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Conversation 015-143

TapeTape 15StartMonday, November 29, 1971 at 11:11 AMEndMonday, November 29, 1971 at 11:13 AMTape start time04:07:16Tape end time04:08:24ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operator;  Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted John Mitchell regarding whether to call New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill to commend his handling of a recent prison situation. Mitchell advised that the President avoid a direct call to prevent potential political friction with New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, whose own handling of similar issues was frequently compared to Cahill's. Ultimately, they decided that Mitchell would contact Cahill instead to convey the President's approval of his judgment, thereby maintaining a low-key approach.

William T. CahillNelson A. RockefellerJohn N. MitchellPrison managementPolitical strategy
AudioNARA Description

On November 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone from 11:11 am to 11:13 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 015-143 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 15-143

Date: November 29, 1971
Time: 11:11 am - 11:13 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with the White House operator.

     John N. Mitchell

The President talked with Mitchell.

[See also Conversation No. 625-16A]

     William T. Cahill
          -Call from the President regarding prison
                -Nelson A. Rockefeller
          -Call from Mitchell
          -The President's previous call to Rockefeller
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Hello.
Yes, Mr. President.
Do you feel that I might well give Cahill a call on telling me he's done well up there, or is it with that rub-off wrong on Rocky?
I don't have to do it.
I just noted it.
In connection with the prison?
Yeah, yeah.
I would think that it was such a low key that I'd let it go at that.
Why don't I call him?
Yeah.
And tell him.
Why don't you call him that you were in the office and we were discussing it.
And that I thought he did it, handled it with very great skill.
Yeah.
Otherwise, you see, the thing is, I did call Rocky and stood by him, but I don't want it to appear that I'm calling KO, because some people have tried to compare KO with Rocky, and the damn things aren't even comparable.
No, none whatsoever, and I think it might be, as you say, it might get back at Rockefeller as to why the hell he didn't do this.
But I can talk to Bill and tell him we were talking about it, and he's sure about it.
He exercised good judgment in it and let it go at that.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
All right.
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