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Conversation 009-056

TapeTape 9StartThursday, September 16, 1971 at 9:34 PMEndThursday, September 16, 1971 at 9:37 PMTape start time01:52:57Tape end time01:56:10ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss legislative strategy regarding upcoming congressional votes, specifically focusing on the need to maintain party discipline on Vietnam policy. They analyze how to pressure members of Congress and Vice President Spiro Agnew to align with the administration’s position, framing dissent as a threat to global peace negotiations. The discussion concludes with a push to break a potential filibuster to ensure the administration’s stance prevails.

Vietnam WarLegislative StrategySpiro AgnewFilibusterForeign PolicyCongressional Relations
AudioNARA Description

On September 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 9:34 pm to 9:37 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-056 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-56

Date: September 16, 1971
Time: 9:34 pm - 9:37 pm
Location: White House Telephone

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

     Haldeman's previous location

          -Frederic V. Malek
          -Charles W. Colson
          -Ronald L. Ziegler
          -Raymond K. Price
          -William L. Safire
          -Alexander P. Butterfield

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

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/03/2018.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[009-056-w001]
[Duration: 29s]

     Edmund S. Muskie speech
         -Patrick J. Buchanan
         -Effect on campaign

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

     Draft issue
           -Vote
                 -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
                 -Colson and Clark MacGregor
                 -Peace negotiations
                 -Tabling
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Well, you had a night on the Sequoia, huh?
Yep, yep.
Yeah, go ahead.
Sapphire?
I didn't have the right group, but Ray is head of that group, and Alex is out with Butterfield.
That's a good group, and that's why it's really easy to compliment the same individual group.
Right.
So, we'll do that for a while.
I think that it's important to get the stuff in the draft, the stuff down.
Vietnam, very heavily down among our congressional people.
And the vice president, too.
They've got a line.
They all want to follow the line now.
Yeah.
Powerful argument.
Yeah.
Well, the president says that this will make us number two.
And second, that it will jeopardize our negotiated peace initiatives all over the world.
Now, goddammit, how the hell can you vote that way?
Well, we shall see.
I hope they have a chance.
Yeah, in other words, break the filibuster.
Okay.
All right.
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