Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 588 › Conversation 588-009

Nixon & Ziegler on Press relations and Supreme Court appointments

Tuesday, October 12, 1971 · 12:54 PM–12:56 PM ET · Oval Office · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation588-009 on Tape 588 (tape position 02:54:21–02:57:05)StartTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 12:54 PMEndTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 12:56 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 588-009 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the logistics and public reception of recent televised press briefings, specifically noting the positive media reaction to filming in the press room. They also address the strategy for handling anticipated press inquiries regarding upcoming Supreme Court nominations. Nixon emphasizes his desire to avoid public speculation or controversy when discussing potential appointees, such as Senators Robert C. Byrd, George S. McGovern, and Edmund S. Muskie.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Well, I don't think so.
There was no focus on that whatsoever, and I don't think there will be, because the answer is there.
It was just raised up.
It will be even speculated in terms of that.
But also, the reaction...
The press room itself weren't announcing that this was very good.
The reaction by the press in terms of using the press room in this way was very good.
And having it recorded as the film is a good way to do it, and they all felt that.
They compared it with a similar type of give and take that can take place in the office.
To see what's a good setting for that.
Well, they had a full press room.
Oh, there was a full show?
Yes, sir.
I already heard of it.
I think there are quite a few questions there.
Yes, sir.
At least five minutes more tonight on TV.
They ask me more about the Supreme Court in the future, right?
No, I'm just moved by the fact that we're thinking of Tuesdays.
And I'm not going to say both of them together.
I have covered the third thing earlier.
The government's squirming all over the place.
Of course, sir.
I don't want to hurt any of them.
Got any of those, those guys in America today?
They're a hundred and eighty degrees over nine.
Must be from a hundred and thirty miles away.
A hundred and eighty degrees over nine?
Within eight hours.

NARA Description

On October 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:54 pm to 12:56 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 588-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 588-9
Date: October 12, 1971
Time: 12:54 pm - 12:56 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

     Press
             -Press room
                   -Filming
             -Questions
                   -Supreme Court appointments
                        -Timing
                        -Robert C. Byrd
                        -George S. McGovern
                        -Edmund S. Muskie

Ziegler left at 12:56 pm.

Also recorded on October 12, 1971

  • 588-010 12:56 PM · 27 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:56 pm and 12:58 pm.
  • 588-011 12:56 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:56 pm and 12:58 pm.
  • 588-012 12:58 PM · 44 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Henry A. Kissinger, unknown person(s), George P. Shultz, White House operator, George Meany, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:58 pm to 1:25 pm.
  • 011-062 1:32 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and George Meany talked on the telephone from 1:32 pm to 1:34 pm.
  • 011-063 1:34 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:34 pm and 1:55 pm.
  • 588-013 1:43 PM · 23 sec — Rose Mary Woods and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:43 pm and 1:55 pm.
  • 588-014 1:43 PM · 30 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:43 pm and 1:55 pm.
  • 588-015 1:43 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:43 pm and 1:55 pm.

All 71 conversations from October 12, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 588-009, October 12, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/588-009 (accessed September 28, 2026).