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Conversation 013-142

TapeTape 13StartThursday, November 4, 1971 at 7:43 PMEndThursday, November 4, 1971 at 7:44 PMTape start time04:13:08Tape end time04:14:39ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the potential appointment of Earl L. Butz as Secretary of Agriculture, with Nixon expressing concerns regarding Butz's name. They deliberate on the recommendation of the "Triumvirate"—Frederic Malek, Bryce Harlow, and John Whitaker—while considering an alternative candidate, Representative John Kyl. Nixon instructs Ehrlichman to have Whitaker evaluate Kyl's suitability during an upcoming meeting, tasking them with assessing whether Kyl would be a strong political asset.

Earl L. ButzCabinet appointmentsJohn KylPersonnel selectionDepartment of Agriculture
AudioNARA Description

On November 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman talked on the telephone from 7:43 pm to 7:44 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-142 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 13-142

Date: November 4, 1971
Time: 7:43 pm - 7:44 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

     President's previous conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
          -Ehrlichman's schedule

     Earl L. Butz
           -Possible appointment
           -Frederic V. Malek
           -Bryce N. Harlow
           -John C. Whitaker
           -John Kyl
                -Forthcoming meeting with Whitaker
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

John, I talked to Bob and he told me you're going to Boston, so I... Let me ask you about the button thing, John.
You're sort of high on that.
Well, the Triumvirate, Malick and Harlow and Whitaker, have really exhaustively looked at this, and that's their strong recommendation.
I still haven't met him.
but I would defer to their collective judgment on that.
One problem that occurs to me is his name.
Yeah, yeah, that's there.
I can just see the farmer's name.
The other thing that just occurred to me, it's a long shot, but one of the more impressive members of that agriculture committee is that John Kyle.
Well, I noticed you take up on that.
He's a farmer, he's a scholar, and he's strong.
and, you know what I mean, is highly regarded.
Would you run that by?
Yes, sir.
I sure will.
Okay.
As a matter of fact, Whitaker's going up to see him first thing in the morning.
Doesn't he impress you?
Yes.
You know what I mean?
He's a scholarly guy, and incidentally, he's always on the right side.
He's so reasonable about things, and I think he'd be a good salesman.
Well, I'll make a point of having Whitaker drive him out a little bit in the morning.
Good.
All right.
Tell him to look at him with that in mind.
Right.
Good.
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