more balanced White House news summary to better gauge national sentiment.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate upcoming administrative events, specifically a photo opportunity with Miss Teenage America and the swearing-in ceremony for Dixy Lee Ray. Nixon expressed concern over potential political embarrassments regarding the views of the teenage contestants, emphasizing his desire to avoid any public incidents. The President directed that scheduling move forward immediately, rejecting suggestions to delay the swearing-in ceremony for Dixy Lee Ray.
On August 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 1:05 pm and 1:47 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 200-015 of the White House Tapes.
On August 14, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:52 pm to 3:54 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 362-019 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David to discuss the President's schedule and office supplies. Nixon requested three yellow pads from Sanchez. The meeting concluded before 8:17 pm on August 15, 1972.
On August 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 8:25 pm and 8:41 pm. The Camp David Study Desk taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 176-002 of the White House Tapes.
On August 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower talked on the telephone at Camp David from 9:30 pm to 9:35 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 140-003 of the White House Tapes.
On August 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:48 am to 9:54 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 203-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Richard M. Nixon utilized the recording session at Camp David to rehearse and refine his upcoming acceptance speech for the Republican National Convention. By reviewing portions of the address, Nixon focused on messaging related to social unity, the rejection of discriminatory philosophies, and the goal of building a broad, bipartisan political majority. The exercise allowed the President to polish his oratorical delivery and solidify the ideological framework of his campaign platform.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the inclusion of the Tanya Savicheva story in the President's upcoming acceptance speech, debating whether it should be used following a similar presentation in a convention film. Nixon expresses frustration with his writing staff's desire to minimize the emotional impact of the story, arguing that the repetition of such narratives is essential for effective communication. Ultimately, Nixon decides to proceed with the inclusion of the story, dismissing concerns that its repetition would be poorly received by the public or the press.
President Nixon contacted his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to request an additional copy of the foreign policy section prepared for his forthcoming acceptance speech. During the brief exchange, Woods confirmed the document contained 1,835 words. The interaction served to facilitate the President's final review and editing process for the address.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:36 pm and 4:00 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-012 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman consulted regarding revisions to the President’s forthcoming acceptance speech. Nixon confirmed that he had implemented specific structural changes to the text and requested that Haldeman review the updated version for final approval. The two agreed to meet at Laurel Cabin to facilitate the review process.
On August 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 1:31 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 207-007 of the White House Tapes.
On August 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:25 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 361-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with author Theodore H. White to discuss his political career, the upcoming 1972 election, and his administration's major policy initiatives. Nixon reviewed his success in opening relations with China and the Soviet Union while outlining his strategy for securing a strong electoral mandate to drive future domestic reforms. He emphasized that a decisive victory would enable him to overcome congressional opposition and implement pragmatic, efficient changes in government reorganization and national policy.
President Richard Nixon met with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, for a private visit at the Aspen Lodge during a stay at Camp David. As the recording contains no transcript and is marked by a withdrawn personal segment, the discussion remains historically inaccessible. The encounter served as a brief personal interaction between the President and his daughter during a period of intense presidential activity.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical details and media restrictions for his upcoming schedule, specifically regarding meetings with building trades representatives and Jewish leaders. Seeking to maintain a fast pace, the President explicitly prohibited all photography during these sessions to minimize time expenditures and exposure. Bull confirmed that there would be no individual coverage or official photographic documentation for these specific groups.
President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 4:57 pm on September 30, 1972 and 4:06 pm on October 2, 1972. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 214-007 of the White House Tapes.
On October 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 12:59 pm to 1:00 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 355-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met at Camp David to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, radio addresses, and political strategy against Senator George McGovern. They discussed managing media relations, specifically handling a request from Walter Cronkite for a televised presidential appearance, while ensuring the administration’s policy positions remained clear to the public. Additionally, they reviewed sensitive Vietnam negotiations, weighing Henry Kissinger’s progress in Paris against the strategic concerns of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and the potential for a post-election settlement.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly met in the Oval Office to discuss the President's schedule, specifically the taping of a message. The conversation was very short, with Bull confirming readiness for the taping and Nixon inquiring about the presence of individuals involved. The primary action item was proceeding with the message taping.
