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Conversation 199-015

TapeTape 199StartSunday, August 13, 1972 at 10:45 AMEndSunday, August 13, 1972 at 11:23 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Colson, Charles W.Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss public relations strategies regarding Office of Management and Budget official Frank Carlucci and the necessity of proactively managing media narratives. The two emphasize the importance of providing robust PR support for administration officials to counter accusations and maintain credibility. They agree on a cautious, strategic approach to releasing information to ensure that public charges are effectively addressed without prematurely spoiling their messaging.

Public RelationsFrank CarlucciMedia StrategyCrisis ManagementNixon Administration
AudioNARA Description

On August 13, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 10:45 am to 11:23 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 199-015 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 199-15

Date: August 13, 1972
Time: 10:45 am - 11:23 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

[See Conversation No. 137-20; two items have been withdrawn]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
Well, how's your morale today?
Well, I don't know.
It's just, I think the problem is more the case that you have the ordinary PIO involved.
I can solve this arrest and just earn up to a job and I'll need to get a job press release.
What's the comment then?
And what happened?
Well, with Carlucci there, we definitely have to give him the backup on the PR side.
He'll do a hell of a job, but somebody's got to be there to give him the backup on the PR side.
Good, good.
Well, well, well, well, I'm sure.
Good.
That, that is going to get the, we will not get the credibility that he doesn't
All of them.
That's the way it's going to be.
So I don't encourage you too much to say anything.
You know what I mean?
No, I'll take it from them.
We're going to spoil it before we get to it.
I think it's going to be a pretty long version.
It would be 75 for a bear and the rest.
That would be something along the lines of a photograph.
He wasn't in.
He had a PR plan.
It's too early.
No, no, no.
He's great.
They're all, and Roger's great.
Well, the point is that they continue to debate it.
charge counter charge.
I understand that.
The only point is you couldn't let it lie there without Hayden.
And otherwise then the charge is never answered.
Now the charge has been answered.
Well, there I don't think they have all that much trouble.
I've got on it according to Al Hayden from the reading over television show last night or something.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's good.
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