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Conversation 020-117

TapeTape 20StartMonday, February 28, 1972 at 2:48 PMEndMonday, February 28, 1972 at 2:50 PMTape start time03:44:54Tape end time03:47:31ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  MacGregor, ClarkRecording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss the highly positive reception from congressional leaders, including Barry Goldwater and J. William Fulbright, regarding the President's recent diplomatic trip to the People's Republic of China. MacGregor emphasizes the Senate's pride in the upcoming visit of Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Minority Leader Hugh Scott to China, noting it bolsters institutional morale. The conversation also touches upon managing Fulbright's specific concerns regarding Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, as well as the President’s need for rest following his intense workload during the trip.

Richard M. NixonPeople's Republic of ChinaCongressional RelationsJ. William FulbrightRadio Free EuropeDiplomacy
AudioNARA Description

On February 28, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Clark MacGregor talked on the telephone from 2:48 pm to 2:50 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-117 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 20-117

Date: February 29, 1972
Time: 2:48 pm - 2:50 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Clark MacGregor.

[See Conversation No. 322-5]

     Congressional leaders
         -MacGregor meeting with people such as Barry M. Goldwater. and J. William
               Fulbright
               -Reaction to leadership meeting
               -Reaction to the President’s recent trip to the People’s Republic of China [PRC]
         -Michael J. Mansfield and Hugh Scott forthcoming trip to PRC
               -Senate reaction
               -The President’s negotiations
               -MacGregor view
         -Information disclosure
               -“Color”
               -Future possibilities
         -Fulbright
               -Meeting with President and Secretary of State William P. Rogers
                     -Reaction
               -Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty

     The President’s schedule
          -Thelma C. (“Pat’) Nixon
          -Workload
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

very good uh i have talked personally with
Such people have diverse views as Barry Goldwater and Bill Fulbright, and they each were most impressed with the meeting this morning, and they're most complimentary not only towards your conduct of the meeting, but towards every aspect of your trip.
But everyone is euphoric here, and of course the Senate is proud.
Yeah, that's leaders Manfield and Scott.
Isn't that a good thing, though?
Oh, Mr. President.
Incidentally, you know, I worked that out after a torturous negotiation, but I'm glad to know that.
No, the Senate is an institution, and each senator is proud of the fact that the first visitors after the president will be the majority and minority leaders of the Senate.
That's a very good thing to do, Mr. President.
Gee, that's big.
Not only within the Senate, but I think in the country.
But we couldn't tell them too much today.
I understand.
But that's why I tried to give them more color and that sort of thing.
But they like that too.
You don't know what the leaders are like and why we do this and that.
And we can't give them any more in the future because it's all done now.
Mr. President, Bill Fulbright was flattered by the few words that you expressed to him in the presence of the Secretary of State just before you left the Cabinet Room.
Yeah, Larry said we hoped he'd work with Bill about what we couldn't answer him that we couldn't.
Right.
But he was flattered that you took the time to give him that private message.
So even though with him it's more important than it is to press anybody else.
He's giving us a hard time on, as you know, on Radio Free Europe and Radio Libertarian.
We're trying to work that out now.
And I'm going to see Bill Fulbright again today.
On that subject, we surely will, sir.
But no, the meeting was good.
Well, Peter's meeting was excellent, Mr. President.
We're glad you were.
We're so pleased that you and Mrs. Nixon are home in good health and good spirits with such a fantastic accomplishment.
We're in good health and good spirits, but a little bit bushed.
I can believe it.
You didn't get much of any sleep.
It didn't sound like it.
You were up until 4 or 5 o'clock working night after night, yeah.
Oh, gosh.
Okay.
Well, I hope you'll get some rest.
All right.
Thank you.
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