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Conversation 142-003

TapeTape 142StartTuesday, September 12, 1972 at 8:49 PMEndTuesday, September 12, 1972 at 8:51 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategic adjustments to the President's upcoming campaign itinerary to maximize media impact and crowd optics. Nixon proposed adding a stop at an Indianapolis monument to leverage his ties to the Midwest and secure favorable television coverage, weighing this against the scheduled event at Rio Grande High School. The two agreed to evaluate the trade-offs in national versus regional coverage to ensure a stronger public display of support compared to George McGovern.

1972 Presidential CampaignMedia StrategyPublic RelationsCampaign ItineraryIndianapolisTexas
AudioNARA Description

On September 12, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 8:49 pm to 8:51 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 142-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 142-3

Date: September 12, 1972
Time: 8:49 pm - 8:51 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

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

                                       (rev. Feb-24)

[See Conversation No. 210-5]

            The President's schedule
                -Trip to Texas
                    -Political situation
                         -California
                         -New York
                    -Stopping at monument in Indianapolis
                         -The President's appearance
                              -Type of statement
                                   -Mayor
                                   -The President's mother [Hannah Milhous Nixon]
                                   -Type of audience
                                      -Farmers
                                      -Chicago
                         -Rio Grande High School
                              -Television
                         -Television
                              -John B. Connally's reception
                              -Time of program
                              -Size of crowd
                         -Size of crowd
                              -Results
                                   -Comparison to George S. McGovern
                -Local interest in trip to Texas
                    -Rio Grande High School
                         -Ethnic groups
                -New Mexico, California
                -Additional preparations
                    -Oklahoma
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.

Yeah.
Yes, sir.
I was thinking on the trip to Texas, I've been a little concerned about having the first thing that we do politically be the sort of Texas thing.
Of course, we will announce the California and New York things also.
But I think it would work in nicely.
Why don't we just stop at the monument in Indianapolis on the way out?
You could have one hell of a reception.
I could make a very non-political speech about the cities and the mayor and all that.
And in my mother's state, I've always made my first appearance in a campaign.
I wouldn't say started the campaign.
You know what I mean?
Sort of the old affection, the Hoosier business.
Got appeals to the farmers, to the Midwest, to Chicago.
You could get one hell of a play.
You'd lose the Rio Grande School for television.
Well, that's...
I know, I know.
Maybe that's okay.
I'm not sure.
You'd lose it for...
Yes, you do.
But it would run the morning show, and they'd probably pick it up for the following evening, too.
Because we're not going to run the Conley thing for television, particularly.
No, but it's a Friday night, so you'd have...
I see.
You don't have the...
Much on Saturday morning.
The monument is going to be bad for television, isn't it?
I mean, it'll show a huge crowd, you know.
Right.
You know, see, the crowd thing is what I think is just, basically I'm just thinking of the fact that McGovern is playing crowds right now.
We come in with one hell of a crowd, you know.
And you play the Rio Grande not as a national story, but as a Texas story.
As a Texas story, and it would carry to the ethnics and everything else, and we do it in a very...
low key and fine way and christ it's it'll go through texas like a and new mexico and california anyway let's look into that okay fine and uh i'll be back okay yeah good
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