Henry Kissinger calls President Nixon to offer congratulations on his overwhelming landslide victory in the 1972 presidential election. The two discuss George McGovern's ungracious concession statement and Nixon's subsequent decision to reject a draft telegram from his staff that was overly conciliatory toward his opponent. Additionally, they reflect on disappointing Republican losses in the Senate and interpret the election results as a definitive public rebuke of the media and liberal intelligentsia regarding the administration's Vietnam policy.
On November 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:16 am and 1:28 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-060 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 33-60 Date: November 8, 1972 Time: Unknown between 1:16 am and 1:28 am Location: White House Telephone The White House operator talked with the President. [See Conversation No. 388-4I] Call from Henry A. Kissinger Call from Hubert H. Humphrey Kissinger talked with the President between 1:28 am and 1:30 am. [See Conversation No. 388-4I] Greetings ***************************************************************** [Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift] 1972 election -The President's victory -Kissinger's congratulations -Margin of victory -Massachusetts -Minnesota -George S. McGovern -Concession statement -Tone -The President's telegram - 68 - NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY Tape Subject Log (rev. June-07) Conversation No. 33-60 (cont’d) -Raymond K. Price, Jr.'s draft -The President’s recent conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman -Concession statement -Tone -Kissinger’s view -The President’s response -Senate races -Republican gains and losses -Margaret Chase Smith -Loss -Age -Jack Miller -J. Caleb Boggs -Loss -Age -The President's victory -Press and media reaction -Liberals -Senate, House of Representatives, Republican Party -McGovern -Vietnam -Intelligentsia -Margin [End of segment reviewed under deed of gift] *****************************************************************
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.