Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Veto strategy
20 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ehrlichman, Bull, Timmons
President Nixon and George Shultz met to discuss legislative strategy regarding the Public Service Employment Bill, weighing the political risks of a veto against the potential for negotiating a compromise on manpower reform and revenue sharing. They analyzed the current state of the economy, specifically noting that second-quarter GNP growth was lower than anticipated but likely to be revised upward as income outpaced output. Additionally, they coordinated plans for upcoming budget meetings at Camp David and outlined travel arrangements for Shultz to address state advisory committees regarding the administration's economic policy.
President Nixon consulted with George Shultz regarding the political strategy for two pending bills, relaying concerns raised by John Connally about the timing of potential vetoes. Connally advised against immediate action, arguing that the administration had not yet established the necessary political predicate to justify a veto to Congress. Consequently, the President decided to delay his final decision pending further analysis of the administration's leverage and the likelihood of successfully challenging Congress.
President Nixon calls Treasury Secretary John Connally ahead of a press conference to provide tactical guidance on campaign finance legislation. Nixon directs Connally to leverage a veto threat against Congress, proposing that if the bill is blocked, he will force a special session during the holiday season to compel the passage of his tax agenda. Citing the political precedent of Harry Truman, Nixon empowers Connally to publicly express the administration's firm stance and readiness to force legislative action.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum summarizing recent telephone communications with William E. Brock, III, Chalmers P. Wylie, and Betty Kaplow. The discussions focused on potential veto strategies regarding a tax bill, the political implications of the tax check-off provision for campaign financing, and reflections on the President’s recent address to the AFL-CIO. Additionally, the President recorded notes regarding administrative matters, including his honorary role with the Boy Scouts and scheduling logistics for an upcoming trip to California.
President Nixon and OMB Director George Shultz confer on internal administrative coordination, specifically ensuring that Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird aligns with budget agreements to prevent political friction with conservatives. The President also discusses his skepticism regarding a pending water bill, signaling a desire to avoid a veto conflict while directing staff to manage the implementation cautiously. The conversation concludes with brief remarks on national political sentiment and holiday sentiments.
President Nixon and an unidentified advisor discuss the political ramifications of the Higher Education Act, specifically focusing on its inadequate approach to the busing issue. Nixon expresses strong disapproval of the legislation, labeling it a "monstrosity," and considers vetoing it to challenge liberal leaders. The discussion concludes with a directive to ensure the administration's public messaging on the bill is sufficiently firm, and Nixon requests a meeting with H.R. Haldeman.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on the administration’s legislative agenda, specifically focusing on a potential veto of an education bill to emphasize their opposition to school busing. They discussed the political risks and benefits of the veto, the ongoing Detroit desegregation case, and strategies for managing welfare reform and revenue sharing. Additionally, the President and Ehrlichman analyzed public relations tactics, expressing their shared desire to discredit the press and shift from traditional press conferences toward more controlled one-on-one media formats.
President Nixon met with key advisors and political allies to strategize on the 1972 presidential campaign, the legislative handling of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) bill, and security concerns regarding Henry Kissinger. The group discussed the political advisability of vetoing the OEO and water bills, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, and explored campaign messaging tactics, including the use of "mini-documentaries" highlighting the President's foreign policy achievements. A significant development was the focus on producing television spots that frame the President's leadership as nonpartisan and statesmanlike, contrasting his record with that of Senator George McGovern.
