President Nixon held a brief telephone conversation with professional golfer Arnold Palmer to discuss Palmer's recent tournament victory and upcoming professional plans. The two also addressed the return of American prisoners of war and reflected on the political implications of the December 1972 bombing campaign in North Vietnam. The discussion served as a cordial exchange regarding both the status of professional golf, including references to Bob Hope and Jack Nicklaus, and the broader context of national military policy.
Audio for this conversation has not yet been released by the National Archives.
NARA DescriptionOn February 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Arnold Palmer talked on the telephone from 7:02 pm to 7:04 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 043-113 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 43-113 Date: February 15, 1973 Time: 7:02 pm - 7:04 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Arnold Palmer. [See Conversation No. 410-49] -65- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM (rev. Aug.-08) Conversation No. 43-113A (cont’d) Golf -Palmer’s victory Prisoners of War [POWs] return -Bombing of North Vietnam -Palmer’s previous conversation with the President -December 1972 bombing Golf -Palmer’s plans -Victory -Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope -Jack Nicklaus
No transcript is available for this conversation.