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Conversation 009-120

TapeTape 9StartWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 4:53 PMEndWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 4:54 PMTape start time03:36:13Tape end time03:37:12ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Buchanan, Patrick J.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Patrick Buchanan discuss the public relations strategy for the announcement of a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engine initiative. Nixon advises against a formal White House rollout, suggesting instead that the information be released casually in response to a press inquiry. Buchanan is tasked with consulting William Ruckelshaus and John Whitaker to evaluate the viability and potential risks of this low-profile approach.

Environmental Protection AgencyPublic RelationsWilliam D. RuckelshausJohn C. WhitakerGovernment Communications
AudioNARA Description

On September 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan talked on the telephone from 4:53 pm to 4:54 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-120 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-120

Date: September 22, 1971
Time: 4:53 pm - 4:54 pm

Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Patrick J. Buchanan.

[See Conversation No. 279-24]

     Engine
          -William D. Ruckelshaus
          -Robert P. Griffin
          -Announcement
               -Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]
               -William E. Timmons
               -John C. Whitaker
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 on that question on ruckelshaus's new engine uh i think i mean they don't have to worry about griffin on that i just do they do they think they'd like to have it announced out there i think uh what i got when my guy was inquiring about the epa stuff was that it was going to come out in a day or two so i assume i thought it might be a good thing for us to drop in response to a question you know just let it drop right in the press's lap
Fine.
Why don't you check with, well, who is it over there that's in charge of that?
Ruckelshaus would be the guy.
Yeah, Ruckelshaus, but you better check with... Tim and Jermaine on the... No, no, no, no, no, no, not the Congress.
Whitaker, I think, is the staff man, isn't he?
Yeah, that's right, that's right.
Why don't you just see if there's any reason why we shouldn't do it that way?
Okay, fine.
I mean, I don't see any gain, I mean, I think any gain to put it out here or something.
We'll see.
Okay.
Okay.
Right on, Bob.
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