← 046-040046-042 →

Conversation 046-041

TapeTape 46StartMonday, May 14, 1973 at 9:01 PMEndMonday, May 14, 1973 at 9:03 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On May 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 9:01 pm to 9:03 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-041 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-41

Date: May 14, 1973
Time: 9:01pm -9:03 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See also Conversation No. 436-18B]

     Watergate
          -Ziegler’s conversation with Herbert G. Klein
                - [James W.?] Gallagher
          -Sam J. Ervin and Howard H. Baker, Jr. characterized
          -Ziegler’s briefing, May 15
                -Bipartisan Congressional leaders meeting
                -Attack on Ervin Committee
                -Leonard Garment
                -Santa Ana Register story
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yes, sir.
Nothing further from the committee.
They've still taken their dog in the manger attitude.
Yes, sir.
I've talked to Herb Klein, and he's moving on the Gallagher thing, and very tough.
Now, look, we've got to understand that it's not to our interest, really, to have Irvin and Baker, who are both pusillanimous assholes, you know, repudiate this thing.
Tomorrow at
However, when you go on for your briefing at 10.30, forget this goddamn thing we're going to do tomorrow with the leaders.
You go out there at 10.30 with a camera, right?
You understand?
Yes, sir.
And, Ron, take down what I've told you.
You've got it down.
Yes, sir.
That means that the committee will have indicted itself.
This committee has indicted itself.
Tomorrow is the time to start the attack on the committee.
Okay.
Yes, sir.
You understand?
Because they will not have acted.
You understand?
They will not have acted by the time you go on, Ron.
That's right.
They never will have acted.
That'll force them to act later in the day.
I would say this committee, don't put it in any nice terms, but I put it very tough.
They have, by their favor, to allow this story for two days.
That time will be two days.
You understand?
You understand?
Yes.
Two days.
They have allowed it.
allowed it to lie there without repudiating it, without doing it.
First, they have indicted themselves for irresponsibility.
Second, we demand an apology from the committee and a retraction.
Third, we demand an immediate investigation to the committee staff who was responsible and a discharge of that person.
Have you got all that or not?
I'm just writing it down, sir.
I'm just sorry to do that, but we've got to do this.
Then don't let Len get you off of this.
I don't think he will want you to.
He won't, no.
Because basically, we've got to hit that.
Now, there may be a half-assed statement by Irvin, you know, tonight or late tonight or so forth.
They haven't found him yet, though, have they?
No, he's issued a, as you refer to it, a half-assed statement.
What did he say?
Well, just that he didn't have any information that would support that story.
But what we need is a formal statement.
All right.
No, we want to demand a formal retraction by the full committee.
That's right.
Because the Santa Ana Register says that they stand by their story.
Well, that just supports it more.
All right.
Now, a formal retraction for the full committee is required.
You lay it right out there and fight Irvin and fight the rest.
I agree.
All right.
Okay.
Good.
Yes.
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