← 024-084024-086 →

Conversation 024-085

TapeTape 24StartMonday, May 15, 1972 at 5:21 PMEndMonday, May 15, 1972 at 5:23 PMTape start time01:32:28Tape end time01:34:44ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob");  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon consult on whether the President should attend a scheduled Blue Room reception following the shooting of presidential candidate George C. Wallace. Concerned that a jovial appearance would be inappropriate given the somber political climate and historical parallels to the Kennedy assassinations, the couple discusses alternative options, including having a surrogate read remarks or making a brief, solemn appearance. The President concludes the call without a final decision, opting to confer with H. R. Haldeman before committing to a course of action.

George C. WallaceAssassination attemptsWhite House social eventsPublic relationsPolitical opticsPat Nixon
AudioNARA Description

On May 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 5:21 pm to 5:23 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-085 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 24-85

Date: May 15, 1972
Time: 5:21 pm - 5:23 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon.

[See also Conversation No. 724-8B]

     Blue Room reception
          -The President's appearance
               -Mrs. Nixon’s view
               -The President’s view
               -Effect of George C. Wallace shooting
                     -Connection with Kennedy shootings
          -Remarks
               -The President
               -Clement Conger
               -Mrs. Nixon

The President conferred with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman at 5:23 pm.

[See Conversation No. 724-8]

[End of conferral]

     Return call
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I have Mrs. Nixon for you now, sir.
Well, the feeling here is that I definitely shouldn't go because, you know, they'll just have that talk that the president was in good spirits and so forth and so on, and I don't want to put a nap in the party.
No, well, couldn't you just come over and say that this is a sad time or so forth, but since you have come from all over the country to be here for this reunion of friends of the White House, that you wanted to take this opportunity to thank them.
And then leave.
And then leave, and I'll shake hands.
I won't say anything.
Well, I don't know.
I just think it's so, it's just so incongruous, basically, to be, you know, they'll clap when I come in and that sort of thing.
Well, we wouldn't have the announcement or anything.
Well, I don't know.
It's, you know, people are just, they're very upset about this kind of thing because of the Kennedy bet and so forth.
You know, another candidate's been shot.
Well, do you think that I should say anything or...
I should just... Or that Clem could get up and announce that this was a... Yeah, that they did.
That you were not able to be...this is emphatic.
What was to be a happy occasion has turned out to be...or to be a happy evening has turned out to be a sad one.
Mm-hmm.
And it's possible for you to be there.
We all hope that the President did not attend, but...yeah.
You can still give your remarks.
Well, I didn't have any remarks, except thank you.
I see.
Well, what they prepared for you were fine.
Oh, that wasn't any good.
It was so terrible.
Did you read it?
I couldn't do that job.
Yeah, fine.
Okay.
Anyway, I'll have to decide very soon.
I just can't be there in terms of a...
Not in terms of a jovial evening, but... Yeah, yeah.
I know, I know, but I don't know.
Okay, I'll see you about it, and I'll call you back.
Yeah.
← 024-084024-086 →