Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 168-004
Date: Friday, June 1, 1973 at 7:07 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
Recording device: Camp David Study Table
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/168-004

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Yeah.
[0:03] Al, the thing I think you've got to consider is the method of this story.
[0:07] If you have a question and he just sort of says, well, I just happen to have this, it looks terribly, it looks contrived, really terribly contrived, and the rest, you know, goddamn well, it takes time to do it.
[0:18] I think that what ought to happen is that
[0:21] You just ought to go out with an announcement.
[0:23] In other words, have somebody like tomorrow say, we'd like to know what the record is in the past.
[0:30] And you say, fine.
[0:31] I'll dig it up.
[0:32] We'll have it for you Monday.
[0:34] That's right.
[0:34] Let's build up the story.
[0:36] You see what I mean?
[0:40] Right.
[0:40] Build it up.
[0:41] So that it doesn't come that he just happens to have it in his pocket.
[0:44] He wouldn't do it at the same session.
[0:46] I know, but I'd rather have it start tomorrow and do it on Monday.
[0:49] Now, the other thing is,
[0:51] When you hesitate about giving me the names, I'm going to change that so that they can get them.
[0:56] I want the name, and they can get this, for 1961, 1962, 1963, of all newsmen that were tapped.
[1:04] Now, goddammit, they can get that fast.
[1:06] We're getting them all.
[1:07] They have to work each file.
[1:09] I understand, but you can tell whether a newsman is tapped.
[1:11] I mean, they know whether Henry Brandon was tapped or not, don't they?
[1:15] I'm sure.
[1:15] You're goddamn right.
[1:17] You see, the thing is, that's the thing that was really where we hear, scare the hell out of these people.
[1:21] Exactly.
[1:21] We just drop out a few of those names, huh?
[1:25] I think that we may.
[1:28] Statistics.
[1:28] Right.
[1:29] Not just statistics.
[1:30] We're giving them the names because when they have the names, it doesn't mean anything.
[1:33] It's when they think you're going to do it.
[1:34] Well, I know, but I want the names for my own.
[1:37] You see?
[1:38] Oh, well, we'll get there.
[1:39] I know.
[1:40] We've already dealt with Rowley.
[1:42] You've got to be very tough with him.
[1:44] And he either gets us these figures or he's out, like Monday.
[1:48] You understand?
[1:48] Yes, sir.
[1:49] He's already been told.
[1:50] Good.
[1:51] Good.
[1:52] Because this is a more important story than I think.
[1:55] Well, you know the importance of it, but some people would not.
[1:58] This will kill the lips.
[2:00] You agree?
[2:01] No question about it.
[2:03] No question.
[2:04] But the greatest fear of it is the unknown.
[2:07] You know, when you're having the statistics.
[2:08] And that we're going to put out not only the names, but the content.
[2:12] Well, that's why we want to say that we've reached a thorough review made of each and every file.
[2:18] Good, good.
[2:19] Well, that's good.
[2:20] But I would like to accelerate it a bit so we can get out about funding, you see.
[2:25] Just have a route so that the request is in and so we'll check it.
[2:28] Good.
[2:29] Okay.
[2:29] Okay.
[2:30] Fine.