Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 829 › Conversation 829-002

Nixon & Hardin on Department of Agriculture and 1972 Presidential Election

Monday, January 1, 1973 · 7:32 AM–9:25 AM ET · Oval Office ·3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Hardin, Clifford M.Conversation829-002 onTape 829StartMonday, January 1, 1973 at 7:32 AMEndMonday, January 1, 1973 at 9:25 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 829-002 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and former Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin engaged in a personal exchange to finalize a letter of appreciation regarding Hardin’s tenure. The conversation reflected on the challenging economic climate of 1969–1970 and Hardin’s contributions to the administration’s success in the Farm Belt during the 1972 election. Nixon concluded the interaction by formally expressing his gratitude for Hardin’s dedicated service and extending well wishes to the Hardin family.

Audio

Download MP3 · 3.5 MB

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

Download transcript (.txt) ·JSON data · Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).

brought back some very warm memories.
On those days, I had an ice.
There was so much joy in the opportunities we had, too.
to see Martha and you and the other members of the of that stunted, hard, hard family.
As I am sure you're sure you know.
For outstanding work, I can't hear you guys.
I heard it was a rather lean economic year, 1969, 1970.
Helped lay the foundation for the suite that we have in the farmhouse.
In 1972, the nation will always be in your debt for your outstanding and dedicated service.
All right.

NARA Description

On January 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Clifford M. Hardin met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 829-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 829-2

Date: January 1, 1973
Time: Unknown between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated a letter to Clifford M. Hardin.

       Thanks for note
            -Memories
            -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
            -Martha Hardin
            -Hardin family
            -Secretary of Agriculture
            -Lean economic years 1969-1970
            -The President’s showing in Farm Belt
                  -1972 election
            -Gratitude for service
            -Best wishes for New Year

Also recorded on January 1, 1973

  • 829-001 7:32 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon, James D. ("Don") Hughes, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-003 7:32 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 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-004 7:32 AM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Clifford M. Hardin met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-005 7:32 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Tom Landry met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-006 7:32 AM · 31 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-007 7:32 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-008 7:32 AM · 55 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:32 am and 9:25 am.
  • 829-009 9:25 AM · 17 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:25 am to 9:35 am.

All 32 conversations from January 1, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 829-002, January 1, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/829-002 (accessed September 18, 2026).