Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on William Rogers
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Bull, Kissinger
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his late afternoon schedule and review upcoming appointments. The discussion centered on finalizing meetings with Secretary of State William P. Rogers and National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. The President confirmed a 6:00 p.m. meeting time and directed Bull to prepare for the arrival of pending administrative documents.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate media strategy regarding the administration's China initiative, focusing on countering news reports that suggested a rift between Henry Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers or that the State Department deserved primary credit. They discussed using journalist John Scali to correct the narrative and emphasized that the China policy was fundamentally driven by the President. Additionally, the pair reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, including a meeting with the U.S. table tennis team, and considered potential administrative personnel reassignments for Clifford Hardin and Bryce Harlow.
President Nixon, Secretary of State William Rogers, and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger met to discuss the sensitive timing of Kissinger's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China (PRC). Rogers expressed strong concern that the trip's timing—coinciding with the critical United Nations vote on the status of Taiwan—would create a political backlash and make it appear that the U.S. was undermining its own efforts at the UN. Ultimately, the group discussed potential strategies to delay the trip or alter its public framing to avoid the appearance of being manipulated by the Chinese or signaling disinterest in the UN vote.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed the President's upcoming schedule and social plans. The primary focus of the brief conversation involved coordinating a potential dinner engagement with William and Adele Rogers. They also touched upon logistical arrangements regarding the use of a helicopter for the event.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss personnel coordination and communications strategy for an upcoming meeting involving Peter Flanigan and Secretary of State William Rogers. Nixon emphasized his desire to integrate Rogers into the strategy sessions and requested that Sanchez consult with Bill Safire to gather PR advice regarding an upcoming press conference. The President highlighted his preference for Safire’s public relations instincts over those of Henry Kissinger, specifically regarding the handling of sensitive issues like the judiciary.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed strategies for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), specifically focusing on necessary legislation and the coordination of upcoming meetings. They reviewed the roles of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Secretary of State William Rogers in these negotiations. The President finalized plans for an imminent phone call with Rogers to align administration policy regarding the arms control process.
President Nixon met with William Safire to refine a high-stakes speech regarding secret negotiations to end the Vietnam War. They focused on drafting a clear, persuasive narrative that emphasizes the administration's commitment to peace and the specific details of their withdrawal and prisoner-of-war proposals. Nixon tasked Safire with coordinating the final language with Henry Kissinger while ensuring Secretary of State William Rogers is kept informed, all while managing the internal friction between his senior advisors.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and John Connally met to discuss 1972 political strategy, the President's upcoming schedule, and the administration's internal power dynamics. A central focus was addressing the professional friction between Henry Kissinger and William Rogers by drafting a formal directive to ensure the President remained fully informed on sensitive foreign policy matters, including negotiations with China, the Soviet Union, and the Middle East. Additionally, the participants evaluated 1972 election campaign tactics, polling data, and plans to manage public perceptions of the President, including strategies for handling potential political attacks from the Kennedy camp.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff to review administrative priorities, including the upcoming State of the Union address preparations and the handling of congressional relations. A significant portion of the discussion focused on managing the conflicting foreign policy roles of Henry Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers, with Nixon emphasizing the need for better information flow and coordination. Additionally, the President discussed his reliance on Treasury Secretary John Connally for economic policy and political judgment, strategizing on how to integrate Connally’s role without alienating other Cabinet members or White House staff.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator connect him to the wife of Secretary of State William Rogers. This brief interaction served as a logistical coordination to facilitate a phone call between the President and Mrs. Rogers. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
Henry Kissinger informs speechwriter William Safire of final edits to the President's upcoming Vietnam address, noting that several clever wordings were removed to ensure effective translation. Kissinger conveys that the President considers the draft finalized and decides against further review by Secretary of State William Rogers, despite Rogers's expectations. Rose Mary Woods is tasked with typing the final version for delivery to Safire, signaling the end of the drafting process.
