← 642-009642-011 →

Conversation 642-010

TapeTape 642StartMonday, January 3, 1972 at 9:07 AMEndMonday, January 3, 1972 at 9:14 AMTape start time02:15:29Tape end time02:23:11ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Moore, Richard A.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Richard A. Moore reviewed the President's recent television interview with Dan Rather, comparing it unfavorably to his previous appearance with Howard K. Smith. They discussed specific inquiries Rather raised regarding the administration's political timing on Vietnam, foreign summits, and economic policy, as well as the President’s traditional views on social nomenclature like the term "Ms." The two concluded the meeting by assessing the strategic value of such televised interviews versus traditional press conferences for the administration's public image.

Dan RatherHoward K. SmithVietnam WarMedia relationsPublic relationsPolitical strategy
AudioNARA Description

On January 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Richard A. Moore met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:07 am to 9:14 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 642-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 642-10

Date: January 3, 1972
Time: 9:07 am - 9:14 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Richard A. Moore.

     Greeting

     Unknown man
         -Speechwriting

     The President's interview with Rather, January 2, 1972
          -Compared to Howard K. Smith interview
               -The President's previous conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
               -Smith's questions
          -Rather
               -The President’s handling
          -Question on the President's possible delay tactics for sake of reelection
               -Vietnam
               -Moscow and Peking summit
               -US economic program
               -Vietnam
                      -Bombing pause
          -Question on use of "Ms."
               -The President's conversation with daughter
                      -Gloria Steinem's comment
               -The President's response

          -Question on ending Vietnam war
               -Timing
               -Lyndon B. Johnson
               -Presidential responsibility
          -Value
               -Compared with press conferences
                     -Value for administration
          -Question on Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
               -Republican National Convention
          -Popular opinion
          -Rather

     Asa V. Call
          -Health

     Donald I. Goodenow
         -Political life
                -1956
         -Stanford University
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.

Okay.
All right.
All right.
All right, here we go.
So, yeah, yeah, how are you?
You feel good?
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, you're, uh, you aren't doing, uh, all these old things out there, yeah?
Yeah, he's a rather interesting artist.
He's an active, frequent student.
You know, I had a call with him this morning.
I said, really, the Smith thing is better.
He said, yes, the Smith thing is better, but no, not the Stanford thing.
I told him, you agree with me?
Thank you very much.
Well, I guess it's the case that it was in the 1930s, I don't know, that I delayed the war and delayed the economic progress.
You do sound injured.
I was trying to get a hold of my mom across the...
Yeah, well, I don't know.
You prefer this?
I know what the Christ is talking about.
My daughter's related, but his is quite the greatest man.
I said, well, I'm a fair guy, though, to the right answer.
Because I said, well, I was old-fashioned.
I thought Mr. and Mrs. was OK. That's that.
That's right.
Well, that's true.
That's part of it.
But it had to do with, would you do it now?
Yeah.
But it also pointed out that the police didn't do it in the morning, okay?
Which is a question we'll see with all things.
We saw a president who was in the hot tub, so I think they were in his office.
Yeah.
But do you think these things are worthwhile?
Well, we've got the courage, so there's no more to do.
Yes, of course.
No, they can't.
They don't do it.
They don't do it because they do not have any LPS.
On the other hand, there are certifiers.
Yes, sir.
← 642-009642-011 →