Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 45 › Conversation 045-131
Nixon phone call with Connally on Republican Party and Party affiliation
Wednesday, May 2, 1973 · 9:53 AM–9:54 AM ET · White House Telephone · 57 sec
AI Summary
John B. Connally informs President Nixon of his intent to hold a press conference to formally announce his party affiliation change to the Republican Party. Nixon praises Connally's courage and aligns their shared political resolve against ongoing adversity. The two also briefly acknowledge positive public feedback regarding the President's recent televised address concerning the Watergate scandal.
- John B. Connally
- Republican Party
- Party affiliation
- Watergate
- Political strategy
Audio
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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NARA Description
On May 2, 1973, John B. Connally and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 9:53 am to 9:54 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-131 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-131
Date: May 2, 1973
Time: 9:53 am - 9:54 am
Location: White House Telephone
John B. Connally talked with the President.
[See also Conversation No. 909-8]
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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
Connally’s press conference
-Party affiliation
-84-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 45-131 (cont’d)
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Watergate
-President’s speechAlso recorded on May 2, 1973
- 909-007 9:50 AM · 22 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:53 am.
- 909-008 9:53 AM · 53 sec — John B. Connally and President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:53 am to 9:54 am.
- 045-132 9:54 AM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:54 am and 9:59 am.
- 909-009 9:54 AM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:54 am and 9:59 am.
- 909-010 9:54 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:54 am and 9:59 am.
- 909-011 9:59 AM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, unknown person(s), and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:59 am to 10:08 am.
- 045-133 10:02 AM · 42 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 10:02 am to 10:04 am.
- 045-134 10:08 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:08 am and 10:14 am.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 045-131, May 2, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/045-131 (accessed October 5, 2026).