President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discussed congressional voting patterns regarding the Vietnam War, specifically focusing on efforts to influence Republican senators on the Byrd amendment. The conversation also covered the political implications of the recent assassination attempt on George Wallace, the public response to Nixon's handling of the Vietnam blockade, and strategies for securing labor support, particularly from Frank Fitzsimmons, for the upcoming 1972 election. Additionally, the participants touched on the logistical management of John B. Connally’s departure and the public relations surrounding Nixon’s recent walk to the Treasury Department.
On May 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 3:59 pm to 4:10 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-155 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 24-155
Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 3:59 pm - 4:10 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with Charles W. Colson.
Vietnam
-Vote in Senate on Robert C. Byrd amendment
-The President's conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-Robert A. Taft, Jr.'s vote
-Reasons
-Previous support
-Forthcoming call from Colson
-Richard S. Schweiker
-Charles H. Percy
-Charles McC. Mathias, Jr.
-Percy
-Polls
-Calls
-Robert W. Galvin [?]
-Vote
-Reasons
-Roman C. Pucinski
-Support for the President
-Change in position on Vietnam
-Colson’s vote
-Taft's vote
John B. Connally's departure
-Handling
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 29s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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-The President's walk to Treasury Department
-Haldeman
-Press photographs
-George C. Wallace
-Wire stories
-Crowds
-The President's chats
-Associated Press [AP] story
-Gaylord Shaw
-Presence of children
-Foreign tourists
-Fears for safety
-Publicity
-Reassurance to nation
-Caution
The President conferred with Stephen B. Bull at an unknown time.
Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Allen J. Ellender's movies
-Attendance
[End of conferral]
Assault on Wallace
-Arthur H. Bremer
-Political affiliations
-Press stories
-Kenneth W. Clawson
-Young Democrats
-Interest in politics
-Father's statement
-Support of Hubert H. Humphrey
-Planning of assassination
-Publicity
-John D. Ehrlichman and Haldeman
-Possible labels
-Wallace as candidate
-Wallace not a candidate
-Wallace's condition
-Paralysis
-Unknown neurosurgeon
-Dr. William M. Lukash's and Dr. Walter R. Tkach's assessments
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 1m 9s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
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Vietnam
-Blockade
-Press criticism of the President
-Risks to Soviet summit
-Colson's Request for a call to Haldeman
-Hugh S. Sidey
-Peter Lisagor
-The President's support
-Frank E. Fitzsimmons
1972 election
-Labor
-Fitzsimmons
-Lack of support for Humphrey
-Support for the President
-Work for George S. McGovern
-Support for the President
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 2m 2s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
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West Coast dock strike
-Fitzsimmons's actions
-Money to Harry BridgesNo transcript is available for this conversation. The audio may not contain audible speech, or the recording may not yet have been processed.