Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 668-016
Date: Wednesday, February 9, 1972 at 11:21 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President)
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/668-016

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:05:26] And I do not question the patriotism or the sincerity of those who disagree with my policy to bring peace.
[3:05:28] But as I said in 1968 when I was a candidate for president, we have only one president at a time.
[3:05:36] And only the president can negotiate an end to the war.
[3:05:41] There should always be free debate and criticism, so that our policy will represent the best thinking of our nation.
[3:05:49] A candidate for president has a higher responsibility than the ordinary critic.
[3:05:55] A candidate should make any criticism he believes would contribute to bringing an honorable peace.
[3:06:03] But I would hope that anyone seeking the presidency would examine his statements carefully to be sure that nothing he says might give the enemy an incentive to prolong the war until after the election.
[3:06:22] Trust in the United States among the 45 nations with which we have treaty commitments is essential if peace and freedom are to be preserved in the world.
[3:06:34] Let us end our involvement in the war in Vietnam in a way which will not destroy that trust.
[3:07:00] No, no, no, no.
[3:07:03] No, no, no, no.