Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 197 › Conversation 197-018

Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on 1972 presidential campaign

Saturday, July 22, 1972 · 4:23 PM–6:37 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Conversation197-018 on Tape 197StartSaturday, July 22, 1972 at 4:23 PMEndSaturday, July 22, 1972 at 6:37 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 197-018 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon uses this dictation session to outline key campaign themes for the 1972 election, emphasizing the administration's record on judicial appointments and law enforcement. He discusses political strategy, including the potential future of the Democratic Party and the electoral prospects of figures like Ted Kennedy. Additionally, Nixon reflects on international affairs and logistical details regarding his schedule, specifically mentioning observations relayed by John Connally.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 2 minutes of this recording (about 91% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

Download transcript (.txt) · JSON data

Me?
Me?
Me?
The other side, the issues are very tough.
The judges we have appointed and the progress in the law enforcement field.
The White House, I forget it back to the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head of the head
Thank you, guys.
On the other hand...
What was the hypothesis with regard to what can happen to Kennedy?
In other words, you know, the question may come up, but you know, we put all the Democratic Party in its own place.
Of course, yeah.
In a responsible way for a few years.

NARA Description

On July 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 4:23 pm and 6:37 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 197-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 197-018

Date: July 22, 1972
Time: Unknown between 4:23 pm and 6:37 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President resumed dictation; this is a continuation of Conversation No. 197-16.

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

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 09/27/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[197-018-w001]
[Duration: 2m 22s]

       1972 campaign
              -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                      -The President’s communication of John B. Connally’s observation
              -International concerns
                      -Winston S. Churchill
                              -Time
              -Judicial appointments
              -Law enforcement

       The President's schedule
              -Wedding of Dabney Jane Hibbert to Barry Wayne Feather
                      -Attendees
                             -Jean Stapleton [sp]
                             -Unknown person’s remark

       Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542

       1972 campaign
              -Spiro T. Agnew
                     -The President’s support [?]
              -George S. McGovern
              -Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
                     -1976 presidential election
                     -Democratic Party leadership
                            -Future in Democratic Party

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

Also recorded on July 22, 1972

  • 136-012 2:47 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 2:47 pm and 3:57 pm.
  • 136-013 2:47 PM · 29 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 2:47 pm and 3:57 pm.
  • 136-014 2:47 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 2:47 pm and 3:57 pm.
  • 197-015 2:47 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 2:47 pm and 3:05 pm.
  • 197-017 3:05 PM · 2 hr 18 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:05 pm and 3:57 pm.
  • 136-015 3:57 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox talked on the telephone at Camp David from 3:57 pm to 3:59 pm.
  • 136-016 3:59 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:59 pm and 4:20 pm.
  • 136-017 4:20 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone at Camp David from 4:20 pm to 4:23 pm.

All 29 conversations from July 22, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 197-018, July 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/197-018 (accessed October 12, 2026).