Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 392 › Conversation 392-014
Nixon, Colson & Sanchez on Public Relations and Congressional Relations
Monday, January 1, 1973 · 11:20 AM–1:10 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 1 hr 53 min
AI Summary
President Nixon and Charles Colson held a wide-ranging discussion about White House public relations strategies, Congressional relations, and the political landscape following the 1972 election. They analyzed the effectiveness of the President's public image, focusing on the balance between maintaining professional "aloofness" and connecting with supporters, while debating the efficacy of social interactions with Congress compared to the previous Johnson administration. The conversation also touched on the strengths and weaknesses of potential future political candidates, including John Connally and Spiro Agnew, and reviewed the need to better manage press relations and internal staff communications.
Audio
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Transcript (AI-generated)
This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 62 minutes of this recording (about 55% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.
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NARA Description
On January 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, Manolo Sanchez, unknown person(s), and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 11:20 am to 1:10 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 392-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 392-14
Date: January 1, 1973
Time: 11:20 am - 1:10 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with Charles W. Colson.
Public relations [PR]
-The President’s meeting with George E. Allen
-Television [TV] coverage
-Effect
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Foreign policy
-Newspaper story
-Billy Kilmer’s daughter
-Cerebral palsy
-Age
-The President’s handwritten note
-Delivery
-Gerald L. Warren
-Washington Star
-Mrs. Felix Lumbrosso
-Allen
-Compared to Don Shula and Tom Landry
-[Washington Redskins]
-“Over-the-hill” gang
-Hand-shaking with Colson
-Spirit
-Hometown, state, country
-28-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Identification
-Hardhats
-Press relations
-Redskins fans at playoff game
-Government workers
-Chevrolet
-Blacks
-Larry Brown
-Lower middle class
-Chevrolet
-Hecht Company
-Government workers
-Anti-elitism
-The President’s supporters
-Government unions
-Maryland
-Kenneth R. Lyons
-Postal workers
-James Rademacher
-Blacks
-Rademacher’s statement at convention
-The President’s opponents
-Government workers
-Liberal Democrats
-Jews
-Silver Spring, Maryland and Chevy Chase, Maryland
-Sensitive jobs
-1972 election
-GS-16s, GS-17s, GS-18s
-Intellectual community
-Washington, DC press
Personal intelligence
-Republicans
-House of Representatives and Senate
-Resentment
-The President’s experience as Congressman
-Alger Hiss case
-Intellectuals
-29-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Liberals
-Conservatives
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Charles E. Goodell
-Character
-William E. Brock, III
-Clarence J. (“Bud”) Brown
-James L. Buckley and William F. Buckley, Jr.
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Hugh Scott
-Southern Democrats
-Unknown person
-Herman E. Talmadge
-Russell B. Long
-F. Edward Hebert
-Richard B. Russell
-Compared to Robert A. Taft, Sr.
-Taft
-Henry Styles Bridges
-Character
-William F. Knowland
-Character
-Everett M. Dirksen
-Character
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-John D. Ehrlichman
-Colson
-Raymond K. Price, Jr.
-Leonard Garment
-William L. Safire
-Buchanan
-Dwight L. Chapin
-John B. Connally
-Clark MacGregor
-Minnesota
-World War II experiences
-Office of Strategic Services [OSS]
-1968 campaign
-Midwestern chairman
-30-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Senate candidacy
-Conservatism
-Anti-busing forces
-Politics
-“Attack rationale”
-Allen
-Acceptability
-Peer groups
Congressional relations
-Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy eras
-Republican conservatives
-Capitol Hill Club
-Dullness
-Washington, DC establishment
-Conservative Republicans
-Donald H. Rumsfeld [?]
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
1972 election results
-Left-right confrontation
-New York
-Jewish vote
-Hassidic Jews
-Conservative Jews
-Racial concerns
-Blacks
-Busing
-New York Times
-Watergate
-Suburbs
-Buffalo
-Rochester
-Xerox Corporation
-Boston
-Philadelphia
-31-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
Conservatives
-George H. W. Bush
-Effectiveness
-James L. Buckley [?]
