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Conversation 781-031

TapeTape 781StartMonday, September 18, 1972 at 4:30 PMEndMonday, September 18, 1972 at 4:30 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.;  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Stephen Bull to finalize administrative details regarding his upcoming schedule and a personal letter to Mrs. Theodore Bennahum. The President emphasized strict ground rules for a forthcoming interview with author Theodore H. White, stipulating that the discussion was to be used exclusively for White's book and prohibited from appearing in media outlets like Time or Life before the election. Additionally, the group coordinated timing adjustments for a subsequent meeting with a senator to ensure the President's schedule remained fluid and uninterrupted.

Presidential schedulingTheodore H. WhiteMedia relationsThe Making of the President 1972White House correspondence
AudioNARA Description

On September 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 4:30 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 781-031 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 781-31

Date: September 18, 1972
Time: 4:30 pm
Location: Oval Office

Ronald L. Ziegler met with Stephen B. Bull.

             The President's schedule

             Letter to Mrs. Theodore Bennahum

             The President’s schedule
                 -Theodore H. White
                     -Photograph session
                          -Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins

The President entered at 4:30 pm.

             The President’s schedule
                 -White

             Letter to Mrs. Bennahum
                 -Timing
                 -Raymond K. Price, Jr.
                       -White
                 -Theodore Bennahum’s support for the President

             The President’s schedule
                 -Ziegler
                 -White
                     -Forthcoming meeting

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

                           -Ground rules
                                -Quotes
                                    -Use
                                      -Time, Life
                                      -[The Making of the President, 1972]
                           -Duration
                           -Interuption
                                -Kenneth C. Rietz meeting
                  -[Willie E. Brock, III]

Ziegler and Bull left at 4:30 pm.
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.

I don't know what you're saying.
I don't know.
No, I think it's better.
Yeah, I saw that.
He's very appreciative of the fact that I said he understood about it then.
Yes.
He wrote a letter to you expressing his science for you.
I'm so sorry.
I believe the letter is going out tonight.
I'm not sure.
It's a very long letter.
I don't know who actually prepared it.
Well, you just check to see that the letter
It's a personal thing.
I just want to be sure it's personal, not just to bring the butter up.
Yes, sir.
He's mentioned since the letter.
I don't think he needs to stay.
No, I know.
I think it would be better if I did.
Oh, incidentally, I'll double check with him.
Nothing is to be used in this conversation except for the book, obviously, which comes out after the election.
Nothing for time of life, nothing for TV analysis, nothing for anything except for the book.
And he's talked to staff.
What do you expect, 45 minutes?
25, 30, 45 minutes.
So I'm not interrupting a train of thought or anything.
I'm 430 down.
I can interrupt this thing with the senator.
No, no, we've got reads coming in.
Well, I can just read something.
Let's make that a fine of 530.
All right.
Approximately 420.
You come in and say that.
I will say to the senator.
Oh, that's the senator.
530.
Yeah.
Senator's here for his point.
All right.
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