President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss the pending Supreme Court nomination of Mildred L. Lillie, focusing on the optics of her marital status and religious background. The two men deliberate on the political advantages of emphasizing her marriage to an Italian-American, A.V. Falcone, and explore the potential electoral benefits of identifying her as Catholic. Nixon directs Mitchell to verify her religious and ethnic details to ensure the nomination is presented in the most favorable light.
On October 11, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone from 12:35 pm to 12:36 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 011-035 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 11-35 Date: October 11, 1971 Time: 12:35 pm - 12:36 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with John N. Mitchell. [See Conversation No. 588-2D] 19 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/06) Supreme Court nomination -Mildred L. Lillie -Religion -Marital status -Ethnic background -A.V. Falcone
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.