Conversation 426-042

TapeTape 426StartTuesday, April 10, 1973 at 4:45 PMEndTuesday, April 10, 1973 at 5:59 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Devine, Samuel L.; [Unknown person(s)]; Eisenhower, [Dwight] David, IIRecording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Representative Samuel L. Devine and David Eisenhower to discuss potential career paths and a possible congressional candidacy for Eisenhower. The participants explored logistical and political challenges, specifically addressing residency requirements and the optics of Eisenhower’s housing arrangements. Additionally, the group reviewed broader political strategy, including the role of Representative George A. Goodling and the importance of securing Eisenhower's placement in a position that would effectively utilize his skills.

David EisenhowerCongressional campaignResidency requirementsPolitical strategyCareer developmentGeorge A. Goodling

Audio

NARA Description

On April 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Samuel L. Devine, unknown person(s), and [Dwight] David Eisenhower, II met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:45 pm and 5:59 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 426-042 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 426-42

Date: April 10, 1973
Time: Unknown between 4:45 pm and 5:59 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Samuel L. Devine.

       President’s appreciation
             -Executive Office Building [EOB] office

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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
                                                       -30-

                       NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                               (rev. Sep.-2010)
                                                                           Conversation No. 426-42 (cont’d)

        [Dwight] David Eisenhower, II
             -Julie Nixon Eisenhower
             -Congressional candidacy
                    -Discharge from Naval Service
                    -Residency question
                          -Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo’s property in Maryland
                               -Rental of property in Congressional district
                          -Maryland, Washington, DC
                               -White House
                               -Problem
                               -Rental
                                      -Rebozo’s house

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                                   -White House
                                         -Criticism
                                   -Apartment compared to Rebozo’s house
                       -Other job prospects
                            -Interest in national security
                            -Officer candidate school
                            -George A. Goodling’s office
                       -Goodling
                            -Candidacy
                                   -Announcement
                                   -Other opponents
                       -Other job prospects
                            -Capitol Hill
                                   -Goodling’s office
                            -Conference [?] committee compared to campaign committee
                                   -Travel
                                             -31-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. Sep.-2010)
                                                              Conversation No. 426-42 (cont’d)

                          -Devine’s talk with Robert H. Michel
                                 -Financial contribution
                   -Announcement of candidacy
                          -Goodling’s decision
                   -Speaking engagements
                          -David and Julie Nixon Eisenhower
                                 -Format
                                 -Republican clubs
                   -Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s role
                   -Public speaking
                          -Tricia Nixon Cox
                                 -Compared to president
                                       -Gestures
                          -Julie Nixon Eisenhower
                                 -Humility, warmth
                   -Devine’s support
                   -Strategy
                          -Hugh Scott’s, Clifford L. Jones’s [Pennsylvania Republican State
Chairmen] advice
                   -Residency issue
                   -Other job prospects
                         -Devine’s conversation with Michel
                               -David Eisenhower’s knowledge of political campaigns
                                    -Letter to New York Times
                                    -Writing skills
                               -Goodling

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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The President talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 4:45 pm and 4:58
pm.

[Conversation No. 426-42A]

       Request that David Eisenhower come to EOB office

[End of telephone conversation]
                                             -32-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Sep.-2010)
                                                             Conversation No. 426-42 (cont’d)

******************************************************************************
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]

        David Eisenhower’s employment
             -Devine’s conversation with Michel
             -Congressional committee staff
                    -Jealousy
                    -President’s role
             -Julie Nixon Eisenhower
                    -Work in the White House
             -Family
                    -Daughters
                          -Husbands

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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        Congress
             -Budget cuts

David Eisenhower entered at 4:58 pm.

        Congress
             -Budget cuts
                  -Defense
                  -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR], People’s Republic of China
[PRC]
             -Devine
                  -Leadership position in the House of Representatives
                        -Conservatives
                        -Public regulators, mainstream
                        -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
                  -Voting record
                        -Support for the President's administration
                              -Vietnam War
                  -Vote on sustaining veto
                                            -33-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. Sep.-2010)
                                                            Conversation No. 426-42 (cont’d)

                        -[Rural water and sewer grant program]
                        -Vacational rehabilitation
                              -Senate

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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       David Eisenhower’s plans
            -Devine and Goodling
                  -Conversation with President
            -Devine’s conversation with Eisenhower
                  -Goodling’s decision
            -Work in Goodling’s office
                  -Goodling’s announcement
            -President’s role
            -Devine and Eisenhower’s conversation in adjacent office
                  -Other job prospects
                  -Residency
            -Congressional campaign
                  -Goodling’s plans
                        -Announcement
                  -George H. W. Bush’s role
                  -Hugh Scott’s viewpoint

       President’s schedule

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Devine and Eisenhower left at an unknown time before 5:59 pm.

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.

Thank you.

They would, they, uh... See, Julian, before they ever thought of him, was running for office.

He was in the service from the 31st.

And, uh, my friend, he, uh...

He was the best in the community.

And they went over there.

Thank you.

So the point that I made is this.

Thank you.

Suppose you live in the White House.

What would they say to that person?

I guess that's the problem.

But anyway, I thought you should know that that may come up.

But if you can handle it with him and say, whatever else you can do, what could he do?

He can move out.

He can move into an apartment or something.

But then that would look as if he does something wrong.

He's got the house.

He doesn't need it.

No question about that.

Is there a way to spy on people if they're in a direction that's more important to you?

Thank you.

Okay.

He shouldn't be wasted working for the Congress.

He's actually traveling around.

Traveling around.

working with .

You might talk to Michael about it and see what he's got.

Now, let me say that all of that .. We're going to get money from this year.

And then we ought to say ..

should start taking .

And then things go up to the district, but non-political, non-political, or political if it's a

Thank you.

Yes, she is.

... ... ... ...

That is David's law.

Thank you.

... ... ... ...

Thank you.

Now, what we did, what happened, is that he is still at the same point.

Goodwill wanted to come and talk to me about what his point was.

And Goodwill has told me that the same president has told me what he wants to do.

And we think, I think, that it is best.

Thank you.

Do you want to see?

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