Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 023-104
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 1972 at 10:43 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Buchanan, Patrick J.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/023-104

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] statement to be given out to the press and I'll make an order.
[0:04] Yeah.
[0:04] Mr. Haldeman, sir.
[0:05] Yeah.
[0:06] Yeah.
[0:07] Oh, strong feeling here is that you're in a much better posture to go out with the death having been announced than to announce it because of the questions on time and the whole thing there.
[0:18] Well, then should I even go out at all?
[0:20] Strong, very strong feeling as you should.
[0:22] This will be the lead story tonight and it should be you on the television.
[0:27] Well, then, the point is that get the death... We'll get it out right now, and then you... No, no, God damn it to hell.
[0:32] Don't do it that way.
[0:33] Okay.
[0:34] I'll be over there, and I want the death announced, and then I will walk out.
[0:39] I want it announced so that they don't have 30 minutes to think about it before I get there.
[0:43] Okay.
[0:44] All right?
[0:44] Can you be ready or not?
[0:45] Yeah, we'll...
[0:47] Let me set it up then for... See what I mean?
[0:49] Yeah.
[0:50] Announce it within five minutes after the death is announced.
[0:52] I want to be out there making the statement.
[0:54] Okay.
[0:54] I don't want any delay, whatever.
[0:56] Yes, sir.
[0:56] Okay.
[0:57] Let me know.
[0:57] Call me right back.
[0:58] Right.