Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 494-009
Date: Saturday, May 8, 1971 at 1:55 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/494-009

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:09:38] They will discuss it in such a way, an image of indecisiveness and weak leadership.
[3:09:45] The bad kind of began to come at this point.
[3:09:49] But the nation wants strong, firm, decisive leadership.
[3:09:56] That is exactly what we have been providing both foreign and domestic policy to do to our own.
[3:10:05] Acres.
[3:10:06] Coupled with, uh, very skillful operation.
[3:10:12] Press.
[3:10:14] I remember a year ago, you were surprised, you know, that despite everything I had said on law and order, that the polls had cheated.
[3:10:26] But Teddy Kennedy was stronger on law and order than I was.
[3:10:31] That's the kind of problem we have today.
[3:10:35] With the possible exception.
[3:10:39] Where, of course,
[3:10:42] The issue is mostly devised to be strong, almost as many negatives as it can positives, although less than the greatest mistake to be, as far as public opinion is concerned.