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Conversation 389-009

TapeTape 389StartSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 9:28 AMEndSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 9:33 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate final 1972 campaign strategies and manage the administration's response to a recent speech by George McGovern. They evaluated the effectiveness of McGovern’s public presentation and discussed the involvement of key aides, including Charles Colson, in shaping the campaign's messaging. Additionally, the pair reviewed upcoming scheduling requirements, specifically regarding calls involving New Jersey political figures like William T. Cahill and Clifford P. Case.

1972 Presidential CampaignGeorge McGovernH. R. HaldemanCampaign StrategyPublic Relations
AudioNARA Description

On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:28 am to 9:33 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 389-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 389-9

Date: November 4, 1972
Time: 9:28 am - 9:33 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.
                                      -4-

           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                    Conversation No. 389-9 (cont’d)

1972 campaign
     -George S. McGovern speech in Chicago, November 3, 1972
          -Response
                -Charles W. Colson
                      -Conversation with Haldmean
                            -Haldeman’s house
                                   -Sale
                -William P. Rogers
                      -Recent conversation with the President
                      -Forthcoming appearance on Meet the Press
                      -Interest in action
                      -Recent conversation with the President
                            -Meet the Press
                -Melvin R. Laird
                -Haldeman’s forthcoming conversation with Colson
                      -The President’s schedule
                            -Haldeman

The President’s schedule
     -Forthcoming telephone call
           -William T. Cahill
                  -Clifford P. Case
                        -New Jersey
                  -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
           -Case
           -New Jersey
           -Cahill

1972 campaign
     -McGovern’s speech in Chicago
          -Response
          -Press coverage
          -Effectiveness
                -Television viewers
                -Press coverage
          -Public sympathy for McGovern
                -McGovern’s physical appearance
                      -McGovern’s health
                                             -5-

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                             Conversation No. 389-9 (cont’d)

                        -McGovern’s demeanor
                            -McGovern’s handling

       The President’s schedule
            -Haldeman

Haldeman left at 9:33 am.
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.

I just got in.
I sold my house this morning.
Oh, okay.
And I also...
Right.
He doesn't seem to have much of a, he doesn't seem to have much of a, doesn't he?
There's going to be something in there.
There's questions for you today.
Yeah.
It's a question, I think.
Well, it's always a question.
Well, it doesn't have to.
Well, he didn't even mention it right now.
I mean, I asked him about it all day, and he said he was going to keep talking about it the first time.
But, well, he got my hair.
There is the other possibility.
When he catches Chuck right now, he goes, go at it.
But go at it.
Turn around and see.
And we got a king on this.
Right.
Well, it's very difficult to know what to do, but you need to charge your voters.
I want to build it up, but I don't know if you want to answer it.
How much do you get if you look at the paper?
I don't know.
I haven't seen it, but it did it fast enough.
Well, it's not on television.
I don't think it's for it.
But that's the question.
He's trying to lamp that off now.
He's disqualified himself as a minister.
So, maybe we can come back in ten minutes.
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