Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 45 › Conversation 045-096

Nixon phone call with Keyes on The Carpenters and Watergate

Tuesday, May 1, 1973 · 5:38 PM–5:40 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Keyes, Paul W.Conversation045-096 on Tape 45StartTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 5:38 PMEndTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 5:40 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 045-096 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and television producer Paul W. Keyes discuss the logistics for an upcoming musical performance by The Carpenters, focusing on sound quality and their planned German-language greeting for Willy Brandt. The conversation then pivots to the public reception of Nixon's recent Watergate speech, with Keyes reporting positive feedback from the West Coast regarding the President’s acceptance of responsibility. Keyes encourages Nixon to continue incorporating religious and emotional rhetoric in his public messaging, which the President agrees is an effective strategy.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Well, yes, sir.
Where are you?
Over in Steve Bull's office, sir.
How'd you get along with the carpenters?
Oh, fine, fine.
If I can ever get them to turn the volume down tonight.
You know, they bring in all this electronic equipment, and that's their bit, but I've told them that they would blast the first row out onto the west lawn if they don't get it down, but I think they will.
But they're delightful.
They're clean-cut kids.
And they're nice.
And they're going to say good evening in German to William Grant.
So it'll be very nice, sir.
Great, great, great.
How do you feel?
I feel fine.
Good for you, sir.
How was the reaction to the speech today?
Very good.
From everybody.
You checked from people?
Absolutely.
How about the coast?
Absolutely.
That's where I talk to most.
Yeah, what'd they say?
Well, they thought it was a very statesman, a very open and honest thing.
And you took a great deal of credit.
for saying that you can't pass this around.
It belongs to me.
You think that was a good idea?
Absolutely, sir.
I also heard excellent comment, and I'm not just saying this because I know you were concerned, but it was volunteered to me.
I didn't ask the question about God bless America and God bless each and every one of you.
One person said of anybody in this country that says God bless America, they would rather hear it from your mouth, sir.
Yes, it's good.
It's good.
It's positive.
Sometimes you got to put in a little emotion.
I don't do that very often.
I ought to do a little more.
Well, that's what I say.
Don't run afraid of it.
I think it's good and it's something they understand.
I do.
Well, so do we.
God love you.
Well, I think we're on the right track now.
I hope so.
I know so.
On the way back.
Just listen.
That was yesterday's business.
Now there's other things to do.
That's right.
Take care of yourself.

NARA Description

On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Paul W. Keyes talked on the telephone from 5:38 pm to 5:40 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-096 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 45-96

Date: May 1, 1973
Time: 5:38 pm - 5:40 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Paul W. Keyes.

[See also Conversation No. 433-31]

     Keyes’s location
          -Stephen B. Bull’s office

     The Carpenters
          -Speaker volume
          -Electronic equipment
          -Appearance
          -German language greeting
                -Willy Brandt

     Watergate
          -President’s speech
          -Reaction
                -West Coast
                -President’s responsibility
          -Closing
                -Religious reference
          -President’s future work

Also recorded on May 1, 1973

  • 045-095 5:35 PM · 23 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 5:35 pm.
  • 433-030 5:35 PM · 19 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 5:35 pm.
  • 433-031 5:38 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Paul W. Keyes met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:38 pm to 5:40 pm.
  • 045-097 5:40 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:40 pm and 5:43 pm.
  • 433-032 5:40 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:40 pm and 5:43 pm.
  • 045-098 5:43 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 5:43 pm to 5:44 pm.
  • 433-033 5:43 PM · 55 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:43 pm to 5:44 pm.
  • 045-099 5:44 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:44 pm and 5:53 pm.

All 181 conversations from May 1, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 045-096, May 1, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/045-096 (accessed October 23, 2026).