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Conversation 023-164

TapeTape 23StartFriday, May 5, 1972 at 8:55 AMEndFriday, May 5, 1972 at 8:58 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Brennan, Peter J.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On May 5, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Peter J. Brennan talked on the telephone from 8:55 am to 8:58 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-164 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 23-164

Date: May 5, 1972
Time: 8:55-8:58 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Peter J. Brennan.

[See also Conversation No. 720-4]

     Greetings

     Weather in New York

     Department of Labor and labor
         -Charles W. Colson and John N. Mitchell
         -William J. Rogers
              -Appointment
                    -Arrangements
         -Joseph Trerotola
              -Meeting with the President
                    -Frank E. Fitzsimmons
              -Qualities
              -Attendance at a demonstration of nuns

     Vietnam
          -US actions
               -Brennan's support
               -Prisoners of war [POWs]
          -South Vietnamese
          -North Vietnamese
               -Soviet support
               -Equipment
          -US forces
               -Air Force
               -Navy
          -The President's policies
               -Criticism
                     -Newspapers
               -Supporters
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Peter Brennan, sir.
Yeah.
Hello.
Good morning, Mr. President.
Hi, how are you?
Fine, thank you.
You, sir?
Well, you got a good day up there.
I hope they tell me the weather's been a little spotty, like here in Washington.
Well, it's a little cloudy, but it's going to clear up.
Great, great.
About what I was calling you about, I was talking to Chuck Colson, and I haven't been able to keep in touch with him myself, but as you know, he has been, and John Mitchell and others have been talking to
your man, Mr. Rogers.
Right.
And we are extremely anxious to, if we could get him aboard, to have him, if it's no embarrassment to you, or if you can spare him.
I just want you to know that he has my personal approval, but as you know, it's your decision, but I just want you to know that.
Yes.
Well, we're working it out.
I think something can be done.
That's really great.
Good man.
Good man.
I had a very good talk yesterday with a fellow, said he's a good friend of yours, with the Vice President Teamsters up there in New York.
Joe Trotola?
They call him Joe T. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
He is quite a fellow.
He's a good man.
Fitz was down for the pay board, and he brought him in and a couple others, and I talked to him.
Boy, I'll tell you, he's a strong man.
He was talking about an interesting thing he apparently had.
been to St. Patrick's on the day that some of the nuns had been demonstrating and then rolled something down the aisle.
Boy, he was really, really stirred up.
He says if his wife hadn't have been there, he'd have gone out there and made them get out.
I think it's a little ridiculous, but I think you're holding it well.
If everything just starts to move better in Oman, Vietnam, I think it should be good.
Well, we may have to take some stronger action here in the near future, and if we do, I hope you support it.
The main purpose being just we've got to get our POWs out and turn the thing around.
Because what is happening, I can tell you, is that there's a...
The South Vietnamese are fighting under all circumstances bravely as men.
The Soviet Union has given the North Vietnamese huge tanks, big guns.
Mallard was reporting the other day 11 new weapon systems that we've never seen before.
Well, that sort of thing is pretty rough, you know, when they're coming in.
And so, but they're holding on.
And our Air Force and Davy are just doing a wonderful job.
That's all we've got in there, you know, but without that, the South Vietnamese would be gone.
Well, I think you're doing the right thing, and I just wish the newspapers would start to realize what this means to the country instead of downgrading everything.
Well, I think we've got to live with that.
That, unfortunately, is the life right now.
Well, main thing, I always say to them, whenever they get discouraged, well, we've got the best guys on our side.
Right.
Good to talk to you.
Good to speak to you, Mr. President.
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