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Conversation 247-005

TapeTape 247StartTuesday, April 13, 1971 at 6:00 PMEndTuesday, April 13, 1971 at 6:00 PMTape start time03:03:33Tape end time03:04:36ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategies for managing political opposition, specifically focusing on the performance of Cabinet members. Nixon reflected on recent counsel from John B. Connally, who urged the administration to adopt a more aggressive, confrontational approach when dealing with Congress. The discussion emphasized the need for stronger executive leadership and decisive action to counter critics like Edmund Muskie.

John B. ConnallyCabinet managementCongressional relationspolitical strategyexecutive leadership
AudioNARA Description

On April 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 6:00 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 247-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 247-5

Date: April 13, 1971
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     President’s conversation with John B. Connally
          -Edmund S. Muskie
          -Cabinet
           -President’s schedule
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

And, uh, you know, horses, you know, they come back from all this, and they're, you know, they're getting gas, and, uh, so it's really, really, you know, it's not selling.
It's not at all.
And, uh, you just have to take a lot of muscle to get it going.
You see it.
You see it.
When they made the war statement, he said, you can't tell the Congress to do that.
He said, by God.
He said, your cabinet should take them on.
They come to them.
He said, your cabinet should take them on.
They said, don't give anybody.
He told them to come on.
He said, kick them in the balls.
He said, and he also wrote a third one.
He said, come on.
He said, are you ready to go on?
They went forward, and I said, come on.
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