Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 322 › Conversation 322-023

Nixon & Colmer on Congressional retirement and Political succession

Tuesday, March 7, 1972 · 2:15 PM–2:17 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Colmer, William M.Conversation322-023 on Tape 322 (tape position 01:09:17–01:11:04)StartTuesday, March 7, 1972 at 2:15 PMEndTuesday, March 7, 1972 at 2:17 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 322-023 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon contacted Representative William M. Colmer to express his regret regarding the Congressman's decision not to seek reelection. During the discussion, Nixon proposed hosting a reception to honor Colmer’s service to the country. The two also touched upon the future of the House, with Nixon encouraging Colmer to help identify and mentor capable successors among the newer members of Congress.

  • William M. Colmer
  • Congressional retirement
  • Political succession
  • White House reception

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah.
You know, Bill, I just read in the paper about your not going to run.
And I just wanted you to know that I'm very sorry to hear it in a second, but sometime before the Congress gets out here, I wanted to have a little reception or some sort of a do down here.
You can have me up to your place and just show you how much we appreciate what you've done for the country.
Well, we do appreciate what you've got on, Tom.
I think, though, you know, the powers and strengths down there from the Scouts, the fellows like yourself, and Chris, I just hope you've got a new crop coming on in the guts of your guts.
Huh.
You know.
Well, you work on it, will you?
Tell them that, you know, some of these new fellows don't impress me quite so much.
Yeah.
Yes, sir.
Yes.
Well, listen, I wouldn't miss it, don't you worry.
It's a little later in the spring or summer.
Probably in April or May.
Appreciate it, Darryl.
It's sure good to talk to you.
Come on.

NARA Description

On March 7, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Colmer met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:15 pm to 2:17 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 322-023 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 322-23

Date: March 7, 1972
Time: 2:15 pm - 2:17 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with William M. Colmer.

[See Conversation No. 21-11]

Also recorded on March 7, 1972

  • 021-011 2:15 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Colmer talked on the telephone from 2:15 pm to 2:17 pm.
  • 021-012 2:18 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:18 pm.
  • 021-013 2:18 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:18 pm and 2:26 pm.
  • 021-014 2:18 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:18 pm and 2:26 pm.
  • 322-024 2:18 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 2:18 pm.
  • 322-025 2:18 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:18 pm and 2:26 pm.
  • 021-015 2:26 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 2:26 pm to 2:27 pm.
  • 322-026 2:26 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:26 pm to 2:27 pm.

All 43 conversations from March 7, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 322-023, March 7, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/322-023 (accessed October 2, 2026).