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Conversation 434-003

TapeTape 434StartWednesday, May 9, 1973 at 6:03 PMEndWednesday, May 9, 1973 at 6:08 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss strategic responses to ongoing political investigations and the media's manipulation of leaked materials. Nixon expresses frustration over the tactics used by political adversaries to build narratives through the selective release of information, while emphasizing the need for patience before attempting to discredit them. The two also touch upon the necessity of reassuring Henry Kissinger, who is expected to return from travel the following day, amidst the prevailing atmosphere of political instability.

Watergate scandalMedia relationsPolitical strategyHenry KissingerCrisis management
AudioNARA Description

On May 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:03 pm to 6:08 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 434-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 434-3

Date: May 9, 1973
Time: 6:03 pm - 6:08 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.
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                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                   (rev. September-2012)

                                                           Conversation No. 434-3 (cont’d)

[See Conversation No. 45-176]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello?
Hi, Ron.
Any ladies in report?
Yeah.
Next week?
Yeah.
as well as the government prosecutor's team
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right.
I understand.
name on the application, talking about it.
Right.
Okay.
Well, what the hell, you know, we just can't sit here and worry about those papers anyway.
You know, the way I figure about it is, as you and I have said, we know that this is typical of this kind of a guy, you know, to
right out of his case and put it in the drawer.
And then try to build it up.
So when he breaks it out, he'll get a bigger store.
I think that's pretty much the whole game here.
Yeah.
I recognize it.
But you think then you can't really start discrediting this fellow until then, huh?
Right.
Yeah.
I see.
True as, true as an honest man.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They, they all, they all ran as far as over this thing.
Well they newly ran a big blast last week.
Yeah.
Sure.
Well, what the hell.
Well, we'll have to, when Henry gets back tomorrow night, do a, Al will hold that to hold his hand up.
Do you think?
Do you think so?
Well, he's got, he's doing good things.
He's doing good things.
And the main thing is just reassure him.
You know, just because of all the part of people, one person's mind.
So I think it's nothing to do with it.
Yeah.
Okay.
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