President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the logistics and communications strategy for the President's upcoming public announcement regarding his Supreme Court nominees. They discussed the involvement of various staff members, including Richard A. Moore and John Mitchell, and weighed concerns regarding public perception, the American Bar Association, and the impact of the announcement on the stock market. Additionally, the pair touched upon social matters involving the Kennedy family and potential press coverage of White House events, as well as the President’s upcoming schedule.
On October 21, 1971, 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 8:30 am and 9:33 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 281-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 281-4
Date: October 21, 1971
Time: Unknown between 8:30 am and 9:33 am
Location: Executive Office Building
The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
The President's October 21, 1971 speech announcing Supreme Court appointees
-William L. Safire
-Notifications
-Timing
-Clark MacGregor
-Charles W. Colson
-John N. Mitchell
-John D. Ehrlichman
-Richard A. Moore
-Ehrlichman
-Mitchell
-Moore
-Efforts
-Leonard Garment
-Herbert G. Klein
-John A. Scali
-Moore’s role
-Question of a woman appointee
-Timing
-Haldeman's schedule
-Moore
-Mitchell
-American Bar Association [ABA]
-Warren E. Burger
-Media
-People's Republic of China [PRC]
-Woman candidate
-Moore
-Mitchell
-Timing
-Stock market
-Possible effect on announcement
Marilyn B. (“Missy”) Chandler
-White House luncheon
-Kennedy women attendance
-Ethel (Skakel) Kennedy
-Possible press story
-Betty Beale
-Mrs. Paul N. McCloskey
-White House luncheon
The President's schedule
-John B. Connally
-The President's dinner with Nobusuke Kishi
-Discussion topicsThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.