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Conversation 786-001

TapeTape 786StartMonday, September 25, 1972 at 9:08 AMEndMonday, September 25, 1972 at 9:14 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Woods, Rose MaryRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discussed personnel management and the public perception of the President's recent work at Camp David. The conversation centered on the job performance of press secretary Ronald Ziegler and the necessity of maintaining a disciplined, composed public image during the 1972 election campaign. Nixon expressed high regard for Ziegler's “cool” demeanor and effectiveness in handling press interactions, while Woods emphasized the importance of public messaging regarding the President’s focus on economic policy and speech preparation.

Ronald Ziegler1972 Presidential CampaignPublic RelationsCamp DavidEconomic PolicyPersonnel Management
AudioNARA Description

On September 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:08 am to 9:14 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 786-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 786-1

Date: September 25, 1972
Time: 9:08 am - 9:14 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Rose Mary Woods.

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 4m 33s     ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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             White House staff
                -Constance M. (Cornell) (“Connie”) Stuart
                    -Ronald L. Ziegler
                -Ziegler
                    -Job performance
                -The President's work at Camp David
                    -Press coverage
                         -1972 election
                              -Timing
                -Speeches, economic policy
                -Public opinion

Woods left at 9:14 am.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

What the hell does Conley do?
She's awful, but she's just too smart, you know.
And it doesn't, he has to be alone.
He has to be alone.
Or Dronson has to be alone.
And he has to be tough with it.
Dronson.
The main thing about him is that he is so terribly cool.
He's good for me, you know.
He never comes in all the time.
He always does it.
He's got guts.
I say, I don't want to do this.
But he's cool.
He's smart.
And he goes out in front of those people.
And if I tell him, Brown, you can't say that.
You've got to just say that.
He doesn't try or slip off of it.
No.
Boy, he is great.
He is amazing.
He is absolutely wonderful.
I think it was a terribly tough job.
But I'll keep working on the other one.
Well, we have to tell all of our people that, right?
No, you only get six long weeks that you know you've given him.
That's what they say anyway.
You know, like, you go on a campaign with several of them, you know?
What did you say?
You don't get six long weeks to even be concerned with whether they say that you can't make it or not.
Yeah, I know.
I understand.
And I think most people still don't have anything to come out of it.
You've worked on hard speeches, the economic policy and all that.
I think most people think you work for your head up.
So there's no doubt.
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