Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 151 › Conversation 151-005

Nixon phone call with Camp David Operator on Charles W. Colson

Saturday, October 21, 1972 · 7:26 PM ET · Camp David Study Table · 23 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David OperatorConversation151-005 on Tape 151StartSaturday, October 21, 1972 at 7:26 PMEndSaturday, October 21, 1972 at 7:26 PMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 151-005 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon attempted to reach Charles W. Colson via the Camp David operator to discuss his schedule, but the call could not be completed as Colson was out to dinner in Philadelphia. Upon learning that Colson's location was unknown, Nixon instructed the operator to cease further efforts and decided to initiate contact later. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this brief administrative exchange.

Audio

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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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello?

Mr. President?

Yes?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Colson is in Philadelphia, and they went out to dinner to eat, and they didn't leave word where they were going.

Can we keep trying and get back to you on it, sir, or would you like Cass to call it?

You can let it go, and I'll call him later.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

NARA Description

On October 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 7:26 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 151-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 151-5

Date: October 21, 1972
Time: 7:26 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The Camp David operator talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 223-13]

        The President's call to Charles W. Colson
            -Colson's schedule
                -Philadelphia

Also recorded on October 21, 1972

223-008 12:29 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:29 pm and 12:45 pm.
151-002 4:30 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 4:30 pm and 5:39 pm.
223-010 4:30 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 4:30 pm and 5:39 pm.
151-003 5:39 PM · 8 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone at Camp David from 5:39 pm to 5:47 pm.
223-011 5:39 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon, unknown person(s), and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 5:39 pm to 5:47 pm.
151-004 7:15 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 7:15 pm.
223-012 7:15 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 7:15 pm.
223-013 7:26 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 7:26 pm.

All 12 conversations from October 21, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 151-005, October 21, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/151-005 (accessed October 10, 2026).