Conversation 326-020

TapeTape 326StartFriday, March 24, 1972 at 2:05 PMEndFriday, March 24, 1972 at 2:06 PMTape start time02:52:02Tape end time02:54:56ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler discuss strategies to counter criticism of the administration's economic policies, specifically regarding unemployment figures. Nixon emphasizes that critics are selectively highlighting specific statistical data to allege policy failure while ignoring the broader, more positive economic trajectory. They agree to adopt a more assertive messaging strategy to defend the administration's overall economic record.

Economic policyUnemployment statisticsPublic relationsNixon administrationMedia criticism

Audio

NARA Description

On March 24, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:05 pm to 2:06 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 326-020 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 326-20

Date: March 24, 1972
Time: 2:05 pm - 2:06 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See Conversation No. 22-18]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

It's very hard, I guess.

Come down.

You'll have to find a stronger way to handle problems.

So, it's easy for a critic to pick out one figure out of a whole series and out of ten.

That's a claim failure, but the overall picture is that it's just an awesome program, and that's what we're in for.

That's exactly what we're doing.

Everyone who's claimed failure of the payroll, everyone who's claimed failure of the economic policy, is basing it on 5-1.

5-6-1%.

Nothing else they can think of.

Hopefully, even including the 5-6-1%, it's less than a little poor overall.

During the six months.

But, given the six months, that's right.

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