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Conversation 001-134

TapeTape 1StartSaturday, April 17, 1971 at 4:22 PMEndSaturday, April 17, 1971 at 4:24 PMTape start time04:12:56Tape end time04:14:24ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman deliberate on how to effectively counter political criticism from Representative Pete McCloskey regarding administration policies. They reject the idea of using Gerald Ford, instead concluding that Secretary of State William Rogers should defend his ambassador and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird should directly confront McCloskey. Haldeman is tasked with coordinating with Laird and ensuring Rogers takes a more aggressive public stance against the congressman.

Pete McCloskeyWilliam P. RogersMelvin R. LairdPolitical strategyPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On April 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 4:22 pm to 4:24 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 001-134 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 1-134

Date: April 17, 1971
Time: 4:22 pm - 4:24 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

     Paul N. (“Pete”) McCloskey, Jr.
          -Gerald R. Ford
          -William P. Rogers
                -Ambassador
          -Melvin R. Laird
                -Henry A. Kissinger
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah, yes, sir.
I've been thinking a little more of your suggestion on McCloskey.
I'm not so sure that having somebody like Jerry in the house doing it is the best idea, where they have to see him all the time and all that sort of thing.
Why not Rogers?
I mean, after all, he can talk on this subject.
He's just been over there.
And it's not political.
Understand, it's not partisan.
Rogers has got to step up to a couple of these things now, you know.
Isn't that what really is involved?
Yeah, probably so.
Well, maybe he could hit him hard.
That gets to your new point.
The cabinet officer's attacking if he would do it.
And maybe he would.
Well, then how about Laird?
Laird might even be better as a former House member.
And it's really defense is who he's hitting.
Well, we'll try to see.
Well, tell me about it.
Let's see if we can get maybe Laird in.
I'll have Laird in.
Well, I want him to check first, too, but I think maybe Laird ought to just crack him up, you know, hit him right between the eyeballs.
Yeah, yeah.
Okay.
Although, get Rogers down on that other thing.
Well, it might be worth getting Rogers on this because it's Rogers' ambassador.
That's right.
It's Rogers' ambassador he's taken on.
Rogers should defend his ambassador and attack McCloskey.
Right.
That's what I think.
Okay.
Okay.
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