← 045-031045-033 →

Conversation 045-032

TapeTape 45StartThursday, April 26, 1973 at 10:07 PMEndThursday, April 26, 1973 at 10:09 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss potential high-level personnel changes to navigate the escalating political pressures of the Watergate scandal and the Daniel Ellsberg case. They explore the possibility of appointing William D. Ruckelshaus as permanent FBI Director and weigh the viability of John Connally as a replacement for Attorney General. Haldeman is tasked with gauging Connally's interest in the position and assessing the likelihood of his Senate confirmation.

Watergate scandalDaniel Ellsberg caseWilliam D. RuckelshausJohn B. ConnallyAttorney General appointmentFBI Directorship
AudioNARA Description

On April 26, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 10:07 pm to 10:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-032 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-32

Date: April 26, 1973
Time: 10:07 pm - 10:09 pm
Location: White House Telephone

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

     Watergate
          -Haldeman’s telephone call to John B. Connally
                -Daniel Ellsberg case
          -William D. Ruckelshaus
                -Appointment as Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
          -Connally
          -Appointment as Attorney General
                -Confirmation

     Message for President
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
Yes, sir.
One thing I'd like for you and John to talk about is in terms of possibly moving—basically because this whole damned Ellsberg thing probably is going to be very difficult for the judge and all that sort of thing—that maybe moving if we could—I don't know whether we could get him to do it—to get Ruckelshaus and that thing, you know.
I don't know what you think of that idea.
Permanently?
Yes, sir.
We've thought of that, you know?
Yeah, I know it.
Okay, I'll talk to him.
All right.
The other thing... What about Conley for Attorney General?
I don't think he'd take it, but I think he'd be fine.
Well, it says he'll do anything.
Do you think he'd get approved?
Probably.
Yeah, they could— Sure.
You know what I mean?
He's a lawyer and so forth and so on.
You don't think he'd take it, Bill?
Well, I didn't say— On the other hand, here he is writing that.
You know, that's part of the bold move.
Yep.
Well, rumble that around a little.
Okay.
He'd be a guy I'd sure trust in the job.
Yeah.
Okay?
Yep.
Bye.
Did you get the message?
I couldn't.
← 045-031045-033 →