President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed 1972 reelection campaign strategy, focusing heavily on mobilizing blue-collar and ethnic support through union leaders. The two analyzed various polling data from sources like Gallup and Harris to gauge George McGovern's standing and the impact of the Thomas Eagleton affair. They also discussed regional political shifts, particularly in Rhode Island, and expressed concern regarding media bias and the specific cultural issues fueling anti-McGovern sentiment.
On September 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 2:05 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 145-001 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 145-1 Date: September 30, 1972 Time: Unknown between 1:35 pm and 2:05 pm Location: Camp David Study Table The President talked with Charles W. Colson. [See Conversation No. 214-1] ***************************************************************** [Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/21/2018. Segment cleared for release.] [Personal Returnable] [145-001-w001] [Duration: 22m 30s] 1972 campaign -Donald F. Rodgers -Columbus -Indianapolis -Chicago -Rank and file support for the President -Union leaders -Billy Martin -Operating Engineers -Illinois -Teamsters -Queens -Baltimore -Building and Trades Council -George S. McGovern -Political approach -Suburbs vs. blue collar -Suburbs -Domestic Council (rev. Feb-24) -Edwin L. Harper -Leo Frank -Vietnam War -Gary W. Hart -Frank F. Mankiewiecz -Democratic strength pork chop vote -Ethnic areas -Polish -Italian -Polls -Louis Harris -Italian -Irish -Local polls vs. national polls -Douglas L. Hallett -Inman Square -Find out what people are thinking -Louis Harris -Richard M. Scammon -Hardin County, Kentucky -Richard M. Nixon -88 - 11 percent -George S. McGovern -John G. Schmitz -Newspaper endorsement -Walter Huddleston -Louis B. Nunn -Richard M. Nixon -George H. Gallup -McGovernites -George S. McGovern -New York Times endorsement -News magazines -Networks -Point spread of election polls -Albert E. Sindlinger -Daniel Yankelovitch -Barry M. Goldwater -Lyndon B. Johnson (rev. Feb-24) -Significance -38 days left -Effect on campaigns -Robert Teeter -Albert E. Sindlinger -Robert Teeter -George S. McGovern -Unfavorable impression -George H. Gallup polls -Closing the gap -Press -George S. McGovern -Louis Harris -George H. Gallup -Louis Harris -1964 Gallup polls -Barry M. Goldwater (1964) -Lyndon B. Johnson (1964) -October/November polls -George S. McGovern -Barry M. Goldwater -1964 landslide -Tilting polls -Barry M. Goldwater -Lyndon B. Johnson -George S. McGovern -George H. Gallup polls -Louis Harris polls -Robert Teeter -Albert E. Sindlinger -Blacks -Poor people -Albert E. Sindlinger -George S. McGovern closing the gap -Louis Harris -George H. Gallup -Louis Harris -New York Times -Thomas E. Dewey (rev. Feb-24) -Points significance -Charles W. Colson’s opinion -1956 -George H. Gallup -Louis Harris -Richard M. Nixon -George S. McGovern -Enormous exposure -Dorothy D. Corey poll -Patrick Caddell -Herbert DeSimone -Shoe plants -Machine tool -Support for the President -Rhode Island -Anti-George S. McGovern feeling -Dope -Pot -Permissiveness -Abortion -Dislike of George S. McGovern’s personality -Barry M. Goldwater -Arizona -Pro-Richard M. Nixon feeling -Economy -Jewish community -Rhode Island -Democratic politicians -Mayor of Providence -State chairman -George S. McGovern -Frank F. Mankiewiecz -Lawrence F. O'Brien Jr. -Potential points gained -George H. Gallup -Louis Harris -Republican convention -Thomas F. Eagleton affair -Louis Harris polls (rev. Feb-24) -George S. McGovern continues to decline -Frank F. Church -Media -Thomas F. Eagleton -George S. McGovern -Jean Westwood -President’s opinion -Colson’s opinion -Homosexuality -George S. McGovern supporters -George Meany -Perceived homosexual tendencies -George S. McGovern -Liberace -R. Sargent Shriver -Thomas W. (“Teddy”) Gleason Richard M. Scammon -Reports *****************************************************************
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.