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Conversation 756-011

TapeTape 756StartFriday, July 28, 1972 at 12:24 PMEndFriday, July 28, 1972 at 12:28 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Colson, Charles W.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to offer personal encouragement following negative media coverage and political criticism. Nixon advised Colson to remain resilient, framing media attacks as a tactical attempt to induce fear and undermine the administration's resolve. He urged Colson to ignore editorial criticism and maintain a combative posture toward their political adversaries.

Media criticismPolitical strategyPublic relationsPresidential moraleCharles Colson
AudioNARA Description

On July 28, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:24 pm to 12:28 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 756-011 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 756-11

Date: July 28, 1972
Time: 12:24 pm - 12:28 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

[See Conversation No. 28-9]

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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 11/01/2022.]
[Personal Returnable]
[756-011-w001]
[Duration: 1m 54s]

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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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah, I wanted to tell you earlier when I said you were sort of concerned about some piece of money.
That's not what it's great about.
Let me just say this.
The one thing I want to particularly say to you, and this has got to be true for everybody, is my rule in regard to the columns and the grades.
It's always this.
First, if they don't criticize you, you aren't doing anything.
The second point, and this is important, you want to remember, the reason they do it is to try to get you to lay off.
And second, get out of your skin.
And so don't let him get out of your skin.
Just beat the bastards.
And that's what we're going to do.
Don't let him hurt you.
It will pass, but he's just a nasty bastard.
And he is a smack of what's in a whole bad bunch.
But they're going to be beaten, and that's why they're squealing.
And don't you worry about it.
And just said, I just felt that I considered a badge of honor.
Look, if you think what I did is true, hell, you shouldn't be worried.
All you tell your kids that now and then, okay?
Yeah.
Oh, of course, because it's so unfair and so rough.
And they never say this about these other bastards.
I mean, it's unbelievable.
On the other hand, let me say, they're having their problems too, Chuck.
I know you are.
I don't get it.
I'm not sure.
One day we will.
It's just... And also, they want to punch you.
They want to make you...
afraid.
They want to make you a gunshot.
A gunshot.
And I am.
I'm a great believer.
As you know, a lot of people don't believe it.
I do not read.
I do not read the editorial pages, believe me, of any of those goddamn papers.
I'll go ahead and shoot them this summer.
But that's all.
Don't ever do it.
It isn't worth it.
Sure.
Yeah.
Yeah.
All right.
Go ahead, I'm just waiting.
We're only an hour away.
But anyway, I've got to go to bed.
We're only an hour away.
We're only an hour away.
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