On October 10, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:34 pm to 9:41 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 219-014 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon instructed Stephen B. Bull to place telephone calls without waiting for previous ones to finish, emphasizing a desire to "pile them up" and increase the pace of incoming calls. Bull confirmed he had staff working on the calls and reported on the number of calls already handled and remaining.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull and personal aide Manolo Sanchez to coordinate logistical details regarding his immediate schedule. The discussion centered on the President's upcoming movements between the Oval Office and the Executive Office Building. The primary action item was facilitating a planned meeting with John B. Connally.
On October 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:34 pm and 2:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 803-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate his upcoming schedule and manage administrative priorities. The discussion centered on organizing meetings with Soviet officials, including Ambassador Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, and addressing legislative matters such as the recent rejection of a spending limit. The President also deliberated on the necessary messaging and involvement of staff members John Ehrlichman and Caspar Weinberger regarding these congressional relations.
On October 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 8:27 am and 8:42 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 368-020 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the final arrangements and scheduling for the President's upcoming radio address regarding American farmers. The discussion focused on the text of the address, its timing, and the involvement of staff member Barbara Dunn. The meeting concluded with confirmation that the logistical preparations for the broadcast would be finalized shortly.
President Nixon and John K. Andrews, Jr. discussed final revisions for an upcoming farm speech scheduled for October 27, 1972. Nixon questioned the omission of the "revitalization of rural America" theme, but ultimately deferred to the judgment of John C. Whitaker and Secretary Earl L. Butz’s staff, who argued that such language might alienate farmers concerned about rural development. Having confirmed the reasoning behind the draft, Nixon approved the speech for release as written.
On October 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 9:03 am to 9:04 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 032-067 of the White House Tapes.
On November 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:13 pm to 9:19 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 376-006 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. discuss the tone and political messaging of upcoming public remarks. Nixon expresses concern that a specific draft sounds overly smug and complacent, advising against the inclusion of certain policy details like those related to banking. The brief consultation serves to refine the President's rhetorical strategy to ensure his presentation does not alienate the audience.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a series of telephone calls to several Republican senators, including Edward W. Brooke, Margaret Chase Smith, Clifford P. Case, Clifford P. Hansen, and Mark O. Hatfield. The President aimed to reach these individuals, who were largely occupied with campaign activities in their respective home states, for brief consultations. The operator was tasked with locating and connecting the President to these lawmakers as part of his outgoing communication schedule.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull coordinate the scheduling of an upcoming telephone call with the Soviet ambassador. Nixon expresses concern regarding the timing of the engagement while verifying that his administrative staff has addressed necessary preparatory communications. The brief interaction focuses on ensuring the President is available to receive the call as intended.
On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:00 am and 11:01 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 389-014 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and his personal secretary Rose Mary Woods briefly discussed the initial positive outlook of the 1972 presidential election returns on the evening of Election Day. Despite the President's cautious stance as he awaited further results later that night, Woods expressed strong optimism regarding the early favorable projections. Their exchange highlights the expectant atmosphere at the White House as the landslide victory began to take shape.
On November 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:50 pm and 9:00 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 229-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon coordinated plans with Rose Mary Woods for a surprise visit to the Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander law firm in New York during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Nixon decided to have John Mitchell arrange the visit to ensure he could briefly greet the staff and senior partners without disrupting firm operations. Additionally, the President requested that Woods schedule a 9:00 a.m. appointment with his barber.
President Nixon met in the Oval Office to dictate a formal letter of consolation to University of Nebraska football coach Bob Devaney following his team's recent loss to the University of Oklahoma. Nixon expressed his belief that while Devaney is accustomed to the frequent praise associated with winning, a defeat presents an unfamiliar and difficult experience. The President focused on crafting a message that would offer support to the coach during a rare moment of professional adversity.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the public messaging and logistics for an upcoming trip to New York and the subsequent presidential retreat at Camp David. The two discussed how to frame the New York visit to minimize unwanted press intrusion while framing the break as a necessary respite following the intensity of post-election reorganization. Furthermore, they strategized on using Camp David as a functional extension of the White House for announcing second-term administrative appointments to project a sense of stability and active governance.
