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Conversation 226-017

TapeTape 226StartFriday, November 17, 1972 at 8:33 PMEndFriday, November 17, 1972 at 8:35 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss personnel management and the perception of the administration's internal culture. Nixon directs Haldeman to address sensitive staffing matters with Larry and expresses concern over reports from family members, including Julie and Tricia, that his administration is perceived as being overly cold and hard-hearted. The President seeks to evaluate the administration's public standing and communications strategies in response to these criticisms.

Personnel managementPublic perceptionAdministration toneCommunication strategyStaffing
AudioNARA Description

On November 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 8:33 pm to 8:35 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 226-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 226-17

Date: November 17, 1972
Time: 8:33 pm - 8:35 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

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

[See Conversation No. 153-50]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Uh, I'm sorry to get this, this rubbish thing to be sure.
I want you to be able to go down with us.
Say, talk to Larry.
Like, once we, the president offered him a very important position, you know, and, and, and Larry said, no, he's happy, and so forth.
Then go down and say, as far as pressure is concerned, he'll stay.
As far as planning, he might sustain, you know, for a reason in time.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You are the only one that we have any problem with.
Let's talk about that.
I'd be very cold turkey about it, so he doesn't get with this crap that I'm gonna be cold and hard with people.
Because I told you that Beth was concerned about the comms.
What do you think of that?
Have there been comms?
And then, sir, she said that, she said that Julie and Tricia Brayson put it too, that there have been comms.
They've been hard-hearted and cold.
I think that what we've done has been rather, if anything, more than average approval.
Or has it been?
Or has it?
Or have asked?
Maybe we're a 50-50 or what?
What does it mean?
I don't know.
But in terms of what I said in the Horner interview and where we're going to go, what is the reaction?
Is it negative?
Is it?
Okay.
Okay.
Let me work it out for us.
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