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Conversation 205-010

TapeTape 205StartSaturday, August 19, 1972 at 12:11 PMEndSaturday, August 19, 1972 at 12:14 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the strategic framing of an upcoming speech, specifically focusing on balancing discourse on education and busing. Nixon aims to avoid appearing overly focused on busing to maintain broad national appeal while still addressing concerns relevant to the Michigan press. He directs Haldeman to prioritize brevity and substance, expressing a desire to avoid distractions and maintain efficient use of his time and intellectual focus.

BusingEducation policyPresidential communicationPolitical strategySpeechwritingCampaign messaging
AudioNARA Description

On August 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:11 pm to 12:14 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 205-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 205-10

Date: August 19, 1972
Time: 12:11 pm - 12:14 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

[See Conversation No. 140-42]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I just like to get a couple of new ideas.
And I think, and I realize that he's not all on big speech and so forth, but he's also, he's offered to say something.
The busing thing, it doesn't mean I don't have to go on and on and on and on about busing.
It isn't going to be very good.
What I want is something that's a nothingness.
I'd like to talk to you about it.
1,000 words, 15 minutes, maybe 50 numbers.
But my point is, I like about 500 words on busing, to say the most, and 1,000 words on education.
So the national press knows that I'm just not very pandering to the busing crowd.
The Michigan press becomes a busing crowd.
Does that make sense to you?
We now are at the point, basically, that I really can't assimilate much more.
I'm going to look at prices, prices compared to something like that.
I don't want people to waste their time.
Also, I don't want to be diverted.
That's my problem.
But I don't want to say my brain is gone.
But it's probably not an individual.
Good, good, good.
That's fine.
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