Conversation 019-053

TapeTape 19StartMonday, January 24, 1972 at 4:27 PMEndMonday, January 24, 1972 at 4:55 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone

AI Summary

President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss political strategies for the 1972 campaign, focusing on the administration’s forthcoming Vietnam speech and the public disclosure of secret peace negotiation offers. They review efforts to secure support from key political figures, including Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo and Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie, through federal funding and policy coordination. The conversation also touches upon military strategy in South Vietnam and the administration's intent to pressure domestic opponents by highlighting the generous terms offered to North Vietnam regarding prisoner releases and troop withdrawal.

Vietnam War negotiations1972 Presidential campaignRevenue sharingFrank RizzoRichard OgilvieFederal grantsPOW/MIA issues

Audio

NARA Description

On January 24, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone from 4:27 pm to 4:55 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 019-053 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 19-53

Date: January 24, 1972
Time: 4:27 pm - 4:55 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John N. Mitchell.

[See Conversation No. 317-17]

     The President’s schedule
          -Recent trip to Walker's Cay

     The President's forthcoming speech on Vietnam
          -Nguyen Van Thieu
          -Possible reaction
          -Negotiations
               -Proposals
                      -Withdrawal
                            -Duration
                            -Ceasefire and prisoners of war [POWs]

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

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 2m 40s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

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

    -[John Sherman Cooper]
         -Campaign efforts
               -Appointment for staff member

    Frank L. Rizzo
         -Conversation with the President
              -Government funding
         -Conversation with Walter H. Annenberg

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

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 36s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3

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

    Rizzo [?]
         -John D. Ehrlichman's possible actions
              -Federal funds, agencies
                   -Law Enforcement Assistance Administration [LEAA], Department of
                         Transportation
              -Possible calls from Mitchell

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

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 5m 2s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4

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

         -Richard B. Ogilvie
              -Revenue sharing
              -Taft-Hartley Act
              -Dock strike
                    -Farmers
              -Rural Electrification Administration [REA] funds
              -Prospects

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

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 12m 55s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5

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

    The President's forthcoming speech on Vietnam
         -Kissinger's forthcoming press briefing
              -Response to opponents of the President's policies
                     -Secret negotiations
                     -Congressional deadline
                           -Administration offer
                                -Ceasefire and POWs

    Vietnam
         -Negotiations

                -October 1971

     1972 campaign
          -Issues
                -Rockefeller and Ogilvie
                     -Revenue sharing
                     -Democrats

     Vietnam
          -South Vietnam’s survival
                -Prospects
                      -Armed Forces
                            -US air support
                            -Compared to North Vietnam
                                 -Communication lines
                                 -Air power
          -Press treatment
          -North Vietnam
                -Prospects for military progress
          -Rainy season
          -Military press briefings in Saigon
                -Mitchell's conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                -The President's forthcoming meeting with Melvin R. Laird and Admiral
                      Thomas H. Moorer

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.

The Attorney General.

Mr. President.

Hi, John, how are you?

I'm fine.

I trust you had a good weekend.

Yeah, we did.

I spent about a couple of days, at least two nights, over at Walker's, so that was pleasant.

Weather good, I hope.

The weather was fine.

Not the best, but good enough.

Good.

And the main thing was that we got ready for the next week.

We're going to go tomorrow night on our little deal that you know about.

Yes, I think that's great.

And...

I just finished the final draft just this minute, so we'll get it on the way.

We've got two aboard and everything else.

It'll raise some hell.

I think it's going to throw some red faces.

Do you think so?

I would think so.

Well, it's a very well-done draft, I really believe.

It's rather matter-of-fact, but...

Good God, you know, John, we've offered everything you can imagine.

I mean, a six-month withdrawal in exchange for ceasefire and POWs.

What the hell more do you want?

Well, this is why they're going to have red faces, because they've been making all those noises.

But, in fact, these things haven't been done.

Mm-hmm.

He said he would campaign and put all his resources.

That'll be helpful.

It will.

Yes, sir.

As long as we get that appointment that he wants, and I think for one of his staff people, and I think we can do it.

Oh, sure.

I had a very good talk with Rizzo today.

Oh, did you?

Was he in?

He was in to talk about getting money from the government.

And, of course, which we do.

But I'll tell you, he's really all aboard, all the way.

Did Waller stop and see him on his way back?

Yes, sir.

He'd had two hours with him.

Good.

The second thing, I've told Ehrlichman to follow through on the money front.

In other words, LEAA, transportation, any other money we can, we're going to try to help him.

And third, just keep an awful close touch with him.

Well, I've got a good rapport with him.

I think I ought to call him from time to time.

Absolutely.

I'd give him, I think, a little tenor-loving care with him and go a long way.

And I think you could just, maybe about every three weeks or so, you could sort of pick up the phone.

And if Ogilvy can just keep being a good man and if we can get him revenue sharing, that'll help him some.

Yes, he's got two big pluses out there.

Of course, Taft Hartley and the

a dock business you know for his farmers yeah put him up on top and then uh we got some money out of the agriculture and this rea thing which he took a hell of a lot of credit for which put him up in that area so he's mending his fences and i think doing considerably better and this is what i hear from some of the other politicians out there and talk to

← 019-052 019-054 →