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Conversation 019-181

TapeTape 19StartWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 10:17 AMEndWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 10:18 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rogers, William P.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon initiated this brief call to commend Secretary of State William P. Rogers for his recent performance and to vent frustrations regarding Vice President Spiro Agnew’s negativity during administration meetings. Nixon compared Agnew’s critical behavior unfavorably to his own loyal conduct while serving under President Eisenhower, noting that Agnew’s demeanor seemed to undermine the administration’s public messaging. The two also briefly touched upon Senator Barry Goldwater’s recent comments regarding North Vietnam.

Spiro T. AgnewExecutive branch relationsPolitical strategyVietnam WarBarry M. Goldwater
AudioNARA Description

On January 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers talked on the telephone from 10:17 am to 10:18 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 019-181 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 19-181

Date: January 26, 1972
Time: 10:17 am - 10:18 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William P. Rogers.

[See Conversation No. 656-10C]

     The President's schedule
          -Prime Minister of the Netherlands
          -Rogers’s performance
          -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
          -Attitude
                -The President’s recent Vietnam speech
                -Budget meeting
                -Compared to the President's conduct as Vice President
                     -Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles

     Barry M. Goldwater
          -Comment about the North Vietnamese
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Secretary Rogers.
Hello, Mr. President.
Oh, before I get to the Dutchman, I just wanted to know, you did a hell of a good job there, and I was just sitting here, Bob Alderman.
Doesn't it really piss you off that Agnew always is so goddamn negative at these meetings?
Yeah, I didn't mean to be.
I think he was a little hurt, but Christy, he didn't listen to your speech.
You said it in your speech.
My God, but he hadn't heard the speech or listened or anything.
The other point is, though, that, you know, you were there at the budget meeting, weren't you?
Remember the same thing?
And Jesus, he's a nice guy, but he just, I remember when I used to sit in that chair for eight years, you remember I'd sit in there and swallow and
But I was always trying to buck up for Eisenhower or Dulles and defending him and all that.
I mean, you did and the rest, but God damn it, why does Agnew always have to raise the negatives?
It sounds as if he's on the other side.
But it wasn't Goldwater good.
Don, he's refreshing.
Isn't he, though?
No, that's tough about sticking something up down there.
Throw it down their throats and put it up the other way until it meets.
Okay.
Well, anyway, many thanks.
Well, I thought it went very well.
I seem to be pleased.
Thank you very much.
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