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Conversation 164-040

TapeTape 164StartMonday, April 30, 1973 at 9:15 AMEndMonday, April 30, 1973 at 9:17 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rebozo, Charles G. ("Bebe")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and close confidant Bebe Rebozo discuss the President's intense personal distress following the resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman amid the Watergate scandal. The two men reflect on the overwhelming public support Nixon has received, while the President contemplates the emotional toll of the situation and his upcoming televised address. To cope with the crisis, Nixon plans a brief retreat to Florida, arranging for Rebozo to join him after the broadcast to provide personal support.

Watergate scandalResignationsPublic opinionPresidential stressFlorida vacation
AudioNARA Description

On April 30, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo talked on the telephone at Camp David from 9:15 am to 9:17 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 164-040 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 164-40

Date: April 30, 1973
Time: 9:15 am - 9:17 a.m.
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo.

     President’s activities    

           -Support for President       

           -Speech        


     Watergate
          -Possible resignation by President
                -Retirement in Florida
                      -President’s comebacks
                -Support for President
          -Telephone call from Hobart D. (“Hobe”) Lewis
                President’s schedule
                      -Florida vacation
          -President’s mood
                -John D. Ehrlichman, H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman, Richard G. Kleindienst

     President’s schedule      

           -Florida vacation        


     Rebozo’s schedule       

          -Dinner with Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon 

          -President’s forthcoming speech

                                             -31-


                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 


                                     Tape Subject Log 

                                     (rev. March-2011)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Mr. President?
Hello, yeah.
Hello, Mr. President.
Hi, baby, how are you?
Fine, how are you feeling?
Fine, fine.
Good, good.
I've had, uh, I don't know, you just don't know how many great supporters you've got.
Well, it's been fantastic.
Thank you.
Really fantastic.
Thank you.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Well, I've had a very hard day yesterday.
I know.
bite the bullet and a few things, and now I'm trying to work out a damn speech, and if I survive it, I don't know.
I just thought last night, I was thinking maybe the one that should resign should be me.
I should just get... Oh, God.
...check out.
Christ, what the hell.
No, I know it.
Go down and sit around in Florida in that nice sun.
Yeah, I know it.
I know you, though.
I wouldn't have gone the second go-around, but you're in it.
You're going to blow it out, but you'll be... You've hit the very bottom since you've done it before.
But I tell you, just some of the comments and calls I've had just make me want to weep with joy.
It's just wonderful how many real friends and supporters you've got among even people that you don't even know.
It's really, really heartwarming.
Well, that's good, baby.
He called last night, too, and he just wasn't home.
Yeah, good for him.
He said, you know what?
I'm going to go do this television tonight and try to get my work done so that I can come to Florida for maybe Friday or Thursday night.
And I'm going to spend that.
I have to spend three or four days because it's sort of torn me up, as you know.
Not because of myself, but basically because of John and Bob.
I know.
Others in the East, I've had a whole bunch in there.
And, you know, when you've got a problem like this, you've got to rip it all out.
Yeah.
It tears them up, tears me up.
Yeah.
I know it won't do much good what I say, but what the hell, the assholes will still keep attacking and that's fine.
Well, they're going to do that anyway.
But anyway, I appreciate your call and we'll keep the faith and by gosh, let's try to, this time I don't give a damn what's going on, we're going to rest.
Yeah.
You'll be there, will you?
Yes, sir.
You have no problems yet to talk to me about?
No, no, you don't, do you want me to stay tonight or...
I think if you would, it'd be nice.
Yeah, stay at the tap, if you would, and have dinner with them, and I'll see you after the broadcast at 9.30.
Okay.
All right, sir.
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