Nixon's Tapes Reveal His Reservations and Motivations

Kissinger: 'Blame the Democrats'

In the conversation with Kissinger, filled with long pauses, Nixon expressed fears that Congress would cut off funds for the Vietnam War.

Nixon: "We may be faced with that. So what do we do then, Henry?"

Kissinger: "Blame the Democrats."

Kissinger went on to call the North Vietnamese Communists "filthy bastards." He said the North Vietnamese told the Russians they think Nixon will cave in and reach a settlement before his second inauguration the following month.

Kissinger added the North Vietnamese may be ready for a quick deal when they realize he is not caving in.

Nixon: "We can't gamble on that."

Kissinger: "It is a gamble which, if we lose, we will really be paralyzed."

Both men sometimes avoided the word "bombing." Instead, they talked of "the action."

As Nixon said, "Let's look at the action. We can't have any doubts about it."

Kissinger and Nixon decided that the only solution was to start a massive bombing campaign and to mine North Vietnam's main seaport the following Monday, Dec. 18.

Both men realized that what they decided would result in more anti-war demonstrations and that the bombing and mining may not work.

The bombing was to include Hanoi and result in worldwide criticism of the United States as well as renewed anti-war protests at home.

Nixon: President Should Do Good Things Every Day

In a Dec. 9, 1972, conversation, Nixon told his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, that the purpose of the presidency is "to do good things every day."

As examples, he told Julie he called billionaire J. Paul Getty and conservative economist Milton Friedman to wish them well as they recuperated from surgery.