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Conversation 007-116

TapeTape 7StartFriday, August 13, 1971 at 1:47 PMEndFriday, August 13, 1971 at 1:51 PMTape start time04:08:45Tape end time04:12:53ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Colson, Charles W.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with Charles Colson regarding political messaging strategy prior to departing for a Quadriad meeting at Camp David. The President directed Colson to ensure that a recent interview given by John Ehrlichman received wider circulation among influential columnists, noting his disappointment with the lack of television network coverage. Colson confirmed that transcripts had already been distributed to several columnists to help maintain the story's momentum in the press.

John D. EhrlichmanMedia strategyQuadriadPublic relationsPress coverage
AudioNARA Description

On August 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:47 pm and 1:51 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 007-116 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 7-116

Date: August 13, 1971
Time: Unknown between 1:47 pm and 1:51 pm
Location: White House Telephone

[See Conversation No. 563-10]

     The President's schedule
          -Camp David
               -Quadriad meeting

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/09/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[007-116-w001]
[Duration: 2m 49s]

       Politics
                  -George W. Romney's speech
                         -The President’s opinion
                  -Democrats
                         -Administration tactics
                                -Economy
                                -Vietnam
                                -Robert J. Dole's press conference
                                        -California
                                        -August 14, 1971
                                        -Statement release
                                                 -Charles W. Colson’s opinion
                                                 -Employment
                                                        -Vietnam
                                -News summaries
                                        -Counter attack
                                -Edmund S. Muskie
                                -Busing stand

                                      -Edmund S. Muskie
                                      -Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
                                      -Hubert H. Humphrey
                                      -George C. Wallace
                                      -Distribute statements in the South
                                      -Abraham A. Ribicoff amendment

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     John D. Ehrlichman's interview
          -Press
          -Distribution
          -Busing domination
          -Transcripts
                -Columnists

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/09/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[007-116-w002]
[Duration: 20s]

     Busing
          -Democratic candidates’ statements
              -Vulnerability

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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.

Hello?
Hello?
Yes, sir, Mr. President.
Hello?
I have to go to Camp David to meet with the Quadriad in about a half hour.
Oh.
So, do you have anything before we leave?
No, I don't think so beyond what I covered with you last evening.
Now, the other thing is, I want you to be sure, it didn't get a great play, but it got noticed.
I want the Ehrlichman interview yesterday to be fed around, particularly to columnists and the rest.
You started that this morning, sir.
Because it's a good story.
Oh, it's a very good story.
I frankly would have expected more in the networks from it last night.
Well, the busing thing.
The busing thing just knocked it out.
But nevertheless, if you could keep that one going,
That'll be a good idea.
Well, we'll do that.
We've gotten the transcripts this morning and delivered them to a half a dozen columnists already, which I think that one will build.
It's a good continuing kind of story.
Right.
Okay.
We'll do that, sir.
Thank you.
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