President Nixon and Charles Colson engaged in a wide-ranging strategic assessment of the 1972 presidential campaign, focusing heavily on the political prospects of Democratic front-runner George McGovern. They analyzed McGovern's electoral strengths, ideological vulnerabilities, and potential weaknesses regarding his tax and welfare proposals. The discussion further evaluated voter demographics, polling data from the California primary, and the effectiveness of campaign organization as they formulated the administration's political strategy against the Democratic opposition.
On June 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 9:51 am to 10:20 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 025-036 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 25-36 Date: June 11, 1972 Time: 9:51 am - 10:20 am Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Charles W. Colson. [See Conversation No. 341-17] ***************************************************************** [Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and released 10/26/2017.] [Unintelligible] [025-036-w001] [Duration: 31m 10s] John N. Mitchell's schedule -Forthcoming television interview, June 11, 1972 -Ability as a lawyer Washington Star story 1972 campaign -George S. McGovern -Press coverage -Patrick J. Buchanan -Memorandum -Organization -Oregon -Front runner -Polls -California primary -George S. McGovern’s showing -Media coverage -George C. Wallace -Supporters -Reaction to George S. McGovern -George S. McGovern -Effectiveness on television -Intellectuals -Perception of electorate -Coolness -Ego -Weak points -Media coverage -Radicalism -Voting record -Extremism on left and right -Leftists -Comparison with rightists -Will do anything to get power -Rightists -Recognize principles -Comedians -Edward O. Sullivan, III -Leftists forgiveness of sins -Republicans -More comfortable in opposition -Democrats -Only enjoy in power -Want government to do something for them -George S. McGovern -Press coverage -Edmund S. Muskie -Income taxes -Patrick J. Buchanan -Stewart R. Mott -George S. McGovern’s welfare proposal -Analysis -George S. McGovern -White House strategy -Gallup poll -Richard M. Scammon -Voter attitudes -California primary -Percentages of votes needed -Democratic vote -Republican vote -1968 election organization -The President’s opinion -New York vote -Activists -Volunteers for campaigns -Importance -Black vote -Percentages -Status of the Republican Party -George S. McGovern campaign -Organization -Effectiveness -Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson -Progress of campaign *****************************************************************
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.