Conversation 636-004

TapeTape 636StartFriday, December 10, 1971 at 3:50 PMEndFriday, December 10, 1971 at 4:05 PMTape start time00:12:54Tape end time00:28:54ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOval Office

On December 10, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:50 pm to 4:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 636-004 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 636-4

Date: December 10, 1971
Time: 3:50 pm - 4:05 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull.

     The President's schedule
          -Call from Arthur F. Burns
          -George P. Shultz

Rose Mary Woods entered at 3:50 pm.

     The President's schedule
          -Bill signing (Revenue Act of 1971)
                -Shultz

Bull left at an unknown time before 4:05 pm.

     [Rearrangement of décor]

     Thelma. C. (“Pat”) Nixon

     [Walter H. Annenber]
          -Call from the President

     [Rearrangement of décor]
          -Decisions
     The President's schedule
          -New York

**********************************************************************

[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 03/01/2018.]
[Unintelligible]
[636-004-w003]
[Duration: 6s]

     Thelma C. (“Pat”) (Ryan) Nixon

**********************************************************************

     Picture
           -Mrs. Nixon
                -Print

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Privacy (D) reviewed under PRMPA regulations 03/06/2018. Segment
cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[636-004-w001]
[Duration: 16s]

     Helene Drown
          -President’s opinion

     Dinner
          -Timing

**********************************************************************

     Picture
           -Delivery to Mrs. Nixon

Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 3:50 pm.

     The President's schedule

Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:05 pm.

     Pictures
           -Rearrangement
                -Little office
     The President's schedule
          -Call to Annenberg
                -Timing
                -Bill signing (Revenue Act of 1971)

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 12/07/2017.
53s segment cleared for release. 42s remaining closed as 636-004-w002.]
[Personal Returnable]
[636-004-w002]
[Duration: 53s]

     The President’s schedule
          -Dinner
               -Rose Mary Woods’s attendance

     Television program
          -Mrs. Nixon
          -Julie Nixon Eisenhower

**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[636-004-w002]
[Duration: 42s]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

**********************************************************************

     The President’s schedule
          -Rest
          -Preparation for Camp David trip

**********************************************************************

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman at an unknown time between 3:50 pm and
4:04 pm; Woods and Sanchez can be heard in the background.

[Conversation No. 636-4A]

     The President's schedule
          -Camp David
                -Day and time
          -Jerrold L. Schecter interview
                -Proposed length
                -Ronald L. Ziegler
                -Cambodia
                -Rose Garden
                -Timing
           -The President’s upcoming telephone call to William H. Rehnquist

     Supreme Court
          -Appointment
              -Confirmation vote
                   -Rehnquist
                        -Timing
                        -John W. Dean, III
                        -Louis D. Brandeis

[End of telephone conversation]

Woods and Sanchez left at 4:05 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.

Mr. President, I took Ernest's call earlier.
We should sell you everything else, but he's going to be very short on that.
A rediscount rate.
That's Mr. Trump's recommendation statement.
Just don't sign any of them.
I mean, they're still signing things.
You could find him.
You won't find him until after you sign the bill.
All right, okay.
What can we do with this?
Very nice.
Thank you very much.
Maybe that comes out.
The bird.
What do you think?
I think the bird's been there all my life.
I think that's the bird.
What do you think?
I think we ought to show this to Pat.
I don't know.
I'm not ready.
He's gone.
I'll try to get him to call.
He told me he was going to be there.
I just thought maybe he might want to.
He said he was going to be there and stay on all evening.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure that your cat will still hide that, baby.
I'm sorry.
What would it look like if they had placed that bone up there?
Would it be locked?
I think if it's somewhere like that where I didn't dust it, it's not phenomenal.
I don't know.
I can't tell.
I think it's better.
That's better right there.
I'm sure it's better there.
And you may think of another typewriter, but that's beautiful.
There are so many therapy works that look like that.
Uh-huh.
Oh, no, no, that's the piece.
The thing is, that's why I read all the papers that were made, not for you.
What do you think I ought to say here?
Well, actually, it's better.
It's better for me.
Many times.
Why don't we take that over and show it to Pat, what do you think?
No, I mean we could take the thing over and show it to him.
Should we do that?
So, God never gave you the path that you're on.
Maybe we'll just eat before he gets here.
Wouldn't it be nice, perhaps, to take this over?
Maybe, sir.
Oh, that's the place for it right there.
Maybe you'll find another place.
It is beautiful.
Silver and gold and .
And you know there's a commission to be made. .
Hello?
We've got a call.
I don't know if you can see it.
I can't see it.
I can't see it.
That's right.
I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes, I think the bird should come out anyway, don't you?
Yes
We could even maybe put it in your bill box.
Do you have a signed thing?
But Rose, I can't do it right now.
I'd like to call him, but I can't do it right this moment.
Let me suggest that we do this.
When I get through with this, I might come in and do it.
So don't be bothered calling him.
I'll call him tonight.
I'll call him this afternoon after I finish signing the bill.
Okay.
Because I thought, you know, maybe about 4.30.
Tell him to go with it.
Take those out.
And then take those over to...
Listen, can you come over?
We have to breathe.
I come to... Dinner.
Dinner at 7 o'clock.
Maybe if you think I can keep that pattern, I could do it on that program.
Yes, sir.
And I'll bring him up.
Perfect pussy.
I won't be able to go to camp today, but I have some things I have to do here.
So, you know, I just want you to just hear me.
I may go tomorrow, after, you know, just to see if I can come back at the time.
Now, under the circumstances, I'd rather see this all, because I don't, because I don't want to cut off strength.
I'd rather see me be in my place.
Well, you see, I just don't want a situation where he, where I gave him more than 30 minutes.
I can see here that Ron is apparently not coming out.
He expects another walk.
Well, he says, well, he's talking about how he can't go in this situation.
Well, I just can't go into that sort of thing at all.
And I understand he...
Sure, well, I see.
Well, if he doesn't expect that, then that may not be a problem.
But I'll take it my own way.
See, what I plan to do is just take it my own way.
But I'm not going to go into, you know, into serious discussion about not what I didn't think about when he did this and that and the other thing.
That isn't fair.
I mean, it would be rude.
But I think if I go at 5.30 tonight, then he'll know that I...
I just don't like that.
Now we have to call Grantless.
Grantless is going to go to 5 o'clock.
Sure.
Well, I'll give you a good way to secure it.
Thank you.
Would you mind having John Deacon's office check and see what the vote was on Frank Dice?
I mean, on it against him.
I mean, it's a case.
It's really irrelevant.
My recollection is on the 17th against Frank Dice, but it may have been more.
I just don't know.
I don't think any others would be relevant, huh?
None of the others were very close.
Yeah, all right, fine.
See if there's anybody.
Thanks, friend.
It's OK.