In his novel, Mr. Mallon gives me a new insight into Nixon’s possible motives for maintaining such an elaborate taping system to record himself. This scene is right after Nixon wins re-election, and Haldeman is playing a tape of a phone call that deals with the negotiations with the Watergate burglars, trying to keep them content and quiet. Haldeman recoils at all this taping, but it is what the boss wants.
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“I waited to have Colson play this for you until a day when you’d be having meetings here in Laurel,” explained Haldeman. “Because Aspen, you may remember, has been wired same as the White House since May. I didn’t want a tape recorder over there to pick up your listening to Colson’s tape.”
Nixon nodded and paced a little before saying anything. “You know what those tapes are going to show years from now?”
Haldeman waited for the president to answer his own question.
“That I ran the goddamned show when it came to Russia and China and, for that matter, Vietnam. Not Henry.
“Yes, but -,” said Haldeman.
“You know, we need to have the navy guys get this lodge wired, too.”
-- “Watergate” by Thomas Mallon
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