Conversation 642-040

TapeTape 642StartMonday, January 3, 1972 at 12:43 PMEndMonday, January 3, 1972 at 12:45 PMTape start time05:42:59Tape end time05:44:32ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  [Unknown person(s)]Recording deviceOval Office

President Nixon and an unidentified interlocutor discuss political strategy regarding Secretary of State William P. Rogers and the administration's broader policy objectives. The dialogue centers on the political optics of current war efforts, election year preparations, and the implications of the President's scheduled travel to Moscow. These reflections underscore the administration's focus on managing perceptions of policy decisions ahead of the upcoming election cycle.

William P. RogersForeign Policy1972 ElectionMoscow SummitPolitical Strategy

On January 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:43 pm and 12:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 642-040 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 642-40

Date: January 3, 1972
Time: Unknown between 12:43 pm and 12:45 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with an unknown person.

     Memorandum from Robert H. Finch
        -Henry E. Ford, II
             -Government support
                   -Voluntary action
                   -Grant
             -The President’s schedule
                   -Possible attendance at National Center for Voluntary Action dinner,
                         February 10, 1972
             -Resignation
             -Forthcoming meeting with the President
                   -Purpose
             -Decision

     Finch
          -Location

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I mean, actually, the Rogers.
Yeah.
Old-course Rogers, basically.
Well, he was trying.
He was trying to do the worst of it, the most blameless word.
He said, well, you're, didn't you plan to end the war and postpone the war, postpone the going to Moscow, postpone the defeat of the electioneers?
That's right.
That's good and evil.