Conversation 044-012

TapeTape 44StartThursday, March 22, 1973 at 2:26 PMEndThursday, March 22, 1973 at 3:28 PMParticipantsDean, John W., III;  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone

John W. Dean III and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler coordinate the White House's public relations strategy regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. Dean emphasizes the necessity of delaying official statements until the administration has fully verified the facts to avoid premature or inaccurate disclosures. They agree to meet in person to further align their messaging after their respective briefings conclude.

Watergate scandalPublic relationsPress strategyJohn DeanRonald ZieglerCrisis management

On March 22, 1973, John W. Dean, III and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-012 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 44-012
Date: March 22, 1973
Time: Unknown between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm
Page | 8
White House Tapes of the Nixon Administration, 1971-1973
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
Location: White House Telephone
John W. Dean, III talked with Ronald Ziegler.
Preparation for press statement
-Watergate investigation

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Ron?
Yeah.
John?
Yeah.
How we doing?
Very well.
We're still trying to sort the thing out.
Okay.
It's important that we sort it out before we go running out there, you know.
I agree.
We just can't go out there and scream something out here until we have the facts.
Okay.
I'll be over when this breaks up.
Okay.