Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 352 › Conversation 352-012
Nixon, Haldeman & Buchanan on Clark MacGregor and Nelson Rockefeller
Wednesday, July 26, 1972 · 5:35 PM–5:55 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 5 min
AI Summary
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding Clark MacGregor’s performance and the fallout from a recent press conference involving Nelson Rockefeller. The discussion focused on managing political messaging, including the potential for future briefings directed at Cabinet members and the spouses of administration officials. They further addressed Rockefeller’s assessment of MacGregor as they strategized on internal political coordination.
Audio
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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NARA Description
On July 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Patrick J. Buchanan, Alexander P. Butterfield, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:35 pm to 5:55 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 352-012 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 352-12
Date: July 26, 1972
Time: 5:35 pm - 5:55 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with Patrick J. Buchanan.
Michael J. Mansfield
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 54s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
*****************************************************************
Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 5:38 pm.
Unknown items
-Number
Butterfield left at 5:40 pm.
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 3m 51s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
*****************************************************************
The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman between 5:40 and 5:48 pm.
[Conversation No. 352-12A]
[See Conversation No. 27-93; one item has been withdrawn]
Clark MacGregor
-The President’s previous conversation with Nelson A. Rockefeller
-Performance during press conference
-Possible briefing for the Cabinet
-Possible briefing for wives of officials
-Rockefeller’s view of MacGregor
-Haldeman’s forthcoming conversation with MacGregor
Herbert J. (“Jackie”) Gleason
MacGregor
[End of telephone conversation]
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 6m 50s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
*****************************************************************
Buchanan left at 5:55 pm.Also recorded on July 26, 1972
- 027-091 5:10 PM · 25 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Clark MacGregor talked on the telephone from 5:10 pm to 5:20 pm.
- 352-007 5:10 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 5:10 pm.
- 352-008 5:10 PM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Clark MacGregor met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:10 pm to 5:20 pm.
- 027-092 5:20 PM · 8 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and John D. Ehrlichman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:20 pm and 5:29 pm.
- 352-009 5:21 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:21 pm to 5:29 pm.
- 352-010 5:29 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:29 pm and 5:35 pm.
- 352-011 5:29 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:29 pm and 5:35 pm.
- 027-093 5:42 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 5:42 pm to 5:48 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 352-012, July 26, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/352-012 (accessed October 1, 2026).