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Conversation 019-076

TapeTape 19StartTuesday, January 25, 1972 at 8:55 PMEndTuesday, January 25, 1972 at 10:03 PMParticipantsWhite House operator;  Kissinger, Henry A.;  Scali, John A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Henry Kissinger contacted John Scali to gauge the public and media reception following President Nixon's speech regarding Vietnam. Scali offered a favorable assessment, predicting a 90% positive response despite potential minor criticism later from the press. Kissinger expressed appreciation for Scali’s assistance, emphasizing the need to maintain the positive momentum generated by the address.

Vietnam WarPublic relationsPress coverageSpeech analysisNixon administration
AudioNARA Description

On January 25, 1972, the White House operator, Henry A. Kissinger, and John A. Scali talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:55 pm and 10:03 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 019-076 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 19-76

Date: January 25, 1972
Time: Unknown between 8:55 pm and 10:03 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Status of calls to John A. Scali and William P. Rogers

Kissinger talked with Scali.

     The President's previous speech on Vietnam
          -Reaction
          -Tone
          -Delivery
          -Reaction
                -Press
          -Scali's role
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 Scali.
Do you still want the Rogers?
Yes, right after.
There you are.
Hello, John.
I'm with the President, and we just wanted to check with you what you think the reaction is.
I think the reaction is going to be about 90% positive.
I was very pleased with the tone of the speech, and I thought the President's delivery was superb.
Excellent.
I don't think we have anything to worry about.
You don't?
No, I don't.
I think that there'll be some nitpicking on it, but much later, Henry.
I think that the reporters have so much to digest right now that they're just going to be concentrating on the positive elements of it.
Right.
And I think there are plenty of positive elements, and I think that the overall way he wrapped it up was first-rate.
And I was proud of him, and I was proud of you, too.
Well, John, you've been a terrific help, and...
Anything you can do to keep it going, of course.
And I'll be in touch with you tomorrow.
And thanks for your help this afternoon.
Bye.
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