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Conversation 001-027

TapeTape 1StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:38 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:45 PMTape start time01:03:42Tape end time01:08:31ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rebozo, Charles G. ("Bebe");  Sanchez, ManoloRecording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with his close associate Charles G. "Bebe" Rebozo to gauge public reaction to his recent televised address regarding the war in Southeast Asia. The discussion highlighted the effectiveness of the President's personal anecdote about young Kevin Taylor and the utility of using visual charts to demonstrate his progress in ending the conflict. Rebozo advised Nixon to set a firm deadline for the Paris peace negotiations, an idea the President indicated he intended to pursue within the coming months.

Southeast AsiaVietnam WarParis Peace TalksPublic OpinionPresidential AddressCommunication Strategy
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo, and Manolo Sanchez talked on the telephone from 10:38 pm to 10:45 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-027 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-27

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 10:38 pm - 10:45 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo.

     President's previous speech on Southeast Asia
           -Popular reaction
           -Karl Taylor
           -Kevin Taylor

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 02/12/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[001-027-w001]
[Duration: 2m]

Manolo Sanchez talked with Rebozo at an unknown time between 10:38 pm and 10:45 pm.

     Manolo Sanchez speaks to Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo in Spanish

The President talked with Rebozo at an unknown time between 10:38 PM and 10:45 PM

     President requests translation

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     President's previous speech on Southeast Asia
           -Charts
           -Deadline on Paris negotiations
           -Reaction
           -Kevin Taylor
     Rebozo's schedule
         -Conversation with John N. Mitchell
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Yeah.
Mr. Raposo, sir.
There you are.
Hello, B.B.?
Mr. President, how are you feeling?
How are the common folks?
Did you see them?
Well, you should see them real good.
How do the folks feel?
I mean, the people of...
I'll tell you, they're just great.
They're just great.
Middle America, yeah?
I think that, you know, I really think that that little summation was great, and it's described later.
It was not in the written speech, which I'm glad for.
But that story about that Sergeant Taylor...
That's a wonderful, wonderful little boy, Kevin, who's beautiful.
Beautiful, beautiful.
It's kind of nice, wasn't it?
Beautiful.
And the use of it.
You know, when that little kid did that, when I was at that ceremony, I broke up.
I just couldn't go on to the next ceremony, really.
Beautiful.
Yeah, but it came across, did it?
Yes, sir.
No question about it.
I think that it was all great, but I think that highlighted the human touch.
Now, tell Manoa that he's here.
Tell him what you're thinking.
And see if you can tell any Spanish words.
Use those charts, too.
That chart was great.
Okay, here's Manuela.
Time the truth now.
Okay.
I won't be listening.
All right.
But you felt good about it, did you?
Oh, Mr. President, I just think that the whole presentation was good.
There's no way they could find anything wrong.
I thought that your very casual reference to his analysis was very well put.
And I think that the charting is always good.
I think it really makes a difference.
The fact that...
The chart shows that you've done more than you said you were going to do.
The next step that I would suggest, instead of the deadline on ending the war, would be a deadline on the Paris negotiation.
Oh, I'm going to do that in about two months.
Knock all those goddamn things.
If they don't talk, screw them.
That's right.
That's exactly right.
Why waste everybody's time?
That's right.
That's right.
But I really, I really, really, you did it in a very concise manner.
You put your finger on the whole thing, and there's no way, there's no way they can take this apart.
I don't see how people could not have been moved to about the reference to Kevin Taylor, you know, the little boy, when he saluted, good God, and read me up.
That was just beautiful.
That really was just beautiful, and that, I think, is something that, it was a beautiful way to wind it up.
Yeah.
Okay, boy.
Very good.
What are you going to do now?
Well, I'm just taking it easy.
I was talking to John earlier tonight.
Yeah, all right.
I'm having a good time.
Yeah, all right.
Well, don't do anything that I wouldn't do, and that means everything.
Okay, boy.
All right, good night.
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