Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Supreme Court appointments
125 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Colson, Bull, Butterfield
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for securing the confirmation of Supreme Court nominees William H. Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. following the President's recent announcement. They weigh the political challenges posed by opposition from groups like the American Bar Association and individual Democrats, specifically Edward M. Kennedy. Nixon emphasizes the nominees' superior academic and professional credentials as a defense against criticism and stresses the importance of maintaining momentum for their confirmation.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review the President’s upcoming public schedule, including strategy for a potential radio address and administrative coordination for meetings with Imelda Marcos and the Price Commission. The pair discussed current Gallup polling trends, noting a recent increase in presidential approval ratings, and reviewed the economic landscape, specifically focusing on the Consumer Price Index and Arthur Burns's handling of the money supply. Additionally, they touched upon the confirmation preparation for Supreme Court nominees William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell, with Nixon emphasizing the need for thorough vetting to avoid potential Senate confirmation pitfalls.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler discussed the positive public and political reception of Supreme Court nominees Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and William H. Rehnquist, focusing on the importance of their conservative credentials and intellectual capability. Nixon analyzed the ideological balance of the Court and strategized on managing media narratives regarding the nominees' ages and backgrounds. Additionally, the participants reviewed the administration's public relations approach to the Pay Board and the potential labor boycott, deciding to downplay the absence of labor members during upcoming announcements.
President Nixon called Virginia Governor Linwood Holton to discuss the impending announcement of his Supreme Court nominations of William H. Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Nixon urged Holton to publicly endorse the selections during his press conference, emphasizing the high quality of the candidates and the bipartisan nature of the appointments. The conversation also touched on international affairs, including tensions in Pakistan and the Middle East, before concluding with plans for Holton to meet with White House staff regarding Virginia's school policies.
President Nixon and Bryce N. Harlow discussed the selection process for a new Secretary of Agriculture and exchanged congratulations regarding the recent, successful nominations of Lewis F. Powell, Jr. to the Supreme Court. Harlow advised the President against considering certain senators due to constitutional eligibility constraints and provided an analysis of the leading departmental candidates, specifically Clarence D. Palmby, J. Phillip Campbell, and Earl L. Butz. Nixon directed Harlow to consult with Henry L. Bellmon to gauge his perspective on the candidates and instructed him to deliver a final recommendation by the following Tuesday.
President Nixon and television producer Paul W. Keyes discuss the positive reception of the President’s recent televised address regarding his Supreme Court nominations. Keyes commends Nixon’s strategic presentation of his nominees, which both men agree will lead to successful Senate confirmation. The call concludes with a brief, favorable discussion regarding Joseph H. Blatchford's character and professional capabilities.
President Nixon consulted with Hobart D. Lewis to celebrate the successful announcement of his Supreme Court nominees, Lewis F. Powell Jr. and William H. Rehnquist. Nixon expressed satisfaction with his strategy of misleading the press and the American Bar Association to secure appointments that prioritized conservative ideology over typical vetting pressures. The two discussed the long-term impact of these appointments on the Court's ideological balance, agreeing that the move successfully trapped critics who previously demanded judicial excellence.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson to discuss public relations regarding his recent Supreme Court nominations and the effectiveness of his televised addresses. Following this, the President hosted a group of governors who had recently returned from a trip to the Soviet Union and Romania, briefing them on the diplomatic importance of their mission. Nixon emphasized the need for a professional security approach during future reciprocal visits and provided guidance on how the governors should frame their positive reports to the press while acknowledging the serious differences between the United States and the Communist bloc.
President Nixon and Richard A. Moore discussed the recent backlash and media speculation surrounding his Supreme Court nominations, specifically addressing leaks and the public reaction to his decision-making process. The President also held a telephone conversation with Mexican President Luis Echeverria Alvarez to lobby for Mexico's support during a critical upcoming United Nations vote regarding the status of Taiwan. Throughout the meeting, the participants emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality in high-level executive decisions and strategized on how to manage negative press coverage.
President Nixon met with Stephen Bull and Alexander Butterfield to coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with Vice President Spiro Agnew, specifically focusing on scheduling and arrival details. Following this, Charles Colson joined the President to discuss press reaction to recent Supreme Court nominations, including critical commentary from CBS newsman Dan Rather. The conversation concluded with a discussion on managing media relations and the administration's ongoing efforts to pressure news organizations regarding their reporting.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the administration's favorable public reception to the Supreme Court nominations of Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and William H. Rehnquist, and the effectiveness of Nixon's recent radio address. They also review the looming political difficulty of the upcoming United Nations vote regarding the expulsion of Taiwan, expressing concerns about a potential loss while discussing damage control strategies. Finally, they analyze current political polling, focusing on the declining standing of Edmund Muskie and the administration's efforts to project strong leadership on economic issues.
President Nixon and Patrick Buchanan discuss the positive reception among conservatives following the President's recent Supreme Court nominations. The two men mock the mainstream media's prediction of a constitutional crisis, noting how analysts like Eric Sevareid and Dan Rather were forced to walk back their commentary after the announcement. Nixon emphasizes the importance of maintaining conservative support and expresses confidence that the nominees, specifically William H. Rehnquist, will easily overcome political opposition in the Senate confirmation process.
