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Conversation 139-006

TapeTape 139StartThursday, August 10, 1972 at 1:12 PMEndThursday, August 10, 1972 at 1:16 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the drafting and tone of a forthcoming speech in Detroit, focusing on the importance of neighborhood schools. Nixon intends to frame his opposition to forced busing through personal anecdotes about his own schooling, emphasizing the school's role as a community center rather than delivering a purely aggressive attack. He requests that speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. draft the address with a subtle but clear stance on the issue to ensure the administration's position is understood without further exacerbating public divisions.

Neighborhood schoolsForced busingSpeechwritingRaymond K. Price Jr.Education policy
AudioNARA Description

On August 10, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 1:12 pm to 1:16 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 139-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 139-6

Date: August 10, 1972
Time: 1:12 pm - 1:16 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

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

[See Conversation No. 200-24]

     The President's schedule
          -Forthcoming speech in Detroit
                -Length
                -Subjects
                      -Neighborhood schools
                          -Audience
                                 -High school
                          -The President's experience
                                 -Acquaintances
                                 -Whittier High School
                                 -East Whittier Grammar School
                          -School as center of community
                          -Forced busing
                          -Quality of education
                          -Speech tone
                          -Parent-Teachers Association [PTA]
                      -Raymond K. Price, Jr.
                          -Speech tone
                      -Busing
                          -The President’s view

     Departure from Camp David
         -Manolo Sanchez
         -Time
         -Haldeman's meeting

                                        (rev. Mar-02)
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.

Yeah.
Yes, sir.
I think I've thought of a way we can do that Detroit thing and make a not-too-long speech, maybe 1,500 words.
It's about basically, and it can be subtle, but they'll all get the point, about the neighborhood school.
Now, I don't know whether this is elementary or high school.
High school.
High school.
Well, we can point out, I mean, let's do it in quite a personal way, that I made my friends in school.
I went to public schools.
and I went to East Whittier Grammar School, a little of that, and that I was able to walk to school.
Well, a lot of it, I was able to walk to Grammar School.
Of course, we had buses and the rest.
We may not get into that, but my point is that many of us attended the same church.
Many of us, you know, the school was the center of the community.
And then you take on how I realize that there's a very, very different opinion.
People favor the breaking down of neighborhoods, the forced busing, and so forth.
But I believe that.
And then they just put in, and I just be quite frank, that it breaks the neighborhood schools.
And then you, of course, get an idea of the quality education.
Quality education is served by going to the neighborhood schools.
We've got to improve the schools in every neighborhood so that they're the best.
I think we could do it in a rather subtle way with talking about quality education generally, how much the school means to an individual.
We should all be proud of our schools, of our neighborhood schools.
Neighbors should work together.
Neighbors and the PTA, you know, that sort of thing.
I think, actually, that Price could probably do that.
You know, he's very, he's really quite, you know, he could do it in a subtle way that you should be because of his true dedication.
It shouldn't be just a raucous attack on busing, you know.
But as I just say, I want to talk about it in a very
in a very considerate way.
There's a difference of opinion here.
We don't want to exacerbate it, but I want to give you the sum of expressed their views.
I know they're very sincere, but there's a very great difference of opinion in this election year about it.
I have a totally different view, and here is the reason I have it.
I'm for education, and I'm for the neighborhood schools.
I believe in buses and a little of that stuff.
Good.
I think that's better than trying to do something separate from it, if we can work it that way.
Just say it, and I'll, as soon as price gets it, I'll put in a line that will leave no doubt.
I'm just totally against fussing.
Right.
Okay, fine.
Good.
And I got the other one, and I worked on it some.
Okay.
Your meeting's at 5 o'clock.
Right.
Sure.
It's fine.
Okay.
Thank you.
Okay.
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