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Conversation 447-005

TapeTape 447StartMonday, June 18, 1973 at 4:27 PMEndMonday, June 18, 1973 at 4:29 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss political maneuvering regarding Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and potential press exploitation of ongoing controversies. Nixon expresses concern that opponents intend to build up negative coverage over the summer to damage the administration. He directs Haig to thoroughly vet these developments and considers retaliatory measures, such as imposing tariffs, to counter the perceived political threat.

Mike MansfieldPolitical strategyMedia relationsTrade policyWhite House administration
AudioNARA Description

On June 18, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 4:27 pm to 4:29 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 447-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 447-5

Date: June 18, 1973
Time: 4:27 pm - 4:29 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 41-3]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I just wanted to be sure that, uh, that, uh, there's, of course, uh, uh, nobody that PR sent me.
I understand.
But you can't let Mansfield and the Canadian all get away with this, you know.
The bankers are going to go about this, you know.
I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't,
Come on, the post is done or somebody else.
Put a tariff on it and get parents up and waiting for the baby long enough.
Or the parents.
And be damn sure to check this kind of thing out thoroughly.
Because you know, Wilson is the smarter the devil.
And he probably believes that the parents are going to leave him for the post.
Now, he may be wrong.
He may be wrong.
I don't believe so, because I know I'm supposed to push him bigger than him.
You know what I mean?
I just think we've got to check everything out, like you and Sean.
Well, maybe that's what we have in mind on this thing.
We ought to make something out of this.
See, the thing that I'm concerned about is if they're going to let this goddamn thing hang over us and build it up for a week in order to play it in the summer.
That's what they're trying to do.
Back down.
Try to get over the boys together.
Okay.
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