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Conversation 261-052

TapeTape 261StartFriday, July 2, 1971 at 4:02 PMEndFriday, July 2, 1971 at 4:08 PMTape start time06:15:48Tape end time06:28:55ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Andrews, John K., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and John K. Andrews, Jr. reviewed a draft of a forthcoming presidential speech, focusing on refining its thematic content and tone. The discussion involved editing specific phrasing, removing confusing references to a constitutional amendment, and evaluating the inclusion of a high school valedictory address anecdote. Nixon ultimately instructed Andrews to shorten sections of the text and reconsider the use of a literary reference to "John Brown’s Body" to ensure the message remained clear and impactful.

Presidential speechesSpeechwritingEditingPublic relationsPolitical messaging
AudioNARA Description

On July 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John K. Andrews, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:02 pm and 4:08 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 261-052 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 261-52

Date: July 2, 1971
Time: Unknown between 4:02 pm and 4:08 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with an unknown person [John K. Andrews, Jr.?]

     Draft of Presidential speech
           -Changes to draft
                -Raymond K. Price, Jr.
                -Cynthia Frink
                      -High School valedictory address
                      -Manchester, New Hampshire
           -Reference to “John Brown’s Body”

               -Test of poem
          -Length
          -Ronald L. Ziegler
               -Possible statement

Recording was cut off at an unknown time before 4:08 pm
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 had put five goals in five years, but Ray mentioned we don't want to get tangled up with the six goals.
Strike.
H5.
True.
Triple.
Strike.
On the bottom of page six.
We see this.
Period.
We see it in other things, man.
It would be easier to see it in other things.
And then again, that painting reminds us of the enemy.
Reminds us of anyone.
Of any American.
Today, we have signed the amendment.
I don't know what I said that was.
That kind of reminds us that any Americans may confuse them.
No.
The message of that amendment to Maine was this.
Any American who didn't have the assignment to.
Yes, sir.
I wait for the connection.
Take that out.
I shorten that down.
Can I send to your friend?
Yes, sir.
I don't mind having a match in the air for the next one.
I don't know, I don't like the, I don't like the pants you're touching.
It's too, uh... Maybe just particularize the team up.
Yeah, well, I don't like the pants you're wearing.
You see, it's, uh, you know, they don't confess it.
It's pathetic.
I remember in high school...
You wanted to do that high school graduation?
I did that high school.
The high school students.
Follow the trail of your friends and act in spirit.
I think the John Brown thing has come too much in terms of who's going to come across.
It has to be a little bit, you know, you have to tell the story a little bit more.
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