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Conversation 246-022

TapeTape 246StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 4:10 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 4:30 PMTape start time04:14:02Tape end time04:16:18ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon rehearsed a forthcoming public address concerning American involvement in the Vietnam War and the status of prisoners of war. Through these remarks, the President sought to frame his historical legacy and personal commitment to ending the conflict beyond mere political maneuvering. The exercise served to refine his communication strategy regarding the administration's national security record and its ongoing efforts to conclude the war.

Vietnam WarSpeechwritingPresidential legacyPrisoners of warNational securityPublic communications
AudioNARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:10 pm and 4:30 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 246-022 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 246-022
Date: April 7, 1971
Time: Unknown between 4:10 pm and 4:30 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President rehearsed a speech
[A transcript of the final version of this speech appears in Public Papers of the Presidents,
Richard M. Nixon, 1971, pp. 522-527]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I do not ask you to take what I say on faith.
Look at the record.
Every action taken by this woman
Every decision made, the law is what I say it will come.
I do still have American involvement.
They have drastically reduced their national security.
I can't thank you for the presidency, but I pledge to have American involvement in the world.
I am keeping that in mind.
I am also a class president.
I would like to accomplish more than anything else as a president.
This is Jefferson.
Peaceful night.
I feel so strongly.
For those of you who are committed to this goal, it goes far beyond political consideration.
It's centered about my place in history.
It's motivations in political science and study go together.
It's a primer.
I'm a president.
I'm a black man.
I'm a husband.
I'm a wife.
I'm a man.
I'm a prisoner of war.
I write a letter to the government.
The end of this war has been the last two weeks.
The war has been the last two weeks.
The nation's highest war has been the last two weeks.
The nation's highest war has been the last two weeks.
... ... ... ... ...
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