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Conversation 027-050

TapeTape 27StartTuesday, July 25, 1972 at 11:00 AMEndTuesday, July 25, 1972 at 11:03 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Gallagher, Raymond A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon telephoned Raymond A. Gallagher to express gratitude for his public support of the administration's Vietnam War policies and its strategy regarding POWs. The two men criticized George McGovern's approach to the conflict, affirming the necessity of maintaining military pressure on the North Vietnamese. Nixon also solicited Gallagher's help in framing his reelection campaign as a non-partisan effort, while discussing the potential appearances of Vice President Spiro Agnew at upcoming veterans' conventions.

Vietnam WarPrisoners of War1972 ElectionSpiro AgnewGeorge McGovernBipartisanship
AudioNARA Description

On July 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Raymond A. Gallagher talked on the telephone from 11:00 am to 11:03 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 027-050 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 27-50

Date: July 25, 1972
Time: 11:00 am - 11:03 am

                                         (rev. Feb-02)

Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Raymond A. Gallagher.

[See Conversation No. 752-8A]

     Vietnam War
          -Gallagher's support for the President's policies
                -News summary
          -Prisoners of war [POWs]
                 -[George S. McGovern's] statement
                     -Thailand
                     -Communists
                 -US tactics

     Gallagher's statement about Vice President Spiro T. Agnew

     1972 election
         -Bipartisan nature

     The President's schedule
          -Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW], American Legion
                -Agnew
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello?
It's Ray Gallagher, Mr. President.
Hello?
Yes, sir.
Ray, I just called to tell you how much I appreciated your support, which I saw the news summary and so forth, and it's sure good to be on the same team with you.
Well, I appreciate being on there.
You know, a couple of fighters.
I must say, though, when I saw what this fellow did,
Your fellow South Dakota said about the POWs, where he said, just leave things in Thailand as a gesture.
You know, we're dealing with these communists.
Gestures, the only gesture they would understand is something that gets to them.
Otherwise, they're just going to thumb their nose back and return.
Well, they've been doing that.
That's right.
These fellows don't realize it's a constant effrontery.
We've tried time and time again, and now we're doing what we should do.
We're going to keep the pressure on, and there will be more of it if they don't turn them back.
Oh, there's no question about that.
I just got another statement out supporting your recommendation for Agnew.
Right.
Oh, good.
And I think that's great.
You like him, huh?
Oh, I think he's talking people language.
He uses a little better language than the people use.
Okay.
Well, it's sure good, and I must say that you'll be an enormous help.
Be sure that everybody knows, particularly our Democratic friends, that I consider this to be a campaign that's not personal, it's not partisan, it involves the country, and we want them to come aboard on that basis, and everybody's going to be treated exactly that way.
Well, that's great.
Right.
I hope we see you at the VFW convention.
Okay.
I'll do my best.
I don't know what I can do.
I've got to do the Legion this year because I didn't do them last year, but...
If we don't, we'll get Agnew there.
Yeah, I understand.
He'll be a 10-strike, too.
Right.
Okay.
All right, bye.
Thanks.
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