President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield discuss the administration's strategic response to the Vietnam War, focusing on public support for a naval blockade and the conditions for a potential ceasefire. The participants deliberate on the political optics of nominating L. Patrick Gray III as FBI director, weighing the risks of appointing a political associate versus an independent candidate. Additionally, they address logistical preparations for J. Edgar Hoover’s upcoming funeral, specifically concerns regarding lighting for television coverage.
On May 4, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:22 am to 10:31 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 719-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 719-8
Date: May 4, 1972
Time: 10:22 am - 10:31 am
Location: Oval Office
H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman met with Alexander P. Butterfield.
Unknown woman's schedule
The President entered at an unknown time before 10:25 am.
Butterfield left at 10:25 am.
Vietnam
-Poll questions
-Prisoners of war [POWs]
-Number
-Length of imprisonment
-Naval blockade
-Imposition
-Conditions for cessation
-Return of POWs
-Ceasefire
-Presentation of terms
-Public support
-Results
-Soviet ships
-Interception by US warships
Decision-making process
-Effect of press reports
-Charles W. Colson, John D. Ehrlichman, Haldeman
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Ronald L. Ziegler
(rev. Jan-02)
-Ehrlichman
-Richard G. Kleindienst
Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
-L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
-Nomination as director
-Announcement
-Problems
-Confirmation
-Political associations
-Temporary appointment
-Conditions
-Permanent appointment
-Ziegler's announcement
J. Edgar Hoover funeral
-Lighting
-Television coverage
Haldeman left at 10:31 am.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.