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Conversation 024-083

TapeTape 24StartMonday, May 15, 1972 at 5:10 PMEndMonday, May 15, 1972 at 5:13 PMTape start time01:29:30Tape end time01:32:21ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed the appropriateness of holding a scheduled Blue Room reception following the attempted assassination of George Wallace. Concerned that appearing in a festive public setting while the nation was in crisis would be insensitive, the couple weighed options including cancellation or excluding the press. They ultimately reached a tentative plan for the First Lady to host the event alongside curator Clement Conger while excluding media coverage to maintain decorum.

George WallaceAssassination attemptPat NixonWhite House protocolPublic relationsPress coverage
AudioNARA Description

On May 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 5:10 pm to 5:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-083 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 24-83

Date: May 15, 1972
Time: 5:10 pm - 5:13 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon.

[See also Conversation No. 724-6B]

     George C. Wallace
         -Attempted assassination
               -Condition
               -The President and Mrs. Nixon’s schedule
                    -Blue Room reception
                          -Possible cancellation
                          -The President’s view
                          -Clement Conger
               -Condition
                    -Dr. William M. Lukash
               -Blue Room reception
                    -The President’s view

The President conferred with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman at an unknown time.

[See Conversation No. 724-6]

[End of conferral]

                     -Conger
                     -Press coverage
                          -Mrs. Nixon’s view
                          -The President’s view
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

hi dick we've got a problem you heard about wallace did he die no but he's uh it's quite serious he's uh maybe paralyzed and the rest they the strong feeling is that for me and frankly you to be there smiling and laughing and so forth as we will have to with the receiving line when the whole country is concerned about this is what television and
all and all the things is just not a good idea well but these people come in from out of town you mean clem should do it or something well i i maybe put it this way i think you could maybe but i i don't think i should i mean i've really got this you know i i think it's uh i mean i i'd do it a minute uh you don't think you could postpone it well see they come in from out of town there's a trouble and you know what i mean there my own view is that i
as much as we'd like to do it but you can see the problem if anything happens during the time or even when he's critically injured he's been he's got one bullet in the stomach and near the spine and they they but who knows Lukash they think he's will live he may be paralyzed he may not be but be that as it may well what what would you suggest
Well, do you want us to think a little about it, and I'll call you back.
I just want you to know what you feel about it.
What do you feel?
Well, you know, I just know that a lot of people have come in.
Maybe you and Clem could do it.
Maybe Clem could do it.
But if you and Clem could do it without press, that's the problem.
Could you do it without press and let the press see it at another time?
Well...
I don't know, I don't see you ready to do that.
That won't work because you can't exclude them now.
The press was here this afternoon for my decision.
The press has already had it.
I don't believe, I think that you and Quim ought to receive them without any press pictures.
You see what I mean?
I think that would be all right.
In other words, if you could just receive them without...
Why don't we just tell the press it's closed to the press because of this event?
And then you receive them.
How's that?
So you've done your part already.
Could that be all right?
If you receive them without the press being there, I see no problem in it.
No problem.
See, these are some of the big shots all over the place.
I know, I know, but if you receive them without the press being there, they aren't here to get their pictures in the paper anyway, and there aren't going to be any...
But I do feel it.
Well, you couldn't do it without the press.
I mean, you know, you couldn't.
I'll talk to Clem about it.
All right, if you will.
Call us back.
Bye.
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