President Nixon met with Vice President Spiro Agnew, H. R. Haldeman, and various staff members to coordinate strategy for upcoming foreign and domestic challenges. Key discussions focused on preparations for the President’s trip to the People’s Republic of China, managing media coverage, and ongoing frustrations regarding the recent United Nations vote on Taiwan. The participants also reviewed the administration's judicial appointments, the economic outlook, and strategies for handling dissent within Congress and the press.
President Nixon and Ronald Reagan discussed the recent United Nations vote to expel Taiwan and recognize the People's Republic of China, expressing disappointment regarding the lack of support from various African nations. Nixon articulated concerns about the potential repercussions in Congress, particularly regarding foreign aid appropriations, while emphasizing the importance of remembering allies like Japan who stood with the U.S. during the vote. Additionally, the two men reviewed Nixon's recent Supreme Court nominations of Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist, focusing on the political necessity of balancing regional representation and professional background.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and other staff members to discuss political strategies following the United Nations vote to expel Taiwan. The participants focused on channeling public frustration away from the administration and toward the United Nations itself, considering symbolic actions such as reduced funding or critical public statements. Additionally, the group reviewed the 1972 political landscape, potential Democratic presidential tickets, and the progress of upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Rehnquist and Powell.
President Nixon and Ambassador Walter Annenberg discussed a range of political matters, beginning with the positive reception of Nixon's congratulatory call to newly elected Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo. The two also addressed the administration's strategic legislative outlook, specifically the Senate's foreign aid setback and the upcoming confirmation of Supreme Court nominees Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and William H. Rehnquist. Furthermore, they reviewed diplomatic tensions regarding British Prime Minister Edward Heath's reaction to the announcement of Nixon's Moscow trip and U.S. policy toward international issues.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to discuss various administration concerns, including the President's upcoming address to the AFL-CIO convention and strategies for managing press coverage regarding the national economy and Supreme Court nominations. The conversation also covered coordination with other officials, such as John Connally and Henry Kissinger, regarding international monetary policy, sanctions on Rhodesia, and the timing of future press conferences. The two also analyzed historical polling data to gauge public perception and formulate communication tactics for the President's policy agenda.
President Nixon met with William L. Waller, Senator James O. Eastland, and John N. Mitchell to discuss potential federal assistance for developing tourist, convention, and recreational facilities in Gulfport, Mississippi. The participants also reviewed recent Supreme Court nominations, comparing the qualifications and political challenges of nominees like William Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. to past justices. Throughout the discussion, Nixon emphasized his appreciation for the political support provided by Mississippi's senators on national security and defense issues.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed the administration's recent successes, including favorable press coverage for Vice President Agnew and progress on economic and legislative goals. They discussed strategy regarding the ongoing India-Pakistan War, the political vulnerability of Democrats, and optimistic economic indicators provided by Albert Sindlinger. Finally, they assessed upcoming challenges in Congress, specifically focusing on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominees and the battle to pass foreign aid legislation.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discussed the feedback from a legislative breakfast regarding the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. Rogers reported that Senate leaders Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott advocated for a neutral U.S. position and noted that Congress would likely oppose further foreign aid to nations ignoring UN resolutions. The President instructed Rogers to follow up with these leaders later that day to provide a briefing on the situation and also discussed the upcoming favorable Senate confirmation votes for Supreme Court nominees Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and William H. Rehnquist.
President Nixon met with his staff and nominee Lewis F. Powell, Jr. to discuss the status of pending legislation, congressional relations, and the upcoming Senate confirmation vote for Powell's Supreme Court appointment. The participants also reviewed a proposal for pension reform, specifically deliberating between two tax deduction options for individuals without employer-sponsored retirement plans. Nixon ultimately expressed support for the $1,500 deduction limit, emphasizing the administration's goal of encouraging private retirement savings for workers not covered by government or corporate pension programs.
President Nixon calls William H. Rehnquist to congratulate him following his Senate confirmation to the Supreme Court. The President compares Rehnquist’s confirmation vote tally to that of former Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes and jokingly references an endorsement by Joe Kraft that nearly jeopardized the nomination. Nixon concludes the call by advising Rehnquist to remain independent and steadfast in his judicial philosophy, urging him not to let political pressure or the Washington social climate influence his future rulings.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the messaging strategy for Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler regarding upcoming political appointments and the selection of an Acting FBI Director following J. Edgar Hoover’s recent death. They emphasize the need to distinguish between permanent Supreme Court appointments and temporary political assignments to deflect public criticism. The pair concludes by coordinating the logistics for an afternoon meeting with a prospective candidate.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum to H.R. Haldeman outlining revised campaign tactics, emphasizing personal appearances and enthusiastic reception over large rallies and motorcades. He also instructed Haldeman to ensure key staff highlight the President's Supreme Court appointments as a potent issue and to concentrate efforts on primary states facing significant attacks, while personally vetting Democratic defectors.
President Nixon met with a delegation of Virginia Democratic leaders to discuss the political landscape ahead of the 1972 election and foster ideological alignment. The conversation focused on the President's opposition to George McGovern’s defense and welfare proposals, the importance of appointing strict constructionist judges to the Supreme Court, and the necessity of prioritizing political philosophy over party labels. Toward the end of the meeting, the attendees encouraged the President to accept an invitation to speak at Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace, arguing that such a forum would provide a strategic opportunity to frame his foreign policy in contrast to his opponent's isolationism.