Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 046-118
Date: Friday, May 18, 1973 at 9:25 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-118

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Now, yes, I didn't want to bother you, but the thing I want you and Ron and the other boys to consider in terms of whether I go on is this.
[0:08] If I go on right now, you know, yours and Ron's point, well, now this is the time to knock them out of the box, is a good point.
[0:17] But on the other hand, these hearings are going to go on, and we don't know what the hell is going to come out.
[0:21] And then I have to go on again.
[0:23] You see my point?
[0:24] Right, sir.
[0:25] I just don't—when I go on, I want to go on when it's done.
[0:28] I want to go on and, you know, I think there's a lot to be said.
[0:32] The white paper, I totally agree with.
[0:35] But you see, my going on national television, that should not be used in that way.
[0:39] Or what do you think?
[0:42] No, I agree with that.
[0:43] I think what we've got to do now is—
[0:46] is turn this goddamn thing so that the people who want to support you have something to rally with.
[0:52] Well, that would require national television, but— No, no.
[0:56] I mean, with a white paper, that's what they can work with, you see, sir.
[1:01] It also does the advantage of taking off certain aspects of executive privilege selectively.
[1:07] Yeah.
[1:07] You having revealed it in a white paper, then these guys can—
[1:12] can talk about certain things.
[1:14] Right, right.
[1:16] But you see, when I go on TV, I must go on once and for all and only, you see, or otherwise, you see, I've been on the 30th and I come on again, then I come on again, you know, and they'll say, Jesus Christ, the President, and there he's on again.
[1:29] Shit, what the Christ is all is about, you see.
[1:32] When I go on, it's got to be definitive and final.
[1:36] And it can't be definitive and final now until Mitchell and all the rest are indicted.
[1:41] Yes, sir.
[1:42] That's my problem.
[1:45] I don't know.
[1:47] Well, I certainly agree with that.
[1:50] And Ron does too.
[1:52] What we need is something to get some facts out on the table and in perspective.
[1:58] Right.
[1:59] And especially the national security issue out and open.
[2:03] Right.
[2:03] So people know what they're over coping with here.
[2:05] And I have in mind, though, the fact that you may have to do the briefing.
[2:09] to the fact that there will be greater credibility than Ron doing it.
[2:14] Right, sir.
[2:15] Okay, bye.
[2:16] Bye, Mr. Browning.