President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the political necessity of maintaining a hardline stance against Vietnam War draft evaders and deserters. They agree on the importance of demanding that these individuals face legal penalties for their actions, even after the war concludes. The conversation focuses on leveraging this rhetoric as a strategy to enforce patriotic standards and public accountability.
On September 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 7:46 pm to 8:10 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 212-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 212-4 Date: September 19, 1972 Time: 7:46 pm - 8:10 pm Location: Camp David Hard Wire The President talked with Charles W. Colson. [See Conversation no. 144-2; two items have been withdrawn from this conversation]
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