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Conversation 039-133

TapeTape 39StartThursday, June 7, 1973 at 1:43 PMEndThursday, June 7, 1973 at 1:46 PMParticipantsWhite House operator;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Warren, Gerald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren discussed the positive reception of Clarence M. Kelly following his introduction as the nominee for FBI Director. Warren briefed the President on his interactions with the press, noting that Kelly’s emphasis on local cooperation and a balanced "war on crime" provided a welcome distraction from Watergate coverage. The pair also coordinated messaging regarding the wholesale price index and Alexander M. Haig Jr.’s contributions, aiming to shift public and media attention toward the administration's economic and domestic policy efforts.

Clarence M. KellyFBIWatergatePublic relationsWholesale Price IndexAlexander M. Haig Jr.Economic policy
AudioNARA Description

On June 7, 1973, White House operator, President Richard M. Nixon, and Gerald L. Warren talked on the telephone from 1:43 pm to 1:46 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 039-133 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 39-133

Date: June 7, 1973
Time: 1:43 pm - 1:46 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with the President.

       Incoming telephone call

The President talked with Gerald L. Warren.

[See also Conversation No. 441-27]

       Clarence M. Kelly’s appointment to Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
              -Press briefing, June 7
                      -Confirmation hearings
                              -Testimony
                      -“War on crime,” human rights
                      -Local cooperation
                      -Press reaction
                      -Elliot L. Richardson’s comments

       News leads
             -Cabinet meeting
             -National economy
                    -Wholesale Price Index
             -Cabinet
                    -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.’s personal sacrifice
             -Kelly
             -Watergate
                    -Popular opinion
                           -Contrasted with press focus
                                             -110-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. February-2011)
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.

They played the chief.
They played it very well.
He was very strong and very forthright.
He had a very positive attitude out there.
I know he would.
He told the reporters he was unable to discuss his plans or philosophy prior to testifying at confirmation hearings.
He said he would be instrumental in furthering strong cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in a concerted attack against crime.
Good.
War on crime should be conducted with a recognition of human rights and dignity.
And he was very strong on local cooperation.
Right.
And I think he made a very good impression on them.
Richardson was there with him and told him about your exhaustive search for a strong independent leader.
He said that Kelly had the precise qualities needed to run the FBI.
And so I think he's going to play very well.
Right.
Right.
Well, it ought to be a good story.
I think so.
I think so.
You made a good impression.
What else is running today?
Well, I gave a little rundown on the cabinet meeting, and I had to take a question on the wholesale price index.
Oh, boy.
Boy, that's right.
And I said that the president was
was moving ahead on the economy with the meetings and asked the cabinet officers for their views.
Sure, sure, sure.
And would take action when it was required.
Right.
And I didn't let them speculate on anything this weekend.
That's right.
Okay.
There'll be nothing this weekend.
Right.
Right.
And I told the cabinet meeting the references you made again to the personal sacrifices of Al Haig.
Right.
Because that's important for them to understand.
Yep.
Because he's quite a guy.
He sure is.
He's quite a guy.
Yeah.
And so that's playing.
I think Kelly will probably be the top story again.
Could be.
Uh-huh.
Well, we have many of these, but at least we get a little play other than Watergate.
That's true.
That's true, and we do need it.
Yeah, that's right.
Well, these people here, the press people and the media people are so obsessed with Watergate, they think that's the only story in town.
That's right.
And the country's getting a little bit tired of it, I think.
That's right.
Because, you know what I mean, they get tired of it and make it whatever story it is, but after a while they want to hear something else.
Mm-hmm.
rather than the depressing business about these clowns going on and saying, he told me that, and I told you this.
Hell, everybody knows it was a mess, and that was that.
That's right.
That's right.
Okay.
Okay, sir.
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