Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Vietnam policy
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Bull, Kissinger
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss scheduling priorities and strategies to enhance the President's public image. The conversation centered on managing access to the President for key advisors like John Mitchell and John Connally, as well as coordinating media efforts and staffing changes involving the Office of Economic Opportunity. Nixon expressed a preference for maintaining a calculated political posture, noting that while the administration was currently facing "erosion" rather than direct attack, they would reserve aggressive tactics for later in the year to improve their standing.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss political strategy ahead of a forthcoming Vietnam policy speech, focusing on managing congressional support and public perception. A significant portion of the conversation involves the potential resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, with Nixon and John Dean exploring the constitutional mechanisms for filling a vice presidential vacancy and the political impact of such a move on his 1972 re-election campaign. Nixon expresses deep frustration with the perceived weakness of his congressional allies and evaluates the political viability of potential replacements, including John B. Connally.
President Nixon, Melvin Laird, and Henry Kissinger discussed the administration's strategic approach to upcoming NATO defense meetings, emphasizing the need to avoid being pressured into premature agreements regarding Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR). The participants reviewed the status of the SALT negotiations, highlighting the necessity of maintaining the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) program as a critical bargaining chip against Soviet offensive weapons. They also addressed personnel changes within the Department of Defense, including potential replacements for Deputy Secretary David Packard and the Secretary of the Army, while coordinating strategy for managing Congressional relations and ongoing military assistance in Vietnam and Cambodia.
President Nixon met with speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. to coordinate preparations for an upcoming West Point commencement address. The President expressed specific concerns regarding how the speech should frame Vietnam policy and distance his administration's position from existing, unsatisfactory drafts. Nixon directed Price to meet with him shortly thereafter to ensure the speech draft better aligned with his personal perspective and strategic vision.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, focusing on legislative management regarding Vietnam-related amendments and securing unanimous Republican support. They also coordinated meetings with congressional leadership, various cabinet members, and administrative staff to address political strategy and media narratives. Additionally, the pair discussed private logistical concerns regarding the President’s travel to California and expressed personal frustrations regarding family acquaintances, specifically Helene and Jack Drown, whose presence the President wished to minimize during his time at the San Clemente residence.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and others to discuss television strategy, public relations for his upcoming foreign summits, and administrative crises. The President emphasized his desire to use live television broadcasts from China to maximize public impact and discussed managing domestic perceptions through news-time appearances. The participants also addressed the Attica Prison riots, coordinating presidential support for Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and discussed policy options regarding Chile and Vietnam, including planning for an upcoming National Security Council meeting.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman engaged in an extensive review of the President’s upcoming schedule, focusing on the State of the Union address, pending diplomatic visits, and the handling of school financing policy. Nixon emphasized his need for uninterrupted time to focus on his legislative agenda and Vietnam policy, leading to instructions to minimize public events and consolidate state visits. Later, the President met with Arthur Fletcher and other staff to review the success of the First Lady’s recent trip to Liberia and to participate in a photo opportunity involving a funding check for the Grambling University band.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and various staff members, including Henry Kissinger and John Connally, to manage media relations, cabinet appointments, and urgent foreign policy challenges. A significant portion of the discussion addressed leaks regarding the Anderson Papers and the unauthorized disclosure of information by Yeoman Charles Radford, with the President expressing frustration over the administration's perceived passivity. Furthermore, Nixon and his aides evaluated the ongoing tensions between Secretary of State William Rogers and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, while finalizing the transition of Peter G. Peterson into the Commerce Department to bolster economic policy control. Throughout the meeting, the President emphasized the need to maintain strict operational control over sensitive negotiations and prepare for the upcoming state of the union address.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss administrative appointments, specifically exploring the potential role of Caspar Weinberger as a successor to George Shultz at the Office of Management and Budget. They also coordinate communication strategies regarding Henry Kissinger’s recent meeting with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin to ensure Secretary of State William Rogers remains informed without disclosing excessive detail. Finally, the two review recent polling data that shows a slight uptick in the President's approval ratings following his January 25th speech on Vietnam.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss political strategy and administrative messaging, specifically regarding Haldeman's recent appearance on the Today show and public reaction to administration stances on Vietnam. The pair reviewed potential inquiries from the press and strategies for responding to critics, while also addressing logistical concerns related to the President's upcoming schedule, including a memorial service for Llewellyn E. Thompson. The conversation concluded with administrative updates involving Rose Mary Woods and the management of office materials.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum for the file regarding various administrative and political matters involving his senior staff. The discussion touched upon the upcoming press conference, strategies for managing staff members like H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, and political concerns including the 1972 election cycle. Nixon also addressed potential public relations issues and internal coordination regarding cabinet members and political rivals.
President Nixon met briefly with Senator Mark Hatfield and his wife to express his support for the Senator's re-election campaign in Oregon. Nixon emphasized the importance of returning Hatfield to the Senate and urged him to focus on maximizing voter turnout. The President also discussed upcoming campaign travel plans and referenced an impending policy speech regarding the situation in Vietnam.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to facilitate administrative tasks. During the encounter, the President prepared a draft of a letter addressed to South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. Nixon instructed Sanchez to deliver this document to a secretary for processing.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and briefly with Raymond K. Price, Jr. to coordinate logistical and strategic details for his upcoming second-term inauguration and the accompanying events. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including site selection for the Nixon Presidential Library, the management of inaugural entertainment, and potential communication strategies regarding his Vietnam policy and second-term administrative reorganization. They also reviewed staff responsibilities and the importance of maintaining strong morale and public messaging as the administration transitioned into the new term.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, focusing on key meetings with economic boards, Republican leadership, and political advisors like Clay T. Whitehead and Charles W. Colson. They discussed preparations for Lincoln Day speeches, the distribution of materials regarding Vietnam, and the evaluation of a new podium for use in the Roosevelt Room. Additionally, the pair coordinated logistics for a trip to Camp David, adjusting the departure time for the President's helicopter.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, focusing on upcoming receptions for AFL-CIO leadership, Vietnam supporters, and major campaign contributors. The pair discussed logistical details for long-range events, including guest lists and the management of contributor receptions to avoid excessive social obligations. Additionally, Nixon addressed plans for a football safety film produced by Wilson Sporting Goods and scheduled revisions for an upcoming radio speech.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate administrative and diplomatic matters, including the President's decision to skip the Gridiron dinner due to his disdain for George McGovern's political conduct. They discussed the logistics of hosting South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and selecting an ambassador for the People's Republic of China, with Nixon emphasizing the need for a high-level political appointee rather than a career diplomat to maintain White House control. Additionally, they coordinated a confidential update for William Downey regarding the impending release of his brother, John Downey, from imprisonment in China, and reflected on the success of the administration's Vietnam policy and the resulting strengthening of Nixon's public standing.
President Nixon held discussions with Gerald Ford and Hugh Scott to reschedule a meeting from Thursday to Tuesday. The President aimed to consolidate the schedule to address Vietnam policy and a freshman summit in a single session. Additionally, the participants touched upon bipartisan legislative strategy, labor-management relations, and concerns regarding the economic impact of labor policy.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review and organize the President’s daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating upcoming meetings, specifically with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and a full Cabinet session. A key priority addressed during the briefing was the preparation of a Vietnam policy paper intended for the Cabinet’s review.