Conversation 380-043

TapeTape 380StartThursday, December 28, 1972 at 12:39 PMEndThursday, December 28, 1972 at 2:20 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon dictated a letter to Douglas W. Downs to formally express gratitude for a gift, a sculpture titled the “Tinker,” received by the First Lady during the Christmas season. The correspondence addresses Downs’ earlier letter, acknowledging his reflections on the presidency and his metaphorical advice regarding the political climate of the upcoming second term. The President concluded the dictation by including New Year’s greetings from both himself and Mrs. Nixon.

Douglas W. DownsPat NixonSecond termPresidential correspondenceSculpture

Audio

NARA Description

On December 28, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:39 pm and 2:20 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 380-043 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 380-43
                                              -30-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                         (rev. Dec.-07)

                                                              Conversation No. 380-43 (cont’d)

Date: December 28, 1972
Time: Unknown between 12:39 pm and 2:20 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President dictated a letter to Douglas W. Downs.

       Instruction on sending letter

       The President’s appreciation for Downs’ gift
            -Sculpture, the “Tinker”
                  -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                  -Timing
                         -Christmas
                  -Downs’ letter to the President
                         -Tone
                               -The President’s second term
                         -The Presidency
                         -Admonition
                               -Metaphor
                                     -Wind, clouds

       New Year’s greeting
           -Mrs. Nixon

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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'm going to put you down.

It says that you can't carry this money around.

So I'm going to send you down.

So don't send this money around.

I'm going to put you down.

Thank you.

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