Conversation 656-018

TapeTape 656StartWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 12:57 PMEndWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 1:02 PMTape start time03:03:45Tape end time03:09:16ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Reagan, Ronald W.Recording deviceOval Office

On January 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald W. Reagan met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:57 pm to 1:02 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 656-018 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 656-18

Date: January 26, 1972
Time: 12:57 pm - 1:02 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Ronald W. Reagan.

[See Conversation No. 19-101]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello, how are you?
Are you at a region's meeting?
Hello?
Hello?
Yeah, how are you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Are you at a region's meeting, I should say?
Well, uh, we called, uh, Henry, I guess, called you with an advance or hey here.
Yeah, yeah.
Alright.
Yeah.
Let me say that I couldn't agree more.
If the line could be taken, we have gone as far as we can go.
We cannot join our enemy or overthrow our ally.
But beyond that, if we could also say that any chance for negotiation
will be destroyed if we go off in all directions again.
But if the American people unite behind this proposal, then the enemy will realize that they can't gain the United States the victory they can't win out there.
And I really think if you could hit that line, let's unite.
Because it's really true, Rob.
You can't speak with a babble of voices and expect the other side to negotiate.
There's got to be one negotiator.
If they want to go off on their own, then they have the responsibility for destroying this fine chance for peace.
Now, I understand the first reaction of the enemy will be to turn this down.
But that's all right.
We'll just keep proposing.
And after they've had their offensive, then we'll see what they're going to do.
Right, right.
Yeah.
Well, let me say this.
He is top-line, and he certainly is one who could conserve any place in government.
He's that good, in my opinion.
With regard to this situation, Ron, at this point, because of the relatively short time
I feel at this point that, and John, I talked to John Mitchell about it, that the best thing probably is going to be to take Kleindies and have him serve until the, you know, the 10 months that are left.
And then, of course, Kleindies has no ideas.
I mean, he's not going to have that.
But I can assure you that
at the very top of the list, as, of course, Smith would be, Smith particularly for the court, and Kapp on the AG thing.
I know his heart is set on that.
But you can see that at this point, if you moved a new mansion on top of this whole pile, and that, with all the intricate things they've got to operate, and all the cases that are up there, it would just take a lot of time for him to learn what the hell is going on.
The Justice Department is the most intricate deal of all, because of the cases they have.
But I got your message, and frankly, if you have no objection, I'm going to tell Cap that we talked.
And he'll appreciate it, too.
Because he's done a fine job.
And give my best to the student editors.
Oh, incidentally, Bob Fitch was at the city yesterday and said he was coming out to see you, and he had a couple of things to pass on to you, and I think you'll be very pleased to hear that he, I think he left California.
He said he was going to see you today or tomorrow, but I've come up with, you know, you talked to him before, but I...
If you want to talk to me after you've seen him, call, OK?
Because I'm not getting involved in California politics.
But it's up to you.
I'm glad to interview you.