President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, John Connally, and Eugene Rossides discussed the immediate expansion of Secret Service protection for presidential candidates following the assassination attempt on George Wallace. The group specifically evaluated the security needs of Edward M. Kennedy and Shirley Chisholm, while dismissing candidates deemed inactive. Nixon ordered that protection details be prepared for both Kennedy and Chisholm, pending further investigation into the status of other potential candidates.
On May 15, 1972, the White House operator, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, John B. Connally, Eugene T. Rossides, and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:24 pm and 5:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-087 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 24-87 Date: May 15, 1972 Time: Unknown between 5:24 pm and 5:30 pm Location: White House Telephone The White House operator talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman. [See also Conversation No. 724-8D] Eugene T. Rossides John B. Connally talked with Rossides at an unknown time. Secret Service -Candidate protection -James J. Rowley -Edward M. Kennedy -Announcement -Ronald L. Ziegler -Shirley Chisholm -Request for protection -Other possible requests Connally conferred with Haldeman and the President at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 724-8] [End of conferral] Secret Service -Candidate protection -Wilbur D. Mills -John M. Ashbrook -Chisholm -Samuel W. Yorty -Chisholm -Kennedy -Chisholm George C. Wallace -Assassination attempt -Information -Reports
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.