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Conversation 298-003

TapeTape 298StartThursday, November 11, 1971 at 11:24 AMEndThursday, November 11, 1971 at 11:29 AMTape start time00:01:50Tape end time00:05:16ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman discussed the strategic framing of personnel changes within the Department of Agriculture, specifically regarding the transition from Secretary Clifford M. Hardin to Earl L. Butz. They reviewed potential government reorganization plans, focusing on the placement of the Coast Guard and concerns regarding Secretary John A. Volpe’s management. Additionally, the President briefly evaluated his public relations strategy, weighing the benefits of potential interviews with various media outlets, including Reader’s Digest and Playboy.

Department of AgricultureGovernment reorganizationClifford M. HardinEarl L. ButzJohn A. VolpeCoast GuardPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On November 11, 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 11:24 am and 11:29 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 298-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 298-3

Date: November 11, 1971
Time: Unknown between 11:24 am and 11:29 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

     Secretary of Agriculture
            -The President's forthcoming statement
                 -Possible length
                 -Clifford M. Hardin
                 -Earl L. Butz
            -Government reorganization
                 -John A. Volpe

     Government reorganization
         -Coast Guard
              -Volpe
              -Placement
                    -Treasury Department
                    -Defense Department

     Butz

     The President's schedule
          -Congress
          -Possible interview
               -Reader’s Digest
               -Time
               -Newsweek
               -Playboy
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

John, what I want on that agriculture thing is not to... We, of course, are building it.
The story is what...
It could be 30 pages, but I just need about a sentence.
Or something that just, so that I don't, so that I don't, I just don't want to take away from the fact that Harden is leading in my praise for him and Butz is.
Otherwise, these bastards will make play that, which is a double-sided, to the average person, except for a few hard-perceived.
Yeah.
You see what I've got here?
Now, on the other hand, on the other hand, for the purpose of this, if you're almost or something without something, you see what I mean?
Great.
Yeah.
Pointing out that this is a matter that we have in consideration.
We just didn't find it fitting for the organization.
Maybe that's the way to do it.
And dealing not only with agriculture, but also that there's some problems here that simply didn't fit into the other departments.
That's another way of putting it.
I think you can say that, perhaps.
They said, hey, they see these problems, so let's don't have Volpe come in and say that.
And they grabbed and cramped it up.
The whole thing unraveled.
Labor.
Taking the Forest Service and all that sort of thing.
Do damn right.
And also, they'll get some of these others on the same thing.
I mean, it's an enemy.
It's the Coast Guard under Volpe.
Now, why in the name of God is another vocal kind of answer?
It isn't.
It isn't.
I know, I know.
But why isn't that a treasure then?
It's a treasure.
To make something bad.
But, you know, isn't it ridiculous to have the Coast Guard under full heat?
I mean, I think, frankly, the Coast Guard should not even be in there.
I think it should be in defense.
All right.
Well, on our reorganization, are we doing that?
Great, great, great.
Oh, hell, we don't want to be in defense.
We've got the flags in there and so forth.
Good, good, good, good.
Well, I think Russell would be all right.
He said, hey, he said, how do you see the fire?
I remember it.
It's just like I remember it.
It looks a little older.
But naturally, that's one of the problems.
Most farmers are older, I guess.
Yeah.
Well, I'll tell you, it's perfectly all right.
If they play up for the Congress, I don't like it.
The Congress is very nice and sorry to me.
But we'll do it for their, gentlemen, I'll do it for the Reader's Digestment, the Hellwood Prime Ministry.
Okay?
And playboy.
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