Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 155-027
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 1972 at 7:55 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.
Recording device: Camp David Study Table
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/155-027

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Mr. President, Mr. Ehrlichman.
[0:05] Thank you.
[0:05] Yes, sir.
[0:06] I just thought you'd like to know we got Bush.
[0:08] Fine.
[0:09] He's written you a letter and accepted it with pleasure.
[0:12] Good.
[0:15] Okay.
[0:16] So that's one down and 800 to go.
[0:19] Yeah.
[0:20] Well, we'll try to get Dole to handle himself gracefully.
[0:23] Right.
[0:24] Right.
[0:24] Which I think he will if somebody gets to him.
[0:27] He planted some good seeds today on that.
[0:30] 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.
[0:41] That's what's happened.
[0:44] 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.
[1:00] 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.
[1:16] Now, it may be that the other possibility is for you to hold it and have me do it with him.
[1:24] 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.
[1:36] And then you can— He has not indicated anything.
[1:39] Is he sitting publicly or— No, not a peep.
[1:44] Yeah.
[1:44] Well, he really hasn't been too well or anything lately.
[1:48] No, he's been in the hospital, and he ought to do it.
[1:50] what you're feeling.
[1:52] We ought to be pretty—we ought to hardline him, don't you think?
[1:54] Oh, absolutely.
[1:55] Absolutely.
[1:55] You need a spot.
[1:56] You need a seat.
[1:57] That's right.
[1:59] 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.
[2:07] Right.
[2:08] Okay, John.
[2:08] Thanks.
[2:09] That's good work.
[2:09] Thank you.