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Conversation 045-126

TapeTape 45StartTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 11:35 PMEndTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 11:36 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon directed Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to coordinate with William Timmons on an aggressive lobbying strategy targeting members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The primary objective was to secure bipartisan congressional support for Elliot Richardson’s nomination and to push back against legislative scrutiny regarding the special prosecutor’s authority. Nixon emphasized the immediate need for Timmons to move past defensive posturing and proactively cultivate key Democrats, such as James O. Eastland, to stabilize the administration's position amidst the Watergate fallout.

WatergateElliot L. RichardsonSpecial ProsecutorCongressional lobbyingJames O. EastlandWilliam E. Timmons
AudioNARA Description

On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 11:35 pm to 11:36 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-126 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-126

Date: May 1, 1973
Time: 11:35 pm - 11:36 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

     Watergate
          -President’s schedule
          -Ziegler meeting with William E. Timmons
                -Thomas C. Korologos
                -Lobbying with Judiciary Committees
                      -Elliot L. Richardson’s nomination
                      -Special Prosecutor
                      -James O. Eastland
                            -Democrats
                            -Meeting with Richardson
                                                -81-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                         (rev. October-2012)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yes, sir.
Ron, in the morning I notice I have an 830 meeting and consequently I'd like you to get Timmons in and tell him that it's of utmost importance that he and Carl Lucas, Carl Lucas particularly, work on the members of the Judiciary Committee and the Senate generally and also the House and so forth to, you know, to support Richardson and to support the fact that, well, the special prosecutor is exactly what
he has authority to do.
Okay.
Don't you think that's important or not?
Yes, I do.
I told him as to get on the offensive, get off his ass.
You know, we need some—we want congressional support.
I guess, generally speaking, we've gotten some Republican support, haven't we?
Oh, yes.
Yes, sir.
Well, I'll get together with Bill and go over this with him.
Fine, and to work on as many Democrats as he can, Eastland, for example, and people like that.
Eastland, Bill did tell me that Richardson had a very successful meeting with Eastland.
Yeah, I know, but the other day.
But you see, we want something done right now.
Eastland and all these guys who use the special prosecutor crap have got to knock that down fast.
Right.
And hit it hard in the morning.
I will.
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