← 033-003033-005 →

Conversation 033-004

TapeTape 33StartSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 8:40 AMEndSaturday, November 4, 1972 at 8:45 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the administration's public relations strategy regarding Vietnam peace negotiations and George McGovern's accusations of deception. Nixon emphasizes the need for Secretary of State William Rogers and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to aggressively rebut McGovern's claims, while maintaining a firm posture against being rushed into an unsound agreement. They also evaluate the efficacy of the President's recent media coverage, concluding that television remains a more effective medium for their messaging than the press.

Vietnam WarGeorge McGovernHenry KissingerPress relationsElection campaignPeace negotiations
AudioNARA Description

On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 8:40 am to 8:45 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 33-4

Date: November 4, 1972
Time: 8:40 am-8:45 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See Conversation No. 389-2]

       Henry A. Kissinger
                                       -9-

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                Tape Subject Log
                                  (rev. June-07)

                                                           Conversation No. 33-4 (cont’d)


Ziegler’s location

1972 election
     -Vietnam War
            -George S. McGovern's charges
                  -Deception
                  -Nguyen Van Thieu's delays
                  -The President’s position
                  -Kissinger's rebuttal
                         -Washington Post quotation
                               -Foreign students
                               -Confidence
                  -Rebuttal
                         -William P. Rogers
                         -Melvin R. Laird
                         -Necessity
                         -The President's foreign policy speech
                         -Patience
                         -Begging for peace
                         -Hanoi propaganda
                         -Cease-fire provisions
                               -Enforcement
                         -Elections
                  -Kissinger's responses
                         -Restraint
     -The President's trip
            -President's posture
                  -November 3, 1972
                  -Press and media coverage
                         -New York Times, Washington Post
                         -Television
                         -Vietnam
                         -Wires, radio
            -Press coverage
                  -Robert B. Semple, Jr.
                         -View of crowds
                         -New job [at New York Times]
                         -Chicago
                                             - 10 -

                            NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. June-07)

                                                           Conversation No. 33-4 (cont’d)

                        -Adequacy
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.

Yes, sir.
What is your feeling this morning on the Kissinger thing?
Are you going to talk?
Yes, sir.
I'm in the office.
I think it came out just about as we expected and discussed.
McGovern is charging deception, of course, and the two is holding the thing.
You're postured that you're not going to be stampeded by the thing.
I don't know what Henry can add, Mr. President.
He was quoted this morning in the Washington Post.
Henry?
No, it was fine.
It was perfect.
He didn't have a news conference.
No, no.
He talked to some foreign students.
He projected the feeling of confidence and so forth, picking up on what you did.
So I think that really helps to serve the thing, too.
I think very definitely McGovern should be cracked and cracked hard.
by Secretary Rogers.
Rogers and Laird.
Right.
Absolutely.
Because, you know, this man went on television last night and said we were deceiving, you know, the American people and the world on an important matter such as peace.
And I think this is where the line that you use in your foreign policy speech is a line that can be used so effectively that we can't wish for peace.
You know, it's something that has to be achieved through patience.
Also, we can't beg for peace, as he proposed.
And I think the other line, that we won't be stampeded or rushed into an agreement by the propaganda— Also, you make the point that we have agreed on three fundamental things, but we've got to nail them down to be sure that they're sound.
That's all I'm saying.
That's right.
We don't want to cease fire unless it's policed.
See, that's what this is all about.
We don't want elections unless they're proper.
I think, all right, well, anyway, keep Henry cool on it.
Yeah.
All right.
I don't think there's any reason for him to go out and have a big thing.
That would be very defensive.
I think so, too.
Right.
Right.
And I think the posture that you're projecting, as you did yesterday, well, it—
Maybe.
The only problem is I was looking at least as far as the Times and the Post.
They don't give it much of a play.
But that's immaterial because it's an excellent play on television.
What I meant is the posture on Vietnam.
Did it get a play on television, too?
Oh, yes, it did.
Right.
Well, that's the important thing.
And on the wires and the radio and all across the country.
Well, I was thinking, I don't know what the sample must have some purpose to it.
that there were modest, highly partisan crowds.
Did you see that?
Yes, I did.
Was he there?
Yes, but you have to keep in mind that Bob's a good guy, but he's going up there to that new job.
Is he?
What's the new job?
Assistant national editor.
Oh, boy.
So he's just got to butter up to them, huh?
Well, he must be a little sheepish about such stuff.
I'd underline that.
and then show him the Chicago thing.
Would you do that?
Yes, I will.
I mean, just to needle him just a little.
Generally speaking, the coverage was adequate, though, wasn't it?
Yes, I thought very good.
Okay, fine.
I thought very good.
Bye.
Okay, sir.
← 033-003033-005 →