President Nixon met with speechwriter William Safire and secretary Rose Mary Woods to refine the text of his upcoming address regarding significant economic policy shifts. The discussion focused on drafting adjustments and incorporating input from advisors like Henry Kissinger and Arthur Burns, particularly concerning foreign economic aid and dollar stabilization measures. The primary goal of the session was to ensure the linguistic precision and strategic clarity of the speech.
On August 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William L. Safire, and Rose Mary Woods met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:43 pm and 7:14 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 273-041 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 273-41
Date: August 15, 1971
Time: Unknown between 5:43 pm and 7:14 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President talked with William L. Safire.
President's forthcoming speech on economy
-Changes
-Foreign economic aid
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Unknown man's views
Rose Mary Woods entered at an unknown time after 5:43 pm
-Changes to draft
-Arthur F. Burns
-Dollar stabilization
-Devaluation
-Wording
Woods left at an unknown time before 7:14 pm.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.