Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 214-034
Date: Monday, October 2, 1972 at 8:43 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Camp David Hard Wire
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/214-034

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] I just want to tell you, we had word from the Chinese that they have a very important message coming, and it has to be given to me personally.
[0:22] It's got to be in Vietnam.
[0:22] Hopefully, if it's a bombing transgression.
[0:23] If it's a bombing transgression, they don't ever insist on giving it.
[0:26] It's got to be either that or they're telling me something about their Japanese ship.
[0:42] That thing is close to breaking.
[0:42] I want to go over and see for myself, but I thought you should know this.
[0:44] I thought you were absolutely masterful about Vietnam.
[0:45] It's the best thing.
[0:46] Not a word misplaced.
[0:46] Not a word too much.
[0:49] You know, you take it for granted because you know it so well.
[0:52] Again, I can only say imagine McGovern with his briefs.
[0:57] Even if he agreed with it, which he wouldn't do, how would he have said it?
[1:10] I mean, how could he have made it credible?
[1:18] When you say it's your last offer, it's your last offer.
[1:20] But he knows it.
[1:20] But when McGovern says it, God, that's right.
[1:21] So particularly when we put him in the contract, you have 18 rounds.
[1:22] Yes, that's right.
[1:23] Now we're going to knock him out in the 20th.
[1:24] Knock him out in the 20th.
[1:24] Don't worry, he'll be transferring with just a false say.
[1:25] What's a hot rose considered worth paying him?
[1:26] That's going right back to Gregson.
[1:29] Well, they have to understand this because, you know, when we do have to do this, if we do, God damn it, they're going to understand since then.
[1:50] Mr. President, if this thing doesn't come off now, then we cannot wait more than a few days after the election and then go all out.
[1:53] That's right.
[1:53] We'll make an offer all the way to the fact that we can go.
[1:54] You know, one thing that I like about the race, they've got the good sense.
[1:56] You know, when they're talking to me and so forth, they take a lot of time.
[1:58] But basically, when they're sitting at dinner, they go, oh, it doesn't mean a goddamn thing, and they knock it all at 8.30, 8.50.
[2:13] Wasn't that great?
[2:13] Why shouldn't they?
[2:14] Why shouldn't they?
[2:15] There was nothing to talk about.
[2:16] Good.
[2:16] All right.
[2:16] But I wanted you to know about this.
[2:18] When we go up tomorrow, I think if I can treat myself with something in the late afternoon, I'll go up then, because we ought to know what's the game is.
[2:28] Maybe, I trust it is Vietnam, but it could be a bombing thing.
[2:36] Well, if it isn't a bombing thing, then don't ask me.
[2:39] If it isn't Vietnam...
[2:40] It could be Japan.
[2:43] Well, if it isn't Vietnam, I'll tell them what you said.
[2:46] You should.
[2:46] So, I mean, I don't have an excuse to do a damn right thing.
[2:48] They've got to know where we stand.
[2:53] I'll tell them we just had a... You know, it's solely a coincidence, but we...
[2:57] This could, in a sense, it's a small thing.
[3:15] You could have this follow-up here.
[3:16] We had to bring it across.
[3:16] He's the first one to be here.
[3:17] They like the old cut.
[3:17] Oh, yeah.
[3:18] Driving around with this cab.
[3:18] That's what I am planning to do, as you know, is to get fresh out of these cars.
[3:20] I know.
[3:20] We don't have an old cut.
[3:21] When he's here, he'll love it.
[3:21] He is perfectly.