President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss using the IRS to target political opponents, specifically identifying the organization Common Cause as a potential subject for investigation. Nixon expresses frustration with bureaucratic inertia, urging Colson to pursue a more aggressive strategy by auditing Democratic-aligned groups in retaliation for similar tactics used against the administration. The conversation further addresses political maneuvers involving the Veterans of Foreign Wars and criticism directed at George McGovern.
On August 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 10:53 pm to 11:31 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 139-002 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 139-2 Date: August 8, 1972 Time: 10:53 pm - 11:31 pm Location: Camp David Study Table The President talked with Charles W. Colson. [See Conversation No. 200-3] ***************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 [Personal returnable] [Duration: 30m 1s ] END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 ***************************************************************** Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFWs] -Patrick E. Carr -Louisiana -Tax exempt status -Carr’s comments about George S. McGovern (rev. Mar-02) -Internal Revenue Service [IRS] investigation -Colson's conversation with George P. Shultz -The President’s view -Common Cause ***************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2 [Personal returnable] [Duration: 7m ] END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2 *****************************************************************
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.