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Conversation 279-031

TapeTape 279StartWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 5:37 PMEndWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 5:38 PMTape start time03:05:52Tape end time03:07:47ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Buchanan, Patrick J.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan discuss media strategy for promoting the administration's economic agenda to the public. Nixon directs Buchanan to emphasize optimistic economic indicators and domestic quality-of-life improvements rather than focusing on complex trade negotiations or bureaucratic personnel appointments. The objective is to craft a simplified, positive narrative that resonates with the general public rather than the press corps.

Economic policyPublic relationsMedia strategyGeorge ShultzDomestic policy
AudioNARA Description

On September 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:37 pm to 5:38 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 279-031 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 279-31

Time: 5:37 pm - 5:38 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Patrick J. Buchanan.

[See Conversation No. 9-124]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yeah.
Give me one of mine.
Now, the other thing is that Schultz had some, I called him and I said, you know, we ought to use that one thing we usually do.
Start about some of the optimistic side of the economy.
In other words, there's a lot of stuff that, you know, there's something about the, you know, there's an agency for professional employees, you know, everything from housing to, you know, just the living.
And why don't you get to, why don't you get to go and get to work?
A short list, a short list, so you can do it for a minute.
You know, retails, I don't know how, a lot of old bills, you know, a lot of, you know, the, the, the, you know, which he makes it very important to mention.
I think these things are probably more important than making that kind of appointment.
You're trying to give them a lot of bad information about what they used to do and what you're going to do about that Japanese man.
You see, the thing is, the press family isn't interested in that kind of crap.
But the folks are interested in the other thing, right?
And so, let's see if we can find a new rule, and then we'll talk about it.
Sapphire might have some of that.
Okay.
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