Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 032-029
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 1972 at 8:20 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/032-029

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Mr. Ziegler, sir.
[0:04] Hello.
[0:05] Yes, sir.
[0:06] With all your other problems, one thing I didn't have a chance because our, you know, these little things they don't usually study it.
[0:16] The most, the best thing that I've ever said about Jackie Robinson, you've probably forgotten, is in the little thing I wrote on baseball.
[0:25] Do you remember where I pointed?
[0:29] Right.
[0:30] And basketball.
[0:31] Yes, sir.
[0:31] That was picked up again by AP.
[0:33] I mean, but it wasn't in my statement.
[0:36] But they picked that up from the previous comment.
[0:39] Put it out.
[0:40] I mean, what I meant is just, you might just point that out.
[0:43] Yes, sir.
[0:43] Because I was reading some of the sports things, and they didn't, that's the most significant thing, that he was probably the greatest all-around athlete in time, at that time.
[0:56] Right.
[0:57] Okay.
[0:58] Okay, sir.
[0:59] We're going to, well, this thing this morning is an opportunity.
[1:05] Sorry.
[1:06] Which one is that?
[1:07] Von Haldeman.
[1:08] Oh, yeah.
[1:09] I mean, this is just, we just nailed him to the wall on this one.
[1:14] What are you going to say about it?
[1:15] We're working that out now, but it's just full of just absolutely, you know, they have statements.
[1:20] It was learned that all five men had been questioned by the FBI about disbursements from the fund.
[1:24] Hell, Haldeman was never even asked to
[1:27] The FBI's never talked about it.
[1:29] That's right.
[1:30] Referred a sworn testimony in their lead and federal investigators, and then they support that later.
[1:36] I mean, they don't support it later.
[1:37] They later say the Post was told that Sloan testified and sources close to.
[1:41] And we know that Sloan didn't prove it.
[1:44] Right.
[1:45] I mean, it's going to make a very good speech sometime.
[1:51] This other situation...
[1:54] Vietnam had a long session, I noticed, with them yesterday.
[1:57] The main thing is today be vicious.
[2:02] I think you've got to be vicious on McGovern.
[2:05] Just to say this, shocking, he's trying to sabotage the peace efforts.
[2:09] That's what I'd say.
[2:10] I think it has to be done.
[2:11] I know you haven't paid attention, but if it gets to that, I think it's now time to, don't you think so?
[2:18] Somebody's got to crack that hard.
[2:21] Well, what he's saying, of course, is that where are we?
[2:25] He's talking out of both corners of his mouth.
[2:27] Right.
[2:29] Well, anyway, you know what I mean?
[2:30] I'd be pretty tough today.
[2:32] It's got to come from somebody.
[2:34] It's got to be tough.
[2:35] Right.
[2:36] Okay.
[2:36] He says that if we get peace, it would destroy Nixon.
[2:40] Right.
[2:40] Okay.
[2:41] Okay, sir.
[2:42] We'll work on it.