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Conversation 005-145

TapeTape 5StartWednesday, June 23, 1971 at 3:16 PMEndWednesday, June 23, 1971 at 3:18 PMTape start time04:26:35Tape end time04:28:39ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Stennis, John C.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon calls Senator John C. Stennis to express his appreciation for the Senator's legislative support regarding Vietnam policy following a recent vote. Nixon reflects on the negative impact of the Pentagon Papers on administration efforts and discusses the potential formation of a Senate select committee to review the documents. The President explicitly endorses Stennis to chair such a committee, specifically contrasting Stennis's judicial temperament with that of Senator J. William Fulbright.

Vietnam WarPentagon PapersJohn C. StennisCongressional relationsSelect Committee
AudioNARA Description

On June 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John C. Stennis talked on the telephone from 3:16 pm to 3:18 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-145 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 5-145

Date: June 23, 1971
Time: 3:16 pm - 3:18 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John C. Stennis.

[See Conversation No. 258-45]

     Stennis’ legislative efforts on half of administration efforts in Vietnam
          -Vote 6/22

     Pentagon Papers
          -President's conversation with Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield
                -Stennis’ possible role in Select Committee
                      -Richard Russell (?)
                      -J. William Fulbright
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I have Senator Stennis.
Yes, please.
Hello.
Senator Stennis.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. President.
John, I didn't want to bother you, but I don't want this day to go by without telling you I am really proud of the fight you've been putting up down there.
Well.
And by golly, in the end, it's going to come out all right.
Well.
Well, I'm afraid, the only thing I'm afraid is that the vote might be interpreted by, let me say there's some very sensitive talks going on now.
Yes.
Very sensitive, I can assure you.
Yes.
Now.
If they break down, it'll be because of the vote, and we're going to have to put the blame there.
But I don't want to do that, but if it does, we're going to have to do it.
But, boy, you and your people have done a marvelous job, and I just appreciate it.
I wouldn't blame you for putting the blame where it belongs.
I'm mighty sorry about that thing yesterday.
Oh, well.
That thing had built up.
I think this Pentagon paper stuff, it gradually undermined us a little.
Sure, sure.
You did a marvelous job.
all these weeks there because you did hold the dikes until yesterday and that was the mildest thing they had in sight.
Sure it was pretty mild that's right and we'll just go ahead and do it we'll do what's right and in the end we'll be judged that's coming out and it's going to come out all right.
I'm doing what I do because I think you were trying hard in the battle for us and well
We'll always be free to talk to each other.
You betcha I.
Now, on these papers, you know, I've agreed with my leadership.
And I told, for your information, probably you've already heard, I told Mike that I thought that the chairman of the committee should be you.
Now, because I think, frankly, you can preside over the thing if they have a select committee.
You know, it's like Russell did the other one.
You need a guy who's a judge and not some damn advocate like Furbright.
Yeah.
Okay?
Well, I hope that works out.
I just don't know what will be done.
Yeah, well.
I just don't know.
Just pick a good man if you don't do it, okay?
Thank you.
All right.
It was nice, and I appreciate your call, Jim.
All right.
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