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Conversation 271-004

TapeTape 271StartWednesday, August 4, 1971 at 10:10 AMEndWednesday, August 4, 1971 at 10:17 AMTape start time03:25:58Tape end time03:40:22ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Shultz, George P.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the administration's messaging strategy regarding the national economy, specifically focusing on how to address negative press coverage and public perception of indicators like unemployment, inflation, and housing. They analyze the political implications of recent economic data presented in weekly news magazines and assess how the President should frame these issues during his upcoming public appearances. The conversation emphasizes a need for the administration to maintain a unified and fixed narrative to counter critical media reports.

National EconomyPress RelationsUnemploymentInflationEconomic IndicatorsPolitical Messaging
AudioNARA Description

On August 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and George P. Shultz met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:10 am to 10:17 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 271-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 271-4

Date: August 4, 1971
Time: 10:10 am - 10:17 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with George P. Shultz.

     National economy
          -Unemployment
                -Figures
                -Dan Rather
                -Press
          -News summary
                -News magazines
                     -Stock Market
                     -Political angle
                     -Indicators
                           -Retail sales
                           -Construction
                           -Housing
                           -Inflation

     President’s schedule
          -Forthcoming meeting
                -President’s possible comments
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Well, hey, get off, get off, get off the environment.
Yeah.
Yep.
Well, if you'll find out about that, I think I would appreciate it.
And, uh, we'll continue on the political side, uh, there.
It's just a question, you know, of, uh, triggers for discussing that with the great public people.
And, uh, I'm not, I'm not about to.
At this point, I'm sorry.
I think every time I prepare for that, it's like, Conner does it well, Schultz does it well, right?
Right.
Right.
I mean, .
Yep.
Hello.
Hi George.
Yeah.
Yeah.
At my point of view, that's definitely fixed.
Yeah, all right.
Definitely don't think it's going to change.
But that's roughly what I'm worried about.
The interesting thing I noticed, rather, is that saying all will be wrong is going to be 60% .
Oh, sure.
Yeah.
I don't know why I won't be able to talk.
It just happens I'm bad, so I ain't no liar.
Well, I can't get nobody to move me.
I just read over the weekly news magazine.
I can see what happens from the start.
I mean, all those things, I think it's .
Well, I think on a political standpoint,
It's really, you know, it's an embarrassing thing that runs through it all.
It's a very, so good thing.
Right.
Yeah.
And I'll be here.
I'll be here.
Three-day sale.
Construction.
House.
Bullets.
Oil.
That's it.
I'll be here.
I'll be here.
I'll be here.
I'll be here.
It's quite interesting .
Well, I think probably I ought to say it when I meet with the .
Well, I might say it today.
Okay, sorry.
Thank you.
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