337–9

Conversation No. 337-9

Date: May 10, 1972
Time: 10:05 am-12:06 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

Vietnam
-Melvin R. Laird
-Meeting with Haldeman
-Henry A. Kissinger
 10

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Support for the President's policies
-Meeting with Haldeman and Charles W. Colson
-Marvin L. Kalb's party
-The President’s view
-Level of support
-Colson
-Coordination of public appearances
-Responsibility
-Blockade
-Public support
-Levels
-Washington Post and New York Times
-Publicity
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Albert E. Sindlinger
-Polls
-Press conference
-President's reelection
-Compared with Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Polls
-Level of support
-Questions
-Results
-George H. Gallup poll
-Questions
-Samples
-Hawks
-Laird
-Reports
-Subcabinet meeting
-Press conference
-Tone
-Polls
-Louis P. Harris poll
-Results
-Publicity
-President's polls
-Questions
-Results
-Publicity
-Results
-Compared to People's Republic of China [PRC] trip
 11

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Publicity
-Timing
-Sindlinger
-Questions
-Peace offer
-Significance of results
-Publicity
-Questions
-Results
-Questions
-Peace offer
-Results
-Publicity
-Support for the President
-Media play
-White House News Summary
-Senate action
-John W. McCormack's statement
-Washington Post
-George Meany's statement
-Leonard Woodcock
-President's polls
-Effect on public opinion
-Compared with President's previous speech
-Military action
-Approval rating
-Compared with PRC trip rating

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger at an unknown time between 10:10 and 10:19 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9A]

Vietnam
-Poll results

Meeting with President

[End of telephone conversation]

Vietnam
-Blockade and mining
-Support for President's actions
 12

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-President's polls
-Publicity

The President talked with the White House operator at 10:19 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9B]

[See Conversation No. 24-60]

[End of telephone conversation]

Haldeman talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 10:19 and 10:21 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9C]

Vietnam
-Blockade and mining
-Support for President's actions
-President's polls
-Publicity
-Emphasis
-Opinion Research Corporation [ORC]
-Sindlinger
-ORC

[End of telephone conversation]

-A press conference
-Hugh Scott and Robert P. Griffin
-ORC
-Colson
-Lawrence M. Higby
-Buchanan
-ORC use of material
-Scott's press conference
-ORC

An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 10:19 am.

The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 10:19 and
10:21 am.
 13

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

[Conversation No. 337-9D]

[See Conversation No. 24-61]

[End of telephone conversation]

The unknown person left at an unknown time before 10:21 am.

-Elliot L. Richardson
-Appearance at Capitol Hill Club
-Television coverage

Kissinger entered at 10:21 am.

-Kissinger's evaluation
-John B. Connally
-Attack on Democrats
-Timing
-Laird and Richardson

The President talked with Colson between 10:21 and 10:22 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9E]

[See Conversation No. 24-62]

[End of telephone conversation]

-Connally
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
-Meeting with Haldeman
-Possible speaking appearance
-Forthcoming trip to South Vietnam and Thailand
-Air strikes
-Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-B-52s
-An Loc, Saigon
-Effect

Colson entered at 10:23 am.

-Blockade
 14

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Support for President's actions
-ORC poll
-Haldeman
-Questions
-Responses
-Publicity
-Sindlinger poll
-ORC
-Questions
-Responses
-Sindlinger's call to Colson
-Other results
-Approval of President's actions
-Changes
-Compared with PRC trip rating
-President's actions in Vietnam
-Change in rating
-President's previous speech on Vietnam
-Compared with PRC trip rating
-Percent of \"peace at any price\" supporters
-“Hawks”
-Laird
-A press story
-Previous call to Kissinger
-Source
-William P. Rogers
-Central Intelligence Agency [CIA]
-Connally
-Statement by Ronald L. Ziegler
-Unanimity of National Security Council [NSC] decision
-Air strikes
-Ellsworth F. Bunker's cable
-Number of sorties
-Abrams
-An Loc
-Message to Bunker from Kissinger
-An Loc
-Message to Kissinger from Bunker
-Effect of President's speech
-South Vietnamese morale
-Abrams
-President's decision
 15

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Bunker’s view
-Support for President's actions
-Polls
-Publicity
-Dissemination
-Media
-Vietnam veterans
-Los Angeles Times
-General Infantry [GIs] in Vietnam
-Morale
-Press reports
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
-Prisoners of war [POWs] wives
-Press reports
-Opposition
-Democrats
-A California Marxist
-POW wives
-Possible meeting with President
-Arrangements
-Donald Rodgers (?)
-Possible meeting with Kissinger
-Possible meeting with the President
-Timing
-Conditions
-Sindlinger poll results
-Dates
-Sindlinger's operation
-Emotional response
-Interviews
-Democrat support
-Midwest
-David E. Bradshaw
-Comparison to Cambodian action
-Labor leaders
-Hard hats
-Peter J. Brennan
-An unknown person
-Frank E. Fitzsimmons
-Hard hats
-Brennan
-Response to anti-war protests
 16

