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Conversation 040-041

TapeTape 40StartTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 9:28 PMEndTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 9:30 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the potential appointment of former Pennsylvania Governor William W. Scranton to lead the administration's energy initiatives. Nixon characterizes Scranton as a capable administrator who could benefit the administration by bringing an outside perspective to the complex energy challenge, potentially supported by Charles DiBona. The conversation concludes with Nixon instructing Haig to contact Scranton the following morning to gauge his interest.

Energy policyWilliam W. ScrantonAlexander M. HaigPersonnel appointmentsCharles DiBona
AudioNARA Description

On June 12, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 9:28 pm to 9:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 040-041 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 40-41

Date: June 12, 1973
Time: 9:28 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig.

[See also Conversation No. 444-23B]

     Energy
          -President’s forthcoming speech
                -Raymond K. Price, Jr.
          -William W. Scranton
                -Skill set
                -Possible job
                -Work as Governor of Pennsylvania
                -Candidacy for President
                -Mary Scranton
                -Qualifications
                       -Status as outsiders
                                                  -38-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. March-2011)

                  -Charles DiBona
                        -Service as deputy
                  -International communications
                  -Haig’s telephone call
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
Mr. President?
I just, uh, sitting here talking to Ray, and we've, uh, he worked on the draft.
It's coming along very well, as a matter of fact.
Good, sir.
Uh, he threw out a name here that, uh, way in from left field, but, uh, it, uh, he thinks we might take a run at Scranton on the energy thing.
Think about that a bit.
Scranton is a very capable administrator.
If you put him in something that involves ideology, not worth a darn.
But, you know, he knows all the big shots.
He's a good administrator, et cetera, et cetera.
I don't know.
That's right.
He's not bad.
He's run at it.
He's looking for a job.
I know that.
You see, the point is that it would bring...
be a great thing for the administration but he'd be willing because as governor he was a superb governor tough administrator and everything else then he ran for president and strong-willed wife practically ruined him and ever since he's been a disaster that's right and so forth but uh why don't you uh think about that a little i mean it's possible i know him well and he's worked with us a number of things he's he's a hell of a good man you might just have
Heck, you know, sometimes rather than thinking in traditional man, an oil man or an electricity man or something like that, getting a man that is from the outside who comes in and he could take it to Bona under him, you see.
He did a great job on that international communications business.
Yeah.
He can do it.
Right.
And this is an enormous challenge.
It's one of the great challenges.
But I think it's a good idea.
Yeah.
him a call in the morning.
Good.
All right.
Fine, sir.
All right.
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