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Conversation 188-010

TapeTape 188StartThursday, May 18, 1972 at 5:56 PMEndThursday, May 18, 1972 at 8:22 PMTape start time00:36:26Tape end time00:39:48ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon directed John Ehrlichman to prepare for a pivot toward a constitutional amendment regarding busing legislation, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in Congress. Nixon argued that the administration's current, more moderate proposal was ineffective and that an amendment would provide a clear ideological battleground against the eventual Democratic presidential nominee. Ehrlichman was instructed to task staff with drafting the amendment for a potential rollout by September or shortly before the Republican National Convention.

Busing legislationConstitutional amendmentCongressional strategyRepublican National ConventionElection year politics
AudioNARA Description

On May 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:56 pm and 8:22 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 188-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 188-10

Date: May 18, 1972
Time: Unknown between 5:56 pm and 8:22 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President dictated a memorandum to John D. Ehrlichman.

     Busing legislation
          -Status in Congress
          -Administration position
                -The President’s view
          -Moratorium
                -White House staff
                -Other parts of legislative package
          -Constitutional amendment
                -The President’s view
                -Timing
                -Staff work

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/30/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[188-010-w002]
[Duration: 20s]
Busing legislation
-Constitutional amendment
-Advantages
-Democratic candidate
-Potential presidential nominee
-Michigan primary
-Position

**********************************************************************

     Busing legislation
              -Administration's position
              -Timing
                    -Republican convention
                          -Platform
              -Staff work
          -Administration's position
                                              7

                         NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                         (rev. 10/06)
                                                              Conv. No. 188-10 (cont.)


               -Publicity
               -The President’s view
               -Publicity
                    -Timing
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.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the way our busing legislation is bogged down in the Congress period.
I know that the responsible position is the one that we have taken, period.
On the other thing, the very worst thing that can happen is to be responsible and also imminent
We are rapidly getting ourselves into that position, period.
I don't think anybody on our staff really believes that we're gonna get either the moratorium in the farm, in the farm that would be useful, and that the chances of getting the second half of the package is the last, period.
Under the circumstances, I believe we're going to have to come to a constitutional amendment
My view is that we should come out with a constitutional amendment about the 1st of September.
Put your staff to work on the very best possible form of a constitutional amendment so that I can be prepared to do so at that time and period.
This has the advantage of drawing the line for whatever Democratic candidate they finally select.
up the issue and even say some things which would indicate that they were not so robust as they seem to be.
We are not going to gain any grounding points, whatever, by being so responsible that we appear to be totally ineffective.
It may be that we want to move in a constitutional manner further, but in any event,
I have now reached the conclusion that we have to move the network by the first of September at the very latest period.
As a matter of fact, it may be that we will have to move in this room before the Republican convention.
Having a platform to fight on it isn't too good an idea.
In any event, it'll get the troops working on what we want to come up with.
and have in mind that this is the direction in which we're going to move.
In the meantime, all hands should do everything they possibly can to try to point out what our present proposal really is and try to sell it all over the country.
I'm inclined to think that it's too complex.
uh...
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