Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 3 › Conversation 003-161

Nixon phone call with Goldenson on John Scali and ABC News

Thursday, May 27, 1971 · 9:14 PM–9:16 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Goldenson, Leonard H.Conversation003-161 on Tape 3 (tape position 03:50:16–03:52:44)StartThursday, May 27, 1971 at 9:14 PMEndThursday, May 27, 1971 at 9:16 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 003-161 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called ABC executive Leonard Goldenson to express his gratitude for the performance of John Scali and to confirm that Charles Colson was managing a pending cable television issue. The two discussed the importance of balanced network news coverage, with Nixon expressing satisfaction with ABC’s reporting and his own press conference strategy. Nixon also checked on Goldenson’s health during his hospital stay and encouraged him to maintain a positive outlook.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello?
Mr. Goldenson, sir.
I found you were in the hospital, but I thought I could tell you that first two things.
One, how grateful I am for the fine job John Scali is doing in telling you.
Oh, good.
I'm delighted.
Second, that I've talked to Colson, and I think that we have that other matter involving that cable thing pretty much on the track at the moment.
Oh, good.
I think he has been in touch with you, but I've...
After our conversation, I told him to watch it closely.
Fine.
Are you in just for something, just a checkup?
Oh, fine, fine.
Oh, they can't, you're too tough for anything to happen.
And the main thing is not to do what the doctor says, not everything.
Otherwise, you know, you live long, but you won't enjoy it.
Dana actually up here, he's up here every year for a checkup.
Oh, he's right, he's right.
Then just do about 80% of what he says, but the other 20% enjoy it, huh?
Right.
Tell him that's what I said, will you?
Well, I certainly shall.
I'm delighted on Scali.
He's a good man, and I was hopeful that he could do a great job for you.
He's doing a great job.
He's been very helpful in this.
When we had this breakthrough on the arms limitation assault, he was very good.
And there are other things coming along where he'll be just indispensable.
Yes.
Well, I'm delighted.
And thank you very much on the other matter.
All right.
Thank you.
I keep listening to our news people, and I think they treat you very nicely.
Oh, I have no complaints.
Harry Reisner is coming through beautifully.
Yeah, he's a very fine objective.
And, of course, Howard always has been.
Well, Howard's a good, strong man.
And as a matter of fact, you know, you've got to have balance.
Sometimes somebody comes in, gee, look what this guy says to the rest.
I don't care what network it is.
I tell them, well, keep your cool.
Look, we just...
particularly when I have the opportunity, like on Tuesday, I'm going to have a press conference, and I do about one a month.
My goodness, when I go on at prime time, that has an enormous impact.
Oh, there's no question.
You fellows give us that, what can we complain about, right?
I think you're handling yourself in those press conferences very well, and I think you've come through exceedingly well.
Well, I just hope, Leonard, you're feeling okay, and as I say, don't do everything the doctor says.
It'll be very dull.
Okay.
That's what I tell my doctor.
Okay, bye.
Thank you very much.

NARA Description

On May 27, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Leonard H. Goldenson talked on the telephone from 9:14 pm to 9:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-161 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 003-161

Date: May 27, 1971
Time: 9:14 pm - 9:16 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Leonard H. Goldenson.

     Goldenson's location

     John A. Scali's work

     A cable television matter
          -Charles W. Colson
          -Goldenson's meeting with President

     Goldenson's location
          -Dana Ashley

       Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542

     Scali's work
           -Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] announcement

     American Broadcasting Company [ABC] News
         -Reporting on President
         -Harry Reasoner and Howard K. Smith

     Network news reporting
         -President's response
         -White House staff response
         -President's press conferences

     Goldenson's health

Also recorded on May 28, 1971

  • 504-016 8:27 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:27 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • 504-017 8:27 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:27 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • 504-018 8:27 PM · 45 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and John J. McCloy met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:27 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • 003-159 9:05 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle talked on the telephone from 9:05 pm to 9:07 pm.
  • 003-160 9:07 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:07 pm and 9:14 pm.
  • 003-162 9:16 PM — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:16 pm and 9:28 pm.
  • 003-163 9:16 PM — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:16 pm and 9:22 pm.
  • 003-164 9:28 PM — President Richard M. Nixon and James Cardinal McIntyre talked on the telephone from 9:28 pm to 9:29 pm.

All 63 conversations from May 28, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 003-161, May 28, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/003-161 (accessed October 12, 2026).