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Conversation 456-010

TapeTape 456StartTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 12:02 PMEndTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 12:06 PMTape start time02:11:39Tape end time02:16:24ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Waters, John B., Jr.;  Waters, Patsy (Temple);  Waters, Cynthia;  Waters, John B., III;  Ehrlichman, John D.;  Ziegler, Ronald L.;  Huebner, Lee W.;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon hosted John B. Waters, Jr. and his family for a brief social visit and photo opportunity in the Oval Office, during which he presented them with gifts and discussed the office's surroundings. The meeting served primarily as a gesture of goodwill toward the Waters family, including informal conversation regarding Tennessee politics and previous speaking engagements. Outside of the family visit, the recording includes brief, fragmented discussion regarding strategy for a separate event, emphasizing the President's desire to control media access and minimize public exposure during specific political sessions.

Oval OfficePhoto opportunityTennessee politicsMedia strategyFamily visit
AudioNARA Description

On February 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, John B. Waters, Jr., Patsy (Temple) Waters, Cynthia Waters, John B. Waters, III, John D. Ehrlichman, Ronald L. Ziegler, Lee W. Huebner, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:02 pm to 12:06 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 456-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 456-10

Date: February 23, 1971
Time: 12:02 pm - 12:06 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with John B. Waters, Jr., Patsy (Temple) Waters, Cynthia Waters, John B.
Waters, III, John D. Ehrlichman, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Lee W. Huebner; the White House
photographer was present during the meeting

      Arrangement for photo

      [General conversation]
           -Speaking engagement by the President
           -Children
           -Howard H. Baker, Jr.

      Presentation of gifts by the President

      Description of Oval Office

      Tennessee politicians

J. B. Waters, Jr., et al. left at 12:06 pm
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 ought to say that there's talk for the effective.
Let's understand.
But when I say action, I don't mean...
I'll say that we've thought this through.
We've considered all the alternatives.
I don't think any of them are any good.
There are a lot of small rooms around that hall.
Why don't we get one of those rooms that will accommodate you and the Governor and the Vice President, you know, and Senator Tom.
But you can make your pitch in there, exclude the press from it, then come into the big room and, uh, for pictures if you want.
But, uh, you can leave.
They can get the pictures for them.
Sure, that's right.
Okay.
Why don't you assume we'll do it that way unless we get back?
Yeah, but if you have to go open, then I'll go open.
I think Agnew and the rest of them.
But these assholes are playing for their own publicity.
And actually they want to play off of me, but that does not help our HBO.
Okay, we'll set it.
I just don't want to be there in front.
I don't like to have a picture taken.
Why are you speaking for the others?
Let them see the picture tonight.
Let them see the picture tonight.
No, we haven't planned to have a picture of the toast.
We're not going to make the toast.
But I just wondered if they want a picture so that we can prove that we had them there.
And then they can cover some of the entertainment.
Yeah, you're breaking our standards.
What does that mean to this panel?
What does it mean to this committee?
Mr. Grayson?
Yes, how are you?
How are you?
Nice to see you again.
My daughter's standing.
How are you?
Nice to see you again.
Why don't we go over here and get a picture of the wall?
Do you like to do that?
That's good.
I know it's not very much there, but you'll get on this side, right?
This side.
Right on this.
Okay.
Ah, there we are.
You look out there.
Thank you all for that spirit.
I'm glad to see you.
I was also very, very glad to hear your letter.
I appreciate it.
I appreciate your willingness to speak a lot because we love you.
Let's say we believe in this program.
We just want to give our students a chance to make their own decisions.
And they probably will keep it.
And I'd like to put it on the back of your ears and
You know, I told you in my head, you know, the president went to the session, and all that in my head, and people get blanked, and I don't see, you know, all of them.
And he told me, he just asked me to vote, and I said, I did.
We had to double, we had to double.
You know, when you spoke in Chattanooga in 65, 64, 65, I walked out of the greenhouse and of course the ambulance came in there and took you out of the toilet.
And this fellow jumping out of this room is going to say, Mr. Dixon, how old are you?
13.
13.
It's been a long few years then.
Sure.
I remember 100% where it was for you, but we gave you 87%.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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