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Conversation 031-126

TapeTape 31StartWednesday, October 18, 1972 at 7:00 PMEndWednesday, October 18, 1972 at 7:03 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Smith, Margaret Chase;  Mansfield, Michael J. ("Mike");  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Smith, Margaret Chase;  Mansfield, Michael J. ("Mike")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with Senate leaders Margaret Chase Smith and Mike Mansfield regarding the formal adjournment of the Senate. During the call, the President granted permission for the adjournment and briefly discussed Mansfield's upcoming diplomatic trip to the People's Republic of China. Nixon also expressed his personal support for Senator Smith's reelection campaign in Maine.

Senate adjournmentPeople's Republic of ChinaMargaret Chase SmithMike Mansfield1972 election
AudioNARA Description

On October 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Margaret Chase Smith, and Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield talked on the telephone from 7:00 pm to 7:03 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 031-126 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 31-126

Date: October 18, 1972
Time: 7:00 pm - 7:03 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Margaret Chase Smith and Michael J. Mansfield.

[See Conversation No. 369-16]

        Senate adjournment
            -Report to the President
                -Permission for adjournment
            -Mansfield
                -Forthcoming trip to the People's Republic of China [PRC]

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

        Maine
           -Support for Smith
               -The President's support
                   -The President's leadership

        Mansfield's forthcoming trip to PRC
           -Meeting with the President

        Greetings to Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Senator Smith and men still calling you, sir.
Hello?
Mr. Francis.
Margaret, how are you?
I'm fine, thank you.
You're sitting there with the leaders, working all these things out, huh?
That's right.
Senator Matthew and I are here, instructed by the Senate to tell you that we're ready to adjourn and if you have anything further to say to us.
Well, only that I wish you the very best in this period between this Congress and the next, to thank you for your hard work and your dedicated service to the nation with regard to party over these past two years.
It's okay if we go out?
It's okay, Mike.
And speaking purely in personal terms, I look forward to that trip you may be taking.
Good enough.
As you know, we
That's very good news, sir.
Very good.
Right.
Will you adjourn today?
Yes, we'll adjourn tonight.
I'll tell Margaret about an hour or so.
Right.
I know this doesn't need to be said, but I know, Mike, that in Maine you'd probably vote for Margaret.
You bet I would.
Let me say I would.
Thank you, Mr. President.
That's right.
Margaret, I want you in by two to one, okay?
Well, if I do, you'll be ahead.
No, no, I want you to be ahead.
Well, bye then.
We wanted 40 years more.
Right.
And then the mic, when you get back from that thing we just talked about, we'll have a little chat.
Okay.
But we've talked about it and we haven't had an answer yet, but I think it'll come out.
Well, I hope so, Mr. President.
Bye.
Well, we wish you the best and have a...
Great time.
I mean, I'm not going to talk about the next three weeks.
That's something that we have to worry about.
But after the next three weeks, we can all start governing the country again.
That's right.
I hope so.
Bye.
Okay.
Have a nice day, Mr. Nixon, Mr. President.
Oh, thank you, Margaret.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Bye.
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