Nixon White House TapesTape 12 › Conversation 012-095

Nixon phone call with Keyes on Supreme Court nominations and Public relations

Friday, October 22, 1971 · 9:46 PM–9:49 PM ET · White House Telephone ·3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Keyes, Paul W.Conversation012-095 onTape 12 (tape position 03:50:55–03:53:45)StartFriday, October 22, 1971 at 9:46 PMEndFriday, October 22, 1971 at 9:49 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 012-095 ↗

President Nixon and television producer Paul W. Keyes discuss the positive reception of the President’s recent televised address regarding his Supreme Court nominations. Keyes commends Nixon’s strategic presentation of his nominees, which both men agree will lead to successful Senate confirmation. The call concludes with a brief, favorable discussion regarding Joseph H. Blatchford's character and professional capabilities.

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Hello.
There you are.
Hello, Paul.
How are you, sir?
How are you?
Well, how are things going in your show?
They're going great, sir.
Great.
That's fine.
I loved your talk yesterday.
Did you get to see it on TV?
You're right.
I thought it was just... Yeah.
I mean, you not only named them, but you got the ratification all at once.
Well, we put it to them a little.
We surprised them.
As CBS said, NBC said, when you signed off, they said, what a very statesman-like thing to do, to go and present your case.
Because it was a marvelous case.
Pretty hard to knock these guys.
I would think so.
They can...
Well, they'll be approved, these two.
These two, yep.
Well, the show's going well, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
I met your man, Blatchford, the other day.
Oh, yes.
Joe Blatchford.
He told his people he wanted to meet me, and he came out of the office for half an hour, and, you know, we're just small talk, so he's an awful bright guy.
He really is, yes.
Able fella, right?

On October 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Paul W. Keyes talked on the telephone from 9:46 pm to 9:49 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-095 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 12-95

Date: October 22, 1971
Time: 9:46 pm- 9:49 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Paul W. Keyes.

     Salutations

     The President's speech, October 21, 1971
                                             63

                          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. 10/06)



          -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
          -National Broadcasting Company [NBC]
          -Supreme Court nominations
               -Confirmation

     Keyes’ television show
         -Joseph H. Blatchford


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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 1m 39s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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  • 012-089 9:13 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:13 pm.
  • 012-090 9:13 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:13 pm and 9:18 pm.
  • 012-092 9:18 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone from 9:18 pm to 9:23 pm.
  • 012-093 9:25 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:25 pm.
  • 012-094 9:30 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:30 pm.
  • 012-096 9:52 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:52 pm.
  • 012-097 9:52 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:52 pm and 10:00 pm.
  • 012-098 10:00 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis talked on the telephone from 10:00 pm to 10:02 pm.

Conversation 012-095, October 23, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/012-095 (accessed September 18, 2026).