Conversation 454-001

TapeTape 454StartFriday, February 19, 1971 at 4:11 PMEndFriday, February 19, 1971 at 4:59 PMTape start time00:00:41Tape end time00:05:42ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.;  Sanchez, Manolo;  Ziegler, Ronald L.;  White House operator;  Woods, Rose Mary;  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOval Office

President Nixon consulted with various staff members regarding administrative matters and staffing inquiries. The primary focus of the discussion involved evaluating the professional background and political reliability of Joseph E. Parker, a Washington insider with extensive experience in Congress and agricultural policy. Nixon sought to assess Parker's suitability for a potential role, specifically noting his Democratic affiliation and his reputation for being savvy on Capitol Hill.

Joseph E. ParkerStaffingCongressional relationsPersonnel recruitmentWhite House administration

On February 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, Manolo Sanchez, Ronald L. Ziegler, White House operator, Rose Mary Woods, and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:11 pm and 4:59 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 454-001 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 454-1

Date: February 19, 1971
Time: Unknown between 4:11 and 4:59 pm
Location: Oval Office

Alexander P. Butterfield met with Manolo Sanchez and Ronald L. Ziegler [?]

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Non-historical]
[Duration: 1m 18s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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     President’s schedule

The President entered and Butterfield and Ziegler [?] left at 4:52 pm

     Rose Mary Woods
          -Telephone call

[The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 4:52 pm and
4:53 pm]

[Conversation No. 454-1A]

     Call to Rose Mary Woods

[End of telephone conversation]

     Woods’ health

[The President talked with Woods between 4:53 pm and 4:54 pm]

[Conversation No. 454-1B]

     Joseph E. Parker

[End of telephone conversation]

[The President talked with an unknown man [John D. Ehrlichman?] at an unknown time between
4:54 pm and 4:59 pm]

[Conversation No. 454-1C]

     Parker
          -Work experience
               -Congress
                    -Farming
          -Bryce N. Harlow

[End of telephone conversation]

Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:59 pm

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.

He didn't tell us.
He didn't tell us.
He didn't tell us.
He didn't tell us.
He didn't tell us.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Good, I remember him now.
Pleasant, good looking man.
Okay, that shows, feel better.
Joe Parker is the name.
Joe Parker, Joseph E. Parker, he's a termite here in town.
I don't know if he's a good looking guy.
I don't know.
Bryce will know it, as you mentioned.
But he is very savvy, knows the hill.
He's a Democrat, which doesn't bother me.
Which doesn't bother me particularly, but I know he's sort of on our side.
But he's a great guy, I know.
We're referring to him as a termite.
Okay?