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Conversation 410-030

TapeTape 410StartThursday, March 15, 1973 at 4:47 PMEndThursday, March 15, 1973 at 4:50 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the logistics and political risks surrounding the confirmation process for L. Patrick Gray III as FBI Director. They weigh the necessity of vetting potential conflicts, such as Gray's past performance and committee questioning, against the urgency of the appointment. The dialogue reflects a strategic effort to manage the confirmation timeline while considering alternative career placements for Gray, such as a judgeship, should the political situation prove untenable.

L. Patrick Gray IIIFBISenate confirmationExecutive appointmentsPolitical strategy
AudioNARA Description

On March 15, 1973, 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 4:47 pm and 4:50 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 410-030 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 410-30

Date: March 15, 1973
Time: Unknown between 4:47 pm and 4:50 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

       Appointment with President

       L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
              -William C. Sullivan’s appointment
              -Changes in Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
              -Confirmation
              -Alternate position
                      -Judge
                      -Question

       Meeting with President
             -Timing
                                             -57-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Sept.10)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

You didn't want to do the grazing.
The grazing is, can we do it in a half hour?
Can we tell him to put a solvent in?
Don't you think we should?
The one thing incidentally about the situation of confirmation, John, that occurs in the news,
They're going to say, what about this same committee?
They'll say, what about your performance session?
Not as much, but I think the thing to do is to come over any time you want.
But understand, I'm just going through papers, and if you're doing something else, I'm going through the papers.
All right, well.
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