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Conversation: 389-023

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Start Date: 4-Nov-1972 12:40 PM

End Date: 4-Nov-1972 1:15 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Colson, Charles W.Ziegler, Ronald L.

Recording Device: Old Executive Office Building

389-023.mp3

NARA Description:

On November 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 12:40 pm to 1:15 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 389-023 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 389-23

Date: November 4, 1972
Time: 12:40 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Charles W. Colson.


*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       1972 campaign
            -Ronald L. Ziegler
                 -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew’s statement
                       -Revision of draft
                       -Importance
            -News coverage
                 -New York Times
                 -Washington Post
                 -George S. McGovern
                       -Front page coverage
                              -Photographs
                              -Los Angeles Times
                       -Television [TV] appearance
                              -Conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                              -Physical appearance
            -McGovern
                 -Public sympathy
                 -Credibility
                       -Problems
                 -Statements
                       -Mistakes
                 -Permissiveness
                 -Supporters
                       -Radicalism
            -The President’s lead
            -Massachusetts
                 -Abortion issue
                 -John F. Becker
                               -39-

      NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                        Tape Subject Log
                          (rev. Feb.-08)

                                            Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-The President’s rallies
       -Rhode Island
              -Italian-Americans
              -Irish-Americans
              -Hardhats
-Congressional candidates
       -John H. Chafee
       -Dewey F. Bartlett
       -Oklahoma
       -Rhode Island
       -New Mexico
       -North Carolina
       -Maine
-Michigan
       -Polls
-Democrats
       -Claiborne Pell
              -Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-The President’s margin
       -Issues
       -Henry A. Kissinger
       -Democrats
-Massachusetts
-Texas
-States
       -Herbert G. Klein
       -Support for the President
-The President’s supporters
       -Response to McGovern’s criticisms
-Hawaii
       -The President’s chances
-Areas of weakness
       -California
       -Oregon
       -Washington, DC
-Polls
       -Louis P. Harris
       -The President’s lead
              -Figures
       -Chicago
                                               -40-

                 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                           Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

                       -The President’s trip

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************


      Vietnam negotiations
           -Settlement agreement
                  -North Vietnamese posture
                       -1972 election
                             -McGovern
                       -The President’s posture
                             -Firmness
                       -1972 election
                       -Military action
                             -Wire service story
                                   -Antiaircraft fire
                                         -North and South Vietnam
                                   -Radio report
                       -W[illiam] Averell Harriman’s view
                             -Henry A. Kissinger line
                                   -October 26, 1972 press conference
                             -William P. Rogers
                             -Pre- and post-October 8, 1972 positions of North Vietnam
                       -The President’s May 8, 1972 proposals
                             -Cease-fire
                             -Prisoners of War [POWs]
                             -Coalition government


*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

      1972 campaign
           -Polls
                  -Vietnam agreement
           -Commercials
                  -Hardhat constituency
           -Busing
                  -McGovern statement
                                -41-

      NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                        Tape Subject Log
                          (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-Flyers
       -Distribution
       -Organization
-George C. Wallace
       -Supporters
       -Conversation with Colson
       -Credibility as a candidate
-Albert E. Sindlinger poll
-Undecided vote
       -Portion for McGovern
-Harris poll
       -Accuracy
-Polls
       -McGovern
-House of Representatives
       -Candidates
             -Robert C. (“Bob”) Wilson
             -Quality
                   -Herbert F. DeSimone
             -Blacks
-Donald F. Rodgers
       -Los Angeles Times
       -California
-Congress
       -Antilabor legislation
       -Senate
-Democratic Party
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
       -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
       -Schedule
             -Miami
                   -Association of American Medical Colleges
             -Ohio
             -Maine
             -Connecticut
-New Jersey
       -Outlook
-New York
       -Outlook
-New Jersey
                                              -42-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                              Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

             -Connecticut
             -Support for the President
                  -Frank L. Rizzo
                  -Influence in Philadelphia
             -Western Union
             -McGovern
                  -Publicity
                         -Problems
             -Enthusiasm
             -News media
                  -New York Times
                  -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
                  -Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
                  -Howard K. Smith
                  -Networks
                  -Dan Rather
                  -James J. Kilpatrick, Jr.
                         -News summary item
                               -Watergate references
                                     -Reasons
                                     -Use by enemies
                         -The President’s politics
                               -Liberalism
                               -Right wing
                               -Left wing
                               -Conservatism
                               -William F. Buckley, Jr. [?]
                               -Principles
                               -Issues
                                     -Vietnam
                                     -Welfare
                                     -Amnesty
                                     -Busing
             -Amnesty issue
                  -North Carolina
                  -Advantages for the President
                         -Blue collar workers

Ziegler entered at 1:09 pm.
                                              -43-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                           Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

              -Agnew
                   -Call to Ziegler
                   -Statement
                          -Revisions
                   -Harassment
                   -Hard work
                   -1956 election
                          -Vice President
                   -Statement
                   -CBS

Ziegler left at 1:12 pm.

              -McGovern
                     -Organized labor
                          -Opposition
              -Polls

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************


       Watergate
            -Public relations [PR]
                  -Staff complaints
                  -Republican National Committee [RNC]
                         -Chairmanship
                               -Timing
                                     -1972 election
                               -Press relations
                  -Donald H. Segretti
                         -Dwight L. Chapin
                               -Advance work
                                     -Flashiness
                                            -Mercedes
                                     -Exceeding authority
                  -Attack on Democratic campaign and Washington Post
                  -Lack of coverup
                  -Attack on Washington Post
                         -Partisanship
                                             -44-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. Feb.-08)

                                                             Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

                                -McGovern
                         -Burglars
                                -Capture and punishment
                         -Administration investigation of Watergate
                         -Attempt to influence electorate
                   -Public interest
                         -Duration
                         -John S. (“Jack”) Knight
                         -Joe [last name unknown]
                         -Gabriel Hauge
                         -Charles H. Percy
                         -James J. Kilpatrick
                                -Welfare issue
                   -Other issues
                   -Republicans
                   -Necessity for dramatic action

Colson left at 1:15 pm.
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