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Conversation 001-026

TapeTape 1StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:35 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:37 PMTape start time01:01:13Tape end time01:03:42ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the positive reception of the President's recent speech on Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on the praise offered by journalist Joseph Alsop. Kissinger relays that Alsop and his guests, including those traditionally unsympathetic to the administration, were profoundly moved by the address. The two also note the political significance of support from Senators Robert Byrd and Hugh Scott, confirming that the administration's messaging had successfully resonated with both key Democrats and the public.

Southeast AsiaPublic RelationsJoseph AlsopRobert ByrdHugh ScottPresidential Speeches
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 10:35 pm to 10:37 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-026 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-26

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 10:35 pm - 10:37 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.
     Reaction to President's speech on Southeast Asia
          -Joseph W. Alsop
          -Robert C. Byrd and Hugh Scott
          -Alsop
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Dr. Kissinger?
Yeah.
Mr. President, Dr. Kissinger's calling you.
Yeah.
Fine, sir.
There you are.
Yeah.
Mr. President?
Yeah.
I just talked to Al Tharp.
Yeah.
Joe or... Joe, yeah.
And he was just...
He said the only reason he didn't call you is because he has a dinner party at his house.
That's all right.
I shouldn't talk to him tonight anyway.
And he said he'd write you a note tomorrow.
He said it was marvelous, immensely... You think I should call him at his house?
He might like that.
You should call him?
You think I should or not?
I wouldn't do it tonight.
All right, I won't.
All right.
But he said it was marvelous, immensely brave.
He liked the speech.
He said it was proud to be an American.
It was just the way things should be.
He said you remind him of Grant saying you'd fight on this line if it takes all summer.
And...
He said he had a lot of people there who were not sympathetic to you.
He didn't mention their names, but he said everyone was enormously impressed.
Were they really?
That's what he said.
His friends, isn't that interesting?
It's interesting that his people would think that, isn't it?
Well, that's what I found.
That's why I'm mentioning it.
And he...
really could not have been uh he thought it was fine good that's good to know that he feels that way marvelous he said immensely brave exactly right but the whole impression he didn't think that the last was too uh emotional did he some may think no no he thought that was just uh i did what i thought with with i really underplayed it a bit but i thought i did it with with just about the right amount of you know i felt it very deeply but i couldn't
let the people know that I felt as deeply as I did, you know, but I hope it got across.
I just got a, somebody just handed me a new sticker saying that in which Bird and Scott are supporting you.
Good, good.
Bird is particularly important.
And Bird is a fine person.
Well, he's important because he's a Democrat.
Good.
Right, right, but...
But Alsop was deeply moved, he said, and all of his dinner guests were profoundly impressed.
Good.
Good deal.
Fine, Henry.
If you've got anything else that's interesting, call me.
Right, Mr. President.
Bye.
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