President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the administration's stance on appointing women and minorities to high-level positions, specifically regarding the Supreme Court. The two express skepticism toward selecting candidates based on identity politics, arguing that such appointments undermine meritocracy and the professional readiness of the individuals involved. This exchange highlights the President's internal deliberations concerning diversity initiatives and the pressure to fill influential government roles.
On October 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone from 9:47 pm to 9:50 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-077 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No.012-077
Date: October 21, 1971
Time: 9:47 pm- 9:50 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with Rose Mary Woods.
Reports on President’s speech
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 12/15/2017.
47s segment cleared for release. 7s remain closed as 012-077-w001.]
Page | 65
White House Tapes of the Nixon Administration, 1971-1973
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
[Personal Returnable]
[012-077-w001]
[Duration: 47s]
Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s and Tricia Nixon Cox’s calls to Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[012-077-w001]
[Duration: 7s]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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Public treatment of Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Democrats
-Press coverage
-Headlines
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Administration positions for women
-Supreme Court
-Blacks
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/10/2017.
45s segment cleared for release. 2s remain closed as 012-077-w002.]
[Personal Returnable]
Page | 66
White House Tapes of the Nixon Administration, 1971-1973
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
[012-077-w002]
[Duration: 45s]
Speech announcing the Supreme Court nominations
-The President’s schedule
-Rose Mary Woods’s opinion
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[012-077-w002]
[Duration: 2s]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
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Attempt to nominate a female justice to the Supreme Court
Positive response to speech announcing the Supreme Court nominations
******************************************************************************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.