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Conversation 475-020

TapeTape 475StartThursday, April 8, 1971 at 1:04 PMEndThursday, April 8, 1971 at 1:11 PMTape start time03:17:17Tape end time03:24:31ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Cake, Ralph H.;  Klein, Herbert G.;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Ralph H. Cake and Herbert G. Klein to discuss strategies for mobilizing public support for the 1972 presidential campaign. Cake proposed establishing state-level volunteer organizations to bolster the President's message, drawing upon his experience working on previous Eisenhower campaigns. The discussion also addressed the utility of Klein's television appearances and the necessity of recruiting optimistic organizers to engage key community groups.

1972 presidential campaignPolitical organizationPublic relationsCampaign strategyGrassroots organizing
AudioNARA Description

On April 8, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Ralph H. Cake, Herbert G. Klein, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 1:04 pm to 1:11 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 475-020 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 475-20

Date: April 8, 1971
Time: 1:04 pm - 1:11 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ralph H. Cake and Herbert G. Klein; the White House Photographer was
present at the beginning of the meeting

      Greetings

     Photographs

     Cake’s age

     Photographs

******************************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 07/24/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[475-020-w001]
[Duration: 1m 24s]

     Ralph H. Cake
          -Support for Dwight D. Eisenhower and the President
                -Walter Williams
          -Support for the President in 1968 elections
                -Walter Williams
          -Health
          -Friendship with the President
          -Continued support of the President
          -Help in 1972 campaign
          -Plan to organize support for the President

******************************************************************************

     Klein’s television appearances
          -Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
          -”Meet the Press”
          -”Face the Nation”

******************************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 07/24/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[475-020-w002]
[Duration: 3m 32s]

     Ralph H. Cake
          -Plan to help establish State level organizations
                -Build confidence in the people
                -The President's message to the people
                -Robert P. Burroughs and Ralph H. Cake
                      -Work in 1956 campaign for Dwight D. Eisenhower
                      -Volunteers
                      -James Michael Roche
                            -General Motors
                            -10,000 employees
                -Herbert G. Klein
                -Roger E. Johnson
                -Qualities needed
                -Organizers
                -Kiwanis, Lions, and labor
                -Need for optimists
                -Forthcoming meeting with Herbert G. Klein
          -The President's tactics

******************************************************************************

     Presentation of Presidential cufflinks
          -Golf balls
                -Signature and Seal

     President’s greetings to Walter [Surname unknown]

Cake and Klein left at 1:11 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.

Hello, Ralph.
How are you?
Hello, Mr. President.
Nice to see you.
You're an old man.
Thank God.
Look at that grout.
Get the grout so you can have the soup.
You can't carry this load all along.
I'm talking about getting to the people.
You can only do so much.
You've got to do it.
You've got to do it.
I had this suggestion that I made to him, Mr. President, and that was this.
Yes, sir.
How's it going?
You've been out a while, right?
I've been out an awful lot, and the worst well in the city I didn't
with Pittsburgh, Georgia, and Texas.
You had the presidential cuff, didn't you?
No, I had it out.
There they are.
That's all you get on the day for.
Well, that's where the country's always for.
That's what you get if you're not a golfer.
Don't ever tell them that.
I won't give you a golf ball.
I'll give you a golf ball anyway.
If you'd like to have one.
Thank you.
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