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Conversation 012-014

TapeTape 12StartWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 4:49 PMEndWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 5:33 PMTape start time00:27:41Tape end time00:27:48ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operatorRecording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Attorney General John N. Mitchell discuss the selection process for upcoming Supreme Court appointments. The conversation centers on evaluating potential candidates, including Lewis F. Powell, Jr., William H. Rehnquist, and Howard H. Baker, Jr., while addressing concerns regarding American Bar Association (ABA) feedback. They also coordinate the timing and strategy for public announcements and potential press statements regarding these judicial nominations.

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

On October 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:49 pm and 5:33 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-014 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 012-014

Date: October 20, 1971
Time: Unknown between 4:49 pm and 5:33 pm
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. 012-015, which has been merged with
conversation 012-014.]

John N. Mitchell talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 282-30]

     Supreme Court appointments
          -Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
                -Martin Luther King, Jr.
                -Wiretapping
          -Howard H. Baker, Jr.
                -Knoxville, Tennessee
          -William H. Rehnquist
                -Robert H. Jackson
          -Lawrence E. Walsh
                -Previous conversation with Mitchell
                -American Bar Association [ABA] Committee
                      -Rejection of candidates
                -Herschel H. Friday
                -Mildred L. Lillie
                -Possible letter form Walsh
                      -Administration’s position
                      -Possible press statement
          -Press statement
                -Baker
                -Timing

                 -Rehnquist
                       -Smith
                 -Baker
                 -Forthcoming announcement
                       -Haldeman
                 -Rehnquist
                       -Smith
                       -Powell
                 -Timing
                       -Ronald L. Ziegler
                       -ABA
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.
Mr. President, I have the Attorney General.
Alright.
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