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Conversation 046-109

TapeTape 46StartThursday, May 17, 1973 at 8:01 PMEndThursday, May 17, 1973 at 8:04 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Buzhardt, J. Fred, Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. discuss the ongoing gathering of affidavits and records related to the Huston Plan in preparation for potential defense strategies. The conversation also addresses the recent performance of witnesses before the Ervin Committee, with Nixon dismissing the committee's effectiveness and encouraging Buzhardt to focus on legal preparations rather than media coverage. Buzhardt reports on the status of various individuals, including Tom C. Huston and William C. Sullivan, who are assisting in the documentation process.

Huston PlanWatergate scandalErvin CommitteeAffidavitsWhite House legal strategy
AudioNARA Description

On May 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. talked on the telephone from 8:01 pm to 8:04 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-109 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-109

Date: May 17, 1973
Time: 8:01pm - 8:04 pm
Location: White House Telephone
                                                  -66-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. January-2011)

The President talked with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.

      Watergate
           -Huston Plan
                 -Affidavits
                 -White House records
                 -Affidavits
           -Ervin Committee
                 -Witnesses
                       -Handling
                       -Bruce A. Kehrli
                              -Conversation with Buzhardt
                              -[Dwight] David Eisenhower, II’s views
                       -Robert C. Odle, Jr.
                       -Handling
           -Huston Plan
                 -Affidavits
                 -Notes
                       -[First name unknown] Brennan
                       -Louis W. Tordella
                 -William C. Sullivan
                 -Tom C. Huston
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

No.
Yes, Mr. President.
Anything new?
No, sir.
Not really since I talked to you last time.
You haven't got any more affidavits, huh?
No, sir.
We didn't turn up any records here.
But they...
They're still searching?
Yes, sir.
Good.
You may find them, though, you know.
It takes time to find records.
That's true.
We've got another source to check tomorrow morning.
Although it was out today and we'll be back tomorrow morning.
But as far as your oral... That's the oral still, sir.
That's good.
Your oral's still solid.
Right.
So we'll keep moving on it.
Tomorrow morning we should begin to get the affidavits.
That's the stuff.
Get your affidavits, get everything in a row, and be ready to hit on it.
All right, so we'll be all lined up.
Yeah.
And, uh...
Well, the television they went about is what we expected it to be.
They really badgered these guys, you understand?
They badgered them.
I really didn't get a chance to watch it, some of the transcripts tonight, and I just glanced through them.
I talked briefly to Bruce Curlie.
He's a good man.
Very well.
He's a good man.
David thought he did damn well.
Yes.
They said he gave a little hard time, but
You know, the committee's going to do that, though, Fred, we have to remember.
But they can overplay their hands.
I don't know.
There are few times when I know where a committee has beaten the witness in this case.
They don't very easily.
It's damn hard.
It is when the witness runs.
Because they aren't.
Because basically the committee members are not well prepared, and they don't look very good.
And they put the witness in the position of being badgered and arrested, and they just knock the shit out of them.
Well, I gather that all the witnesses did very well today.
That's your impression?
Yes, sir.
As I say, I didn't get to watch it, but the report I got wasn't there.
Don't you watch it.
Don't waste your time on it, please.
We're doing more important things.
But on your affidavits, then you're going to work again on those tomorrow?
Right, sir.
And they're coming in.
And you haven't found any notes yet, though?
Nobody's come up with any notes?
God damn it, do you think they destroyed their notes?
Well, Brennan at FBI has records, and he's going through them.
I'm sure he has some notes on him.
Cordello had three LIMCONS of telephone conversations.
Oh.
Not helpful, huh?
And they're looking at the agency, CIE.
Right.
And... Sullivan's coming down.
Right, Sullivan's coming.
Houston's coming in.
Houston, yes, sir.
All right.
Okay, you're going to win this one, boy.
We're going to try.
Try?
Hell, you're going to win it.
Right.
Okay.
Good.
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