Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Unemployment statistics
15 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Colson, Haldeman, Shultz
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss a wide-ranging agenda, including the restructuring of the cancer research program, current unemployment statistics, and upcoming presidential scheduling. They reviewed foreign policy, specifically focusing on the administration’s China initiative and strategic arms negotiations, while agreeing to ignore pressure from public anti-war demonstrations. Nixon emphasized the need for administrative control over federal bureaucracies and finalized plans for his upcoming travel and press conference strategy.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and Peter Flanigan to address several pressing administrative and political challenges. Key discussions focused on responding to the Pentagon Papers, including the need for a rigorous conspiracy investigation and managing the fallout from Daniel Ellsberg's actions. The President also evaluated economic messaging regarding unemployment statistics, strategized the management of political funds and polling, and reviewed potential ambassadorial appointments for Japan and other key posts, emphasizing the need for loyal, business-oriented candidates. Finally, the group discussed using antitrust actions as political leverage against broadcasting networks and implementing funding cutbacks for public broadcasting.
President Nixon met with his staff and advisors to coordinate logistical arrangements for his upcoming National Archives speech, focusing on timing, camera blocking, and the inclusion of the national anthem. The group also discussed planning a signing ceremony for the Twenty-sixth Amendment featuring a student group, and reviewed current media strategies regarding unemployment statistics and the ongoing Pentagon Papers controversy. Nixon emphasized maintaining a strong, authoritative public image while managing press narratives and reinforcing government discipline regarding classified information.
President Nixon directed Charles Colson to relay praise from Secretary of State William Rogers to John Scali regarding their collaboration on a joint press statement. Nixon further specified that Scali should be positioned as the primary advisor for future presidential trips to boost his morale and improve press coordination. Finally, the two discussed managing media coverage of recent unemployment data, with Nixon instructing Colson to minimize the narrative of a "statistical fluke" in upcoming NBC news reports.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss their extreme dissatisfaction with the handling of recent unemployment figures and the subsequent negative media coverage. Nixon demands accountability for the problematic press releases, specifically ordering that officials Geoffrey H. Moore and Harold Goldstein be subjected to polygraph tests. He makes it clear that if these individuals are found responsible for the unfavorable framing of the economic data, they must be terminated immediately.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson, George Shultz, and James Hodgson to discuss concerns over recent unemployment statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nixon expressed frustration with the BLS leadership, specifically targeting Assistant Commissioner Harold Goldstein and Commissioner Geoffrey Moore for their perceived lack of loyalty to the administration and their mishandling of reports. The group discussed plans to force a reorganization of the BLS to gain greater control over the reporting process, as well as the eventual replacement of Moore with a more reliable figure.
President Nixon and George Shultz met to coordinate the President's upcoming appearance before steel industry and labor leaders, focusing on long-term industry challenges like productivity, foreign competition, and wage stagnation. They agreed the President should emphasize the national interest in a healthy steel sector while encouraging constructive labor-management negotiations. The two also reviewed recent Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data and positive retail sales indicators, specifically noting that employment improvements among adult workers remained strong despite seasonal fluctuations in teenage unemployment statistics.
President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan met to discuss administration strategies regarding contentious issues, specifically school busing and the national economy. Nixon expressed firm opposition to forced busing, suggesting the administration should clarify that Supreme Court rulings on the matter are not mandates. Additionally, they reviewed media coverage of the economy, with Nixon instructing Buchanan to proactively highlight positive economic indicators—such as housing, construction, and retail sales—to counter negative press narratives regarding unemployment statistics.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed the administration's strategic response to rising unemployment statistics, specifically planning how to address potential political criticism from figures like Lawrence F. O'Brien. They reviewed current labor data, including coordination with Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson, and evaluated the potential for personnel reassignments within the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Council of Economic Advisers. The conversation also touched on various logistical matters, including scheduling and legislative issues such as the campaign check-off veto.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including Charles Colson and John Ehrlichman, to discuss a broad range of political, administrative, and strategic matters. The participants reviewed ongoing public relations efforts regarding economic performance and unemployment data, coordinated their stance on potential legislation such as H.R. 1, and touched upon personnel concerns. The conversation also included informal commentary on recent Washington Redskins football games and general holiday planning, highlighting a mix of high-level political maneuvering and casual staff engagement.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed the political landscape ahead of the 1972 election, focusing heavily on the Democratic field, particularly the campaigns of Edmund Muskie and Edward Kennedy. The conversation covered domestic policy issues, including concerns over pending unemployment figures and the political implications of busing and recent court decisions. They also reviewed media coverage, recent polling data, and the status of ongoing labor negotiations regarding a dock strike.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political implications of recent economic trends, specifically focusing on the upcoming January unemployment figures and stock market performance. The conversation also analyzes the volatility of the 1972 Democratic primaries, particularly the decline of Edmund Muskie's campaign and the potential impact of the busing issue on Democratic candidates. Nixon expresses satisfaction with the defeat of the Griffin Amendment, noting that it preserves his administration's flexibility to define its own legislative stance on the busing issue.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler discuss strategies to counter criticism of the administration's economic policies, specifically regarding unemployment figures. Nixon emphasizes that critics are selectively highlighting specific statistical data to allege policy failure while ignoring the broader, more positive economic trajectory. They agree to adopt a more assertive messaging strategy to defend the administration's overall economic record.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing negative economic news, specifically an anticipated rise in the unemployment rate, by emphasizing positive job growth metrics and leveraging economic spokespeople like Herbert Stein and Marina Whitman. They also review the political handling of the ITT hearings, focusing on efforts to secure Senator James O. Eastland's cooperation to end the proceedings. Nixon directs Colson to ensure Republican leadership frame any continued hearings as a partisan "political inquisition" and filibuster to minimize political fallout.
President Nixon met with British Prime Minister Edward Heath, along with Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, and Sir Burke Trend, to discuss bilateral trade relations and domestic economic challenges. The conversation focused on the political difficulties of agricultural trade policy and the nuances of unemployment statistics as they related to the broader American welfare landscape. The group also touched upon the competitive pressures posed by Japanese manufacturing and the need for ongoing cooperation between the United States and its European allies.