Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 155 › Conversation 155-029

Nixon phone call with Woods on Elmer Bobst and New York City

Wednesday, November 22, 1972 · 10:52 AM–10:56 AM ET · Camp David Study Table · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Woods, Rose MaryConversation155-029 on Tape 155StartWednesday, November 22, 1972 at 10:52 AMEndWednesday, November 22, 1972 at 10:56 AMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 155-029 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the logistical risks surrounding a planned social event for Elmer Bobst at a New York law firm. Fearing disruptive protests due to the event’s location, Nixon decides not to attend, expressing concern that his presence would trigger a demonstration. They agree that Nixon will instead invite Bobst to meet with him privately during a separate visit to the firm, while suggesting that First Lady Pat Nixon attend the event in the President's place.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Hi, hello.
Hello.
I had an idea Rose, I don't know whether it's, which might kill two birds with one stone and you could sort of check with John Mitchell to see if he agrees to, it might be just a thought to let Elmer, for Milt Rose to have Elmer there, you know, at the time I come to terms, only Elmer of all the people because he's the one that brought me down and introduced me to the mall.
Uh huh.
What do you think?
I think it would be a nice thought, or do you agree?
Yeah, I think it would, especially if you're not going to that thing of his on the 16th.
I'm not going to that.
You're not?
I can't go, because I can't run into a riot down there.
It'll attract a terrible situation.
We've checked it out.
It's very bad.
It's in the wrong part of town.
Well, I hope somebody other than one of the little kids tells him, because it's going to absolutely break his heart.
I know that, but we'll have somebody else go.
I'll have a young guy, but I cannot go to that.
But I'll work that out.
Maybe, I'll tell you, I think maybe they'll have other clients.
He's going to bring that up.
Right.
So I agree.
We won't do that.
And I'll work the other thing out.
I agree.
Because we can't go there and have his event spoiled by having a bunch of people outside shouting.
That's what's going to happen.
You see, you know where that is.
It's in the worst part of town.
And it's going to happen just as sure as hell.
Maybe Pat could go.
They might come for her, but not as much.
Not as much.
But you see, it's 80% Jewish in the university rows.
Oh, I know.
It's a terrible spot.
It's going to be rough as hell.
But I'll get Pat.
I'd try to come.
I'll get Pat to go.
But I just thought if you see him before this is told.
Yeah, don't do it.
Don't do it.
Good.
Okay.
Okay.
We'll work it out.
Bye.
All right.
Bye.

NARA Description

On November 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone at Camp David from 10:52 am to 10:56 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 155-029 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 155-29

Date: November 22, 1972
Time: 10:52 am - 10:56 am
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Rose Mary Woods.

[See Conversation No. 230-12]

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

       Trip to New York
             -Visit to Mudge, Rose, Gutherie and Alexander Law Firm
                   -John N. Mitchell
                   -Milton C. Rose
                         -Elmer H. Bobst
                              -Invitation
                                              -32-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                               Conversation No. 155-29 (cont’d)

                   -Party for Bobst
                         -The President’s preference
                         -Location
                               -Problem with the President’s visit
                                     -Demonstrations
                               -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon visit
                               -Jews

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

Also recorded on November 22, 1972

  • 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.
  • 155-028 8:20 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 8:20 am and 10:52 am.
  • 230-011 8:20 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 8:20 am and 10:52 am.
  • 230-012 10:52 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 10:52 am to 10:56 am.
  • 155-030 10:56 AM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:56 am and 7:04 pm.
  • 155-032 10:56 AM · 6 sec — unknown person(s) and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:56 am and 7:04 pm.
  • 230-013 10:56 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:56 am and 7:04 pm.

All 18 conversations from November 22, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 155-029, 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/155-029 (accessed October 10, 2026).