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Conversation 012-029

TapeTape 12StartThursday, October 21, 1971 at 9:45 AMEndThursday, October 21, 1971 at 9:45 AMTape start time00:50:28Tape end time00:50:31ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operatorRecording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with John N. Mitchell regarding the selection and public announcement of new Supreme Court nominees. The discussion focused on coordinating the nomination of William H. Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. while managing potential political fallout and vetting concerns from the American Bar Association. Mitchell was tasked with leveraging key congressional contacts to facilitate the process and handle media inquiries surrounding the candidates.

Supreme Court appointmentsJohn N. MitchellWilliam H. RehnquistLewis F. Powell, Jr.American Bar AssociationJudicial nominations
AudioNARA Description

On October 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:45 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-029 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 012-029

Date: October 21, 1971
Time: 9:45 am
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with the President.

     Telephone call from John N. Mitchell

[This is the original beginning of conversation No. 012-030, which has been merged with
conversation 012-029.]

John N. Mitchell talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 281-9]

     Supreme Court appointments
          -Howard H. Baker, Jr.
              -The President’s decision

                  -Previous conversation with Mitchell
            -The President's discussions
                  -Richard A. Moore
                  -H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                  -John D. Ehrlichman
                  -William L. Safire
                  -Ronald L. Ziegler
            -Timing for announcement
                  -Telephone calls to Congress
                  -People's Republic of China [PRC], Soviet Union
                  -Mitchell's responsibility
                        -Herschel H. Friday, Mildred L. Lillie
                        -James O. Eastland
                        -Virginia Senators
                        -Robert C. Byrd
                              -Moore
                              -John B. Connally
                  -Moore
                  -The President’s announcement
                  -American Bar Association [ABA]
                        -Ziegler
                              -Possible questions
                        -Mildred L. Lillie story
                              -Washington Post
                              -Moore
                                    -Safire
                        -Leon Jaworski
                        -Lawrence E. Walsh
                              -Mitchell’s forthcoming conversation
            -William H. Rehnquist
            -Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
                  -Martin Luther King, Jr.
                        -Civil disobedience
            -Moore
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.

Yep.
Detroit General calling.
Yep.
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