Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 462 › Conversation 462-011

Nixon & Colson on Press relations and Public opinion

Friday, March 5, 1971 · 10:46 AM–10:49 AM ET · Oval Office ·3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Colson, Charles W.Conversation462-011 onTape 462 (tape position 02:43:23–02:46:06)StartFriday, March 5, 1971 at 10:46 AMEndFriday, March 5, 1971 at 10:49 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 462-011 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed the positive reception to the President’s recent press conference and the need to maintain momentum through strategic follow-up. They reviewed the effectiveness of the President's public comments regarding the press and Cambodia, specifically emphasizing a strategy to mobilize support from groups such as veterans and the American Legion. Nixon directed Colson to initiate a 'drumbeat' of public backing to pressure Congress and solidify his administration's messaging.

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah.
Well, we didn't have any problems in Rochester today, I understand.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, the main thing is, uh, uh, that he, uh...
that there is no reason now for us to go out and run into the possibility of a little possibility, you see.
Yeah.
Right.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Right, right, right.
I think it's important now to follow up on the press thing last night, because you've got something there that's solid, and I think you can find some.
You made some calls, didn't you?
At your usual time.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I see.
Yeah.
I thought that was effective, didn't you?
Voice talking right over their heads.
Yeah.
I didn't run into any of this problem.
No, that's good.
Well, I'm pointing out that if they were wrong, I can't hold you for running.
and how about all of our, how about mobilizing all the groups that we can't go and can't time and can't vote, you know, whatever it's the, there's the veterans and the legion and so forth and so on.
Can we get a little drumbeat started there too?
Well, I think you ought to, I don't think, I wouldn't stop at the Congress, but the Congress would get very good reaction then.
Yeah.
That's the best thing I said last night.
Cheap shot.
Okay, let's do a third line on her.

NARA Description

On March 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:46 am to 10:49 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 462-011 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 462-11

Date: March 5, 1971
Time: 10:46 am - 10:49 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Charles W. Colson

     President’s schedule
          -Possible trip to Rochester
                -Potential problems

     President’s March 4, 1971 press conference
          -Need for follow-up
          -Colson’s calls
          -President’s statement about the press
                -Cambodia
          -Supporters
                -Peter J. Brennan
                -Veterans
                      -American Legion
                -Congress
          -President’s response to question

Also recorded on March 5, 1971

  • 462-005 8:30 AM · 1 hr 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, unknown person(s), White House operator, Alexander P. Butterfield, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, William P. Rogers, Melvin R. Laird, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, and Richard M. Helms met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:30 am to 10:15 am.
  • 462-006 10:15 AM · 34 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:20 am.
  • 462-007 10:15 AM · 19 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, Rose Mary Woods, White House operator, and John C. Stennis met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:40 am.
  • 462-008 10:40 AM · 2 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:40 am and 10:41 am.
  • 462-009 10:41 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Leonard Garment met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:41 am to 10:45 am.
  • 462-010 10:45 AM · 2 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:45 am to 10:46 am.
  • 462-012 10:49 AM · 17 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Manolo Sanchez, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:49 am to 11:06 am.
  • 462-013 11:06 AM · 1 hr 58 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John B. Connally, Arthur F. Burns, George P. Shultz, Paul W. McCracken, Rose Mary Woods, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:06 am to 1:05 pm.

All 21 conversations from March 5, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 462-011, March 5, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/462-011 (accessed September 18, 2026).