← 461-008461-010 →

Conversation 461-009

TapeTape 461StartTuesday, March 2, 1971 at 12:01 PMEndTuesday, March 2, 1971 at 12:06 PMTape start time01:15:23Tape end time01:20:45ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman reviewed the administration's public relations strategy, focusing on countering negative media coverage regarding the President's recent trip to Iowa and managing optics for upcoming travel. The discussion emphasized the need for more effective messaging, including the coordination of special letters to governors like Ronald Reagan and Nelson Rockefeller to support revenue sharing initiatives. Additionally, the pair evaluated the logistical success of recent social events, such as the astronaut dinner, comparing them to state functions to better plan future appearances.

Public RelationsPress CoverageRevenue SharingPresidential ScheduleMedia Strategy
AudioNARA Description

On March 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:01 pm to 12:06 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 461-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 461-9

Date: March 2, 1971
Time: 12:01 pm - 12:06 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     President’s trip to Iowa
          -Press coverage
                -Washington Post and networks
                -Need for response
                       -Clark MacGregor
                       -Charles W. Colson

     Press
             -Administration policy
             -Reports of President’s reception by crowds
                  -Compared with Lyndon B. Johnson
                  -Reasons
                  -White House staff efforts

     President’s schedule

          -Rochester
                -Possible demonstrations
          -Alabama
          -Paul Miller

     Revenue sharing
         -President’s statement
         -Public relations efforts
               -Letters to Ronald W. Reagan, Nelson A. Rockefeller

     President’s schedule
          -Astronaut dinner, March 1, 1971
                -Length
                      -Receiving line
                      -Dinner
                      -Departure times
                -Compared with state dinners
                -Compared with Edward K. (“Duke”) Ellington dinner

Haldeman 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.

And I hear you are.
I think the fact that it tends to keep the press a little off balance and keep fighting, you know, we, it seems that it's almost a hopeless task sometimes, but we have to remember that privacy is not almost anything.
We do so well, you know, that's a good thing, which I didn't know, but I hope you think about the number of issues.
God almighty, there's huge crowds and big receptions for Barry Boyd Johnson and all around the world.
So if we have one hell of a time getting the press to report it on people.
Well, we get them when we have them.
Well, they sure do a better job of reporting it when they can.
Any negative, it is because it's young.
They want to do things.
All there is is a negative guy to do it.
And you have on our press conference, they do the best they can.
Thank you.
Well, I ask you at the end.
So, no indication at this point of the problem that it will happen.
I mean, you gave me a few minutes on the map, and I'm sure it's not going to happen.
I don't think it's going to happen.
I don't think it's going to happen.
The key thing is to get some of our people out of this country.
Now they've got a committee there, we've got Paul Miller and so forth.
And now I need to speak, I'm just plugging right into the chair.
Special letters should go to folks like Reagan, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh, and uh,
Well, I think your idea on the action out there is a good one, last one, to change the case.
Unfortunately, it didn't last for a long time.
Yeah, well, it was overhauled.
Yeah, it wasn't awesome.
And basically serving on each group exactly all along.
But, of course, you had more people, too.
But, on the other hand, it was over.
We were out there.
We were out there.
We've got the rest of them staying.
Which is great.
Yeah.
it's just a lot of different well if you get an evening like that there's just there's a hell of a difference and we ought to keep working for this kind of stuff where those people have a common bond they get along a lot better the state dinners you're never going to make swinging parties out of those things because they're they're the people that don't know each other unless you go to just having the internal
That was a good part of the talented thing was that all those people knew each other.
Yeah.
And it was overwhelming for a lot of them.
It was a big deal for them.
But they had a good time, and it was a nice country to be in.
With those guys, and so many people that haven't seen them since they got back, we just let them be that way.
They went around, and I went over, and they were the kids that shook hands with all of them.
← 461-008461-010 →