Conversation 223-015

TapeTape 223StartSunday, October 22, 1972 at 12:22 AMEndSunday, October 22, 1972 at 12:27 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire

President Nixon and Alexander Haig held a brief, late-night meeting at Camp David to discuss ongoing negotiations and the potential risks of appearing to withdraw or concede. The two men coordinated their stance on avoiding entanglement in current developments that could negatively impact the administration's political standing. Nixon emphasized that their primary concern regarding the situation was the potential for domestic repercussions rather than immediate external threats.

Vietnam War negotiationsForeign policy strategyPolitical damage controlWhite House operations

On October 22, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:22 am to 12:27 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 223-015 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 223-15

Date: October 22, 1972
Time: 12:22 am – 12:27 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 151-7]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 thought that, uh, if you would, uh, you know, I said, if he wants to go there, you know, uh, that's broken.
What did he say?
No, he hasn't been rolling.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Okay, that's good.
Well, since you've taken that, let's see what our thinking is that...
We can't get sucked into this now.
We haven't broken off from each other.
It's better, and that's that.
I mean, it's better because now this thing makes it a whole.
I just want to run home.
You know what?
That's what we do.
The reason I don't want to leave is not because of the goddamn enemy.
The reason I don't want to leave is because it might hurt us.
I don't know how to say that word.
I said cannot be a factor.