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Conversation 158-049

TapeTape 158StartSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:27 PMEndSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:29 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Warren, Gerald L.Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren conferred regarding the administration's public relations strategy and the reception of recent press briefings. The discussion focused on managing the tone of White House press interactions, specifically addressing the reporting of figures such as Helen Thomas and AP journalists. Nixon expressed satisfaction with Warren's performance, reinforcing the administration's determination to maintain a composed public image amidst ongoing media scrutiny.

Press relationsWhite House communicationsMedia managementVietnam WarPublic image
AudioNARA Description

On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Gerald L. Warren talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:27 pm to 12:29 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-049 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 158-49

Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 12:27 pm - 12:29 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Gerald L. Warren.

[See Conversation No. 238-11]

       Vietnam War
            -Warren’s press conference
                 -The President’s view
                       -The President’s meeting with Warren
                       -Henry A. Kissinger
                              -John A. Scali
                 -Press relations
                       -Scali’s view
                       -Questions
                              -Tone
                       -Patriotism
                       -Norman Kempster
                       -Helen Thomas
                              -Comment about 1973
                                             -63-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. May-08)

                                                             Conversation No. 158-49 (cont’d)

                        -The President’s demeanor
                        -Gaylord Shaw of Associated Press [AP]
                  -Scali
                  -Wire stories
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I just wanted to know that, uh, if I was comfortable with it.
I did.
I was comfortable with it.
I did.
It's not important to me.
I do appreciate it.
It's, uh, it's, uh, it's, uh, it's, uh, it's, uh, it's, uh, it's,
I'm sure that if you have to talk to them, if you have to.
Yes, and Helen Thomas is the first runner, as you say.
She was just smiling broadly, and she said it's going to be a very happy new year.
Good, good.
And how does it become that you give it to the students, the freshmen, to be in the car?
Yes, they like to be in the car.
That's right.
Unruffled and determined.
Good.
That is what the PSA will allow anybody else to do.
Well, Dana and Shaw, they do say they're on the decent.
And we said the same thing.
We were trying to get into the interpretation of it, and I stayed with the mayor's policy.
Look, it's going to be fine.
It's going to be all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Good job.
Thank you.
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