Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 237-002
Date: Thursday, December 28, 1972 at 6:50 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
Recording device: Camp David Hard Wire
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/237-002

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] I have a file being dictated to Camp David at approximately 7 p.m. on December the 28th, 30th paragraph.
[0:09] At 8.45, I received a call from Kennedy indicating an armpit, a bird, and just your notice from the 8th.
[0:20] Optimistic call week, but hardly.
[0:24] It's a jubilation.
[0:27] wanted to call me, but I told Kennedy to let me know as soon as the message came in.
[0:37] A rather grandiose game plan laid out.
[0:41] I think you were on the 15th by pointing out that conversation, but in another one, when I called him from Camp David after I arrived here, he had an attitude that he could not be dependent upon, and he was certain that he would likely get over there and try to...
[0:57] negotiate or manipulate in such a way as to serve his political purposes.
[1:08] And this one that we sent to James turned around to the point that he agrees that Haig probably has to bring the message to the table.
[1:21] I agree about the weakness of our plan as far as inauguration is concerned.
[1:23] And I deliberately put a claim on this.
[1:25] The fact that this was like May 8th.
[1:55] Noted by all the commentators in town.
[2:01] After a bit, when I called him, he said, David, it's not what caused them to come back to the conference table.
[2:20] He said that the situation, which otherwise could have been handled by negotiation, it's a long deal.
[2:22] It's not that he's fluttered, but it's me.
[2:23] He then went back to rumble around with the effect that
[2:24] Maid had been a political stand-in.
[2:41] He didn't understand the light coming home to him.
[2:42] It was followed, first, with the summit, which directed attention, and second, Maid had a purpose, that is, to bring to the war to an end, which gave people hope.
[2:52] And that was it.
[2:52] He went back to the point that we must never let go.
[2:54] Our position is relatively weak because of the possibility of our resuming bombing.
[3:11] He talks about the obvious.
[3:12] He talks bravely and erotically.
[3:16] Here's the indication of the enemy that our position is weak.
[3:19] We must know in our own minds what our position is.
[3:20] And then, accordingly, we can break off the talks because of some disagreement about this language or that language.
[3:24] And then the president would go on television and say, we're sending the bombing car to Vietnam.
[3:45] This just isn't the car that we're monitoring.
[3:46] This isn't a viable option.
[3:47] Although, of course, he's got to let them think it's a good option.
[3:48] And they, of course, would have some doubts in the back of their minds as to what he would have made in December the 18th.
[3:50] We should not tie ourselves to any kind of a time schedule because that would give too much market to the power.
[3:53] We're going to cut down on economic assistance to children.
[4:17] Neither.
[4:17] We're going to get at this in the morning.
[4:18] We're going to make it much more drastic than any other decision we've made.
[4:20] Neither.
[4:20] Neither.
[4:23] But, because I thought he really wasn't tired at all, and he was obviously elated, he had no doubt about the public reaction.
[4:41] But, of course, he was always an object of people's respect.
[4:43] He said it came just in the right time, because the Los Angeles Times had an editorial in which Jimmy Roosevelt had called him about Bobo's candy hidden.
[4:49] He said that he was 100% with the press on it, that it was necessary.
[4:51] And, of course, now with this action,
[4:53] We are in a position to be arguing that we should be beginning to squeal with the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, predictably.
[5:15] This is because the Congress is out of town the day after Christmas.
[5:18] And it is the effect that that works.
[5:19] Otherwise, we would have had a point on that.
[5:23] I gave no ground on it, however.
[5:31] And, uh, from a personal standpoint, it was a fairly rugged day.
[5:51] Command, y'all.
[5:52] Ready.
[5:52] I understand, but before you go to the movies, I better tell you this.
[5:57] I was just talking with an old neighbor in the East Cape, and he spent the one hour with Governor Wallace.
[6:07] Governor Wallace is very proud of you, and he says you are the man he really likes.
[6:14] Good.
[6:15] And he gives me some tips, but you know about...
[6:21] I tell him, well, the president knows what he moves now, and I tell him, he, I believe he's in the 340th house.
[6:31] Do you want to call him back, sir?
[6:33] Richard Rosso?
[6:34] Yes, sir.
[6:35] Oh, and can I give it to you in front?
[6:39] Good.
[6:40] I'll give him a call.
[6:41] Yes, sir.
[6:42] Are we ready yet?
[6:43] We're ready, sir.
[6:44] Well, we'll be ready in a minute.
[6:46] We'll have a dinner or something.
[6:48] Five minutes will be enough.
[6:50] Yes, sir.