President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review and refine the draft of the President's upcoming acceptance speech. The discussion focused on balancing a strong defense posture with the pursuit of international peace, specifically referencing the Tanya Savicheva story and various domestic programs. They also strategized on rhetorical structure and the integration of historical references, including past speeches and religious themes, to strengthen the speech's impact.
On August 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:25 pm and 9:45 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 206-018 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 206-18
Date: August 20, 1972
Time: Unknown between 6:25 pm and 9:45 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire
The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
Rose Mary Woods's schedule
-Marjorie P. Acker
-Laurel Lodge
-Manolo Sanchez
-Speech draft [?]
The President’s forthcoming acceptance speech
-Content
-Tanya Savicheva story
-Abraham Lincoln
-The President’s reading of draft
-US defense budget
-US negotiating stance
-Arms limitation
-Opportunity for peace
-US
-Soviet Union
-People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-Domestic programs
-Poverty
-Cities
-Rural areas
-Environment
-Welfare reform
-Revenue sharing
-“Peace dividend”
-The President's televised speech in the Soviet Union
-Lincoln
-Religious reference
-The President’s trip to the Soviet Union
-Leningrad
-Tanya story
-“New majority”
-Haldeman’s view
-Revisions
-Lincoln quote
(rev.Oct-06)
-Use by the President in 1960
-Use of passage from previous speeches
-Compared to other religious references
-William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-John K. Andrews, Jr.
The President's schedule
Haldeman left at an unknown time before 9:45 pm.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.