President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and H.R. Haldeman to discuss the positive public reception and political fallout regarding his recent Vietnam blockade speech. The group reviewed feedback from various supporters and strategized on how to leverage the President's perceived courage and leadership in the face of partisan opposition. Additionally, the President addressed administrative items, including a letter to Wilt Chamberlain, diplomatic recommendations for ambassadorships, and scheduling concerns related to upcoming events.
On May 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:48 am and 1:57 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 722-005 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 722-5
Date: May 9, 1972
Time: Unknown after 10:48 am until 10:57 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Rose Mary Woods.
A letter to Wilt Chamberlain
-Congratulations on National Basketball Association [NBA] championship
-Los Angeles Lakers
-Playing skills
-Life pictures of home
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
Vietnam
-Blockade
-President's previous speech
-Public response
-Telephone calls
-Support for President
-Lloyd Rain [sp?]
-Paul Cabot
-Bernard J. (“Bunny”) Lasker
-Fred Schluter
-Dr. William M. Lukash
-News commentators
Manolo Sanchez
-Knee surgery
-Recovery time
Letter to Chamberlain
-Signature
Robert C. Hill recommendation for ambassador to Spain
-Adm. Horacio Rivero
-Visit with Gen. Francisco Franco
-Peter M. Flanigan
-Hill
-Memorandum
George Landau
-President's previous trip
-Hill's recommendation for ambassador to Ceylon
-President’s recommendation
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 10/11/2022.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[722-005-w002]
[Duration: 20s]
Vietnam
-Blockade
-The President’s speech
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s telephone call on May 8, 1972
-Reaction to speech
-Cabinet meeting
-Tricia Nixon Cox’s telephone call on May 8, 1972
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Vietnam
-Blockade
-President's speech
-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer's call
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman's report
-Woods's report
President's schedule
-Duke Law School dinner
-Remarks by President
-A reference book
-Alexander P. Butterfield
-Charles S. Rhyne
-Wife’s health
-Previous Administration job offers
-Scholarship announcement
-Time
-Richard Kiefer
Vietnam
-Blockade
-President's previous speech
-Strain of compiling
-Delivery
-Woods’s view
-Emotional strain
-Democrats
-President's support for John F. Kennedy during Cuban missile crisis
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-George Meany
-George C. Wallace
-Statement
-Compared with McGovern's statement
-Public support for President
-McGovern presidency
-Woods’s view
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 10/11/2022.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[722-005-w004]
[Duration: 43s]
1972 election
-Democrats
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-Nebraska primary strategy
-George S. McGovern
-The President’s opinion
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Compared to George S. McGovern
-Candidates
-Goals for US
*****************************************************************
1972 election
-Democrats
-Candidates
-Bernard J. (“Bunny”) Lasker's comments
-Liberals
-The President’s view
-New York, California
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 10/11/2022.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[722-005-w005]
[Duration: 1m 6s]
The President’s schedule
-The President’s speech on May 9. 1972
-Strain
-Workload
-The President’s previous April 26, 1972 speech
-J. Edgar Hoover eulogy
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Telephone calls
-Robert H. Abplanalp
-Perle Mesta
-Paul Bradley
Haldeman entered at 10:54 am.
-Earl L. Butz
-Report on support for President's speech
Vietnam
-Blockade
-Public reaction
-Talking points
-Support for President
-President's personal qualities
-Lasker's call
-Publicity from White House
-The President’s view
-Lukash
-President's decision
-Risks to election
-Prisoner of war [POW] release
-Publicity
-Public response
-Publicity
Woods and Haldeman left at 10:57 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.