← 622-001622-003 →

Conversation 622-002

TapeTape 622StartMonday, November 22, 1971 at 4:02 PMEndMonday, November 22, 1971 at 4:07 PMTape start time00:11:59Tape end time00:16:43ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Lewis, Hobart D.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis, the editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest, to discuss the possibility of a feature or interview piece for the magazine's upcoming 50th anniversary. The two men also touched upon political challenges, including concerns regarding board stability and legislative strategy. Nixon emphasized his commitment to maintaining a firm stance on controversial issues while coordinating with Lewis on the messaging strategy for the publication.

Reader's DigestMedia relationsPublic relations strategyCongressional relationsAnniversary publication
AudioNARA Description

On November 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Hobart D. Lewis met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:02 pm to 4:07 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 622-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 622-002

Date: November 22, 1971
Time: 4:02 pm - 4:07 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Hobart D. (“Hobe”) Lewis.

[See Conversation No. 15-98]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
All right.
Hello.
Oh, how are you?
Yeah.
Well, we should have been here.
Yeah.
Well, it's a very close question now, of course, as to whether these people will stay on the board.
If they don't, then we're going to have to go down.
And if there's a problem there, of course, they may go on some struggles, and that will be tough.
But we just can't back down now.
Well, I'm sure they are.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And, uh, they've, uh, they've knocked me apart.
And, uh,
Oh, sure.
Yeah.
Right.
Well, hey, you just keep the feet of the fire open.
Ah, well, that's my story no more.
When would it be, uh,
Well, the interview is perhaps either the best format or maybe something I wrote for our 50th anniversary out of that.
Notice at the time, I mean, that is not acceptable to everybody.
It's a question of perhaps we do it better if I have a chance to think about the thing, rather than just off the top of my head.
When do you have to have advice?
And that's for your graduation.
Oh, I see.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
Yeah, good.
Did you catch that, right?
You don't paint at all, are you?
Too cold?
Well, how did you get along with Irvin, I think?
As you know, we're back all the way up.
But I think what we ought to do is just get the dam, wheel back the congressional line.
That's my view.
And since it gets to my desk, I'll back it, so.
I don't need to interact with that one so long.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Rob?
Well, the point is that you've got to study the truth.
You can do that with my help.
Okay, thank you.
← 622-001622-003 →