President Nixon met with entertainer Bob Hope, Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler, and photographer Ollie Atkins to discuss logistics for an upcoming photo session in the Rose Garden. The group coordinated the use of flags and specific lighting for the shots, while also briefly reflecting on Hope’s golf game and past encounters. Additionally, they touched upon potential comedic material regarding the President’s attendance at an American Society of Newspaper Editors reception, specifically mentioning pandas and columnist Jack Anderson.
On April 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Lelsie T. ("Bob") Hope, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Oliver F. ("Ollie") Atkins met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:21 pm to 4:24 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 714-021 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 714-21
Date: April 20, 1972
Time: 4:21 pm - 4:24 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope, Ronald L. Ziegler and Oliver F. (“Ollie”)
Atkins.
Greetings
Hope's show
Photographs
-Rose Garden
-Lighting
-Flags
Gift presentation
-Putter
-Quality
-Hope’s trophy room
-Previous golf games with the President
American Society of Newspaper Editors [ASNE] reception
-Jokes
-The President's attendance
-Pandas
-Jack N. Anderson
Rose Garden
-Photographs
The President et al. left at 4:24 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.