Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 33 › Conversation 033-033

Nixon phone call with Hibbard on 1972 election and Montana Senate race

Saturday, November 4, 1972 · 11:04 AM–11:06 AM ET · White House Telephone ·2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Hibbard, HenryConversation033-033 onTape 33StartSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 11:04 AMEndSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 11:06 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 033-033 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called Montana Senate candidate Henry Hibbard to offer his personal encouragement during the final days of a difficult election campaign. Nixon emphasized his alignment with Hibbard on the issues of achieving 'peace with honor' in Vietnam and maintaining national strength. While discussing the state's patriotic electorate, the President explained that he could not personally visit Montana due to the political complications involved in traveling to neighboring states like South Dakota. Nixon tasked Hibbard with conveying the President's full support to the local press.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Good morning.
Good morning.
Henry, I just wanted to tell you as you enter the final days of what I know has been an uphill fight, but a hard campaign that I'm all for you, as I've indicated in my letter.
I wish you the very best, and as you campaign these last two, three days, will you tell the people of Montana how much I appreciated the fact that
They've always supported me, and I would appreciate their support again.
But I think that what you stand for, peace with honor, not surrender, is what I stand for.
Peace with strength, rather than weakness, is what I stand for.
I think that it's that kind of support we need in the United States Senate.
Mr. President, I very much appreciate it.
This campaign has been going along hard and fast and getting close now.
And actually, the feel of it around this state is excellent, I think.
Good.
Things look good.
You're moving certainly in good shape.
You're moving up on them, I hope.
You bet.
Getting close.
Because we just wish you the very best.
I know that's a big state.
All right.
I've been to Butte, and I've been clear up to Butte, of course, to...
I mean, you've been to Billings, I know.
Billings, many times, yeah.
But it's a good state.
It's a good state.
There are good people there, and they're strong, pro-American, patriotic folks.
And I just think if you can stay right on that line, we're going to do okay.
You bet.
We want to keep it that way.
That's right.
I certainly wish it would be possible for you to come by, but I really...
I wish we could.
As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I tried to work out, but you see, if I ever swung up that far, then I'd have to get to South Dakota and all the rest, and there are reasons I shouldn't go there, as you know.
I understand.
It'd be like, you know, you don't go to the other man's state.
But anyway...
The purpose of this call is to let you know, even though I'm not there in person, I'm there in spirit all the way.
And you tell that to the press.
I certainly will, and I appreciate the call, and have a pleasant weekend.
Thank you.
And good luck.

NARA Description

On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry Hibbard talked on the telephone from 11:04 am to 11:06 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-033 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 33-33

Date: November 4, 1972
Time: 11:04 am - 11:06 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry Hibbard.

[See Conversation No. 389-18A]

       Greetings


*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       1972 election
            -Hibbard's campaign
                   -Closeness
                   -The President’s support
                         -Letter
                   -Hibbard's support for the President
            -Montana
                   -Support for the President
            -Vietnam
                   -Peace with honor
            -US Strength
            -Hibbard's campaign
                   -Outlook
            -Montana
                   -The President’s schedule
                         -Butte
                         -Billings
                         -Citizens
                                -Patriotism
                                      -Problems
                                            -South Dakota
                                                 -[George S. McGovern]
            -Purpose of call
                                               - 37 -

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. June-07)

                                                             Conversation No. 33-33 (cont’d)

                  -Press relations

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************

Also recorded on November 4, 1972

  • 033-030 11:00 AM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 11:00 am.
  • 033-031 11:00 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:00 am and 11:01 am.
  • 389-013 11:00 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:00 am and 11:01 am.
  • 389-014 11:00 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:00 am and 11:01 am.
  • 389-015 11:00 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:00 am and 11:01 am.
  • 033-032 11:01 AM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 11:01 am to 11:02 am.
  • 389-017 11:01 AM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 11:01 am to 11:02 am.
  • 389-018 11:02 AM · 26 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Charles W. Colson, Ronald L. Ziegler, Henry Hibbard, and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:02 am and 11:40 am.

All 59 conversations from November 4, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 033-033, November 4, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/033-033 (accessed September 18, 2026).