Conversation: 514-018
Prev:  514-017 Next: 514-019Start Date: 8-Jun-1971 4:35 PM
End Date: 8-Jun-1971 5:12 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.; Bull, Stephen B.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 04:39:00
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 05:12:47
NARA Description:
On June 8, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, Stephen B. Bull, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:35 pm to 5:12 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 514-018 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 514-18 Date: June 8, 1971 Time: 4:35 pm - 5:12 pm Location: Oval Office The President met with Charles W. Colson Conv. No. 514-17 (cont.) Television media -Meeting with National Broadcasting Company [NBC] executives -Bias of reports -Confirmation of biases -William S. (“Bill”) White -John A. Scali -President’s manner -Impression conveyed -Julian Goodman reaction -Walter D. Scott -Economic discussion -Criticism of reporters -Bias -President’s demeanor -John Loeb -Criticism of network reporters -Presentation of facts -Psychology of meeting -Goodman/Colson meeting -Network executives’ reaction -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew -Criticism of press -Loss of credibility -Robert J. Dole attacks on press -President’s fielding of questions -White -President’s image -President’s demeanor -Handling of “totalitarians” -Nikita S. Khrushchev -Nicolae Ceausescu -Andrei A. Gromyko -Use of voice level -Use of honesty 30 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) -Repetition of conversation -Effect on Goodman -NBC bias -War reporting -Compared to Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] -Economic report -Comparison with CBS -Equal time advertising Conv. No. 514-18 (cont.) -Federal Trade Commission [FTC] [?] investigation An unknown person [Stephen B. Bull?] entered at an unknown time after 4:35 pm President’s schedule The unknown person [Bull?] left at an unknown time before 5:12 pm -Public Broadcasting Service [PBS] -Budget problems -Personnel problems -Public relations -Budget cuts -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman -Reaction of networks -Martin Z. Agronsky criticism Bull entered at unknown time after 4:35 pm President’s schedule -Briefing delay -Photography session -Ronald L. Ziegler -Timing Bull left at unknown time before 5:12 pm Meeting with NBC executives -Federal Communications Commission [FCC]/FTC [?] investigation -Contact with Goodman -FCC/FTC [?] contact with White House -Conservationists -Orbach [?] -Creation as an issue 31 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) -Jean Jacques Rousseau -Philosophy -Colson critique of meeting -Scali handling of media -Scali and Ziegler “Face The Nation” -Haldeman Conv. No. 514-18 (cont.) -Soldier guests -Tony MacDonald -Questions from panel -George Herman apology -Bruce Morton -Responses -Support for President -Success of Vietnamization -War crimes -Appearances -”Dick Cavett Show” -”Today Show” Networks -Equal time for Democrats -Use of air time to make partisan points -Strategy -Response to partisan questions -Paul N. (“Pete”) McCloskey, Jr., George S. McGovern, Mark O. Hatfield -CBS view versus NBC view -Newspaper responses versus broadcast responses -Bias -Play of economy -Play of casualty numbers -Scali role -Comparison of figures Hatfield/McGovern Act -Status in Congress -Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield -Haldeman The President left at unknown time before 5:00 pm 32 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) Haldeman entered at 5:00 pm Network meeting -President’s performance -Content The President entered at unknown time after 5:00 pm Conv. No. 514-18 (cont.) -Herbert G. Klein and Ziegler -President’s reaction -Lyndon B. Johnson -Biased discussion -Goodman’s reaction -President’s image -Use of television -Haldeman discussion with Time -Ziegler -1956 and 1968 campaigns -Liberals versus President -Use of weapons against networks -Reaction by executives -Reaction by executives -Klein -Reuven Frank -Executive ability to curb bias -Goodman view of President’s success -New York executives -Haldeman Time interview -Number of public relations men in White House -William L. Safire -Responsibilities -Richard A. Moore -Background -Colson -Background -Advertising versus public relations -Background of White House men -Haldeman’s hiring role -J. Walter Thompson, Co. -Success of Nixon Administration -Reason for misperception -Raymond K. Price, Jr. 33 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) -Klein -Patrick J. Buchanan -Background -Present responsibilities -Need for public relations men -President’s press conference performance -Reaction of executives -Content of discussion Conv. No. 514-18 (cont.) -Bias -Training of reporters -Herbert E. Kaplow -Civil rights stance -Other stances -Handling of executives -Agnew -Henry A. Kissinger -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin -Ceausescu -Gromyko -Colson -Goodman reaction President’s New York trip -Attendance -Ziegler’s role -Klein’s role The President, Colson, and Haldeman left at 5:12 pm