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Conversation 001-037

TapeTape 1StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 11:13 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 11:14 PMTape start time01:23:03Tape end time01:25:03ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the political reception of the President's recent televised speech regarding the war in Southeast Asia. While they shared a supportive cable from Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker, Nixon expressed frustration over the perceived silence or hesitation from various administration officials and political allies. They reviewed feedback from key figures including Ronald Reagan, who praised the address, and Nelson Rockefeller, whom they analyzed as a self-interested political actor.

Vietnam WarPublic RelationsPresidential SpeechPolitical AlliesHenry Kissinger
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 11:13 pm to 11:14 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-037 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-37

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 11:13 pm - 11:14 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.

     Reaction to President's speech on Southeast Asia
          -Ellsworth Bunker
          -Clark MacGregor
          -White House staff "doves"
          -Donald H. Rumsfeld
          -Robert H. Finch
          -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
          -Nelson A. Rockefeller
          -Ronald W. Reagan
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Mr. President, I thought you might like to hear a cable we just got from Bunker about half an hour ago.
We have just heard the President's moving and courageous speech.
It has inspired us all with a renewed sense of dedication and determination.
Please say to him that all of us here are resolved to achieve the goals he has so eloquently stated.
Please express to the President my admiration and respect for his great personal courage.
That's nice.
Warmest personal regard.
Very nice, very nice.
Well, what the hell?
Well, Mr. President... We hear nothing, you know.
I haven't heard from McGregor or from Rumsfeld or Finch, any of our other fellows.
I mean, they're all cowering, I suppose.
Waiting till they see you have the whole show.
Well, I think Gregor called Haldeman and said he was disappointed at the withdrawal of her.
That's fine.
Well, we've got to shake him up a little bit.
But that he thought otherwise it was a well-delivered speech.
Well, yeah.
Good.
Okay.
That was a great speech, Mr. President.
Yeah, the hell with all the rest.
Okay.
I talked to Rockefeller.
He was fine.
Was he okay?
Oh, hell.
He talked very nice.
You know, he's playing both sides.
He feels his own future is involved here, too.
You know what the hell?
If I go down, he may go up, but he never go up.
No, he never says anything against you as far as I know, Mr. President.
He may not say as much publicly as he should, but he knows you're right.
Yeah.
That's right.
So is Reagan, so is Johnson, and all the rest.
Well, Reagan called in, you know.
Did he?
What did he say?
He said it was outstanding, moving, uh, uh, best reputation to all these softies or whatever left for him.
Good, good, good.
Okay.
Right, Mr. Miller.
Thank you.
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