Conversation 320-018

TapeTape 320StartTuesday, February 8, 1972 at 2:44 PMEndTuesday, February 8, 1972 at 2:48 PMTape start time00:40:24Tape end time00:42:12ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly reviewed the status of a recent press briefing and staffing challenges. The discussion focused on personnel recruitment difficulties, with Ziegler confirming that no suitable candidates meeting the administration's criteria were currently available for specific positions. Nixon expressed frustration regarding the quality of external associations while acknowledging the perceived fairness of the administration's public messaging strategy.

Press relationsPersonnel recruitmentPublic imageStaffingWhite House operations

On February 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:44 pm to 2:48 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 320-018 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 320-18

Date: February 8, 1972
Time: 2:44 pm - 2:48 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See also Conversation No. 20-62]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

So, your press thing, everything goes out as you expected?
Oh crap, what a run for the man.
Have we picked our friends?
I hope not that.
Jesus Christ, that's the most horrible bunch of people I ever saw.
Well, really, I think most of the fair guys realize it's a damn good job.
I don't think... Not just those that win.
I mean, it's damn fair.
I know.
Thanks.
The point was that we just didn't have anybody that fit the criteria down here.
We didn't have anybody that fit the criteria down here.
Good.
He said it was okay.
Okay.
Getting it to kind of apply to the wire door.
Good.
Threatened you again on that.
Well, they already had their story on that.
Okay.