Richard Nixon and H. R. “Bob” Haldeman on 21 September 1972


Transcript

Edited by Nicole Hemmer, with Ken Hughes, Kieran K. Matthews, and Marc J. Selverstone

President Nixon and White House chief of staff H. R. “Bob” Haldeman discuss the need for Vice President Spiro T. Agnew to “get along” with Nixon.

President Nixon

No, I think the thing to do is just to probably, just send a memorandum to the various people concerned [unclear] reorganization that will be carried out by these people, and I expect you all to comply. And that’s that. [Unclear], but I’m just [unclear]. You know, it gets around quick. I also don’t have to take anything from [Spiro T.] Agnew, incidentally.[note 1] Spiro T. Agnew was vice president of the United States, January 1969 to October 1973. I don’t think we’re going to—if he doesn’t—Agnew’s position is—he’s got to damn well learn that if he’s thinking about his future, that he’s—he’s got to get along with me rather than me get along with him.

H. R. “Bob” Haldeman

His first problem is he’s got to get along with you.

President Nixon

That’s right. That’s his problem, not mine. And this idea that, well, we’re going to give him additional responsibility—bullshit! He can’t do the responsibilities he’s got. It’s not going to be done. I’m going to take away that space thing that’s going to be cashiered. If you do it with a lot of other things, it’s OK, too.

Haldeman

That’s right.

Cite as

“Richard Nixon and H. R. ‘Bob’ Haldeman on 21 September 1972,” Conversation 784-021 (PRDE Excerpt A), Presidential Recordings Digital Edition [“Vice President Agnew,” ed. Nicole Hemmer] (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2014–). URL: http://prde.upress.virginia.edu/conversations/4004777