President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss administrative logistics, including scheduling upcoming meetings with officials such as Richard G. Kleindienst and William D. Ruckelshaus. The conversation covers the management of Camp David, the use of the retreat by cabinet members for social engagements, and the ongoing challenge of curbing media leaks regarding second-term appointments. Additionally, they touch upon managing press relations and the strategic handling of information provided to reporters.
On December 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:14 am to 11:24 am. The Camp David Study Desk taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 184-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 184-8
Date: December 18, 1972
Time: 11:14 am - 11:24 am
Location: Camp David Study Desk
The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
The President’s schedule
-Meeting with Richard G. Kleindienst, John D. Ehrlichman
-Schedule change
-Timing
-Meetings
-William D. Ruckelshaus
-Photograph session
-Retention
-Environmental policy
-Maurice H. Stans
-8-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 184-8 (cont’d)
-Diplomatic credentials
-Surrogates reception
-Dr. W. Kenneth Riland
-December 20, 1972
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon’s schedule
-Volunteers Tea
-Departure for Florida
-Timing
-Camp David
-Christmas decorations
-William Hersch
-Tree, garland
-Use by Cabinet and others
-Robert H. Finch
-John N. Mitchell
-Robert H. Dole
-Melvin R. Laird
-Stans
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Stans
-Kathleen (Carmody) Stans
-Invitations
-Mitchell and Martha (Beall) Mitchell
-Stans
-Invitations
-Robert J. Dole
-Clark MacGregor
Second term reorganization
-Dole
-Anne L. Armstrong
-Announcement
-Associated Press [AP]
-Renunciation
-Leak
-Leaks
-Rogers C. B. Morton
-George H. W. Bush
-Women appointees
-Armstrong
-9-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)
Conversation No. 184-8 (cont’d)
-Patricia R. Hitt
-Californians
-Transportation Department
Press relations
-The President’s conversation with Ronald L. Ziegler
-New York Times
-Contact with Henry A. Kissinger
-[National Security Council]
-Vietnam War
-Reseeding mines
-William P. Rogers
-Washington Post
-Alleged discrimination
-Local compared to national coverage
-Washington Star
-New York Times
-Kansas City Star
-San Antonio Light
-Nashville Banner
-Pool reports
-Wire services
-United Press International [UPI]
-White House access policy
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-William L. Safire
-Ziegler’s press conferences
-Performances
-BackgroundersThis 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.