Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 44 › Conversation 044-012
Dean & Ziegler on Watergate scandal and Public relations
Thursday, March 22, 1973 · 2:26 PM–3:28 PM ET · White House Telephone · 28 sec
AI Summary
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.
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Transcript (AI-generated)
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NARA Description
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.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 044-012
Date: March 22, 1973
Time: Unknown between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm
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 investigationAlso recorded on March 22, 1973
- 044-008 1:52 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:52 pm and 1:55 pm.
- 422-031 1:52 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:52 pm to 1:55 pm.
- 422-032 1:55 PM · 50 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:55 pm and 1:57 pm.
- 422-033 1:57 PM · 1 hr 32 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John W. Dean, III, John D. Ehrlichman, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and John N. Mitchell met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:57 pm and 3:43 pm.
- 044-009 2:01 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:01 pm and 2:19 pm.
- 044-010 2:19 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Richard G. Kleindienst talked on the telephone from 2:19 pm to 2:26 pm.
- 044-011 2:26 PM · 8 sec — John W. Dean, III and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm.
- 044-013 2:26 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 044-012, March 22, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/044-012 (accessed October 2, 2026).