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Conversation 138-010

TapeTape 138StartSunday, July 30, 1972 at 1:06 PMEndSunday, July 30, 1972 at 1:32 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the logistics of First Lady Pat Nixon’s potential attendance at Senator Allen J. Ellender’s funeral, specifically weighing the optics of changing previous plans to exclude her against the benefit of her presence. The President ultimately decides she should attend, prioritizing political impact over the convenience of congressional spouses. During the discussion, Nixon also briefly disparages the individuals responsible for the Watergate break-in, labeling the operation as an act of stupidity.

Pat NixonAllen J. Ellender funeralWatergate scandalWhite House logisticsPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On July 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 1:06 pm to 1:32 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 138-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 138-10

Date: July 30, 1972
Time: 1:06 pm - 1:32 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

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

[See Conversation No. 198-20]

                                       (rev. Mar-02)

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 22m 8s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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    The President's schedule
         -Allen J. Ellender’s funeral
               -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                     -Conversation with the President
                     -Possible attendance
                         -Luncheons
                         -Problem
                                -Congressional wives
                     -Church
                     -Cemetery

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 33s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

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    Watergate
        -Bugging
              -Democratic National Committee Headquarters

                                       (rev. Mar-02)

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 24s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3

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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.

Tomorrow, incidentally, I was talking to Pat, and she would like, from just a personal standpoint, to go down there if it is convenient.
Now, of course, we have our two cabinets up there and so forth.
I'm inclined to think it might not be bad in one sense that she always went to those luncheons.
She'd been to three of them up there that he gave.
that allows me to walk with her and nobody else going into the place coming off the plane and all the rest and then um but she doesn't insist you know she doesn't care i think it'd be good on every count except that we told the congressional people she wasn't coming so they are bringing their wives but she could come at the last minute but she could just decide you see even having told them you could say we told them that she wasn't coming but you could say that
Mrs. Nixon decided because she had such an affection for Senator Eleanor she wanted to come.
Yeah.
No problem is it?
No I don't think so.
To hell with the congressional people let's do what's best for us.
I think it's good having her with you probably.
Because uh you know it'll mean a lot to those people down there to see her.
Yeah.
I think we'll do it and uh and when we're still going now to the uh
the church and not to the cemetery.
And they've been told that's good.
There's no problem on that.
Everybody understands that we don't have that much time.
Well, I'd like to have a tape recorder in that room.
But our poor bastards, they taped the Democratic National Committee.
Stupidest thing.
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