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Conversation 784-008

TapeTape 784StartThursday, September 21, 1972 at 10:50 AMEndThursday, September 21, 1972 at 11:00 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate upcoming scheduling priorities and media appearances. The discussion centered on recording a film clip for Reverend Leon Sullivan’s minority-focused television program and managing the President’s travel and workload, including a firm directive to clear his schedule of substantive meetings to prepare for IMF and other public appearances. Additionally, the pair briefly touched on administrative matters, including potential meetings with economist Milton Friedman and chess champion Bobby Fischer.

SchedulingLeon SullivanMinority employmentInternational Monetary FundPublic relationsBobby Fischer
AudioNARA Description

On September 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:50 am and 11:00 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 784-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 784-8

Date: September 21, 1972
Time: 10:50 am – unknown before 11:00 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield.

             The President's schedule
                 -Signing ceremony for House Resolution [HR] 2
                      -F. Edward Hébert
                      -William E. Timmons
                 -Butterfield's health
                 -Guest list
                 -George P. Shultz request for meeting with Milton Friedman
                      -Treasury Department
                      -The President's preparation for trip to Texas
                 -Rev. Leon H. Sullivan’s television show
                      -October 11, 1972
                      -Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
                      -Distribution
                      -Harry L. (“Bing”) Crosby
                      -Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope
                      -Sammy Davis, Jr.
                      -Film clip of the President's statement on administration support of
                       minority employment and self-help programs
                           -Theatre
                           -Timing
                 -International Monetary Fund [IMF] speech
                 -Salute in New York City
                 -Los Angeles dinner
                 -Address of Waldorf-Astoria Hotel dinner
                 -Bobby Fischer
                      -Henry A. Kissinger
                 -Guest lists

The conversation was cut off at an unknown time before 11:00 am.

                                        (rev. Nov-03)
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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.

okay
Yeah, I do understand.
But, oh, that's right.
I don't want to get too close to everybody.
I feel terrible but I don't sound terrible.
I've got a couple quick questions for you.
Jesus Christ, look at the number of people here.
I told George Schultz once that if Milt Friedman got down here, he'd like to talk to him.
He's down all day at Treasury.
And you're free to step in there.
I really can't this time, because I've got to prepare my remarks for the...
I'd love to stay, but... Well, he'll be down again.
I've got to prepare for my Texas trip this afternoon.
Reverend Leon Sullivan,
He's putting together a huge television show for October 11th.
It's going to emanate from the Waldorf.
It's going to be played in closed circuit.
Television, 43 major cities.
He's got Bing Crosby and Hope and Sammy Davis.
It's on his thing.
Anybody can be somebody.
It's a minority thing.
He'd like to include you in that telecast.
So virtually your whole staff has suggested a three-minute film clip of you addressing what this administration has done toward minority employment.
Self-help and that sort of thing.
All right.
We can do that over in the theater for three nights someday.
Well, someday soon, so we can get him this film.
We'll work that out.
Yeah, all right.
Well, good to do that.
Fine.
The one thing I was going to tell you, Governor, on the schedule, we want you to be absolutely clear.
Next week is, don't schedule anything.
I mean, I could do the three minutes, but...
But don't schedule any other thing, because the IMF is the news for one thing.
Salute is the news for the next.
The OA editor is the news for the next.
And I'll be coming back in the 28th.
I've got to do a thing there.
So next week is dead.
And you see, I'll need Sunday and Monday for preparing that, except for that three-minute or, you know, a five-minute handshake thing.
But no substance of any kind.
Should be, should be, should be during next week.
Okay?
Okay, sir.
Right.
The alternatives were going up to the Waldorf on the 11th and addressing the dinner, but that won't put you on TV.
I don't want to go to the Waldorf.
I will not go to the Waldorf.
Last item on the schedule, do you want to see Bobby Fischer eventually?
Oh, sure.
Okay.
And I think Henry's sending a wire in your name and said, I'll see you for lunch.
Sure.
Sure.
Okay.
These are the guest lists for the 29th.
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