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Conversation 012-017

TapeTape 12StartWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 5:49 PMEndWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 5:50 PMTape start time00:35:22Tape end time00:36:28ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with Attorney General John Mitchell regarding the strategic timing of an upcoming Supreme Court appointment announcement. Nixon instructed Mitchell to coordinate the release to coincide with prime-time network coverage, while issuing an ultimatum to a candidate who had not yet arrived in Washington. Additionally, Nixon directed Mitchell to compile favorable background dossiers emphasizing the academic credentials of potential nominees to ensure a strong public presentation.

Supreme Court appointmentsMedia strategyJohn N. MitchellCandidate vettingPresidential administration
AudioNARA Description

On October 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone from 5:49 pm to 5:50 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 12-17

Date: October 20, 1971
Time: 5:49 pm- 5:50 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John N. Mitchell.

[See Conversation No. 282-32B]

     Supreme Court appointments
          -Announcement timing
              -Networks
              -Ronald L. Ziegler briefing
              -Nominees
                    -Howard H. Baker, Jr.
                    -Department of Justice role
                         -Briefing papers
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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, Mr. President.
John, just so that you won't know, we're going to announce this.
We want to wait until we get the network time.
So we're going to announce at 11 tomorrow, Ron's briefing, that I'm going on tomorrow at 730.
See?
Yes, sir.
So that'll, so that in any event, when you talk to your number two fellow.
Who's not in yet from the airport.
Okay.
So it'll still fly tomorrow night, even though...
Tomorrow night.
I'm not going to give that number two fellow any more time.
He either comes tonight... Yep, I appreciate it.
...or we go for the other fellow.
Yes, sir.
Okay?
Very good, sir.
Fair, because I've got to get this stuff in a row.
Fair enough.
And do you want that to come from over here, or...?
No.
What?
The background information on these people.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
You pick up the background dope the best you can.
I mean, there's a strong sales talk on each.
Right.
Particularly where they, I mean, if they were top in their class or near the top, say so, things of that sort, you know.
You know, the kind of thing that shows they're scholars and all that bullshit.
Okay.
Very good.
All right.
All right.
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