President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and H. R. Haldeman to evaluate his pending Supreme Court nominations, specifically focusing on the qualifications and backgrounds of William H. Rehnquist and Lewis F. Powell, Jr. The discussion included a review of the candidates' legal school rankings and ages, as well as coordination regarding the President's upcoming speech on the appointments. Additionally, the participants addressed the President's schedule and the status of various administrative tasks handled by his speechwriting team.
On October 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:50 pm and 5:55 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 281-055 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 281-55
Date: October 21, 1971
Time: Unknown between 5:50 pm and 5:55 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with Rose Mary Woods.
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 30s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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The President's Supreme Court appointments
-William H. Rehnquist
-Qualifications
-Hobart D. Lewis’ opinion
-Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
-Ages
-Rehnquist
-Potter Stewart
-Byron R. ("Whizzer") White
-Rehnquist
-Rank in law school class
-Mildred L. Lillie
-Herschel H. Friday
-Powell and Rehnquist
The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman between 5:52 pm and 5:53 pm.
[Conversation No. 281-55A]
[See Conversation No. 12-51]
[End of telephone conversation]
Speech
-Changes
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Woods' preparation
Presidential speech writers
-Raymond K. Price, Jr.
-William L. Safire
-Patrick J. Buchanan
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 3s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
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The President's schedule
-Old Executive Office Building office
-John N. Mitchell
-Telephone calls
-Warren E. Burger
-Lawrence E. Walsh
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 12s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
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Woods left at 5:55 pm.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.