-South
-Economy
-Virginia
-Mills Godwin
-Independent
-Linwood Holton
-Liberal Republican
-Eastern education
-Honesty
-Southern legislatures
-Transportation Committee chairman
-John B. Connally
-Colson’s conversation
-Party change
The President’s schedule
-Haldeman
-Rose Bowl Parade
-California
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
Congressional relations
-Gerald R. Ford’s and Scott’s recommendations
-William E. Timmons
-Meetings with the President
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Reception for retirees
-Breakfasts
-Group size
-Frequency
-Timmons
-Haldeman
-Ehrlichman
-32-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Meetings with Republican governors
-Linwood Holton
-Meeting with Ehrlichman
-Recommendation
-Frequency
-Democrats
-Assumption
-White House staff
-Ford, Scott, Holton
-Republicans
-Support for the President’s policies
-Meetings with the President
-Compared to Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Businessman
-1972 election
-Victory margin
Rose Bowl Parade
-Colson’s viewing
-TV
-Flowers
-Orchids, roses
-Floats
-Cost
Congressional relations
-The President’s first term
-1972 election
-Votes
-Meetings with the President
-Social functions
-Johnson
-Colson’s experience
-Lloyd M. Bentson, Jr., unknown person
-Dirksen, Ford
-John Sweeney
-Thomas W. (“Teddy”) Gleason
-Johnson’s drinking
-Party
-33-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Dirksen
-Stress
-Capitol Hill Club
-Reception
-White House
-Eisenhower
-Leverett Saltonstall
-William B. Saxbe
-“Embargo”
-Duration
-Samuel L. Devine
-Social function
-William J. Baroody, Jr.
-Colson’s role
-Haldeman’s concern
-Colson’s role
-Saxbe
-Haldeman
Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 11:20 am.
[Rose Bowl football game]
-TV channel
[Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon’s comments are audible on the TV broadcast]
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 12:50 pm.
Mrs. Nixon’s schedule
-The President’s schedule
-[University of Southern California] [USC]
-Salute to Mrs. Nixon
Press relations
-Warren’s press conference
-The President’s schedule
-Preparation of Inaugural speech and other messages
-TV watching
-Mrs. Nixon
-34-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Rose Bowl
-Wires
The President’s schedule
-Office entry
-Policeman
-Key
-Colson’s conversation with Stephen B. Bull
Johnson
-Watergate
Congressional relations
-Meetings with the President
-White House staff’s judgment
-Johnson
-Restoration of aloofness, mystery, grandeur
-Camp David
-Respect
-Compared to fellowship
-Harlow
-Ford
-Ambassador from Korea
-Hardhats
-Aloofness
-Compared to insensitivity
-Listening
-Access
-Issues
-Base closures, dams
-Decisionmaking process
-Loyalists
-Scott
-Social events
-Press relations
-Timmons
-The President’s schedule
-Lyons
-Work image
-35-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Mary McGrory
-Dancing in hotel
-US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-Work
-Lyons
-Timmons
-Harlow
-Purpose
-Harlow’s view
-Fallacy
-Timmons
-Harlow’s experience
-Carl Vinson
-Congress’s power vis-à-vis the President’s power
-Congress as “debating society”
-Congressional paralysis
-Structure
-Colson’s experience
-Russell
-Presidential ambitions
-Relationship with the President
-Republican Party
-Francis L. Dale
-David K. Wilson
-Clarence J. (“Bud)” Brown, Jr.
