Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 003-161
Date: Thursday, May 27, 1971 at 9:14 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Goldenson, Leonard H.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/003-161

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello?
[0:01] Mr. Goldenson, sir.
[0:02] I found you were in the hospital, but I thought I could tell you that first two things.
[0:07] One, how grateful I am for the fine job John Scali is doing in telling you.
[0:11] Oh, good.
[0:12] I'm delighted.
[0:12] 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.
[0:23] Oh, good.
[0:23] I think he has been in touch with you, but I've...
[0:27] After our conversation, I told him to watch it closely.
[0:31] Fine.
[0:32] Are you in just for something, just a checkup?
[0:34] Oh, fine, fine.
[0:36] Oh, they can't, you're too tough for anything to happen.
[0:40] And the main thing is not to do what the doctor says, not everything.
[0:43] Otherwise, you know, you live long, but you won't enjoy it.
[0:47] Dana actually up here, he's up here every year for a checkup.
[0:51] Oh, he's right, he's right.
[0:52] Then just do about 80% of what he says, but the other 20% enjoy it, huh?
[0:58] Right.
[0:58] Tell him that's what I said, will you?
[1:00] Well, I certainly shall.
[1:01] I'm delighted on Scali.
[1:03] He's a good man, and I was hopeful that he could do a great job for you.
[1:06] He's doing a great job.
[1:07] He's been very helpful in this.
[1:09] When we had this breakthrough on the arms limitation assault, he was very good.
[1:14] And there are other things coming along where he'll be just indispensable.
[1:18] Yes.
[1:19] Well, I'm delighted.
[1:20] And thank you very much on the other matter.
[1:23] All right.
[1:24] Thank you.
[1:26] I keep listening to our news people, and I think they treat you very nicely.
[1:32] Oh, I have no complaints.
[1:33] Harry Reisner is coming through beautifully.
[1:36] Yeah, he's a very fine objective.
[1:38] And, of course, Howard always has been.
[1:39] Well, Howard's a good, strong man.
[1:42] And as a matter of fact, you know, you've got to have balance.
[1:45] Sometimes somebody comes in, gee, look what this guy says to the rest.
[1:49] I don't care what network it is.
[1:50] I tell them, well, keep your cool.
[1:52] Look, we just...
[1:54] particularly when I have the opportunity, like on Tuesday, I'm going to have a press conference, and I do about one a month.
[2:00] My goodness, when I go on at prime time, that has an enormous impact.
[2:05] Oh, there's no question.
[2:06] You fellows give us that, what can we complain about, right?
[2:10] I think you're handling yourself in those press conferences very well, and I think you've come through exceedingly well.
[2:16] Well, I just hope, Leonard, you're feeling okay, and as I say, don't do everything the doctor says.
[2:21] It'll be very dull.
[2:22] Okay.
[2:22] That's what I tell my doctor.
[2:25] Okay, bye.
[2:26] Thank you very much.