President Nixon and Charles Colson strategize on how to undermine Democratic presidential candidate George S. McGovern by capitalizing on his perceived political vulnerabilities. They discuss efforts to influence key labor leaders, specifically George Meany, to withhold support from the Democratic ticket, while evaluating the potential for securing backing from New York labor unions. The conversation focuses on leveraging institutional relationships and media narratives to frame McGovern as an extreme candidate and solidify labor support for Nixon's re-election campaign.
On June 6, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 1:42 pm to 1:57 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 025-015 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 25-15 Date: June 6, 1972 Time: 1:42 pm - 1:57 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Charles W. Colson. [See Conversation No. 728-1] ***************************************************************** [Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 10/25/2017. Segment cleared for release.] [Personal Returnable] [025-015-w001] [Duration: 2m 48s] 1972 election -George S. McGovern -Jay Lovestone -July 1971 Playboy interview with George S. McGovern -George S. McGovern’s portrayal as a communist -Democratic convention -George Meany -Endorsement of George S. McGovern -Likelihood -Lack of organizational support -Congressional races -Arrogance Melvin R. Laird -Statement -Effect on George Meany and Labor community -Labor unions -President’s performance -William P. Rogers -New York Times printers -New York unions’ support of the President -Nelson A. Rockefeller -Ties with unions -Statewide affair to support the President -New York labor groups -Conservatism *****************************************************************
No transcript is available for this conversation. The audio may not contain audible speech, or the recording may not yet have been processed.