Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 155 › Conversation 155-027

Nixon phone call with Ehrlichman on George H. W. Bush and John A. Volpe

Tuesday, November 21, 1972 · 7:55 PM–7:58 PM ET · Camp David Study Table · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.Conversation155-027 on Tape 155StartTuesday, November 21, 1972 at 7:55 PMEndTuesday, November 21, 1972 at 7:58 PMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 155-027 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the logistics of second-term administration staffing, specifically confirming George H. W. Bush’s acceptance of the Republican National Committee chairmanship. The two men also strategized on managing Robert Dole’s transition and finalized plans to replace Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe. They determined that a firm, consistent policy of limiting domestic cabinet appointments to four years would be the primary justification for personnel changes.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Mr. President, Mr. Ehrlichman.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

I just thought you'd like to know we got Bush.

Fine.

He's written you a letter and accepted it with pleasure.

Good.

Okay.

So that's one down and 800 to go.

Yeah.

Well, we'll try to get Dole to handle himself gracefully.

Right.

Which I think he will if somebody gets to him.

He planted some good seeds today on that.

Well, I think the—provided it doesn't build up some sort of a backfire that he—but he's got to understand it, that Mitchell can get to him soon and get him to walk in and say it.

That's what's happened.

You have nothing—you have no really information as to what the hell Opie wants, or— I don't, but I will have before you see him, and I'll slide in and tip you off before you see him.

My own view is that I have thought that what you really ought to do is just to say that we feel that we need him in Italy, the time to make the change, and so forth.

Now, it may be that the other possibility is for you to hold it and have me do it with him.

Well, I think it would probably be enough if I just find out, indicate to him that four years is four years, and that, you know, you're going to suggest to him that we find another secretary and that— Right.

And then you can— He has not indicated anything.

Is he sitting publicly or— No, not a peep.

Yeah.

Well, he really hasn't been too well or anything lately.

No, he's been in the hospital, and he ought to do it.

what you're feeling.

We ought to be pretty—we ought to hardline him, don't you think?

Oh, absolutely.

Absolutely.

You need a spot.

You need a seat.

That's right.

And we'll just say that's what we're planning and that we're—in all the domestic areas, I just simply say we're keeping nobody over four years.

Right.

Okay, John.

Thanks.

That's good work.

Thank you.

NARA Description

On November 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 7:55 pm to 7:58 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 155-027 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 155-27

Date: November 21, 1972
Time: 7:55 pm - 7:58 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

[See Conversation No. 230-1]

*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       Republican Party
            -Republican National Committee Chairmanship
                  -George H. W. Bush
                        -Acceptance
                  -Cabinet appointments
                  -Robert J. Dole
                        -Meeting with John N. Mitchell

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************

       Second term reorganization
            -John A. Volpe
                  -Plans
                        -Forthcoming meeting with the President
                        -Forthcoming conversation with Ehrlichman
                              -Ambassador to Italy
                                    -Offer
                  -Replacement
                        -Four year service
                  -Plans
                        -Lack of public statements
                  -Health
                  -Handling
                        -Tone
                                             -31-

                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                           Conversation No. 155-27 (cont’d)

                  -Replacement
                       -Domestic areas
                            -Four year service

Also recorded on November 22, 1972

230-001 7:55 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 7:55 pm to 7:58 pm.
230-002 7:58 PM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-003 7:58 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-004 7:58 PM · 5 min — Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon and United States Secret Service agents met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-005 7:58 PM · 13 sec — Unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-006 7:58 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-007 7:58 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.
230-008 7:58 PM · 14 sec — Julie Nixon Eisenhower and President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972.

All 18 conversations from November 22, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 155-027, November 22, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/155-027 (accessed October 9, 2026).