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Meany's statement
-Woodcock
-Importance
-Jay Lovestone
-I[lworth] W. Abel
-Unions
-Nebraska primary
-George S. McGovern
-J. James Exon
-Support for the President
-Omaha
-Hubert H. Humphrey vote
-McGovern victory
-Significance
-Humphrey
-McGovern's effort

Vietnam
-Support for the President's actions
-Publicity
-Sindlinger's press conference
-Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
-Kissinger's morale
-Washington Post editorial
-Marvin L. Kalb's party
-US power
-The President’s view

Kissinger left at 10:40 pm.

Kissinger
-The President’s view

President's demeanor
-Chou En-lai

Duke Law School reunion
-Classmates
-Age
-Appearance
-Described
-Classmates
 17

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Political affiliation
-Great Depression effects
-President's remarks
-David Cavers
-Classmates
-Political views
-Harvard
-Duke

Haldeman talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 10:40 and 11:40 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9F]

Vietnam
-Support for the President
-ORC poll
-Dissemination

[End of telephone conversation]

Vietnam
-Support for the President
-ORC poll
-Publicity
-Use by White House
-Press conference
-Use
-Calls to Congressmen
-Clark MacGregor
-Doves
-Publicity
-Method
-Possible Kissinger briefing for columnists
-Laird
-A press report
-Reassurance
-Call from Colson
-President’s instructions

Colson talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 10:40 and 11:40 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9G]
 18

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)


[See Conversation No. 24-63]

The President conferred with Haldeman.

Colson talked with Melvin R. Laird at an unknown time between 10:40 and 11:40 am.

[End of telephone conversation]

Vietnam
-Blockade
-Support for the President
-Laird
-A press story
-Connally
-Connally
-Possible press conference
-Criticism of Democrats
-Forum for criticism
-Support for President
-The President’s view
-Laird
-Interview format
-Networks and wire services
-Impact on morale
-White House
-Release of poll
-Democrats
-Caucus
-Barry M. Goldwater, Jr. speech
-Agnew speech
-Publicity
-Ohio State
-Demonstrators
-Number
-Violence
-Publicity
-Ziegler
-Wire stories
-Telegrams
-Volume
-Blockages at Western Union
 19

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Expression of support
-Letters
-Telephone calls
-Telephone calls to senators
-Undecided senators
-Volunteers of help
-Demonstrations
-Petitions
-Unions


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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 1m 9s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4

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Vietnam
-Blockade
-Support
-Herbert G. Klein
-Robert H. Finch
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-\"Hawks\"
-Commentators
-George Bunche (?)
-Mobilization
-Telephone calls
-Commentators
-Poll results
-Los Angeles
-Chicago
-Texas
-Philadelphia
-Right wing
-Mobilization
 20

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Democrats
-\"Hawks\"
-Telegrams
-Rhetoric
-Counter to Democrats
-North Vietnam offensive
-Opposition
-Democratic candidates
-Washington Post story
-Media reports
-Criticism
-Biases
-Administration criticism
-Test for 1972 campaign
-\"Dove\" Democrats
-Supporters
-John McCormack
-Publicity
-President's critics
-John G. Dow
-Laird
-A press story
-Response
-William P. Rogers
-Call to Colson
-Public statements
-Frank F. Church
-North Vietnam
-Negotiations
-Poll results
-Sindlinger
-Poll results
-Circulation to President's supporters
-Vaughn (?) Collins
-Washington Post story
-Kenneth W. Clawson
-Buchanan
-Public release
-Media coverage
-Administration response
-Support
-Scope
 21

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Intensity
-Media reports
-Boston
-Government employees
-Response to demonstrators
-Media reports
-Kalb
-Popularity
-President's critics
-White House countermeasures
-White House staff beliefs
-Media
-Howard K. Smith
-Previous conversation with Colson
-Harry Reasoner
-Retraction
-Kalb, Dan Rather, CBS
-Countermeasures
-Press bus incident
-Robert D. Novak, Rowland Evans
-Commentary
-Channel 5
-Countermeasures
-President's travels
-Washington press corps
-Methods
-Haldeman’s view
-The President’s view
-Washington press corps
-Negative publicity
-\"Georgetown set\"
-Support
-Novak column
-Circulation
-Copyright
-Congressional Record
-Gordon L. Allot
-George D. Aiken
-Administration efforts
-Michael J. Mansfield
 22

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 3m 53s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6

**********************************************************************


Vietnam
-Blockade
-Support
-Scott and Griffin
-Laird
-Connally
-Richardson
-President's previous speech
-Richardson’s view
-Cabinet
-George W. Romney
-John A. Volpe
-President's speech
-Richardson's impression
-Support
-Publicity
-ORC poll

Haldeman talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 10:40 and 11:40 am.

