Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 17 › Conversation 017-088

Nixon phone call with Mansfield on Christmas greetings

Saturday, December 25, 1971 · 11:34 AM–11:36 AM ET · White House Telephone · 43 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Mansfield, Michael J. ("Mike")Conversation017-088 on Tape 17 (tape position 03:14:35–03:15:18)StartSaturday, December 25, 1971 at 11:34 AMEndSaturday, December 25, 1971 at 11:36 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 017-088 ↗

AI Summary

President Richard Nixon initiated a brief holiday telephone call to Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to exchange Christmas greetings and well wishes for the New Year. The two men engaged in light conversation regarding the weather conditions on the West Coast before concluding with a mutual commitment to reconvene for a scheduled meeting on January 18, 1972. The interaction served primarily as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill rather than a discussion of substantive policy matters.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.
Mike, I'm not going to bother you with business, but I just want to be sure that you and Maureen know that Pat and I send our very best for Christmas.
Is the weather lousy?
No.
It is?
Oh, good.
On the West Coast, I talked down there this morning, and they told me it's just raining pitchforks, so I'm glad you're having a better bet.
Well, it is.
Good.
And we want to wish you a good Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Right.
Let's hope it's peaceful.
Yes, and the best in the years ahead for you and all your family.
Well, thanks, Mike.
And just get a little rest.
With my continued respect.
Yeah.
We'll see you on the 18th.
Okay, sir.
All right.
Bye.
Thank you, Mr. President.

NARA Description

On December 25, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield talked on the telephone from 11:34 am to 11:36 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 017-088 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 17-88

Date: December 25, 1971
Time: 11:34 am - 11:36 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Michael J. Mansfield.

     Christmas greetings

     Weather
         -West coast

     Schedule
          -Meeting
               -January 18, 1972

Also recorded on December 25, 1971

  • 017-084 11:21 AM · 25 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and James D. ("Don") Hughes talked on the telephone from 11:21 am to 11:22 am.
  • 017-085 11:23 AM · 39 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 11:23 am.
  • 017-086 11:29 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford talked on the telephone from 11:29 am to 11:31 am.
  • 017-087 11:31 AM · 19 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:31 am and 11:34 am.
  • 017-089 11:38 AM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 11:38 am.
  • 017-090 11:38 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:38 am and 11:45 am.
  • 017-091 11:45 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone from 11:45 am to 11:46 am.
  • 017-092 11:47 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Edward R. G. Heath talked on the telephone from 11:47 am to 11:48 am.

All 57 conversations from December 25, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 017-088, December 25, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/017-088 (accessed October 10, 2026).