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Conversation 001-046

TapeTape 1StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 11:33 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 11:36 PMTape start time01:45:07Tape end time01:47:40ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Byrd, Robert C.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Robert C. Byrd talked on the telephone from 11:33 pm to 11:36 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-046 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-46

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 11:33 pm - 11:36 pm
Location: White House Telephone
Robert C. Byrd talked with the President.

     President’s previous speech on Southeast Asia
          -Wire statements

     Vietnam
          -President's briefing
          -Robert P. Griffin
          -House leadership
          -Griffin
          -Byrd
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Senator Robert Byrd, sir.
Yeah.
Hello?
Hello, Bob.
Hello, Mr. President.
I just wanted to thank you for your good statement on the speech tonight.
It was very thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it.
What was this, a wire news release?
Yeah, yeah, apparently you made some statement that got on the wires.
It said that you, I don't know, were pleased with the fact that we were indicated that we were going to have a total withdrawal or something like that, yeah.
in this position bob you're really going to get a lot of a lot of heat and i know that i know you're under a lot but i do appreciate the fact that you've been such a stand-up guy and uh you do do whatever your heart tells you is right but i i can only tell you i know what is right now and i i won't do it and i'll be held accountable but
We're going to pull this off, believe me.
Well, I hope so.
I don't know what was quoted, but I think in the overall, you would have been pleased with my...
I know.
...reaction.
I know.
I appreciate it very much, Bob.
I appreciate the invitation to the briefing.
Well, look, we're glad to have you there.
I'm going to find a way.
The problem here is that we always want to have you and Bobby Griffin there.
The difficulty is, you know, the damn house, the...
You know, they have a different relationship, you know, and if you get the whips there, then they say, oh, no, you've got to have 18 other guys, you know.
But I'll find a way, believe me, because I want you and Bobby there every time I have a briefing.
I'll work it out if that's all right with you.
Well, surely.
They only have two elected whips, don't they, over there?
True, but the difficulty, Bob, is that they also have, for example, the...
In fact, the whip in the House is not as important as the whip in the Senate.
Do you see my point?
Yes.
And therefore, they think that the whip in the House, if you have the whip in the House, that then you're throwing off on guys that also ought to be there, you see?
And then I've got to go down the line.
We'll find a way.
Sometimes we just meet privately, you know, if you and Bobby Griffin are two or three others.
Very well.
But we'll do it in confidence.
And I appreciate the fact you spoke out so directly what you feel.
That's what I want to know.
Thank you.
I'll try to be helpful.
You betcha.
Okay, bye.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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