[Conversation No. 337-9I]

Vietnam
-Blockade
-Polls
-Scott and Griffin
-ORC results
-Release

[End of telephone conversation]
 23

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)


Polls
-ORC
-Influence of Administration
-Sindlinger
-ORC
-Harris
-ORC
-Credibility
-Questions
-Press releases
-Sindlinger
-Harris
-Gallup
-Questions
-Results on President's Vietnam action
-ORC poll
-Public support for President's policies
-Release of results
-Buchanan
-Scott and Griffin

Buchanan
-Haldeman’s view
-Colson’s view

Vietnam
-Support for the President
-Nelson A. Rockefeller
-Ronald W. Reagan
-Statements of support
-Release
-Rockefeller
-Labor meeting speech
-James L. Buckley, Brennan
-Strength of statement
-Staff
-The President’s view
-Kissinger’s view
-President's statements
-Timing
-Press conference
 24

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Soviet Summit, Vietnam
-Timing
-Support
-Meetings with President and supporters
-Meeting with POW wives
-Timing
-American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW]
-Agnew's statements
-Timing
-Press conference
-Report to the President
-Press conference
-Demonstrations
-Size and character
-Albuquerque
-Violence
-Press reports
-Freeway traffic
-Berkeley
-City employee day off
-Blocking traffic
-Madison
-Size
-Michigan State
-Effect
-Santa Barbara
-Blocking of airport runway, traffic
-Arrests
-Urbana, Illinois
-Armory
-University of Maryland
-National Peace Action Coalition
-Rally in Washington, DC
-Size
-Significance
-Appearance of demonstrators
-Counterreaction
-Boston example
-Congressional galleries
-Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] reports
-Media reports
-Violence
 25

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-New York
-Columbia University
-Wisconsin
-Columbia University
-New York police
-Hard hats
-Jews
-Communist conspiracy
-Thomas W. (“Teddy”) Gleason
-Coordination
-FBI and Central Intelligence Agency [CIA]
-Links to Hanoi
-President's speech
-Section on student opposition
-Kissinger
-Deletion
-President's attitude toward enemies
-Polls
-Gallup results
-Harris results
-Release
-Harris poll


**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 4m ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8

**********************************************************************


Vietnam
-Blockade support
-Cabinet
-Speeches and briefings
-Rogers
-Encouragement from Colson
 26

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer


**********************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 1m 46s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9

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Colson left at 11:40 am.

President's schedule
-Public appearances
-Frequency
-Meeting with Soviet Trade Minister
-Meeting with Wilbur D. Mills, Ray C. Bliss
-Florida trip
-Meeting with Soviet Trade Minister
-Timing


**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 12
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 44s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 12

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-Meeting with Mills
-Day
-Time
-Meeting with Connally
-Public appearances
 27

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-FBI
-L. Patrick Gray, III
-Nomination

Richard G. Kleindienst
-Senate confirmation hearings
-Delay
-Reasons
-Vietnam
-Likelihood of confirmation

Connally
-Resignation
-Announcement date
-Meeting with Haldeman
-Timing of announcement
-Soviet summit
-George P. Shultz
-Knowledge of resignation
-Relationship with Connally
-Caspar W. Weinberger
-Information on resignation
-Resignation
-Timing
-Soviet Summit
-Possible cancellation
-Kissinger’s view
-Delay
-Help to administration
-Rogers

General Services Administration [GSA] administrator

Federal Reserve Board [FRB]
-Andrew Brimmer
-Removal
-Possible ambassadorship
-Arthur F. Burns
-Connally
-Burns
-Quadriad
-Shultz’s view
 28

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Milton Friedman
-Economic views
-Changes
-Interest rates, monetary aggregates
-Conflict with board
-Votes
-Compared with William McChesney Martin, Jr.
-Control of board
-Businessmen
-Economists
-Bankers
-[Forename unknown] Carter
-Effectiveness
-Shultz
-Quadriad meeting
-Stock market
-Recent drop
-Cambodia
-Jews

Legal Services Corporation
-Agnew letter

Family's official schedule
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Tricia Nixon Cox
-Public appearance in Boston
-Cancellation

President's schedule
-Florida trip
-Manolo Sanchez
-Crowds at Homestead
-Support for the President

Democrats
-Meeting with Kissinger
-Harvard

Vietnam
-Blockade
-South Vietnam performance
 29

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-01)
Conv. No. 337-9 (cont.)

-Morale
-Withdrawal
-POWs


**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 15
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 1m52s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 15

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Vietnam
-Polls

Haldeman left at 12:06 pm.