Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973 (1/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973 (1/2)
[00.36.02-GURNEY questioning MITCHELL] Senator GURNEY. You mentioned just now that you, of course, had talked to the President on a number of occasions and perhaps this is the proper time to turn to these, The logs from the President's office show a number of times that you did have conversations with the President. I think the very first one has already been discussed in the exchange you had with Senator Talmadge, that is the June, 20 one and we do not have to go over that one again. There was a, meeting on June 30 in the President's Executive Office Building with Haldeman present. I presume that means that the present. Do you recall that the President and Haldeman and you were present. Do you recall that meeting? Mr. MITCHELL. I recall it very well. Senator GURNEY. What was discussed? Mr. MITCHELL. It was a luncheon meeting at which my resignation was discussed and finally accepted and in which we discussed a successor. Senator GURNEY. And that was the only subject at that meeting? Mr. MITCHELL. That was the only subject of that meeting, to my knowledge. Senator GURNEY, On July 1, there was a phone call from the President from San Clemente to you in Washington. Could you give us the substance, of that phone call? [00.37.16] Mr. MITCHELL. July 1 was the date upon which the announcement was made of my resignation, and -we had agreed that certain people Would be called by certain people. For instance, I would call Governor Rockefeller, Governor Reagan and so forth. on down the line. This meeting, as you know, lasted for quite a while because on the day Of the announcement and the President spent quite a period of time, as I recall, talking with my wife on the telephone trying to pep her up a bit and tell her the world had not ended. Senator GURNEY. Yes. that was a 23-minute talk, as I see here. Was Watergate discussed at all and I--- Mr. MITCHELL. Not to my recollection, Senator and I am. quite sure that, it would not have been.' Senator GURNEY. On July 11, there was a very short call here, it says 12:48 to 12:49. Mr. MITCHELL. 12:43 to 49, as I understand it, Senator. Senator GURNEY. What is that? Mr. MITCHELL. 12:43 to 12:49. Senator GURNEY. This sheet says 12:48 but I will take your advice. Mr. MITCHELL. Well, Of course, mine came from the White House so it could quite possibly be screwed up. [Laughter.] Senator GURNEY. Touche. Mr. MITCHELL. As I matter of fact, I think the covering letter was signed by Mr. Buzhardt. Senator- GURNEY,. Anyway, it, says that the President called San Clemente to Mitchell In Washington. What was that about? Mr. MITCHELL. We talking about the July 11 conversation? Senator GURNEY. That is right. Mr. MITCHELL. To the best of my recollection it was a conversation we had concerning when the President would do something concretely about the Vice President. You remember this was just before, as I recall the Democratic National Convention that thereafter and the President had, I believe according to the conversation that I remember pretty well come to the conclusion about two things. No. 1. that he was being Shot at from the Javitses and Percy's and so forth about the Vice President--maybe not Percy. but some of the people in the party were shooting at him about continuing the Vice President. and yet at the same time that it did not look like it would be a feasible thing to announce his is preference for the Vice Presidency right, on the eve of the Democratic -National Committee, and this is the Conversation that I remember took place In that time frame. And it, brings to mind the fact that at the next meeting that is shown there shown with the Vice President, Mr. Haldeman in the President's office Where the announcement had previously, I think been made or was about to be made and there was quite a discussion of the part that the President was to play in the campaign. Senator GURNEY. This is the July 27 meeting you tire talking about: with Haldeman and Harlow? Mr. MITCHELL. No: it is the July 21 meeting. Senator GURNEY. I mean the July 21 meeting, and the Vice President came in during that meeting. is that correct Mr. MITCHELL. Yes, Sir. Senator GURNEY. But at neither of, these in July 11 Or July 21, was Watergate discussed, is that correct? Mr. MITCHELL. Absolutely sir. [00.41.00]