President Nixon and Representative Thomas N. Downing discussed the loyalty of the Foreign Service and its implications for Secretary of State William Rogers's position. The conversation touched upon political maneuvering regarding Senator Edmund Muskie’s potential vulnerability on a specific, undisclosed issue. Nixon used the moment to frame the situation as a critical test of his administration's ability to withstand political pressure.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield discuss the tactical orchestration of an upcoming meeting regarding China policy. Nixon explicitly decides to exclude Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to avoid the necessary inclusion of Secretary of State William Rogers, tasking Henry Kissinger with leading the briefing instead. The President emphasizes that China-related matters should remain distinct from standard congressional relations to ensure the initiative is perceived as a significant diplomatic event rather than partisan politics.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discuss recent public appearances at universities and the negative receptions faced by administration officials, specifically Secretary of State William Rogers. The President expresses his disapproval of officials attending campus events, characterizing his own staff's handling of these situations as inadequate. The exchange concludes with the President offering reassurance regarding Tricia's upcoming public engagements.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the security assessment and handling of the individual responsible for the attempted assassination of Governor George Wallace, who had occurred earlier that day. Nixon expresses concern regarding the potential for leaks and mismanagement, explicitly instructing Kissinger to withhold related information from Secretary of State William Rogers. The conversation focuses on ensuring the matter is handled securely and that the assailant’s radical background is contained without triggering the public scrutiny experienced during previous political assassinations.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to relay a message to John regarding his refusal to appear on the television program *Issues and Answers*. Concerned about potential leaks or premature questioning, Nixon aimed to avoid discussing issues that were designated for formal testimony on the following Monday. He emphasized that the administration's official response should be reserved for that specific forum rather than Sunday morning media appearances.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed strategic media appearances and speaking engagements for Secretary of State William Rogers. The President directed Colson to coordinate a schedule of prestigious public forums and evening talk shows for Rogers that would avoid sensitive political debates and conflict with the Democratic National Convention. Nixon emphasized the importance of controlling Rogers's public image and messaging, particularly regarding foreign policy and national defense, while ensuring he appeared in key electoral states.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman coordinate the scheduling and briefing process for an incoming official to meet with Secretary of State William Rogers. The President emphasizes the necessity of the individual reporting to Rogers immediately to align their positions before a subsequent meeting with the President. This orchestration aims to ensure a unified strategy before any potential public engagement.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the timing and messaging strategy surrounding pending foreign policy communications from Henry Kissinger. Fearing premature speculation or emotional reactions, Nixon mandates that Secretary of State William Rogers withhold public comment until the message is received. Haldeman is instructed to coordinate with Charles Colson to ensure the administration maintains a composed, disciplined narrative regarding the potential agreement.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the management of staff transitions and the need to exert firm control over key personnel, specifically regarding Secretary of State William Rogers. Nixon instructs Haldeman to handle upcoming meetings with a 'cold turkey' approach, ensuring that staff changes are executed decisively without allowing personnel to believe they are acting on behalf of their colleagues. Furthermore, Nixon directs Haldeman to reprimand Henry Kissinger regarding a subordinate's actions, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining strict administration oversight during these administrative shifts.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss staffing and organizational plans for the upcoming second term, focusing on personnel management and political maneuvering. The two men criticized the recent conduct of Donald Rumsfeld, labeling him an opportunist, and evaluated the power struggle between Henry Kissinger and William Rogers. They also coordinated strategy for an upcoming meeting with Nelson Rockefeller, with Nixon emphasizing the need to limit the scope of discussions regarding the State and Defense Departments.
President Nixon directed the Camp David operator to confirm the current whereabouts of Secretary of Defense David Packard and Secretary of State William Rogers. He specifically requested that the operator verify their attendance at a NATO meeting through the National Security Council staff. The President explicitly noted that he did not intend to speak with either official, seeking only to track their locations.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, held a brief personal check-in regarding the President's health and upcoming schedule. They confirmed plans to meet at a dinner later in the week while the President noted his need to work with Secretary of State William Rogers that evening. The interaction served as a coordination of social and professional commitments rather than a discussion of policy.
President Nixon directs his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to investigate whether Secretary of State William Rogers is hosting a lunch for a foreign chancellor. Simultaneously, the President expresses significant anger regarding an instance of reported fraud, instructing Bull to inform Carmen that such poor judgment is unacceptable. Nixon emphasizes that the individuals involved are not dependents and demands immediate action to address the situation.