Ask the Scholar

On October 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Manolo Sanchez, White House operator, and John N. Mitchell met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:40 pm and 5:49 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 282-032 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler. Supreme Court appointments - Ziegler's previous conversation with H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman - Press statements - Announcement - American Bar Association [ABA] - Media - Timing of announcement - Attorney General - Announcement Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 5:40 pm. Dogs Sanchez left at an unknown time before 5:49 pm. The President's forthcoming announcement of Supreme Court appointments The President talked with White House operator at an unknown time between 5:40 pm and 5:49 pm. [Conversation No. 282-32A] [See Conversation No. 12-16] [End of telephone conversation] Ziegler's daily briefing The President talked with John N. Mitchell between 5:49 pm and 5:50 pm. [Conversation No. 282-32B] [See Conversation No. 12-17] [End of telephone conversation] Supreme Court appointments - Ziegler's daily press briefing - Timing of announcement Ziegler's forthcoming meeting with Donald H. Rumsfeld - Price Board The President's schedule - Veteran's Day speech Ziegler left at 5:53 pm. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.; Sanchez, Manolo; White House operator; Mitchell, John N.