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Conversation 033-059

TapeTape 33StartWednesday, November 8, 1972 at 1:12 AMEndWednesday, November 8, 1972 at 1:16 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rockefeller, Nelson A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Richard Nixon and Nelson Rockefeller spoke following Nixon’s landslide victory in the 1972 presidential election to review preliminary results and the political landscape. They discussed the President’s strong showing in New York, the outcomes of various congressional races, and the failure of George McGovern's campaign. Additionally, Nixon disclosed that North Vietnam had recently agreed to unconditional negotiations, and the two men discussed the importance of post-election national unity.

1972 Presidential ElectionNew York politicsVietnam War negotiationsCongressional racesGeorge McGovern
AudioNARA Description

On November 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Nelson A. Rockefeller talked on the telephone from 1:12 am to 1:16 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-059 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 33-59

Date: November 8, 1972
Time: 1:12 am - 1:16 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Nelson A. Rockefeller.

[See conversation No. 388-4E]

       Greetings


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                                              - 65 -

                            NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. June-07)

                                                          Conversation No. 33-59 (cont’d)

[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       1972 election results
            -The President's landslide
            -The President’s schedule
                   -Shoreham Hotel
            -New York
                   -Results
                   -Projection
                   -The President's lead
                   -New York City
                   -Jewish vote

       Rockefeller’s Location
            -Home

       1972 election
            -George S. McGovern
                   -Concession statement
                         -Timing
                   -Concession
                         -Networks
            -Massachusetts
                   -The President's loss
            -District of Columbia [DC]
                   -The President's loss
            -Minnesota
            -House of Representatives races
                   -Peter A. Peyser
                         -Defeat of Richard L. Ottinger
                   -Ogden R. Reid
                         -Defeat of Carl A. Vergari
                   -Otis G. Pike
                         -Defeat of Joseph Boyd, Jr.
                   -John G. Dow
                         -Defeat
                   -Republican gains in New York

       The President's schedule
                                            - 66 -

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. June-07)

                                                             Conversation No. 33-59 (cont’d)

            -Trip to Florida
            -Possible meeting with Rockefeller

       Rockefeller’s schedule
            -Vacation
                  -Camp

       1972 election
            -Vietnam
                   -McGovern
                        -Campaigning
                        -Charges
                   -The President’s schedule, November 4, 1972
                        -North Carolina airfield
                   -Henry A. Kissinger
                   -Message from North Vietnam
                        -Negotiations
                              -Lack of conditions
                              -Timing
            -McGovern’s campaign
            -R. Sargent Shriver
            -McGovern
                   -Charges
                        -Tricia Nixon Cox response
                              -New York
                              -Freedom of speech
                        -Family's response
            -The President’s recent statement
                   -Opponents
                        -Generosity
            -Rockefeller's memorandum
                   -Domestic programs
                   -Cross-overs

       Well wishes
            -Margaretta (“Happy”) Rockefeller
            -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
                                             - 67 -

                            NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. June-07)

                                                              Conversation No. 33-59 (cont’d)

*****************************************************************
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.

Hi, Nelson.
How are you?
I just got back from the Shore Motel and they told me you called.
You know, it's so hard to get through those shouting crowds and I just didn't do it.
Well, I tell you, you know, you did just what you said you'd do in New York.
Well, how did it come out finally in New York?
The television now is saying 59.
59?
Isn't that something?
59 in New York?
It's going to be well over a million.
Oh, gosh.
Yes.
That's terrific.
And you've still got a good chance of carrying New York City.
Oh, God, isn't that something?
It's unbelievable.
Well, you may end up with 60 then if you carry the city.
That's right.
And they say 42% of the Jewish folk.
Oh, my God.
Well, I gave you credit for that.
No, sir.
I've done the whole thing, and we're just here with you.
Well, where did I admit me to get you?
At home?
Yeah, I'm just thrilled.
I'll tell you.
Well, that's great.
I was waiting around for McGovern to make a statement, you know, so late.
I mean, you know, that our networks were conceding it at 7 o'clock.
That's right.
Oh, believe it.
We've been watching it all night.
All right.
Well, but I'll tell you, it's a great day.
The only state now that we've lost is Massachusetts.
Really?
Did you get Washington, D.C., too?
Oh, no, no, no, no.
We lost that, but I didn't count.
Minnesota, there's some doubt about.
We don't know, but I suppose we get it.
But that's quite something.
Oh, it's just unbelievable.
And we couldn't do it too well.
Oh, tell me, did you, by any chance, what did you do in any of those house races, or do you know yet?
Oh, yes, we won.
Pizer won.
He knocked out Archer, which was good.
Brownie Reed, unfortunately, beat out Gary.
And Joe Boyd was beaten out on the island by Otis Pike.
We knocked out Dow.
So it's that sort of wash, huh?
Yeah.
We picked up two.
Oh, I see.
Well, that's great.
That's great.
I'm going to Florida tomorrow, I think, for a week, and then we ought to have a little chat if you have time.
What are you going to do?
I'm looking for—we're going to go out in the country and go over the camp.
Great, great, great.
We're going to go out in the country and— Well, you feel good, though, do you?
You know, incidentally, wasn't that fellow unbelievably irresponsible in the last two days, those charges?
Did you know, for your information, Henry may have told you, when I was on the airfield
North Carolina Saturday.
We got a wire from the North Vietnamese.
They've agreed to negotiate without conditions in one week.
It's all done.
We never said it, see.
But, you know, that's what you had to do.
Did you ever see such an irresponsible campaign as this clown put on?
No.
And, of course, his running name wasn't any worse.
But what a babbler.
But you know what I'll tell you?
Let me tell you, Mr. President.
I saw your daughter, Tricia, in New York.
television, and they told her what McGovern had said.
And this child was so marvelous, because... What'd she say?
It was your reaction.
And she was so controlled, and she was quiet.
And she said, well, freedom of speech is a great thing in this country, and the pressure of the campaign.
She was, I just really, I just thought she was so great.
As a matter of fact, my family felt a little bit...
They said, no, don't say anything nice about him, but as you know...
I was very careful to say, look, everybody, you opponents and others, you all fought hard.
Now let's get together.
You've got to be generous.
Don't you think so?
Oh, yes.
I think, Mr. President, this is the greatest thing.
And I want to help you in any way I can.
And try to do a job now.
Domestic thing here.
Right.
Okay.
I got your memo with all your crossovers.
I'll tell you, we're with you.
Okay.
We're with you.
Give my love to Happy.
You bet.
Bye.
Love to Pat.
Bye.
Thanks for calling.
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