Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 280 › Conversation 280-006

Nixon & Ehrlichman on Prayer in school and Constitutional amendment

Thursday, September 23, 1971 · 10:38 AM–11:15 AM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 47 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.Conversation280-006 on Tape 280 (tape position 01:03:45–01:04:26)StartThursday, September 23, 1971 at 10:38 AMEndThursday, September 23, 1971 at 11:15 AMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 280-006 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with John Ehrlichman to clarify the administration's official stance regarding a proposed amendment on prayer in schools. The two men discussed the nuances of supporting voluntary prayer initiatives as part of their legislative agenda. Ehrlichman remained non-committal about the political viability or certainty of the administration's position during the exchange.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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John, what is the position that we are taking on that prayer schools?
I'm not going to bet on the second dollar.

NARA Description

On September 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:38 am and 11:15 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 280-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 280-6

Date: September 23, 1971
Time: Unknown between 10:38 am and 11:15 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

     Administration's position
         -Prayer in school amendment
               -Voluntary

Also recorded on September 23, 1971

  • 280-003 10:01 AM · 31 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:01 am to 10:35 am.
  • 009-138 10:35 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:35 am.
  • 009-139 10:35 AM · 46 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan talked on the telephone from 10:35 am to 10:38 am.
  • 280-004 10:35 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 10:35 am.
  • 280-005 10:35 AM · 47 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:35 am to 10:38 am.
  • 280-007 10:38 AM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:38 am and 11:15 am.
  • 280-008 10:38 AM · 14 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:38 am and 11:15 am.
  • 280-009 11:15 AM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 11:15 am to 11:16 am.

All 32 conversations from September 23, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 280-006, September 23, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/280-006 (accessed October 12, 2026).