Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 195 › Conversation 195-010

Nixon phone call with Colson on Vietnam War and Public relations

Thursday, June 29, 1972 · 1:00 PM–1:28 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 13 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.Conversation195-010 on Tape 195 (tape position 00:50:25–01:03:24)StartThursday, June 29, 1972 at 1:00 PMEndThursday, June 29, 1972 at 1:28 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 195-010 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss administration messaging regarding the Vietnam War, specifically minimizing public concern over naval and air forces in Thailand while focusing on the withdrawal of ground troops. The two also address political damage control in New Jersey and the President’s strategy for handling press conferences by avoiding partisan combat. Nixon expresses confidence regarding pending negotiations and the potential for a resolution before the July 4th holiday.

Audio

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Position in tape: 00:50:25 – 01:03:24

195a.mp3

Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I didn't know what the...
I suppose the networks both carried our... the more draftee thing that they...
Entirely different thing.
I'm going to keep them there.
Our little boys get so concerned when they raise the question about air and naval forces in Thailand.
That's just bullshit.
Don't worry about it.
Nobody cares.
All they care about is the ground boys.
I just wanted to ask how many draftees are in the Air Force and the Naval Forces?
I'm going to be back in two or three minutes.
I think I know the answer, but I think it might be a question somebody might ask.
It's certainly unfortunate to have New Jersey get screwed up.
I mean, of course, Republicans are, as a Republican attorney general in the state, a Republican U.S. attorney, they're a prostitute.
But Jesus Christ, I don't know what the hell this is.
As far as we're concerned, I don't know.
It rubs off.
It rubs off, but of course it's coming.
I'm assuming this was four months before.
I don't know.
It's just got to be above it and say we're not allowing this antinuclear contribution to the party in turn.
A small IDP.
tonight to be very much above the battle line.
I'm not going to, you know, of course I'm going to avoid all political questions, and I'm just not going to get dragged into any fight with the press about why I don't have those conferences.
I'm just going to do a gentle list about, you know, if you're going to plan a line, what really counts, whether I do a good job, not as long as the press conferences I have, people can decide.
Do you think that's the best way to go today?
We'll be pressed on things like LaBelle, you know, I've already answered, bombing, and so forth.
That's a good answer.
As long as this is one part of Vietnam gone, as long as they have our prisoners.
I'm not worried about it.
After all, this is two weeks.
They have to come back tomorrow.
I don't think they'll hold past Saturday.
Now, I can't see those guys staying here until the following Friday, because that's what, if they don't get out of here Saturday, you know, they've got the Fourth of July weekend.
They won't be in then.
And they're willing.
We can't blow it up indefinitely.

NARA Description

On June 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 1:00 pm to 1:28 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 195-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 195-10

Date: June 29, 1972
Time: 1:00-1:28 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

[See Conversation No. 135-6; four items have been withdrawn]

Also recorded on June 29, 1972

  • 135-004 12:57 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:57 pm to 12:59 pm.
  • 195-008 12:57 PM · 26 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:57 pm to 12:59 pm.
  • 135-005 12:59 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:59 pm and 1:00 pm.
  • 195-009 12:59 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:59 pm and 1:00 pm.
  • 135-006 1:00 PM · 27 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 1:00 pm to 1:28 pm.
  • 135-007 1:28 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 1:28 pm and 1:33 pm.
  • 195-011 1:28 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 1:28 pm and 1:33 pm.
  • 195-012 1:28 PM · 31 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 1:28 pm and 1:33 pm.

All 60 conversations from June 29, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 195-010, June 29, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/195-010 (accessed October 12, 2026).