Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Wilbur Mills
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ehrlichman, MacGregor, Shultz
President Nixon met with a group of Young Republicans to discuss the progress of their national meeting and emphasize the importance of promoting administration policies. He instructed his staff to provide the group with detailed materials and arguments regarding revenue sharing and government reorganization, specifically highlighting why the alternative approach proposed by Wilbur Mills was flawed. The meeting also included a casual exchange of presidential gifts and a brief tour of the Oval Office, during which Nixon discussed the historical significance of the room's artwork and furnishings.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, H.R. Haldeman, and other advisors to navigate complex legislative and diplomatic challenges, including dairy price supports, Social Security reform, and welfare legislation. The discussion focused on managing relations with House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills and coordinating the administration's position on sensitive issues like Japanese textile trade negotiations. Additionally, the President assessed the professional friction between National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and Secretary of State William P. Rogers, considering the implications for foreign policy decision-making.
President Nixon met with various staff members and advisors to refine the administration's political and legislative strategy, specifically regarding the textile quota issue and relations with key Congressional leaders like Wilbur Mills and John Byrnes. The President finalized plans to issue a statement on textile legislation while balancing pressure from the industry against the strategic risks of legislative entanglement. Additionally, the President discussed methods for managing Republican Congressional relations through targeted meetings and evaluated strategies to counter negative media coverage through the use of news tapes.
President Nixon met with Gerald Ford, John Byrnes, Elliot Richardson, and other key administration officials to develop a strategy for the administration's health insurance bill. The discussion focused on the political and economic risks of placing the financial burden of the plan on small business owners and marginal employers. To address these concerns and counter potential Democratic opposition led by Edward Kennedy and Wilbur Mills, the group decided to introduce a bill that signals the administration's awareness of the economic impact on small businesses while keeping options open for committee modifications.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinated legislative strategy regarding key political figures, specifically Gerald Ford and Wilbur Mills, concerning upcoming policy or administrative appointments. They discussed the necessity of securing Ford’s public support and maneuvering Mills into a position where he would be compelled to endorse or accept their proposal. The conversation focused on tactical timing and leveraging political pressure to ensure the desired outcome before formalizing the plan.
President Nixon met with New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller to discuss a variety of domestic policy issues, most notably the implementation of federal revenue sharing and strategies to address New York's fiscal challenges. They explored the potential for a Hoover-type commission to examine municipal corruption and inefficiency, and coordinated on the President's upcoming travel plans, including a trip to Rochester. Additionally, the conversation touched upon managing political optics regarding diplomatic visits by foreign leaders and the legislative hurdles for revenue-sharing bills in Congress.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a series of upcoming meetings with key political figures. The discussion centered on coordinating calls or appointments involving Congressman Wilbur Mills, Congressman John Burns, and Ambassador Kenneth Cole. This interaction served as a logistical step in managing the President's legislative and diplomatic outreach efforts.
President Nixon met with Representative John W. Byrnes to express appreciation for the legislative support provided by Byrnes and Wilbur Mills regarding a recent bill. The conversation centered on justifying the administration's welfare reform proposals, with both men emphasizing that the legislation should be framed as a work incentive rather than a guaranteed annual income for the unemployed. Nixon concluded by confirming his intent to lobby Senator Richard Russell to secure further support for the administration's agenda.
President Nixon and Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur Burns discuss the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the wage-price freeze, expressing relief that the plan remained secret during its development at Camp David. The two leaders strategize on managing international monetary policy, with Nixon tasking Burns to maintain close control over Paul Volcker and Dewey Daane to ensure alignment with administration objectives. Finally, they plan to secure political support from Representative Wilbur Mills by offering him full credit for the initiative to ensure the program's success.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John B. Connally discuss strategic preparations for Connally's upcoming press conference regarding the administration's new economic proposals. They coordinate a plan to announce a bipartisan leadership meeting at the White House, specifically highlighting the support of House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills to ensure legislative cooperation. The discussion emphasizes the need to give public credit to Mills while organizing a comprehensive group of congressional committee chairs and leadership to bolster the administration's agenda.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman, John Connally, and George Shultz to discuss potential tax policy initiatives, specifically the implementation of a Value Added Tax (VAT) linked to the repeal of residential real estate taxes for education. The group evaluated the political feasibility of introducing such a plan, weighing the risks of congressional interference from Wilbur Mills against the potential for an effective 1972 campaign centerpiece. Ultimately, they reached a consensus to avoid immediate legislative action, opting instead to wait for the McElroy Commission report and delay a formal proposal until later in the spring to build public support and maintain a sense of stability.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discussed the legislative status of the Economic Stabilization Act and the prospects for concluding the current congressional session. They specifically addressed the potential need for an extended session due to ongoing negotiations, as well as reaction to recent administration statements regarding tax legislation. The participants evaluated the progress of these economic measures in the Senate and House to determine the timeline for adjournment.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor met to discuss the legislative strategy for the tax bill currently stalled in conference, specifically focusing on the controversial political campaign "check-off" provision. Nixon maintained a firm stance against the check-off on principle, ultimately deciding that he would oppose any version of it, request its repeal in the next legislative session, and veto any associated appropriation bills. Additionally, the pair briefly discussed administrative actions to support corn prices and noted the declining health of George Meany.
President Nixon calls Congressman Wilbur Mills to commend him for securing the House passage of recent tax legislation despite opposition from George Meany and Edward B. Miller regarding the "check off" provision. Mills reports that key Senate figures, including Russell B. Long, Herman E. Talmadge, and Carl T. Curtis, have expressed confidence in the bill's prospects in the upper chamber. Nixon offers to intervene by calling senators if necessary, though both agree to monitor the situation for any signs of obstruction.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate contact with Congressman Wilbur Mills. The President sought to determine whether Mills was currently at his residence in Arkansas or in Washington, D.C. This coordination was initiated to establish a line of communication with the Congressman for an unspecified purpose.
President Nixon initiates a call to Congressman Wilbur Mills via the Camp David operator. The brief exchange establishes the President's intent to contact the Representative regarding legislative or political matters. No significant policy decisions were reached during this administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, Edwin Cohen, and Lewis Engman to discuss tax policy strategy and congressional relations following the 1972 election. The group deliberated on how to approach key legislative figures, such as Wilbur Mills, regarding property taxes, private school aid, and potential tax code reform. The President emphasized a pragmatic approach to working with Congress to advance administration priorities while maintaining flexibility on controversial issues like the value-added tax.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed and reorganized the President's upcoming schedule to accommodate administrative priorities, including economic policy and legislative strategy. They specifically coordinated meetings with figures such as Wilbur Mills and the National Association of Manufacturers while finalizing the timing for a scheduled radio address. Nixon emphasized the need for thorough talking papers to prepare for high-level discussions, ultimately opting for a one-on-one meeting with Mills to avoid unnecessary staff involvement.
In this meeting, President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and John Dean discussed strategies for managing the unfolding Watergate scandal and associated congressional investigations. They focused on ways to contain the political fallout, including potentially limiting the scope of Senator Sam Ervin's hearings and establishing a favorable narrative regarding the White House's lack of prior knowledge. Additionally, the participants reviewed legislative priorities with Wilbur Mills regarding tax and trade policy and considered the political utility of providing access to presidential records for sympathetic journalists.