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Conversation 023-037

TapeTape 23StartWednesday, April 19, 1972 at 2:17 PMEndWednesday, April 19, 1972 at 2:18 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler strategize on how to counter criticism from Ivy League university presidents regarding the recent U.S. bombing campaign in Vietnam. Nixon suggests a biting public retort emphasizing that university leadership should condemn the enemy rather than the United States. They ultimately decide against a direct White House statement, opting instead to have a political ally like Senator Barry Goldwater deliver the line to deflect attention and maintain a strategic distance.

Vietnam WarPublic RelationsUniversity ProtestsBombing CampaignBarry GoldwaterStrategic Messaging
AudioNARA Description

On April 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 2:17 pm to 2:18 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-037 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 23-37

Date: April 19, 1972
Time: 2:17-2:18 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See also Conversation No. 331-32]
     Vietnam
          -Bombing
              -Objections of Ivy League presidents
                   -North Vietnamese actions
                   -Ziegler's conversation with Charles W. Colson
                         -Barry M. Goldwater
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
I thought of a good line to handle this, and it may be worth your doing it, is just to say, well, gentlemen, that really isn't news.
What would be news is if the presidents of these universities, instead of condemning the United States, condemned the enemy of the United States.
What would be news?
And that would be certainly like a man biting a dog.
A man biting dog.
Right.
I think it's worth saying.
I was just talking to Chuck when you called back, and his instinct was what mine was.
To leave it alone?
Leave it alone, because it would, you know... Give him that quote for somebody.
I will.
Put it out from the hill or something.
Have somebody up there, like Goldwater or something.
That's right.
All right.
Right, yes, sir.
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