Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 332-034
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 1972 at 10:45 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/332-034

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:06:46] The cost of winning an election is much too high.
[3:06:53] The cost of winning an election is much too high if the price is that America loses.
[3:07:01] No man who sits in this office can act in a way that weakens the presidency of the United States.
[3:07:08] The United States is the most powerful nation in the great world.
[3:07:15] We made our mistakes in foreign policy.
[3:07:17] But to our eternal credit, in this century, we have never started a war.
[3:07:21] We have always used our power, freedom, not to destroy it.
[3:07:38] America, if the United States leaves Vietnam defeated and humiliated,
[3:07:44] The power we have exerted for peace on so many occasions would be irreparably weak.
[3:07:48] I agree.
[3:07:50] Later this year, I travel to be king on a historic journey for peace.
[3:07:57] Next month, I shall travel to Moscow on what I hope will also be a journey for peace.
[3:08:04] In all the countries I have visited,
[3:08:09] I have found great respect for the office of President of the United States.
[3:08:18] I do not know who will be in this office years ahead.
[3:08:35] That is a decision that you, the American people, must make, will make.
[3:08:42] But I do know that future presidents will travel the nations abroad and transfer peace, as I have.
[3:08:51] If the United States leaves Vietnam humiliated and defeated, the President of the United States
[3:09:03] ...will not preserve or receive the respect which is essential for the United States to play the great role we are destined to play in helping to build a new structure of peace in the world for generations to come.