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Conversation 493-018

TapeTape 493StartThursday, May 6, 1971 at 2:30 PMEndThursday, May 6, 1971 at 5:05 PMTape start time03:34:29Tape end time03:37:01ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to finalize the President's schedule for May 7, 1971, focusing on logistics for upcoming public appearances. The discussion centered on managing press access and determining the President’s level of involvement in remarks for the "Salute to Agriculture" and an appearance on the "Glen Campbell Show." They reached decisions to keep press presence minimal, specifically limiting photo coverage and briefings during the musical entertainment portion of the show to maintain control over the President's public image.

Presidential schedulingPress managementPublic relationsGlen Campbell ShowSalute to Agriculture
AudioNARA Description

On May 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:30 pm and 5:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 493-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 493-18

Date: May 6, 1971
Time: Unknown between 2:30 pm and 5:05 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield

     President’s schedule, May 7, 1971
          -John D. Ehrlichman
          -President’s possible remarks at “Salute to Agriculture”
                -Photo coverage
          -”Glen Campbell Show”
                -Ronald L. Ziegler
                -Introduction, musical numbers
                -Press in State Dining Room
          -A morning group
                -President’s possible remarks
                -Press pool
                      -Judith Martin of Washington Post
                            -Ziegler

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 5:05 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

For the right reasons.
He couldn't pass the buck and said, well, I just did what the Justice Department told me to do.
All I had was a hired hand.
Fine.
I'm not sure you're an out of it.
I'm sure you're an out of it.
I will push on with you.
Sir, we'll check down the road tonight, quickly, and we'll conclude as soon as we can.
Sure.
Yes.
First and foremost, there's no need to hold numbers without receiving the time to go.
You are in.
Yes.
But if you do, you won't respond.
No remarks would be so brief.
That's right, because I don't care if they're flying.
Well, if they're very brief, maybe you don't want those fighters to press.
No, no remarks would be fighting to press.
Now, there's no opportunity for photo coverage, I guess, since there's only all of them in the track group.
Do you want them to have the whole lot as they sit down in the main entrance?
No.
No.
Just in case you're going to the land animal show, Russ will be there.
Well, Ron, I hope he will be.
Hold on.
Ron, I'm going to cover that.
Let's just stay the hell out of the back.
They don't need to be in the back.
That keeps them out.
There's a good picture.
Just for your introduction of the entertainment, the first number and the last number in your glass.
So the lights would be on, and they'd go off during the main part of the show, and come on into the last number here.
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