Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 812 › Conversation 812-001

Nixon & Haldeman on Watergate and 1968 Campaign

Friday, November 3, 1972 · 10:15 AM–10:16 AM ET · Oval Office · 59 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation812-001 on Tape 812StartFriday, November 3, 1972 at 10:15 AMEndFriday, November 3, 1972 at 10:16 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 812-001 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss a Washington Star article concerning the 1968 bugging of Nixon's campaign, strategizing on how to address the allegations. They weigh the necessity of official denials and conclude that the burden of clarification lies with former President Lyndon B. Johnson rather than the White House. The conversation reflects a tactical decision to avoid direct involvement in the controversy while pressuring the Johnson camp to address the story.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I think you have a problem on doing that.
And I think it's Johnson's problem.
To deny it.
So I can't do this.
I think what Ron can say, if we have to say it, if we don't know the story, we better run.
Johnson's got to try to tell the story.
I don't think we can do this.
We've got to do this.
I couldn't wait for time magazine this time, so they gave me the star and put it out.

NARA Description

On November 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:15 am to 10:16 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 812-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 812-1

Date: November 3, 1972
Time: 10:15 am - 10:16 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

       Watergate
            -1968 bugging of the President
                 -Washington Star article
                       -Denials
                             -George E. Christian’s view
                                   -Lyndon B. Johnson
                       -Comment
                             -Ronald L. Ziegler
                       -Johnson’s efforts
                       -Time

Haldeman left at 10:16 am.

Also recorded on November 3, 1972

  • 032-169 10:01 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Jack R. Miller talked on the telephone from 10:01 am to 10:04 am.
  • 032-170 10:08 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William L. Scott talked on the telephone from 10:08 am to 10:10 am.
  • 812-002 10:16 AM · 23 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:16 am and 10:19 am.
  • 812-003 10:16 AM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:16 am and 10:19 am.
  • 812-004 10:19 AM · 18 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Mistislav V. Keldysh, Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Henry A. Kissinger, Philip Handler, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:19 am to 10:37 am.
  • 812-005 10:37 AM · 27 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:37 am and 10:41 am.
  • 812-006 10:37 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:37 am and 10:41 am.
  • 812-007 10:37 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Russell E. Train, Beatrice ("Bettie") Willard, John C. Whitaker, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:37 am and 10:41 am.

All 54 conversations from November 3, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 812-001, November 3, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/812-001 (accessed October 12, 2026).