Conversation 222-004

On October 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, John V. Brennan, Camp David operator, and John G. Tower met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 8:55 pm and 9:03 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 222-004 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 222-4

Date: October 29, 1972
Time: Unknown between 8:55 pm and 9:03 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President met with John V. (“Jack”) Brennan.

         The President's telephone call to a reception honoring
         John G. Tower
             -Timing
             -Telephone
                 -Security line

Brennan talked with the Camp David operator at an unknown time between 8:55 pm and 8:58
pm.

The President talked with Tower between 8:58 pm and 9:02 pm.

[Conversation No. 222-4A]

[See Conversation No. 182-1]

[End of telephone conversation]

The President left at 9:03 pm.

                                       (rev. Oct-06)

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

We got a call.
We're about ready, sir.
I want it on that phone.
I don't want any fooling around.
Security call.
Listen, this is a regular phone, not a security call.
Listen, right here, sir, that's not a security call.
Listen, right here.
Here's this phone, it's not a security call.
Call us on the tower, please.
Okay, let's send it around, please.
We'll be here in a minute.
We'll be at home.
Shut that door.
Shut it.
Hello?
Hello, John, how are you?
Well, John, I just want to say that I regret too that I can't be there.
I'm glad to hear that applause in the background.
I want you to know that as I look over the record of those who have been in the United States Senate over these past four years, there isn't one man in the United States Senate who has a stronger record or a better record than you, John Tower, have had in supporting
peace with honor when it comes to keeping our financial situation in a way that we won't have a tax increase, that we'll stop the increase in the welfare rolls.
You've really been magnificent in every respect.
I want you to know, and I want all the people in Texas to know, that I appreciate the support of the people of Texas.
Republicans, Democrats, Independents.
But I also want everybody down there to know that
I look forward to this next four years that I have appreciated working with John Tower over the last four years and I want the opportunity to work with you John Tower for the next four years because I believe convinced that working together with your strong support as one of the major leaders of the United States Senate we can do great things for
this country.
Just putting it very directly, Texas needs you in the Senate.
America needs you in the Senate.
I need you in the Senate.
And I hope that on Election Day that we win together in the state of Texas because it will be good for Texas and good for America.
You'll be in Washington on Inauguration Day, John.
You'll be there, no doubt about it.
Thank you very much.