President Nixon and Charles Colson analyzed the emerging results of the 1972 Ohio primary election. They discussed the performance of Democratic contenders George McGovern and Hubert Humphrey, as well as the political implications of recent polling data shared by pollster Louis Harris. The conversation focused on interpreting voter enthusiasm and the broader electoral landscape heading into the general election.
On May 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 8:10 pm to 8:18 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-147 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 23-147
Date: May 3, 1972
Time: 8:10-8:18 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with Charles W. Colson.
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 03/21/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[023-147-w001]
[Duration: 7m 27s]
1972 election
-Ohio primary
-Wire service reports
-Returns
-Robert A. Taft, Jr.
-Figures
-Republican returns
-Democratic returns
-George S. McGovern
-Reaction of Ohio politicians
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-Supporters
-Lack of enthusiasm
-George S. McGovern
-Moral victory
-Results on May 4
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-Victory
-Analysis
-Charles W. Colson’s conversation with Louis Harris
-Reaction of Louis Harris
-Democratic majority
-American people
-Gallup poll
-Analysis
*****************************************************************No transcript is available for this conversation. The audio may not contain audible speech, or the recording may not yet have been processed.