President Nixon met with Republican Congressional leaders to discuss the critical need for a $250 billion federal spending ceiling to combat inflation and prevent the necessity of tax increases. The participants strategized on how to manage the upcoming House vote on HR 16810, expressing concern that Democratic leadership was pushing irresponsible, expansive spending bills—including massive social welfare and Social Security packages—that threatened the administration's fiscal goals. The President emphasized that passing the spending cap was a vital political and economic tool to hold Congress accountable and establish a framework for the 1974 budget, while also providing leverage for future presidential vetoes.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed legislative strategies, specifically the administration's stance on H.R. 1, the pending water quality bill, and potential Social Security legislation. They emphasized the need to maintain a firm position on spending limits to bolster Nixon's reelection campaign, including the potential use of a veto to contrast the administration's fiscal discipline with Congressional spending. Furthermore, they reviewed media relations and planned public events, such as a revenue-sharing ceremony, to highlight administration accomplishments while minimizing negative coverage.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss campaign strategy, specifically focusing on messaging against their political opponents and defining the administration's stance on key social issues like welfare, busing, and amnesty. They review positive polling data from Southern California and strategize on how to manage media narratives regarding the Vietnam peace plan and potential legislative vetoes. The conversation concludes with a directive to mobilize letter-writing campaigns to solidify public support for the administration's aggressive political rhetoric.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administration's legislative strategy regarding railroad retirement vetoes and ongoing welfare reform negotiations. The conversation focused on the political implications of potential veto overrides and the complexities surrounding the Family Assistance Plan, including proposed amendments by Senators Ribicoff and Stevenson. Ehrlichman updated the President on current legislative developments and testing metrics to determine the administration's tactical approach to securing support.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors to discuss 1972 campaign strategies, including countering Democratic attacks on corruption and addressing negative press coverage. The participants evaluated legislative priorities, specifically the potential vetoes of the welfare reform bill (H.R. 1) and the water pollution control bill, while navigating the timing of Congressional adjournment. Finally, Nixon discussed the recent Washington, D.C. jail takeover, requesting an assessment of potential prison reforms and the feasibility of incorporating D.C. facilities into the federal prison system.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman coordinate messaging strategy regarding pending legislation and press relations ahead of a planned media briefing. They discuss the potential veto of Social Security and water quality bills, framing them around spending limitations and congressional failure to adopt administration reforms. Furthermore, they strategize on countering negative press coverage related to Watergate and the US-Soviet grain deal by attacking journalistic bias, invoking comparisons to McCarthyism, and highlighting the failure of outlets to report on campaign violence against the President.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on the administration’s domestic policy messaging, focusing on crafting a unified narrative of responsible governance versus Congressional fiscal irresponsibility ahead of the 1972 election. They discussed the tactical use of veto messages, upcoming radio talks, and regional outreach efforts to contrast the President's legislative priorities with Congress's performance on issues like welfare reform, environmental policy, and taxation. To reinforce this image of a diligent executive, they planned to stage a photographic opportunity at the White House showcasing the President's extensive workload of legislative review and veto preparation.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the political strategy surrounding the potential veto of HR 1, a massive welfare and social security bill, while balancing concerns over fiscal responsibility and the upcoming 1972 election. They evaluated the political risks of appearing insensitive to the elderly and the blind versus the long-term economic consequences of payroll taxes, ultimately deciding to hold off on a final public decision. Additionally, the two discussed strategies for countering negative press coverage, specifically regarding the Watergate scandal, and weighed plans to marginalize the Washington Post through reduced access and accreditation pressure.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed concerns regarding the President’s heavy schedule of social and ceremonial obligations with members of Congress. Nixon expressed frustration over complaints from Senator Hugh Scott and questioned the effectiveness of his legislative liaison team, specifically criticizing William E. Timmons's management style and lack of impact. They analyzed whether these meetings, intended to appease lawmakers ahead of upcoming vetoes, were fostering a cycle of escalating demands, citing Donald Rumsfeld’s theory that increased access only leads to greater expectations. Nixon instructed Haldeman to coordinate with John Ehrlichman to reassess the necessity of these engagements and to reevaluate the effectiveness of their congressional outreach operation.
President Nixon met with William E. Timmons and Stephen B. Bull to prepare for an upcoming visit from a group of freshman Republican congressmen. The discussion focused on bolstering party unity, encouraging fiscal restraint regarding the federal budget, and strategizing on how to maintain support for potential presidential vetoes. Nixon decided to use the meeting to express his appreciation for their legislative efforts, emphasizing personal rapport and the administration's readiness to assist these new members in navigating congressional procedures.
President Nixon met with William Timmons and Thomas Korologos to refine their strategy for managing Congressional relations and legislative outreach. The discussion focused on diversifying the attendance at upcoming bipartisan leadership meetings to include a broader range of committee members while strategically inviting select liberal Republicans to maintain a sense of inclusivity. Additionally, the participants discussed the logistics of presenting a television set to Congress, current efforts to sustain presidential vetoes, and concerns regarding Senator Lowell Weicker’s conduct during the L. Patrick Gray confirmation hearings.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed administrative logistics regarding an upcoming retreat to Camp David, specifically weighing the social inclusion of staff counselors and their wives. Nixon expressed a preference for maintaining personal solitude during his downtime while ensuring he retains professional access to advisors like Mel Laird, Bryce Harlow, and Roy Ash if needed. Additionally, the President reviewed his legislative agenda, emphasizing the need to evaluate upcoming bills for potential vetoes to maintain a balanced budget heading into the election year.