President Nixon held a phone conversation with the Apollo 17 crew—Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt—at Camp David to offer his well wishes before their upcoming mission. The discussion touched on the significance of the final moon landing, the roles of the individual crew members, and the importance of the mission to the nation. Nixon also briefly discussed his ongoing efforts regarding Vietnam peace negotiations, while the crew expressed their support for his second term.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, gathered at the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David to watch a televised professional football game. The pair engaged in informal conversation regarding the unfolding drama of the Washington Redskins versus Dallas Cowboys matchup, noting the Redskins' significant comeback. The discussion remained focused exclusively on the sports event, serving as a brief period of personal leisure for the President.
President Nixon expressed intense frustration to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler regarding the presence of Washington Post reporters at the White House Christmas tree display. Reasserting a previous ban on the newspaper's staff, the President ordered Ziegler to contact Connie Stuart to demand an explanation for the breach and to threaten her with immediate termination should such an unauthorized access occur again. Ziegler was instructed to verify the situation and report back to the President promptly.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss an injury to the President’s foot and the associated press coverage. Additionally, the two reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule, specifically addressing a planned meeting with J. Willard Marriott and the involvement of Dwight L. Chapin. The discussion concluded shortly thereafter as Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated the President's schedule regarding a meeting with Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. They discussed the timing of Agnew's visit in relation to briefings involving Henry Kissinger and Anatoliy Dobrynin. Nixon instructed Bull to convey that he would be available around 10:00 a.m. following a breakfast meeting.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the renewed bombing and mining campaign against North Vietnam, codenamed Operation Linebacker II. They reviewed the tactical and B-52 strikes, including weather conditions, expected enemy responses like SAMs, and aircraft losses. The conversation also touched upon a New York Times article by William Beecher, with Nixon and Kissinger expressing frustration over potential leaks from the Defense Department and discussing strategies for managing public relations regarding the ongoing military operations and the resumption of peace talks.
On December 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:15 pm to 1:16 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 381-012 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon called newly elected Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to offer his personal condolences following the tragic automobile accident that claimed the lives of Biden’s wife, Nealia, and their daughter. During the brief exchange, Nixon expressed sympathy for the family's loss and encouraged the grieving Senator to look toward his future career. Drawing on his own experience entering the House of Representatives at a young age, Nixon sought to provide comfort and encouragement to Biden during his period of profound personal crisis.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to discuss public perception of the ongoing Vietnam War, specifically the recent escalation of bombing campaigns north of the 20th Parallel. They analyzed the political strategies for managing the 'hawks' and 'doves' in Congress and the media, while emphasizing the administration's commitment to achieving an 'honorable peace' that secures the return of prisoners of war. Nixon expressed his desire to frame the current military actions as a necessary response to North Vietnam's failure to adhere to previously discussed settlement terms.
On December 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:12 am and 10:44 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 828-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Patrick J. Buchanan to discuss the framework and themes for a prospective book about the Nixon administration. The conversation focused on framing Nixon’s political career as a narrative of overcoming adversity, specifically highlighting his 1968 comeback and the ideological battles against the "liberal establishment" and the national media. They also analyzed campaign strategies, the importance of maintaining emotional detachment from press criticism, and the effective, strategic use of television to communicate directly with the American public.
President Nixon called Washington Redskins head coach George Allen to congratulate him on the team's decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The two discussed the importance of team chemistry, the superior work ethic of players like Billy Kilmer and Jack Pardee, and the psychological impact of aggressive play on the opposing team. Nixon encouraged Allen to be open with the press regarding his support, emphasizing his long-standing practice of reaching out to winners.
Charles W. Colson contacted Gerald L. Warren to coordinate the administration's public narrative regarding President Nixon’s work ethic on New Year’s Day. Colson emphasized the need to highlight that the President arrived at the office by 7:30 a.m. to focus on inaugural preparations, congressional messages, and staff meetings. Additionally, they clarified that the President’s limited television viewing was specifically to observe First Lady Pat Nixon in the Rose Bowl parade, while also briefly noting that the status of Henry Kissinger’s return from Paris remained unconfirmed.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss personal administrative matters. The brief interaction primarily concerned the disposal of household items and the potential replacement of a bathrobe. This informal exchange highlights the routine personal tasks managed by the President's support staff during his time in the Old Executive Office Building.
President Nixon held an informal gathering with his close friend Bebe Rebozo and personal aide Manolo Sanchez at the Aspen Lodge during a retreat at Camp David. The discussion consisted of casual conversation and personal reflection rather than formal policy deliberation. No significant political decisions or administrative actions were recorded during this informal engagement.