President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinate the final logistics for announcing two pending Supreme Court nominations. The President decides to bypass a full prime-time television address, opting instead for a 7:00 p.m. announcement the following evening. This decision finalized the timing for a sensitive political maneuver intended to manage the public reveal of his judicial selections.
On October 20, 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 5:40 pm and 5:49 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 282-031 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 282-31
Date: October 20, 1971
Time: Unknown between 5:40 pm and 5:49 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President talked with an unknown person [H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman].
Supreme Court appointments
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Timing of announcementThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.