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Conversation 429-024

TapeTape 429StartThursday, April 19, 1973 at 9:37 PMEndThursday, April 19, 1973 at 9:53 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the management of developing Watergate-related narratives and the handling of sensitive materials allegedly removed from the White House. The conversation focuses on legal strategy and the risks associated with public stories, ultimately advising that they allow the narrative to play out without direct intervention. The exchange highlights the administration's efforts to contain damaging information while navigating uncertainty regarding the actions of their legal team and associates.

Watergate scandalCrisis managementWhite House documentsLegal strategyPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On April 19, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:37 pm to 9:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 429-024 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 429-24

Date: April 19, 1973
Time: 9:37 pm - 9:53 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

[See Conversation No. 38-126]

[A transcript of the following portion of this conversation was initially prepared for the
Watergate Special Prosecution Force (WSPF) and can be found in Record Group (RG) 460, Box
174, pages 1-15. The Nixon Presidential Materials Staff reviewed the transcript and made
changes as necessary. This transcript has been reviewed under the provisions of the Presidential
Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (PRMPA). The National Archives does not
guarantee its accuracy.]

[Begin transcribed portion]

[End transcribed portion]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

So, I bought, oh, I talked to the two boys here.
They really are, like, very, very, they only had a half hour with the Westerns, which is a half hour.
Have you ever thought about what the hell it is?
The cases of stuff that was carried out at the White House, is that what it is?
Neither.
That's what it is.
to a party.
But they haven't found that.
They haven't carried it.
Somebody that worked for them.
This is a .
So what the hell else can you do?
What the hell would it do with me?
I asked them, I judged them, I said to them, like words, if they don't buy it, they're not going to sell it.
Right?
Yes.
They said, well, they didn't see it, but at least they knew what they were doing.
They said, well, that's what happened.
What you do is to let them run their story.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
That's what you do.
Yeah.
I do what you want.
Stay with the family.
Family, yeah, sure.
All right.
Go out to the campaign.
They may be afraid of the Bible.
I thought first of it.
What do I say about textiles?
Right.
If I say that, you know, that's what happened.
Well, that's the thing about the stuff that was going on.
But you say silver, what does he say about it?
I didn't hear that.
But in other words, the lawyer says that he offered the silver, not the story.
Well, anyway, that's right.
We don't know.
I couldn't agree more.
So we're not going to do that.
So it's certainly a difficult one here to figure out.
That's right.
Thank you.
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