Harry Robbins "Bob" Haldeman Biography and Timeline

Appointment as White House Chief of Staff

Begins service as President Richard Nixon's White House Chief of Staff, formally holding the title Assistant to the President.

Role range: 1969-1973

White House Tape 491-014

H. R. Haldeman appears with Richard Nixon in the 28-minute White House recording numbered 491-014; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.

Alaskan Pipeline

Discusses the Alaskan pipeline as part of a broader review of domestic issues and White House policy coordination.

Role range: 1969-1973

Florida Barge Canal

Participates in a meeting with Nixon covering domestic policy questions including the Florida barge canal and coordination through Ehrlichman's staff.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Administration Response

Discusses with Nixon the administration response to publication of the Pentagon Papers and the division of responsibilities among senior White House staff.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Justice Department Role

Discusses the Justice Department's part in the administration response to the Pentagon Papers and the need for coordinated White House leadership.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Press Strategy

Reviews press handling of the Pentagon Papers, including the administration's presentation of Vietnam, domestic issues and staff responsibilities.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Staff Assignments

Reviews proposed staff roles for handling the Pentagon Papers controversy, including responsibilities associated with Ehrlichman, Colson, Moore, Price, Buchanan, Scali, Krogh and Cole.

Role range: 1969-1973

Presidential Staff Access

Discusses Nixon's schedule and access arrangements involving Shultz, Ehrlichman and Kissinger, including preparation for presidential meetings.

Role range: 1969-1973

Public Issue Priorities

Reviews the public importance of Vietnam, the economy and drugs, including polling and the use of presidential press conferences to address domestic issues.

Role range: 1969-1973

Congressional Pentagon Papers Statements

Reviews the possible use of congressional statements to support the administration's case concerning publication of classified documents.

Role range: 1969-1973

Declassification Strategy

Discusses declassification of World War II and Korean War material as part of the broader response to the Pentagon Papers dispute.

Role range: 1969-1973

Media Contact Strategy

Reviews contacts with reporters and possible press approaches as the White House develops its response to the Pentagon Papers.

Role range: 1969-1973

New York Times Response

Participates in discussion of how the administration should respond publicly to the New York Times over publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Counterstrategy

Meets with Nixon and Ziegler as the White House considers its political and public response to publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Legal Status

Reviews the restraining-order and grand-jury situation connected with the government's effort to halt or investigate publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Role range: 1969-1973

Pentagon Papers Statement Wording

Discusses proposed language for administration statements concerning publication of classified material and the legal issues surrounding the disclosures.

Role range: 1969-1973

Rogers Statement on Pentagon Papers

Discusses possible use of a statement by Secretary of State William Rogers in the administration's response to the Pentagon Papers controversy.

Role range: 1969-1973

Staff Discipline after Pentagon Papers

Haldeman hears Nixon emphasize strict administration discipline and continued prosecution of Ellsberg after the Pentagon Papers disclosure.

Role range: 1969-1973

Anti-Leak Administration Strategy

Participates in discussion of possible administration action against leaks and perceived anti-administration activity following the Pentagon Papers disclosures.

Role range: 1969-1973

Cooke Cable Leak Inquiry

Discusses the investigation of how classified diplomatic cables became available to Daniel Ellsberg, including the reported role of Charles Cooke.

Role range: 1969-1973

Ellsberg Cable Access

Reviews information concerning Daniel Ellsberg's access to diplomatic cables and the circumstances in which classified material may have been shown to him.

Role range: 1969-1973

FBI Academy Appearance

Reviews Nixon's appearance at the FBI Academy and the President's public defense of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Role range: 1969-1973

Press Commentary Review

Reviews media commentary, including discussion of the New York Times and television commentary, during a meeting with Nixon.

Role range: 1969-1973

Richardson Conversation on Pentagon Papers

Reports and discusses his conversation with Elliot Richardson concerning issues arising from the Pentagon Papers case.

Role range: 1969-1973

State Department Leak Concerns

Discusses possible leaks from the State Department and White House concerns about the handling of classified foreign-policy material.

Role range: 1969-1973

Turkish Opium Ban Coverage

Discusses news coverage concerning Turkey's opium ban during a wider White House meeting on policy and media issues.

Role range: 1969-1973

White House Tape 538-015

H. R. Haldeman appears with Richard Nixon, John Mitchell, and John Ehrlichman in the 19-minute White House recording numbered 538-015; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.

Agriculture Secretary Succession

Discusses possible successors to Agriculture Secretary Clifford Hardin and the political and administrative considerations surrounding the choice.

Role range: 1969-1973

Ambassador to Great Britain

Reviews the possible replacement of the United States ambassador to Great Britain and the political timing of any change.

Role range: 1969-1973

Automobile Excise Tax

Reviews possible repeal of the automobile excise tax and its expected effect on prices, sales and the wider economy.

Role range: 1969-1973

Busing Constitutional Amendment

Participates in discussion of a possible constitutional amendment concerning school busing and the political implications of the issue.

Role range: 1969-1973

Busing and Republican Platform

Discusses whether school busing should be addressed in the 1972 Republican platform and the likely congressional and electoral consequences.

Role range: 1969-1973

California Republican Politics

Discusses California Republican politics involving Ronald Reagan, Edwin Reinecke and Robert Finch in the context of future elections and appointments.

Role range: 1969-1973

China Visit Political Reaction

Discusses political reaction to the planned presidential visit to the People's Republic of China, including responses from conservative Republicans.

Role range: 1969-1973

Economic Competitiveness

Discusses United States business competitiveness, investment, worker productivity, inflation and the balance-of-trade problem.

Role range: 1969-1973

Gold Convertibility

Discusses possible suspension of dollar convertibility into gold during consideration of measures to stabilize the international monetary system.

Role range: 1969-1973

Import Tax Proposal

Reviews a proposed temporary import tax as part of a wider package intended to address trade, currency and domestic economic pressures.

Role range: 1969-1973

International Monetary Crisis

Participates in a detailed review of the international monetary crisis, including pressure on the dollar and possible United States action.

Role range: 1969-1973

Investment Tax Credit

Discusses restoration or expansion of an investment tax credit as one element of an administration economic program.

Role range: 1969-1973