Nixon Wanted His Daughters to Stay Away from ‘the Arts’ Because ‘they’re Jews, They’re Left-wing’

President Nixon wanted his daughters to keep away from “the arts” during the 1972 election campaign because the people in them were Jews and leftists, according to the transcripts of conversations released by the White House yesterday.

Nixon’s statement was contained in the first of three recorded conversations he had with his then Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman in the Oval Room of the White House June 23, 1972, six days after the Watergate break-in. The two were discussing areas where Nixon’s daughters, Julie and Tricia, could campaign and also the possibility of harm to them from hecklers.

The President then said: “For example–now the worst thing (unintelligible) is to go to anything that has to do with the arts.” Haldeman replied: “Ya, see that–it was (unintelligible) Julie giving that time in the museum in Jacksonville.” Nixon: “The arts you know–they’re Jews, they’re left-wing–in other words, stay away. Make a point.” Haldeman: “Sure.” Nixon: “Middle America–put that word out–Middle America-type of people….Bob, relate it to Middle America and not the elitist (unintelligible). Do you agree?” Haldeman: “Yep, sure do.”

EARLIER DENIALS RECALLED

Last May the New York Times and CBS reported that in transcripts the White House turned over earlier Nixon had used ethnic slurs including anti-Jewish comments such as “Jew boys” in private talks with aides. This was at the time categorically denied by White House Counsel J. Fred Buzhardt.

Rabbi Baruch Korff, head of the Committee for Fairness to the President, in a book published last month containing an interview with Nixon as well as the President’s answers to a series of questions, cited statements from Nixon denying that he was anti-Semitic. The President cited his vigorous political and military support of Israel and his appointment of Jews, including Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, to key posts in his Administration, as proof to the contrary.