-Meetings with the President
-Scott, Ford, Dirksen
-Meetings with Agnew
-The President’s experience as Vice President
-Scott
-Eisenhower
-Baroody
-Haldeman
-Cabinet, White House staff
-Colson’s role
The President’s schedule
-Business groups
-Loyalists
-36-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Business Council
-George P. Shultz
-Politics
-Donald McI. Kendall
-Treaties
Vietnam War
-Shultz’s view
-Colson’s trip to Key Biscayne with Shultz and Kendall
-1972 election
-Kissinger’s “Peace is at hand” comment
-End
-Timing
-1972 election
-George S. McGovern
White House staff
-Shultz
-Ehrlichman
-Intelligence
-Haldeman
-Toughness
-Character
-Emotions
Congressional relations
-Meetings with the President
-Social occasions
-Duration
-Briefings
-Cabinet Room
-Morocco
-William B. Saxbe
-Trip to Asia
-Anti-ballistic missiles [ABM] vote
-Edward W. Brooke
-Votes against the administration
-Black identity
-Constituency
-37-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-John Sherman Cooper
-Brooke
-Massachusetts
-Constituency
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
1972 election results
-Massachusetts
-Brooke
-Republican organization
-Francis W. Sargent
-Lieutenant Governor
-Donald R. Dwight
-Political ambitions
-Abilities
-Victory margin
-John H. Chaffee
-Florida, West Virginia
-Press relations
-Congressional relations
-Political leaders
-Charles H. Percy
-New Establishment
-American Enterprise Institute [AEI]
-Polling
-Louis P. Harris
-George H. Gallup
-Albert E. SIndlinger
-Sindlinger
-Stress positive results
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
News summaries
-Instant polling
-38-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Issues
-Editing
-Cuts
-Tone
-Negativity
-Positivity
-The President’s reading
-1973 Inauguration
-Negative tone
-Lyndon K. (“Mort”) Allin
-Buchanan
-1972 election period
-1972 campaign
-McGovern
-Allin and Buchanan
-Press relations
-John A. Scali
White House staff
-Alarmists
-Watergate
-The President’s knowledge
News summaries
-Allin
-Alarmists
-Buchanan
-Crisis
-1972 campaign
-McGovern’s crowds
-Colson’s viewing in Boston
-Compared to the President’s crowds
-Sensitivities, instincts
-Positive tone
-Congressional relations
-New York Times, Washington Post
-Washington Star
-TV
-Martin Z. Agronsky
-39-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Columbus Dispatch, Dallas Morning News, Nashville Banner
Colson
-Future
-Law firm
-Seminars
-David Packard
-Facility
-Moneymaking
-Albert H. Quie
-Packard
-Hubert Wallace [?]
-Facility
Packard
-Experience in administration
-Family problem
-Cambodia
-1972 campaign
-Experience in administration
-Exposure to problems
Rose Bowl Parade
-Flowers
-The President’s TV watching
-Sound
-Flowers
-Floats
Football
-Rose Bowl
-Super Bowl
-The President’s TV watching
-The President’s reading, dictation
-Sound
-Telephone calls
-Playoff games
-The President’s schedule
-Meeting with Allen
-40-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Rose Bowl, 1969
-Secret Service
-Unknown woman
-Late arrival
-Husband
-Comment about traffic
-The President’s entourage
-Florida
-Staff
-Communication
-Secret Service
-University of Arkansas vs. [University of Texas] game, 1969
-Press relations
-Secret Service
-Staff
-Military aide
-Congressional relations
-Motorcade
-Public opinion
-Campaigning
-The President’s attendance at theater and sporting events
-Redskins playoff game
-Traffic
-Compared to John F. Kennedy
-Rose Bowl, 1959
-Unknown woman
-Comment about traffic
-Redskins playoff game
-Dressing rooms
-Dallas Cowboys
-Edward Bennett Williams
The President’s schedule
-Meeting with Allen
-Allen’s family
-Press relations
-Network news
-William A. Gill, Jr.
-41-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
Press relations
-Warren’s press conference
-Timing
Colson left at an unknown time after 11:20 am.
[Pause]
Colson entered at an unknown time before 12:50 pm.
The President talked with an unknown person [Bull?] at an unknown time between 11:20 am and
12:50 pm.
[Conversation No. 392-14A]
The President’s schedule
[End of telephone conversation]
Press relations
-Warren’s press conference
-The President’s meeting with Allen
-The President’s schedule
-Arrival at Oval Office
-Timing
The President’s schedule
-Meeting with Saul Pett
-Colson’s conversation with Pett
-Duration
-The President’s watching of football game while working
-The President’s health
-Colson’s meetings with the President
-Doctors
Bull entered at 12:50 pm.
TV
-42-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
Request for a copy
Item for the President’s signature
Press relations
-Letter
The President’s schedule
-Unknown person
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Distinguished Service Award Presentation
-Melvin R. Laird
-Haig’s parents
-Pentagon
-Oval Office
-Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Timing
-Haig
Bull left at an unknown time before 1:10 pm.
