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Conversation 282-039

TapeTape 282StartWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 6:10 PMEndWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 6:11 PMTape start time02:43:26Tape end time02:45:01ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Price, Raymond K., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon consults with speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. regarding the tone and content of a draft document or speech. The discussion centers on tempering overly idealistic rhetoric concerning war and peace to avoid creating unrealistic public expectations. They reach a consensus to remove specific passages that the President deems too extreme for the current political climate.

SpeechwritingVietnam War rhetoricPublic relationsPresidential communication
AudioNARA Description

On October 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Raymond K. Price, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:10 pm to 6:11 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 282-039 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 282-39

Date: October 20, 1971
Time: 6:10 pm - 6:11 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Raymond K. Price, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 12-23]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 don't want to go so far as the last generation veterans and so forth.
I have said, of course, that this couldn't be the last war.
But on the other hand, I think it could be held up to say, well, we're holding on a false hope and so forth and so on.
You know what I mean?
And so I think that he could just take her and, you know what I mean, those three areas, sort of take that out so it doesn't hold that high of a
a lasting piece or a, I don't know any sort of piece, that sort of thing, but I think, as well, it makes a nice balance, let's say, the versionary, the last version, there's all that, but I just think it's a bit too far in the present context.
But the other one, I think, is fine.
I'm not very on it.
Okay?
Bye.
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