Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 45 › Conversation 045-029

Nixon phone call with Haldeman on Watergate and John B. Connally

Thursday, April 26, 1973 · 9:57 PM–9:59 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation045-029 on Tape 45StartThursday, April 26, 1973 at 9:57 PMEndThursday, April 26, 1973 at 9:59 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 045-029 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discuss the President's personal health before shifting focus to the political crisis surrounding the Watergate scandal. The two assess the counsel of William P. Rogers and John B. Connally, with Nixon noting Rogers’s inability to make decisive recommendations. Consequently, Nixon instructs Haldeman to consult with Connally regarding the political strategy of a proposed leave of absence, seeking his candid input on the decision.

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Transcript (AI-generated)

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Well, what did you know?

I just had corned beef hash and a couple of eggs and some bacon.

Well, I just had corned beef hash and a couple of eggs and some creamed spinach.

Isn't that great?

That's really funny.

Isn't that interesting?

Well, you've got to put that in your little diary.

Yeah, I will.

I've lost a little weight in the last four or five days.

I didn't realize that I'm down to about 169, which is the lowest in about five years, but nevertheless.

Well, I cured that problem because one of our former neighbors brought by our big chocolate cake, which is good luck, so I gave you a piece of that.

Great.

I had one thought, which I'd like for you to do.

I'm just thinking of people to talk to, you know, and this and that.

I agree, Rogers is a pretty good act.

You've made a decision, but not in making it.

Would you agree?

After you've made it, I mean.

Yeah, probably.

Because, you know what I mean, you hit the nail on the head when he said he isn't going to stick his neck out as to what the hell to do.

Connelly, on the other hand, is, you know, he'll give you his views, won't he?

Yep.

Would you run the leave of absence by him as of this time?

Sure.

Call me back.

Or you don't want to try him ACI?

You see, he's in California, so you've got three hours different track time.

I'll see if I can get him.

Or are you having dinner?

No, I'm through.

Let me see if I can get him.

It's just a thought, just a thought.

I mean, it's before we think about it tomorrow.

Maybe I'd just like to have his feeling, but I have a feeling it's the right decision at this time.

I really think it is, you know.

I mean, it's, sure, it's a half measure, but damn it, it's the right measure.

It's what I feel best about, and I want you to tell him that, and I want his view on it, and I may call him myself, but

I want him to give us code.

He knows.

He talks to you just like he talks to me, doesn't he?

Mm-hmm.

I think so.

But if you don't feel like calling Bob, don't.

No, no, I do.

I think it's a good idea.

All right.

Okay.

Right.

NARA Description

On April 26, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 9:57 pm to 9:59 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-029 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 45-29

Date: April 26, 1973
Time: 9:57 pm - 9:59 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

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

     President’s dinner
           -Haldeman’s dinner

     President’s weight
                                             -20-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                            Conversation No. 45-29 (cont’d)

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

     Watergate
          -William P. Rogers
                -Decision-making ability
          -John B. Connally
                -Forthrightness
                -Haldeman’s telephone call concerning leave of absence
                -Advice to President

Also recorded on April 27, 1973

045-025 7:12 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry E. Petersen talked on the telephone from 7:12 pm to 7:14 pm.
045-026 7:14 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:14 pm and 7:44 pm.
045-027 7:44 PM · 18 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Richard G. Kleindienst, and Henry E. Petersen talked on the telephone from 7:44 pm to 8:02 pm.
431-010 9:03 PM · 43 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:03 pm and 9:47 pm.
045-028 9:47 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:47 pm and 9:57 pm.
045-030 10:02 PM · 15 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 10:02 pm.
045-031 10:02 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:02 pm and 10:07 pm.
045-032 10:07 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 10:07 pm to 10:09 pm.

All 42 conversations from April 27, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 045-029, April 27, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/045-029 (accessed October 5, 2026).