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Conversation 001-033

TapeTape 1StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:51 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 10:52 PMTape start time01:12:36Tape end time01:14:48ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rockefeller, Nelson A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon initiated this call to thank New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller for his public support of a recent presidential address concerning Southeast Asia and the Vietnam War. Rockefeller praised the effectiveness of Nixon's use of visual charts and emotional appeals in communicating his policy to the public. The two men discussed the importance of maintaining resolve regarding the war, with Nixon hinting at the potential for future diplomatic negotiations.

Vietnam WarSoutheast Asia policyPublic relationsNelson A. RockefellerPresidential communication
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Nelson A. Rockefeller talked on the telephone from 10:51 pm to 10:52 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-033 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-33

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 10:51 pm - 10:52 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Nelson A. Rockefeller
     President’s previous speech on Southeast Asia

     Vietnam
          -Negotiations
               -President's options

     President’s previous speech on Southeast Asia
          -Chart
          -Media reaction
           -Young boys reaction
           -Rockefeller's support
                -John V. Lindsay
                -Margaretta (“Happy”) Rockefeller
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Mr. President, I hear Governor Rockefeller.
Here you are.
Hello.
Mr. President.
Hi, Nelson, how are you?
Well, listen, aren't you nice to call back?
I just wanted to call and say I thought you handled a difficult situation with tremendous straightforwardness and skill.
Well, thank you.
I appreciate that.
I think you've stuck with the thing, and I think it's going to work.
Well, the main thing, Nelson, is how it all comes out, isn't it?
That's right.
And in the end, you know, it's going to come out all right if we can stick the course, because in the next two or three months, you know, between you and me, we might have a negotiation.
Who knows?
If we don't, if we don't, then we'll do something else.
Well, I think that the use of that chart, of those figures, was tremendous.
Did that come across?
Yes, and then, interestingly enough, afterwards, the commentary, I've forgotten what station we were looking at, but...
They took your figures and went by the periods, you know, you cut 50,000 and you cut 100,000, whatever it was, and they accentuated it, and I think it was extremely powerful.
Yeah.
I thought it was important to Nelson to put it in very personal terms, the last about the little boy, the four-year-old, you know, by God, we've got to get across, you know, that's what it's all about, you know, not our generation, but their generation, and are we going to,
let them down, that's really what it really is involved, you know.
The tragedy is that so much of what's said has now sort of become an Alice in Wonderland thing.
I know.
We're talking about something that has nothing to do with the realities in which we live.
That's right.
Well, let me say I've appreciated your, I know you're under horrible heat up there, you know.
Well, it's my pleasure.
I'm finished.
No, no, no, no, no.
I meant that in terms of this whole business, you know, your friend Lindsay and all the rest.
But I've appreciated the fact you stood firm, and by God, I won't forget it.
Well, listen, you're the man who stood firm.
Well, I had to, but you didn't have to.
And you did, and I appreciate it.
Yeah, nice to say it.
And you give my best to Happy and all of our good friends.
I certainly will, and we're just with you.
All right, thank you.
Okay, thanks a lot.
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