Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 275 › Conversation 275-026
Nixon & Colson on Political Strategy and Public Relations
Tuesday, September 7, 1971 · 5:32 PM–5:43 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 2 min
AI Summary
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the strategic timing of a political surrogate’s upcoming high-profile event to maximize its impact. The conversation focuses on leveraging this individual to counter Democratic opposition despite acknowledged concerns regarding his public image and past controversies. Ultimately, the two coordinate logistics to ensure the surrogate's performance is effectively managed and presented to the public.
- Political Strategy
- Public Relations
- Campaign Tactics
- Surrogates
- Democratic Party
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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NARA Description
On September 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:32 pm to 5:43 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 275-026 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 275-026 Date: September 7, 1971 Time: 5:32 pm - 5:43 pm Location: Executive Office Building The President talked with Charles W. Colson [See Conversation No. 008-038] [Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/10/2017. Segment cleared for release]
Also recorded on September 7, 1971
- 008-037 5:20 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:20 pm and 5:32 pm.
- 275-023 5:20 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:20 pm and 5:32 pm.
- 275-024 5:20 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:20 pm and 5:32 pm.
- 275-025 5:20 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:20 pm and 5:32 pm.
- 008-038 5:32 PM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 5:32 pm to 5:43 pm.
- 275-027 5:43 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:43 pm and 5:49 pm.
- 275-028 5:43 PM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:43 pm and 5:50 pm.
- 008-039 5:49 PM · 49 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone from 5:49 pm to 5:50 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 275-026, September 7, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/275-026 (accessed October 9, 2026).