Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 206-014
Date: Sunday, August 20, 1972 at 4:00 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Camp David Hard Wire
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/206-014

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:03] Got a little sun?
[0:25] Yeah.
[0:25] I'm trying to figure out whether to get off.
[0:26] Somebody...
[1:42] That might be in two paragraphs.
[2:01] Difficulty as we really separate here all this.
[2:04] Yeah, in the previous one.
[2:04] I think, you know, well, we can read.
[2:08] It's only a lot quieter about it.
[2:21] I would put it more affirmatively.
[2:28] I would say I do not accept the proposition that this nation is finished, is torn by doubts.
[2:41] I do not accept the proposition that this election will be won by appealing to all the frustrations in this country.
[2:51] I'd put it on the positive side.
[2:53] I'd say we have always been a people of idealists.
[2:57] We've always been a nation of optimists, and it is in that spirit I'd go forward as a happy warrior.
[3:09] But this is too professorial.
[3:10] This other one is too maudlin.
[3:19] I don't really think we need anything more than that.
[3:21] I think what the people have to see you as is confident, strong, forward-looking.
[3:28] They have to see you as a man compared to a whiner.
[3:34] With modeling stuff is that it sounds slightly phony.
[3:37] And in Russia it was great because there you were trying to reach enemy people with a human example.
[3:48] Well, I can use the Russian example, but what we have to do is to get the conclusion on a firm, strong, and absolute view.
[4:04] Contrast.
[4:06] McGovern says his country is run.
[4:08] McGovern's hope is the policy of frustration.
[4:16] And I would draw the line there.
[4:20] I would say we don't need our inspiration.
[4:23] It's the future we want to build, not the pretended frustrations or something like that.
[4:50] But the Charles McGovern could say too.
[4:52] You'll have to say things he couldn't say.
[4:58] Ridiculing.
[4:59] Ridiculing when he just makes that the whole...
[5:03] I mean, it's too soft.
[5:03] Isn't that your point?
[5:05] It's too soft.
[5:06] It's not manly enough.
[5:09] I mean, you're leading troops into battle.
[5:18] This isn't...
[5:18] I'll say it.
[5:18] We... We...
[5:18] This is not a time to turn away from the great...
[5:20] That's it.
[5:23] That's what I would say.
[5:23] It isn't the time to come home, it's the time to go forward.
[5:28] Like I wouldn't use the word come home, I'm just trying to give you the... ...to whine about our frustrations, but to accept our responsibilities.
[6:49] Price is a fine man.
[7:11] We can talk.
[7:14] But he'd be more comfortable with an Adelaide Stevens.
[7:39] way it's all right to have a little of the emotion what i mean of the sentiment about the peace and so forth you've got a lot of yeah what i meant is i may i mean as i develop as i move that into the conclusion the conclusion must be on the strong that's my that was my
[8:42] You got the other one?
[8:52] Yes.
[8:52] That's too professional.
[8:53] Yeah, this would be a nice thing to deliver sometime.
[9:00] It's a great deal of training.
[9:01] Yeah.
[9:01] I'm okay.
[9:01] It's very decent.
[9:19] they know and have to I haven't said it this eloquently I find it ingestible which is a relic of all hell of excellence it's more it sounds like Adelaide
[9:47] all of this McGovern could say all of this McGovern the basic impact of all of this is that I'm not as bad as McGovern says I am because I have the same but I think the conclusion ought to be that everyone who sees that flying on
[10:17] The guy who says everything is wrong with America compared to the man who says, I draw the line rather than make a catalog of virtue.
[10:50] Y'all take care.
[10:53] The backer.