Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 228 › Conversation 228-008

Nixon phone call with Haldeman on Peter M. Flanigan and Senate confirmation

Monday, November 20, 1972 · 4:41 PM–4:42 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation228-008 on Tape 228StartMonday, November 20, 1972 at 4:41 PMEndMonday, November 20, 1972 at 4:42 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 228-008 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the political complications surrounding the potential Senate confirmation of Peter M. Flanigan for a position within the administration. The conversation centered on concerns that a confirmation hearing would invite unwanted scrutiny into past controversies, specifically involving ITT and the influence of Charles Colson. They reviewed the structure of the Council on International Economic Policy (CIEP) and reached a consensus that Flanigan’s future tenure should be managed to avoid damaging the administration’s public standing.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 1 minute of this recording (about 34% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah, okay, the funny thing is, George had a long talk with him, and I, George, and Pete understands that he will not, he argues that a little bit, I, I, I, George put it in a little bit, he started with it, he put it a little bit long, because he said it wouldn't be fair to you, and I said, that is the thing, the thing is, the problem is, it's a very good administration to reopen all of this stuff, because it's
Sure, there's a problem with you, too, but that's one concern.
The other concern is that we just aren't going to put anybody up who opens all the old holes and gets them right built or open an ITG right away.
We just aren't going to get in on some pizza.
On a personal basis, I'd welcome him to say, you know, I'm clean and I vote for him.
I know.
But in fact, he didn't argue.
He just, you know, he just wanted to be sure the relatives understand.
It was understood.
Agreed.
And George laid out the CIEP and the structure there and what needs to be done.
He basically reviewed the whole structure.
He's not sure whether, and he wants to talk with George and give some thought to how the structure came along and see whether it's really worked out best or not.
If he goes, he'll go happily and healthily.
If he stays, he'll stay and work hard.
And that's what credit is.
And George, I'll give you a quick report on what he's covered with.
He really ought to leave for a reason.
That's not a whole lot of money.
That's stuff you just have to realize they're not.
That's true.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.

NARA Description

On November 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 4:41 pm to 4:42 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 228-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 228-8

Date: November 20, 1972
Time: 4:41 pm - 4:42 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

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

       Peter M. Flanigan
             -Recent conversation with George P. Shultz and Haldeman
                   -Confirmation problem
                        -Effect on the President, administration
                        -International Telephone and Telegraph [ITT]
                              -Charles W. Colson
                        -Council on International Economic Policy [CIEP]
                              -Structure
                        -Tenure
                   -Confirmation problem

Haldeman left at 4:42 pm.

Also recorded on November 20, 1972

  • 229-006 6:00 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • 229-001 6:22 PM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:22 pm and 6:29 pm.
  • 155-020 6:29 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:29 pm and 6:49 pm.
  • 229-002 6:29 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:29 pm and 6:49 pm.
  • 155-021 6:49 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox talked on the telephone at Camp David from 6:49 pm to 6:50 pm.
  • 229-003 6:49 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 6:49 pm to 6:50 pm.
  • 229-004 6:50 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:50 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • 229-005 6:50 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:50 pm and 9:00 pm.

All 33 conversations from November 20, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 228-008, November 20, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/228-008 (accessed October 9, 2026).