Haig
-Promotion to Army Vice Chief of Staff
-The President’s view
-Capabilities
-Politicians
Eisenhower
-Political ability
-World War II
-Britain
-Compared to Kennedy
Kennedy
-Article
-Brad Morse’s visit to Colson’s house at Christmas, 1972
-United Nations [UN]
-Assassination
-43-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Presidency
-US-Soviet Union relations
-Nikita S. Khrushchev
-Use of amphetamines (“speed”)
-Doctor
-New York Times article
-Clive Barnes
-Danger
-Effect on personality
-Verve
-“Fast-talking charm”
PR
-1968
-Public mood
-Change in foreign policy
-Left-right conflict
-Domestic and international aspects
-Socialism
Rose Bowl Parade
-Floats
-Flowers
-Cost
-Decorations
-Timing
-Grand marshal
-Youth
-Cost
-Cities
-Budgets
-Rowboat
-Cost
-Bands
-Cities
-Standards
Henry A. Kissinger’s press relations
-Effect
-44-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Time
-Man of the Year award
-Kissinger’s unpredictability
-New York Times article
-Attribution to Max Frankel
-Telephone call
-Signal operator
-Effect
-Wendell Colson, II’s reaction
-Washington, DC story
-Upper middle class liberals
Bull entered at an unknown time after 12:50 pm.
The President’s schedule
Bull left at an unknown time before 1:40 pm.
Kissinger’s press relations
-New York Times article
-The President’s reaction
Press relations
-Kilmer’s daughter
-The President’s handwritten note
-Credit for the President
-1972 campaign
-The President’s telephone call to Barry M. Goldwater
-Bias
Harry S. Truman
-Press relations
-Presidency
-Domestic policy
-Taft-Hartley Act
-1948 campaign
-Alger Hiss case
-Thomas E. Dewey
-John Foster Dulles
-45-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Hiss’s credibility
-Liberal establishment
-Typewriter
-The President’s anti-communism
Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
-Watergate [?]
-Congressional relations
*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
1972 election
-John M. Murphy
-Staten Island, New York
-Mario D. Belardino [?]
-Defeat
-Margin
-Jewish vote
-Italian-Americans
-Nelson A. Rockefeller
1976 Republican presidential nominee
-Rockefeller
-Bush
-Percy
-Strength, charisma
-Speaking capabilities
-Agnew
-Personality
-Political potential
-Connally
-Work habits
-Health
-Texas governor
-Campaigning style
-TV
-Qualities of a candidate
-Campaigning
-46-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
-Importance of hard work
-New Hampshire
-Oregon
-Wisconsin
-Nebraska
-Florida
-California
-Connally
-Advantage
-Agnew
-Rockefeller
-New Hampshire
-Connally
-Blacks
-George H. Mahon
-Russell B. Long
-Possible party change
-Democrats’ possible reaction
-Congress
-Michael P. Balzano, Jr.’s views
-Harry F. Byrd, Jr.
-Governor
-Mills Godwin
-Democrats
-Mississippi
-Congress
-Connally
-Prospects
-Possible party change
-Eisenhower
-1952 election
-Role of Vice President
-Agnew
-Role as Vice President
-The President’s future role
-John Mulcahy
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
-47-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 392-14 (cont’d)
The President’s schedule
-Haldeman’s schedule
Harlow
-Colson’s experience
-Capitol Hill
Colson left at 1:10 pm.
UAlso recorded on January 1, 1973
- 829-015 11:14 AM · 41 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:14 am and 11:16 am.
- 829-016 11:14 AM · 54 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:14 am and 11:16 am.
- 392-010 11:17 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 11:17 am.
- 392-011 11:17 AM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:17 am and 11:20 am.
- 392-012 11:17 AM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:17 am and 11:20 am.
- 392-013 11:17 AM · 34 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:17 am and 11:20 am.
- 035-047 11:20 AM · 2 min — Charles W. Colson, White House operator, and Gerald L. Warren talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:20 am and 12:38 pm.
- 035-048 11:20 AM · 17 sec — Charles W. Colson and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:20 am and 12:38 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 392-014, January 1, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/392-014 (accessed October 13, 2026).