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Conversation 719-023

TapeTape 719StartThursday, May 4, 1972 at 1:51 PMEndFriday, May 5, 1972 at 8:44 AMTape start time03:49:10Tape end time03:50:26ParticipantsUnited States Secret Service agentsRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

Secret Service agents discussed domestic political sentiment regarding the President’s handling of the Vietnam War and the upcoming Moscow summit. The participants reviewed internal polling data indicating strong public support for the bombing of North Vietnam despite the ongoing conflict. They ultimately advised against canceling the summit, arguing that public opinion favored maintaining the diplomatic engagement regardless of the military situation in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam WarMoscow SummitPublic OpinionDomestic PolicyBombing Campaigns
AudioNARA Description

United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House on an unknown date, sometime between 1:51 pm on May 4, 1972 and 8:44 am on May 5, 1972. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 719-023 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 719-23

Date: May 4-unknown before May 5, 1972
Time: Unknown after 1:51 pm, May 4, 1972 and before 8:44 am, May 5, 1972
Location: Oval Office

Unknown persons [Secret Service agents] entered.

     President's location

The conversation was cut off at an unknown time before 8:44 am, May 5, 1972.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

And it just irritated the shit out of Bryce.
Well, Bob, as far as the bombing of North Vietnam, our own poll shows clearly that people are for that.
That's one thing that's staying clear.
We've got to do it now.
After the fact, you know, the road, he finally came to his position not knowing the poll.
And he said, he said, I would have, I said two things.
And 60% say that wasn't very far off.
But his point was two-thirds of the people want you to go to the summit, regardless of what's happening in Vietnam.
They don't see it as being one precluding the other.
That's why you shouldn't cancel the summit.
Plus, that way, if you get a chance of keeping the summit on, if you cancel it, then it's done.
So why do you have to set 50-50, and exist at 50-50 if you try to get less?
Sorry, better than 80-20, 20-20.
We're not that close.
So you still ask that or not.
We just want to be better than the worst.
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